In 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, the apostle Paul not only identifies the problem of divisions in the church, but he also reminds them of three specific truths that should put an end to their infighting.
1. We are in this TOGETHER
1. We are in this TOGETHER
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV) – “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
As Paul confronts the believers in Corinth, He doesn’t approach them as a taskmaster, but as a brother.
Paul’s appeal contains three commands that are all linked together.
1) “I appeal to you . . . that all of you agree.”
1) “I appeal to you . . . that all of you agree.”
Literally the command is to “speak the same thing.” The idea is that we are to live in harmony with one another.
Unity is crucial if we are going to be a healthy, and growing, Great Commission church.
2) “I appeal to you . . . that there be no divisions among you.”
The word “divisions” means to rip or to tear. The picture is that of a garment being torn apart. The apostle tells us not to allow any divisions to be among us because they will tear us apart.
3) “I appeal to you . . . that you be united in the same mind and the judgment.”
The word “united” means to “knit together.” It was used to describe the process of repairing a fishing net that had been torn apart.
The apostle isn’t calling for uniformity of thought and action, but oneness of spirit. It is this oneness of spirit that binds us together as the body of Christ and allows us to effectively complete our God given purpose.
Philippians 1:27 (ESV) – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
In this life we are in a constant battle against the Devil, the world and the flesh. It is for this reason that we must grasp the truth that we are in this battle together!
2. We are ONE in Christ
1 Corinthians 1:11–13 (ESV) – “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
In verses 11-13, the apostle Paul confronts the specific issue that is dividing the church in Corinth. I think it is important to point out that Paul doesn’t use an unnamed source to confront them. He tells them “it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people.” To do other wise is just to entertain idle rumors.
So what is causing the rift in the church? They were divided over personal loyalty to people and personal preference. Some said, “I follow Paul,” others said, “I follow Apollos,” some said, “I follow Cephas,” and others said, “I follow Christ.” It was this self-centered pride that had caused a divided church.
What are the things that divide the church in America today?
The answer to each of the questions is NO! Jesus is not divided; Paul has never been crucified for anyone; and no one was ever baptized in his name.
The central principle that is taught here is that we are one in Christ!
Romans 12:5 (ESV) – “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
When we quarrel and fight, we reflect a poor image of the Lord to a world that desperately needs to see Jesus!
3. We are bound by one PURPOSE
1 Corinthians 1:14–17 (ESV) – “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Paul’s point here is not to take away from the importance of baptism. In fact Jesus commanded us to “Go . . . to make disciples . . . to baptize and to teach” (Matt. 28:19-20). He is simply pointing out that our priority is to preach the gospel.
There are many things that we do as a church that are important, but none of them surpasses the importance of sharing the good news that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world.
It is easy for us to get caught up in the things that make us different, but for the sake of the world, let us commit to focus on the task that our Lord has given us!
Philippians 1:27 (ESV) – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
CONCLUSION
The word “divisions” means to rip or to tear. The picture is that of a garment being torn apart. The apostle tells us not to allow any divisions to be among us because they will tear us apart.
3) “I appeal to you . . . that you be united in the same mind and the judgment.”
The word “united” means to “knit together.” It was used to describe the process of repairing a fishing net that had been torn apart.
The apostle isn’t calling for uniformity of thought and action, but oneness of spirit. It is this oneness of spirit that binds us together as the body of Christ and allows us to effectively complete our God given purpose.
Philippians 1:27 (ESV) – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
In this life we are in a constant battle against the Devil, the world and the flesh. It is for this reason that we must grasp the truth that we are in this battle together!
2. We are ONE in Christ
1 Corinthians 1:11–13 (ESV) – “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
In verses 11-13, the apostle Paul confronts the specific issue that is dividing the church in Corinth. I think it is important to point out that Paul doesn’t use an unnamed source to confront them. He tells them “it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people.” To do other wise is just to entertain idle rumors.
So what is causing the rift in the church? They were divided over personal loyalty to people and personal preference. Some said, “I follow Paul,” others said, “I follow Apollos,” some said, “I follow Cephas,” and others said, “I follow Christ.” It was this self-centered pride that had caused a divided church.
What are the things that divide the church in America today?
- Worship style
- Tradition
- Age differences
- Ethnic differences
- Economic differences
- Minor doctrinal issues
The answer to each of the questions is NO! Jesus is not divided; Paul has never been crucified for anyone; and no one was ever baptized in his name.
The central principle that is taught here is that we are one in Christ!
Romans 12:5 (ESV) – “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
When we quarrel and fight, we reflect a poor image of the Lord to a world that desperately needs to see Jesus!
3. We are bound by one PURPOSE
1 Corinthians 1:14–17 (ESV) – “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Paul’s point here is not to take away from the importance of baptism. In fact Jesus commanded us to “Go . . . to make disciples . . . to baptize and to teach” (Matt. 28:19-20). He is simply pointing out that our priority is to preach the gospel.
There are many things that we do as a church that are important, but none of them surpasses the importance of sharing the good news that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world.
It is easy for us to get caught up in the things that make us different, but for the sake of the world, let us commit to focus on the task that our Lord has given us!
Philippians 1:27 (ESV) – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
CONCLUSION
The process of seeing this church revitalized is not an easy path. Along the way there are going to be many opportunities for us to become cross with one another. It will be in those times that we will be faced with a choice: we can either chose to divide up into factions or we can chose to stay committed to the Lord, to each other and to the task that He has given us!
Let us remember the lessons of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
1) We are in this together
2) We are one in Christ
3) We are bound together with one purpose
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