A Call To Unity Series

I. Introduction

A. Review Paul’s introduction

-So far, in Paul’s introductory part of His letter, he has made it a point to remind the believers in Corinth of two things:

-1. They are saints in the eyes of God.

-Seen as holy and expected to live according to that calling.

-2. They are the recipients of God’s grace.

-Unmerited favor of God

-In the text we are going to examine this morning (1 Cor. 1:10-17) Paul is going to begin his admonishment, or instruction, to the church in Corinth.

-Before he does, Paul has one additional point he wants to remind the recipients of this letter.

PRAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Please turn to 1 Corinthians, chapter 1

II. The Fellowship of The Church At Corinth

***** -1 Corinthians 1:4-9

A. Based upon the Lord’s coming return.

- 1 Corinthians 1:7 – “so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (powerpoint)

-Paul is speaking here of the future gift of God’s grace.

-The past gift in our lives is seen in the moment of salvation.

-When one places their faith in Christ alone and His redeeming work at Calvary.

-The present gift of grace is seen in the gifts God gives us to serve Him.

-Mentioned here in verse 7, we will look at in more detail later in this letter

-This future gift, yet to be realized, is the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-As promised in Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4 and elsewhere in scripture.

-Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works”

(2 powerpoints)

B. We are not to be idle as we wait.

-There are those that appear to be saved and satisfied.

-They are content in the fact they have acknowledged Christ as their Redeemer.

-There are those who live as if life is one big Monopoly game and they have received a “get out of hell free” card

-Thrilled that God loved them enough to go to the cross and suffer and die for them.

-Yet this, somehow, God’s grace doesn’t move them enough to desire to serve the One they say is their Lord.

-“eagerly awaiting “ (v.7) = apekdechomai (ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee); to expect fully

-To wait with eager anticipation and also with activity.

(Jon and Kelly powerpoint)

-It is not the passive waiting as you wait for a bus or a program on your computer to load.

-As we wait for the Lord’s return we are to be busy serving Him.

-B.R. Laken has said, “Live as if He were coming today and plan as if He will not come for a thousand years” (powerpoint)

C. Our faith in Christ and this united desire for our Savior’s return is the basis of our fellowship.

-True corporately, and just as importantly, locally in this assembly of believers.

-The church at Corinth and here at Hope Baptist Church.

-1 Corinthians 1:9 – “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (powerpoint)

-“fellowship” = koinonia (koy-nohn-ee'-ah); partnership, oneness

-We have it with our Savior and with one another.

-This is what grace does.

-Fellowship is the final aspect of grace Paul mentions.

-Fellowship is the first issue that he addresses with the church at Corinth.

(title powerpoint)

III. Need For Unity

***** -1 Corinthians 1:10-17

A. Unity is important in just about every organization.

-In sports it is called teamwork.

-In sales it is called a marketing plan.

-In war it is called a battle plan.

B. Unity is critical to the strength of the Christian church today.

-Disunity is the reason that the cults are thriving in our day.

-The disunity in the so called Christian churches is leading people to consider, and eventually join, the many cults out there today.

-Mormons, Jehovah Witness, and Unitarians are just a few.

-“One of the main reasons that cults in our day have had such an impact on the world is their unity. Disharmony is not tolerated. Though misguided, misused, and often totalitarian, such unity is attractive to many people who are tired of religious uncertainty, ambiguity, and confusion.”

John MacArthur (powerpoint)

-I am not a fan of ecumenicalism

-Lowest-common-denominator Christianity.

-Find the things that we can agree on and don’t worry about the rest.

-I believe that every Word of God is important.

-God’s word is inspired by the Almighty and it is important that we study, apply, and obey it