Not the author of confusion

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints…Let all things be done decently and in order - 1 Corinthians 14.33. 40

Paul had a lot to cover in his letters to the early church. The church was new, it was young, they didn't have the whole New Testament to guide them. The Corinthians in particular seemed to have a problem with confusion and chaos in their services.

So here Paul gives various instructions on how the services are to go. They had their testimony to be concerned about in the midst of a chaotic society. It looks like everyone was trying to be the one who was seen in the service. Tongues had to have interpreters. No one was to over speak the other. They were to take turns. Women were to keep silent in their church services. I'll have to admit I don't know if that was a permanent instruction, or just designed to the Corinthian church, but we can save that discussion for another platform.

The main issue was order in the church.

It is obvious from God's creation that he is a God of order. He did not create a random chaos. As such God's desire is for things to be done decently and in order.

When confusion and chaos and disorder reign in a church service God is not glorified. It is simply a mess. The world finds chaos without coming to church. When people come to a church service they need to see a place of order that reflects God's character.

Decently and in order doesn't necessarily staid and boring. It doesn't have to mean formalistic and traditional. It doesn't mean we all have to do things the same way. But is does mean we need to be aware of decency and order in our worship.