Establishing Foundations: Order in the Sanctuary

2 Chronicles 29:35 So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order. God is a God of order. I wish to address two areas of concern I have. Actions and distractions. We will begin with actions. Many times we do things in public that we should do only in private. These acts cause much confusion in the body and bring many questions into people's minds, that they may need to do these same things. When I speak of actions, I also include the words we speak. Many times things are said that seem to sidetrack or even "derail" what the Spirit of God is doing. Many times what we think needs to happen is actually God dealing with us individually and not for the corporate body.

Before we speak or act we need to discern a few things. Is this for me or for the body? Will this build up or tear down? Does this encourage or bring doubt? And most important and what seems to be hardest, does this fit in with the flow of the Spirit that is now happening? Perhaps is does not, then it needs to be taken to the one leading the service. I believe directional changes in a service can come through any person, but the one leading should approve of the change. Many times we become nervous and try to help the Spirit out and speak out of season. There may be nothing wrong with what is said it is just the wrong timing. We need to be led by the Spirit and not by our flesh. We need to maintain an uninterrupted "flow" if at all possible.

The second area is about distractions. Distractions in the sanctuary are actually acts of disrespect. Unnecessary talking, unruly children and other actions actually distract others from focusing on the Lord. Children should be taught to sit during a service. Instruments and flags etc. should be used at the appropriate times. Just because we have freedom in worship does not mean there is no order. We only allow water in the sanctuary during the service, anything else, soda, food, etc. is also a distraction. We are not coming to eat, or to fellowship, but to worship. 1 Cor.14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. We need to maintain order to maintain liberty.