Spiritual Gifts – Love and Order (1 Cor. 14:26-40)

[Sung Psalm: 68]

Today we are talking about “love and order” in the church.

I realize that each of you will hear Paul differently. Some of you hear “women should keep silent” – and it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Others hear that and are eager for a sermon against modern feminism.

What’s a preacher to do?

I want all of you to remember Paul’s own strategy in writing to the Corinthians. As Paul talks about the gifts – as Paul works through matters of daily life and worship – he centers his whole discourse around love. 1 Corinthians 13 is at the center of what Paul is doing here.

After all, Paul is writing to a church that is divided on many points. And Paul wants them to love each other! So as we hear what Paul says to us – let us remember what Paul has said about pursuing love:

• Love waits patiently.
• Love does kindness.
• Love does not insist on its own way.
• Love does not rejoice with wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.