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"God is not the author of confusion..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:33

POTENTIAL CHAOS

Imagine the chaos that could arise in a church worship service if people were to claim that they could not help themselves, as they broke out in “ecstatic utterances” as prophets or as people who spoke in tongues. Paul had this to say to these people.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace,
as in all the churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33

1. “Confusion”

a) This could arise indeed.

b) There may have been some who must have argued for “freedom of expression”.

c) Those who wish to assert themselves could easily say:

i) That they were moved by the Spirit of God.

ii) That they were not able to control themselves when they speak in tongues.

iii) That they did not know what they prophesied because the Spirit of God was speaking through them.

d) Confusion would arise if people were not in control of themselves.

2. “God is not the author of confusion”

a) This was a strong disclaimer sent out.

b) These arguments were not from God.

c) God is not the author of such things!

d) “Confusion” and “God” do not go together.

3. “But of peace”

a) God is certainly associated with peace.

b) He is the Giver of peace.

c) Any church worship service that does not promote peace cannot invoke God’s name.

4. “As in all the churches of the saints”

a) Paul founded many churches.

b) He also visited and ministered in churches he did not found.

c) His observation of the worship services in all the churches:

i) They promoted peace and never confusion

ii) The key focus was to edify the church

d) Sadly, in the Corinthian church, confusion seems to prevail.

This was a problem that had to be addressed and resolved!