Now, how could that be? Divisions in the Church Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? I personally experienced this at work about a year and a half ago. This is not what the Church was meant to be like, and I fully believe that Paul would be appalled by our actions today as a Church of believers in Jesus Christ. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). 10 I appeal to you, brothers,[ a] 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. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful the Problems in the Corinthian Church On opening it you found a loose-leaf notebook with many of the small, half-page materials that the Navigators printed their Bible helps on. They would have the Scofield Reference Bible and a notebook under one arm, and you knew that if you examined their Bibles you would find the ladder index on the pages. Corinthians When everybody decides to put the things of Christ first, and is willing to suffer loss that the honor and glory of Christ might be advanced, that is what brings harmony in a congregation. DIVISIONS AND PERSONALITIES IN THE CHURCH Now, you do not have to be very old to recognize that that is still a problem in the church. He had received a report from the household of Cloe that there were quarrels among the members of the Corinthian church. We are so proud of them when they look right, but when things start to fall apart, the church begins to fall apart as well. Some had no problem with consuming meat that had been sacrificed to idols; for others, it was a real offense. Are we willing to love each other as Christ loved us? Peter was an uneducated, common man and may have appealed to that group of people in Corinth. 3- The presence of an immoral member. To an unbeliever, this looks like we cannot agree on our own religion. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. Some followed Apollos whom they honored above Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4; Acts 18:24 to 19:1). How important is it that there be unity within the Church? Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. Causes WebPaul goes right on, in Verse 12, to describe the forms that these divisions were taking in the church of Corinth: What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas" [another name for Peter], or "I belong to Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:10: 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.. These were not schisms yet; they had not split off into other congregations, but there were four cliques, or factions within the congregation. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) Splits and Quarrels in the Church A second issue that seems to keep the church divided (the whole church and individual churches) is the little things such as the structure of the service, the type of music played for worship, whether a pastor should always wear a tie, and what color should be used in the bathroom. Gods people who are moving in revival (like we have been to experiencing right here in Brisbane these last few months) have no qualms about getting together to see the nation of Australia come to Christ. I thank God that only a few of you can say that about me." Christ did not send me to take scalps or to cut notches on my gun handle as to how many converts I've won." We came to life in Christ by Paul, and Paul is the one we're going to listen to above all others." Corinthians The Corinthian Church. (1Corinthians 1:17 RSV). We need to be perfectly joined together in the love of Christ. Chapter Summary You may be reminded by his words in Verse10 of the similar passage in his letter to the Philippians where, in Chapter2, he says to that church, "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind," (Philippians 2:1-2 RSV). We, as the modern church, say that we hold to Pauls message that we shouldnt be conformed to this world, but when we look at the world, there seem to be just as many divisions. Im not saying its wrong to stick to what you believe. Chapter Summary There has been no other cure that I know of through the years. How important was unity to the apostle Paul, and to the Holy Spirit who moved Him to write this letter to the Church in Corinth? I understand the fact that people have different beliefs and would like to stick to those (it is good to sick to what you believe) but when you get so segregated that you cannot work together anymore, it becomes a serious problem. In verses 10-12, Paul begins by giving an appeal for unity. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. The Factions At Corinth When you get men's eyes off all these status symbols, and call them back away from following men to the Person of Christ and his cross, all the divisions will disappear. Thank you, Father, for this time here contemplating the cross. John 12:37-50, THE PARADOX OF LIFE FROM DEATH John 12:20-26, THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM JOHN 12:9-19, SPIRITUAL LIGHT AND DARKNESS John 9:35-41. There are the Calvinists and the Arminians and the Dispensationalists -- these are some of the things that are held up as the "summum bonum," the highest good, in theology. Webdivided. The word divisions comes from the Greek word schismata, from which we get our English word schism. No, he says that is not why he was sent: "I was not sent to emphasize symbols, but, positively, I was sent to preach a whole gospel, not one emphasizing style, not in wisdom of words, but that which emphasizes content." It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. I told them that I do not foresee and end to these divisions anytime soon (sadly). He appeals to them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. 10 I appeal to you, brothers,[ a] 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. Help us to judge these in the light of the cross, and, by its light, to walk before thee. What Was Dividing the Corinthian Church I believe that if people would take their eyes off man and stop putting man up up so high and put THE MASTER BACK FIRST in their lives it wont be so much division in our churches. Paul here introduces that which can cure divisions, both negatively and positively. Still others say, "We are of Schaeffer," and others, "We are of Graham," or, "We are of C.S. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). I have to admit though that sometimes I think about numbers and recognition and want that. They did not try to hide the problems. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. On a large jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces or more, its almost impossible to put it together upside down! Paul continues in verse 10 by saying that, MANS WISDOM VERSUS GODS WISDOM I Corinthians 1:18-25, WHY DONT PEOPLE BELIEVE? They are his family in Christ. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. God is not confused, and He does not contradict Himself. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. Like Greg, I recognize this tension in some of the churches I have served in and find it appalling (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). 10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Polhill says, every Corinthian had their own favorite preacher (237). A number of churches in this postmodern era have begun to resemble the Corinthian church in alarming ways. Paul does not want to be considered a philosopher who is gathering disciples, nor does he want that for Apollos or Peter or any man. He chooses various channels through which to work. We have our theological view points, and even our philosophical ones (even though we could have less of that in our churches today in my opinion) but we also have our social dimensions as well. In verse 11, Paul gives the reason for his appeal for unity in the church at Corinth. Weve seen how important unity was to the apostle Paul. There is not a teacher among us today, or at any other time, who is able to open the mind and open the eyes of the heart and reveal to us the glory and majesty of God, not one. It wasnt even about secondary doctrine (the second coming, the nature of baptism). 5-Members going to pagan courts to settle disputes. The church is never called to having everybody think exactly alike. He begins the process of developing them into leaders who will also preach the gospel and found more churches. The anxiety of the childs mother continued to grow, for she knew that her boy was somewhere out in the darkness where wild animals were constantly on the prowl. We reveal our immaturity when we insist that only those with certain characteristics are the ones we will listen to, or we feel can bless or strengthen our lives. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. Divisions Try it some time. Corinthians Conclusion. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. Yet, in reality as long as correct biblical doctrine is being taught no pastor should be viewed in comparison to one another. A young pastor who was facing that problem in his church called me this week from another state. Paul enters this world of wretched Sophists and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The news went out but no one had seen the little fellow. You could spot the Navigators going up and down the streets of Honolulu. If it had been left up to us to plan the program by which God would change the world we would never have included a cross. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem.
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