A Call to Glorify God Together - 1 Corinthians 1:10-12

First Corinthians chapter one issues a clear, urgent summons for the church to glorify God together. The text diagnoses carnality as the root of division: pride, vainglory, gossip, and contentions fracture relationships and steal the church’s witness. Scripture insists on scriptural unity, not cultural sameness; unity must form around truth and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so the body can function as God intends. Local congregations receive specific boundaries and responsibilities so believers can assemble, discipline, and preserve holiness—structures designed to protect children, doctrine, and mission.

The call to unity carries both authority and character. Invoking the full title “Lord Jesus Christ” anchors the appeal in divine command and in Christ’s moral nature; obedience to that name brings accountability and shapes conduct. Verbal unity—“that ye all speak the same thing”—matters practically: when a local church concludes together on doctrine and practice, its witness to the world becomes credible and powerful. Compromise weakens witness; history shows churches that relax standards drift into deadness.

Practical applications follow: local membership requires agreement on essentials; boundaries around marriage, leadership, and public behavior safeguard the congregation; policies and standards exist to restrain carnality, not to stifle genuine devotion. The congregation must choose between self-glorification and Christ-glorification; making Christ truly Lord reshapes priorities, removes the burden of self-rule, and leads to faithful obedience. The final appeal calls individuals to repentance from murmuring and gossip and urges vigilance, because unity that honors Christ secures a lasting inheritance for the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Glorify God together, not self. Personal ambition corrodes community; when glory becomes personal, division follows and mission collapses. Choosing corporate glorification requires renouncing vainglory and reorienting heart and actions toward Christ’s honor. This discipline transforms worship, relationships, and witness so the church reflects heaven’s purpose. [02:51]
• 2. Carnality divides the church. Pride, contentions, and gossip function like leaven, spreading corruption until the whole body weakens. Recognizing carnality means exposing personal motives and removing idols of self so truth can cut where needed. Spiritual health demands honest self-examination and humble correction. [01:21]
• 3. Local churches require clear boundaries. God designs local assemblies with limits so holiness and discipline can operate; without boundaries truth fragments. Boundaries protect children, doctrine, and mission by defining membership, practice, and accountability. Believers secure legacy by safeguarding the local congregation. [10:33]
• 4. Jesus’ name implies authority and character. Invoking “Lord Jesus Christ” binds the call to divine authority and the moral nature of Christ; obedience carries accountability. The name demands both submission and conformity to Christ’s character, not merely assent to doctrine. True unity flows from shared allegiance to that name. [19:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - Corinth: a troubled church
• [01:21] - Carnality causes division
• [02:51] - Glory belongs to the Lord
• [07:09] - Call to be one in Christ
• [10:33] - Local church and boundaries
• [19:16] - The name of Jesus: authority
• [36:06] - Speak the same thing (unity)
• [43:54] - Repentance and vigilance

1. What specific title does Paul use to anchor his appeal for unity in 1 Corinthians 1:10?
2. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate source of the contentions and divisions that were reported to Paul? [04:55]
3. What are the three specific outcomes Paul is pleading for in this verse: that they all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions, and that they be... what?
4. The call to unity is not based on societal agreement but on something else. What is the core issue that true unity must form around? [06:50]

1. Why is it significant that Paul makes this appeal "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" instead of just his own apostolic authority? What does invoking that name imply about the seriousness of this matter?
2. The concept of "vainglory" was described as a profitless glory centered on self. [03:07] How does this type of self-glorification directly work against the command to be united in the same mind and judgment?
3. The sermon stated that local churches require specific boundaries to function, much like Israel had specific geographical boundaries. [10:33] How do these practical boundaries (around membership, doctrine, and practice) actually serve to protect the unity and mission Paul is describing?
4. How does a church achieving verbal unity—"that ye all speak the same thing"—impact its credibility and witness to those outside the faith? [36:06]

1. Personal ambition corrodes community and mission. [02:51] In what specific area of your life (work, family, church) are you most tempted to seek your own glory rather than Christ's? What would it look like this week to "get out of the way" in that situation?
2. Recognizing that carnality often manifests as gossip, murmuring, and complaining, [44:45] what is one recent conversation you need to repent of? How can you actively turn that pattern of speech into one that builds up and unifies?
3. The name "Lord Jesus Christ" carries both authority and character. [19:16] If Jesus is truly your Master, what is one specific area where you are still trying to be in charge of your own life? What would it look like to practically transfer the burden of that area to Him this week?
4. Boundaries around marriage, leadership, and public behavior exist to safeguard the congregation. [15:11] Are you respecting the spiritual boundaries God has placed in your life and in this local church? Is there any relationship or habit you are tolerating that crosses outside of God's protective lines?
5. Policies and standards exist to restrain carnality, not to stifle genuine devotion. [41:43] Is there a church guideline or biblical standard you have privately grumbled about or seen as a burden? How could shifting your perspective to see it as a protection change your attitude?
6. Unity that honors Christ secures a lasting inheritance for the next generation. [45:10] What is one tangible step you can take this week to strengthen the unity within your family or church family, ensuring a strong spiritual legacy for those who come after you?