Lesson 57 – God of Order

Text: 1 Cor14:33 KJV  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Cor 14:33 BBE  For God is not a God whose ways are without order, but a God of peace; as in all the churches of the saints.

Intro:

Is order important? Careful examination of scripture reveals that everything God does and everything about Him is done in order. If order is not important, why does scripture take such careful pains to reveal to us this wonderful attribute of God? If order is in fact important, we should examine our lives and churches for the purpose of aligning them to God’s structure.

John 3:5-7 KJV Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  (7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Entrance into the Kingdom of God is only the beginning of what God expects of those in His Kingdom. There is no room in God’s Kingdom for anything other than His perfect order.

Order vs Disorder:

Genesis 1:1-2 KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  (2)  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

From the opening scriptures in the bible, we began to understand that God sets chaotic things into order. Paul tells the church in Corinth that we learn from nature.[1] The structure and balance that we see in nature is a direct result of God’s influence upon it. Creation’s order will continue to do what they are doing until God commands otherwise. [2]

God does not operate in order sometimes and chaos in others. His Kingdom is a Kingdom of order. Satan and his Kingdom operate in disorder and confusion. His work blinds and darkens the hearts of humanity. The two Kingdoms oppose each other and produce different results in mankind’s behavior.

James 3:15-18 KJV This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  (16)  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  (17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  (18)  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

God’s order is also clearly seen in His interaction with humanity from the beginning. Adam was put into the place God had prepared for him and gave to him everything necessary to live and thrive in that place. God gave to Noah every detail necessary to build the boat that would save him and his family. Moses received over 600 commandments required to serve God during this time. Every detail of every aspect of the tabernacle and those serving there came from God. The law was specific and full of order.

God was very intolerant of anyone inputting their own ideas and agendas into His tabernacle operation. It is an extremely dangerous thing to ignore God’s order and instruction. We must understand that this is not simply a mistake when we do this. It is a refusal of God’s order and Kingdom and an embracing of Satan’s Kingdom and his way. [3]

Two priests, Nadab and Abihu took it upon themselves to operate in the spiritual things in a way that God did not command them to operate. They invited the judgement of God by doing the things of God outside the order that God had commanded. This precedent reveals to us that we are to do only those things which God has commanded and the way in which is acceptable unto Him. Violation of God’s order always results in the destruction of lives. When we do not do things exactly the way God’s word instructs us, through ignorance or a willful refusal, it creates an alliance to Satan’s Kingdom.

Calling the Church or Order:

1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

The city of Corinth was a thriving metropolis in Greece. A first-century center for commerce because of its two seaports. It became a place of idolatry and was home to the Temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This temple housed over a thousand prostitutes that city visitors could enjoy. Corinth had a degraded culture and was where those of that time went to escape morality. The term Korinthiazomai “to act like a Corinthian” came to mean to act in a way that was debauchery and prostitution. Despite the cultural challenges in Corinth, Paul starts a church. [4] Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months to establish the church and then moved to Ephesus. Soon he gets a letter from Corinth describing the problems the young church was facing. Paul writes a corrective letter in an effort to set order in a confused and chaotic church.

(Sin: Divisions, Incest, Law suites, Sexual Immorality.[5]) (Doctrinal Error: Marriage, Unity, Church Service Order, Resurrection, Giving.[6])

They were destroying their testimony because their actions were no different than any other Corinthian. They had not yet rejected the influence of their local culture. Paul managed to start a church in Corinth but was finding it difficult to get Corinth out of the church! The church was bringing the satanic influence of that area into their assembly because they refused to reject Corinth.

The purpose of Second Corinthians was to affirm his authority over them. The result of the influence of Satan’s Kingdom always results in an attack upon God’s authority and order. Paul started that church and was their Apostle. However, the more they permitted the influence of their surroundings the more they rejected his authority. The church in Corinth was still holding church services. They were still preaching the gospel. They were still speaking in tongues. At first look, it would appear they were doing the things God wanted them to do. It is clear that they were not embracing God’s order and God’s Kingdom. They were attempting to blend the two and the results were nothing short of chaos and confusion.

Conclusion:

John 14:18 ESV I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

God has not left His church without direction or order. A powerless, chaotic, and confused church is the result of refusing and/or implementing God’s order. When we draw near to God and willingly do things according to His plan, He draws near to us. When the church and the ministry surrender to God’s ways His power will flow! We must purge the church of any unwillingness to align to God’s perfect design. Let us consider every aspect of our conduct, leadership, and church to ensure that all align to the order of God’s Kingdom.