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
(title powerpoint)
-Our unity is to be with those who believe and preach the whole counsel of God.
-In its truth and entirety.
-"To remain divided is sinful! Did not our Lord pray, that they may be one, even as we are one"? (John 17:22). A chorus of ecumenical voices keep harping the unity tune. What they are saying is, "Christians of all doctrinal shades and beliefs must come together in one visible organization, regardless... Unite, unite!" Such teaching is false, reckless and dangerous. Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity. Unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord's prayer in John 17 must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Only those sanctified through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise is to betray the Gospel.
Charles H. Spurgeon, The Essence of Separation
-The Word of God and love for Christ are the things which bring true unity.
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”
(powerpoint)
A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
IV. Disunity In The Church At Corinth
A. Paul’s plea for unity in doctrine (v.10)
-1 Corinthians 1:10 – “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (powerpoint)
-Paul pleads or exhorts the church at Corinth to be of one mind.
-“Plead” or “exhort” = parakaleo (par-ak-al-eh'-o);to call near, i.e. invite, invoke.
-“Comforter” or “Helper” in John 14:16 = parakletos (par-ak'-lay-tos); an intercessor, consoler; a helper. To come along side.
-Paul is urging his fellow believers, as one who comes along side to assist them, that they be of one mind.
-In agreement
-Unified.
-Paul stresses the familial relationship to show the closeness that believers ought to have.
-1 Corinthians 1:11 – “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.” (powerpoint)
-“brethren” (v.11) = adelphos (ad-el-fos'); delphus (the womb); a brother
-Paul is stressing that as Christians we have the same spiritual DNA and there ought to be a unity because of it.
-There ought to be a harmony in their actions as members of the same family.
***** -1 John 1:1-7
-Paul goes on to stress that there should be no divisions, or schisms between them.
-Especially in what they say and the way they think.
-“speak” and “same mind”, “same judgment” (v.11)
-The greatest divisions in a church are often over doctrine.
-Paul is stressing the doctrine of these believers ought to be the same.
-There is no way to have complete unity in a church and not have the same doctrine.
-We, as Christians must study the Word of God.
-I, as a pastor, must preach the entire Word of God.
-Without compromise or apology.
-Yet in love.
-We must practice it the same way.
-In love.
-Yet it is critical that we, as a church, do not give mixed signals about what the Bible says if we want to be a strong voice for the Gospel and for the kingdom of God.
-Our unity must ultimately come from our faith in Christ and our obedience to His word.
-“Of the same mind” (v.10) (title powerpoint)
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that her brother Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
Charles Schultz.
-God has created us to be unified for the same purpose.
-So that we might have the same mind and the same judgment.
-This is where our power comes from.
-Because we are in fellowship with the Lord, we ought to be in fellowship with one another.
B. Paul’s plea for unity in allegiance.
-1 Corinthians 1:12 – “Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ.” (powerpoint)
-There were those in the church who were prioritizing their allegiances. (v.12)
-Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or Christ
-Obviously there was a great amount of pride concerning this.
-“I am of Paul” – The one who started the church in Corinth.
-“I am of Apollos” – The second pastor of the church.
-“I am of Cephas” – Peter, the Apostle, may have led them to Christ.
-“I am of Christ” – I don’t need any man, or preacher, telling me how about what the scriptures say.
-It is alright to speak fondly of a former preacher, Sunday School teacher, worship leader, or Christian who has counseled or consoled us.
-But it should never be to the point where it causes a division in the church.
-Or causes you to withdraw because the present preacher or teacher doesn’t do things the same.
-God has set up the church with godly leadership to train and equip the saints.
-To keep the church strong.
-As long as they are true to the scriptures and doctrine God has given.
-1 Corinthians 1:13 – “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (powerpoint)
-As a New Testament church our ultimate allegiance is to be to Jesus Christ alone.
-If it is to men it will change with our circumstances.
Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when all of a sudden both sides were filled with Native American warriors on horses, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, "What are we going to do?" Tonto replied, "What you mean 'we,' Whiteman?"
-If our allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ we never have to wonder what God’s plan is.
-He has given us all we need in His word.
-We never have to wonder if we will always be there for one another.
-Because we are committed to the same cause, the same goals, the same Savior.
V. Conclusion
A. Paul’s not to be placed on a pedestal
-Paul is glad he has done nothing worth following him.
-I wasn’t crucified for you.
-I barely baptized any of you.
-Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.
B. Paul’s calling (v.17)
-1 Corinthians 1:17 – “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” (powerpoint)
-Called to preach the gospel.
-It is never to be about the messenger.
-It is always to be about the message.
-The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-My prayer is that God will do great things with Hope Baptist Church.
-That these chairs will be full.
-People will be saved.
-Baptisms will be often.
-Lives will be changed.
-One day when I am no longer the pastor of this church I hope that when people remember me that it will be mainly for one thing.
-He preached the gospel
-Not with the wisdom of words.
-It is not my desire to trick someone into going to heaven.
-I don’t want to guilt you into serving Christ.
-I don’t want people to trust in Christ just to take care of eternity.
-I want them to know that God makes a difference today, and every day.
(title powerpoint)
-We as a church must have love one for another.
-This will give us unity in Christ.
-Which in turn can only make us stronger
During World War II, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the Brethren assemblies, half complied and half refused. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. Those who did not faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp.
When the war was over, feelings of bitterness ran deep between the groups and there was much tension. Finally they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person spent time in prayer, examining his own heart in the light of Christ's commands. Then they came together. Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend who was there, "What did you do then?" "We were just one," he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred.
Beloved, when love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world an indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER!!!!!!!!!!
