PRAY: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker… (Psalm 95:6)
READ: 1 Corinthians 14:26–33
MEDITATE:
When we gather for worship, our primary purpose is to worship and praise our Almighty God. Through worship, we come into his presence; heaven and earth are joined. Paul describes the appearance of communal worship under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The liturgy is open to allow anyone who feels so moved to share their Holy Spirit-given gift of worship or edification. Paul also instructs how those gifts are to be expressed: in an orderly manner and with self-control, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (v. 33).
Within the Anglican Communion, there is a wide range of liturgical models. Even within the Anglican Communion Network, there are traditionalists, Charismatics, Evangelicals, and Anglo-Catholics. Many of the historical schisms within the Episcopal Church have been sparked by liturgical battles. At this time in history, many of those who had separated in the past are being drawn together again by a common purpose.
Questions and Application:
- What does this passage say?
- Have you ever been in a church service that displayed the more controversial gifts of the Holy Spirit? If so, what was your reaction?
- Should our mode of worship (e.g., charismatic, Anglo-Catholic, low church, etc.) divide our church?
PRAY: Thank you, Lord God, for inviting us to share in your holiness through the practice of worship. Help us to take our attention off of ourselves and place it where it belongs—on you.