LIVING IN UNITY
WHAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD KNOW
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
I. The believer’s departure from unity.
For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your arguments, dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”I Cor 1:11-12 NLT
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1:
A. The cause of disunity is personal opinions.
B. The cause of disunity is personal preferences.
C. The cause of disunity is pride.
II. God’s appeal to believers
Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Cor 1:10 NLT
A. Paul pleads by the authority of Christ
B. Paul tells them to eliminate divisions.
The Greek word for divisions is schismata, from which we get schism. The figurative meaning is "to tear or rip."
III. God’s case for unity
Can Christ be divided into pieces? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16(Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 1 Cor 1:13-16 NLT
A. Paul pleads for unity because believers are one in Christ.
B. Believers should strive for unity.
C. Paul’s question is Christ divided?, NO!
D. Since Christ is not divided, we shouldn’t be divided.
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
IV. God’s answer for unity.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17 NIV)
A. The higher purpose is to preach the gospel.
B. The first key for unity is personal humility.
C. The second key for unity is personal
obedience.
D. The third key for unity is personal devotion.
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind." Acts 4:31-32a
