A Potluck Dinner - What nourishment are you bringing to church?
Steve Johnson
(Audio: English)
SUMMARY: The Church service is like a potluck dinner. Everyone should come prepared to bring something, whether it's a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. The key point is that we should be prepared to give something, not just receive. The Spirit of God wants to speak to us through everyone, not just the person with a microphone or instrument. We should prepare our hearts to listen to the Lord and speak out of what we hear into the lives of the people in the Church. God doesn't force us to speak, but if we're not prepared to be used, He might choose to use someone else.
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ, and each member of the congregation should come prepared to give in some way. Speaking in tongues is a gift from God, but it should not overshadow the other gifts and aspects of worship. Paul sets limitations on the use of tongues in church so that they do not override everything else. The analogy of a potluck is used to illustrate the importance of everyone contributing their best dish to the service. This can include engaging in worship, praying for others, or serving in some way. When people feel connected to a group, they are more likely to bring their best dish. Each member of the congregation should take it upon themselves to give up some freedom to serve and contribute to the church.
The speaker shares about his experience attending a worship service in a language he couldn't understand. He felt bored and realized that he didn't come prepared to give or contribute to the service. He encourages others to find ways to give and serve in their own churches, such as bringing food or praying for others. Giving up some freedom and taking on responsibility can help individuals feel more connected and engaged in their faith communities.
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ, and each member of the congregation should come prepared to give in some way. Speaking in tongues is a gift from God, but it should not overshadow the other gifts and aspects of worship. Paul sets limitations on the use of tongues in church so that they do not override everything else. The analogy of a potluck is used to illustrate the importance of everyone contributing their best dish to the service. This can include engaging in worship, praying for others, or serving in some way. When people feel connected to a group, they are more likely to bring their best dish. Each member of the congregation should take it upon themselves to give up some freedom to serve and contribute to the church.
The speaker shares about his experience attending a worship service in a language he couldn't understand. He felt bored and realized that he didn't come prepared to give or contribute to the service. He encourages others to find ways to give and serve in their own churches, such as bringing food or praying for others. Giving up some freedom and taking on responsibility can help individuals feel more connected and engaged in their faith communities.
How many of you have ever been to a potluck dinner? You know, it’s one of those dinners where everyone brings their favorite dish. They bring either, you know, a main dish, or side, or something. And you bring it all together, and everyone gets to eat everyone’s different food.
Now, if you’ve been to really good ones, where people bring, you know, their favorite dish, everyone brings their favorite dish, they’re really excited about it, they’re really involved that it’s just a great feast. I mean, I don’t know, but back where I come from is probably not, it’s like … to the potluck, it would be different than what I had at home, ‘cause we had… Everyone brought fried chicken, and casseroles, and probably half the people brought lasagna, which was, you know, that was ok, but there were all these great things, and all types of cookies, and brownies, and cakes were brought, and all kinds of great side dishes, mashed potatoes and gravy, and all the stuff that we like down South. Probably here, there would be a little bit different flavor to the meal. Probably if you’re a Caribbean, you’d bring like rice and beans and some chicharón or something, and … would bring some hot, spicy food that’ll clear your sinuses in a second. You know, I don’t know, you could think of your favorite dish that you might bring and imagine that you get to taste everyone’s best dish. That’s a really neat experience if you go to a good one.
Now, if you’ve been to really good ones, where people bring, you know, their favorite dish, everyone brings their favorite dish, they’re really excited about it, they’re really involved that it’s just a great feast. I mean, I don’t know, but back where I come from is probably not, it’s like … to the potluck, it would be different than what I had at home, ‘cause we had… Everyone brought fried chicken, and casseroles, and probably half the people brought lasagna, which was, you know, that was ok, but there were all these great things, and all types of cookies, and brownies, and cakes were brought, and all kinds of great side dishes, mashed potatoes and gravy, and all the stuff that we like down South. Probably here, there would be a little bit different flavor to the meal. Probably if you’re a Caribbean, you’d bring like rice and beans and some chicharón or something, and … would bring some hot, spicy food that’ll clear your sinuses in a second. You know, I don’t know, you could think of your favorite dish that you might bring and imagine that you get to taste everyone’s best dish. That’s a really neat experience if you go to a good one.
