Building Up, Not Showing Off

When Henry Ford introduced the assembly line, everything changed. Cars went from being slow, expensive novelties to accessible tools for everyday people. But the system only worked if everyone did their part in order—no freelancing, no “I’ll just hammer all day.” The power was in the order.

That’s exactly what Paul is pressing into in 1 Corinthians 14. The church is not about one or two people shining while everyone else spectates. It’s a body, and every part matters—but every part has to be measured by one question: Does this build others up?

And that flips our perspective on worship, doesn’t it? Because let’s be honest—our default is to ask, “Did I like it?” Was the music my style? Did the preacher hold my attention? Did I leave with a good feeling? Those aren’t bad questions—but they’re the wrong ones. Paul’s test is: “Did this strengthen someone else’s faith? Did this point people to Christ?”
So how do we live that out?
 

• Change the questions you ask.
  Instead of evaluating church by what you got, start asking what you gave. Did you sing loud enough to encourage the person beside you? Did you greet someone new so they felt seen? Did you pray for someone who looked weary? When your mindset shifts from consume to contribute, your worship becomes kingdom-shaped.

 

• Find small ways to build up.
  You don’t have to preach a sermon to strengthen the body. A word of encouragement after service, a meal delivered to a family in need, a text to check in on someone struggling—these things are worship. They’re how the Spirit uses ordinary gifts to create extraordinary growth.

 

• Reflect God’s peace in your relationships.
  Paul reminds us that God is not chaotic but peaceful. That means when we gossip, stir up conflict, or insist on our preferences, we misrepresent Him. But when we bring peace—when we forgive, when we listen well, when we put others first—we put God’s character on display.
  
  

At the end of the day, spiritual maturity isn’t measured by impressiveness. It’s measured by helpfulness. Jesus didn’t come to be applauded—He came to build up His people, even to the point of laying down His life. When we follow Him in that, we become a community that doesn’t just “have church.” We make Jesus visible.

So this week, ask yourself: Who can I build up? Because that’s where the real power is.