Sermon: Unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-31)
Introduction
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-31
Purpose: To emphasize the importance of unity within the body of Christ, drawing from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Background of the Letter:
Authorship: The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth.
Context: Corinth was a diverse and prosperous city, but the church there faced significant divisions and moral issues.
Themes: Unity, wisdom, and the centrality of Christ in the life of the church.
I. God's Grace (Verses 1-9)
Key Idea: Paul emphasizes God's grace given to the believers in Corinth, which enriches them in every way and is the foundation for their unity.
Application: Encourage the congregation to recognize and be thankful for the grace of God in their lives, which unites them as one body in Christ.
New Testament Link: Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
New Testament Link: Titus 2:11 - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."
Old Testament Link: Psalm 84:11 - "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
II. Together in Christ (Verses 10-17)
Key Idea: Unity is centered on the cross of Christ, not on human leaders or wisdom.
Application: Focus on Christ as the unifying factor in all teachings and activities within the church.
New Testament Link: Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
New Testament Link: Colossians 1:18 - "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
Old Testament Link: Zechariah 14:9 - "The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name."
III. Wisdom in the Cross (Verses 18-31)
Key Idea: True wisdom and unity come from boasting in the Lord, not in human wisdom or accomplishments.
Application: Encourage the congregation to rely on God’s wisdom and grace, and to give Him the glory in all things.
New Testament Link: Philippians 3:8 - "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Old Testament Link: Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Conclusion
Call to Action: Encourage the congregation to seek unity, embrace the wisdom of the cross, and boast only in the Lord.
