Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 29, 2022: SOAP #4499:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church…. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, Paul gives specific directions for the ministry of spiritual gifts when believers are gathered in one place.  Their custom was to gather on the first day of the week for worship and teaching and perhaps to share a meal.  Paul covers several issues about spiritual gifts that would be commonly expressed in such a gathering:  the gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy.  He also covers a cultural practice of the men and women sitting separately in the church.  If one needed to ask their spouse a question, they should not interrupt the gathering, but wait until they return home.  

In the gathering of believers, everything “must be done for the strengthening of the church.”  Everything should be done in “a fitting and orderly way.” 

APPLICATION: Presently I am not serving as a senior pastor.  I am not up front directing the service, leading worship, bringing the message, etc.  But that does not mean that I am unconcerned about the service.  Like every believer, I must prepare myself for God to use me.  It may be a tongue and/or an interpretation.  It may be a prophecy.  It may be setting a good example for those around me as we worship.  It may be praying with someone.  It may be giving a word of comfort to someone whose family member has just died.  It may be giving a word of encouragement to a young person struggling in school or at work.  My part is to have an offering ready to give.  My part also may be to give some money to a brother or sister in need. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you flow through me as much now as you did when I was the senior pastor.  You direct my ministry in church to the one you brought to the church to meet me.  Every time I gather with other believers remind me to look for that one that needs what I have.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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