Unity in Christ: Overcoming Divisions in the Church
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, dear church. Today, we embark on a new sermon series based on Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Corinth was a bustling port city where Paul planted a church during his missionary journeys. However, Paul later learned that the church was experiencing significant issues. Much like the chaos I experienced at home with my kids while my wife was away, the church in Corinth was in disarray. But instead of ignoring the problem, Paul took action by writing a letter to address and correct the issues.
Paul begins his letter with a heartfelt greeting, expressing gratitude and wishing grace and peace to the church. He quickly moves to address the divisions within the church, urging them to live in harmony. Drawing from my own experience as a musician, I explained how harmony in music requires understanding and practice, much like harmony in a church community. Paul emphasizes that there should be no divisions among them, urging them to be united in thought and purpose.
Divisions can arise from various sources—race, politics, economic status, and even musical preferences. These divisions can be embarrassing and often stem from trivial matters. The Restoration Movement, which Crosspoint is a part of, aimed to restore the early church's unity, yet even it has experienced divisions. Paul reminds the Corinthians that the gospel message should be compelling and attractive, and a divided church can harm its witness.
Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate how the church should be united. Just as the body is permanently knit together, so should the church be. He addresses the specific issue of factions forming around different leaders like himself, Apollos, and Peter. Paul stresses that it doesn't matter who plants or waters; what matters is that God brings the growth. The focus should always be on Jesus.
In conclusion, Paul urges the church to maintain a singular focus on Jesus to prevent divisions. Using the analogy of an orchestra tuning to a single pitch, he explains that aligning ourselves vertically to Jesus, rather than horizontally to each other, will create harmony. The goal is not to make ourselves or our church famous but to make Jesus known. By keeping Jesus at the center, we can choose unity despite our differences.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Diversity: Paul urges the church to live in harmony, emphasizing that unity doesn't mean uniformity. Just as different musical notes create harmony, diverse members can create a unified church when they align their focus on Jesus. This unity is essential for the church's witness to the world. [25:34]
2. Avoiding Trivial Divisions: Divisions often arise from trivial matters like musical preferences or minor doctrinal differences. These divisions can harm the church's witness and make it less attractive to outsiders. Paul reminds us that the gospel message should be compelling and that we should strive to be winsome in our witness. [27:30]
3. Singular Focus on Jesus: Paul emphasizes that the church should maintain a singular focus on Jesus to prevent divisions. Just as an orchestra tunes to a single pitch, the church should align itself vertically to Jesus, not horizontally to each other. This focus will create harmony and unity within the church. [39:48]
4. The Role of Leaders: Paul addresses the issue of factions forming around different leaders, stressing that it doesn't matter who plants or waters; what matters is that God brings the growth. Leaders should work together with the same purpose, and the church should focus on Jesus rather than individual leaders. [34:42]
5. The True Purpose of the Church: The ultimate goal of the church is to make Jesus known, not to promote individual preferences or comfort. By keeping Jesus at the center, the church can avoid divisions and fulfill its mission to go and make disciples. This focus will help the church maintain unity and effectively carry out its commission. [43:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:39] - Introduction to Corinth
[21:34] - Personal Story: Chaos at Home
[23:17] - Paul's Response to the Church's Mess
[24:45] - Paul's Greeting: Grace and Peace
[25:34] - Call for Harmony
[27:30] - Divisions in the Church
[29:29] - Restoration Movement and Unity
[31:10] - The Gospel's Compelling Message
[32:53] - Addressing Factions
[34:42] - Focus on Jesus, Not Leaders
[36:35] - The Danger of Divisions
[38:07] - Maintaining Unity at Crosspoint
[39:48] - The Wisdom of the Cross
[41:42] - Tuning to Jesus
[43:03] - Final Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (NIV)
> "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
### Observation Questions
1. What specific issues did Paul address in his letter to the Corinthians regarding divisions in the church? ([32:53])
2. How does Paul describe the ideal state of the church in terms of unity and harmony? ([25:34])
3. What metaphor does Paul use to illustrate the unity of the church, and what does it signify? ([31:10])
4. According to the sermon, what are some trivial matters that can cause divisions within the church? ([27:30])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of being "perfectly united in mind and thought"? How does this relate to the church's witness to the world? ([31:10])
2. How can focusing on Jesus help prevent divisions within the church? What does it mean to align ourselves vertically to Jesus rather than horizontally to each other? ([41:42])
3. What role do church leaders play in maintaining unity, according to Paul? How should the congregation view their leaders to avoid factions? ([34:42])
4. How does the metaphor of the human body help us understand the concept of unity in the church? What are the implications of this metaphor for how we interact with one another? ([31:10])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed divisions in a church setting. What were the causes, and how were they addressed? How can you apply Paul's teachings to prevent similar divisions in your current church community? ([27:30])
2. Paul urges the church to maintain a singular focus on Jesus. Identify one specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? ([41:42])
3. Think about your interactions with fellow church members. Are there any trivial matters or personal preferences that you have allowed to cause division? How can you shift your focus to promote unity and harmony? ([29:29])
4. How can you support your church leaders in their efforts to maintain unity? What practical actions can you take to encourage a spirit of cooperation and shared purpose within your church? ([34:42])
5. Paul uses the analogy of an orchestra tuning to a single pitch to describe unity. In what ways can you contribute to creating "sweet harmony" in your church? What specific actions can you take to align yourself and others to Jesus? ([41:42])
6. The sermon mentioned that the ultimate goal of the church is to make Jesus known. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your daily life? Identify one person you can share the gospel with this week and plan how you will approach the conversation. ([43:03])
7. Reflect on the idea that following Jesus is not about personal comfort or desires but about making Him famous. How can you shift your mindset and actions to prioritize Jesus' fame over your own? What specific changes can you make in your life to live this out? ([43:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
Paul urges the church to live in harmony, emphasizing that unity doesn't mean uniformity. Just as different musical notes create harmony, diverse members can create a unified church when they align their focus on Jesus. This unity is essential for the church's witness to the world. Paul’s message to the Corinthians is a call to embrace diversity while maintaining a singular focus on Christ. The church, like an orchestra, can produce a beautiful symphony when each member plays their unique part in tune with Jesus.
In a world that often celebrates individualism, the church is called to be a counter-cultural community that values unity in diversity. This means recognizing and appreciating the different gifts, backgrounds, and perspectives that each member brings. It’s not about everyone being the same, but about everyone being united in their commitment to Christ. When the church lives out this unity, it becomes a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [25:34]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: Think of a person in your church who has a different background or perspective than you. How can you reach out to them this week to build a stronger sense of unity?
Day 2: Avoiding Trivial Divisions
Divisions often arise from trivial matters like musical preferences or minor doctrinal differences. These divisions can harm the church's witness and make it less attractive to outsiders. Paul reminds us that the gospel message should be compelling and that we should strive to be winsome in our witness. The church in Corinth faced divisions over issues that were not central to the faith, and Paul’s response was to call them back to the core message of the gospel.
In our own church communities, it’s easy to let minor disagreements create rifts. Whether it’s differences in worship style, theological nuances, or personal preferences, these trivial matters can distract us from our primary mission. Paul’s exhortation is a reminder to keep the main thing the main thing: the gospel of Jesus Christ. By focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can present a compelling and attractive witness to the world. [27:30]
Titus 3:9 (ESV): "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless."
Reflection: Identify a trivial matter that has caused division in your church or personal relationships. How can you shift your focus back to the core message of the gospel in this situation?
Day 3: Singular Focus on Jesus
Paul emphasizes that the church should maintain a singular focus on Jesus to prevent divisions. Just as an orchestra tunes to a single pitch, the church should align itself vertically to Jesus, not horizontally to each other. This focus will create harmony and unity within the church. When each member of the church is focused on Christ, the differences that might otherwise cause division become secondary.
The analogy of an orchestra tuning to a single pitch is a powerful image. In an orchestra, each musician must tune their instrument to the same pitch to create a harmonious sound. Similarly, in the church, each member must align their life with Jesus to create a harmonious community. This vertical alignment with Christ ensures that our focus remains on Him, and not on our differences. By keeping Jesus at the center, we can experience true unity and harmony. [39:48]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself distracted from focusing on Jesus? What steps can you take this week to realign your focus on Him?
Day 4: The Role of Leaders
Paul addresses the issue of factions forming around different leaders, stressing that it doesn't matter who plants or waters; what matters is that God brings the growth. Leaders should work together with the same purpose, and the church should focus on Jesus rather than individual leaders. In the Corinthian church, people were aligning themselves with different leaders, creating divisions within the community.
Paul’s message is clear: the focus should not be on the leaders themselves, but on the work that God is doing through them. Leaders are simply servants who play different roles in God’s plan. The true growth and transformation come from God alone. By recognizing this, the church can avoid the pitfalls of leader-centric divisions and instead celebrate the diverse ways God works through different individuals. [34:42]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: Think about the leaders in your church. How can you support them while keeping your focus on God’s work rather than on the individuals themselves?
Day 5: The True Purpose of the Church
The ultimate goal of the church is to make Jesus known, not to promote individual preferences or comfort. By keeping Jesus at the center, the church can avoid divisions and fulfill its mission to go and make disciples. This focus will help the church maintain unity and effectively carry out its commission. The church exists not for its own sake, but to glorify God and make His name known.
When the church loses sight of this purpose, it can easily become inward-focused, prioritizing personal preferences and comfort over the mission of making disciples. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians is a reminder that the church’s true purpose is outward-focused. By keeping Jesus at the center, the church can stay united and effectively carry out its mission to reach the world with the gospel. [43:03]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to the church’s mission of making Jesus known this week? How can you prioritize this over personal preferences or comfort?
Quotes
1. "Paul hears about a mess happening inside this church and friends, you and I know many of us firsthand that the church still to this day can get messy. I'm grateful that Paul didn't take that option of, Hey, you know what? I'm not there anymore. They can figure it out or I tried my best, but he actually did something about it. Now his doing something about it might be a little different than ours would be." [23:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says, let there be no divisions in the church. And that word, that word is like schisms, speaks to like a cut or a tearing, speaks to a painful, painful experience. Verse 11, for some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, I'm a follower of Paul. Others are saying, I follow Apollos, or I follow Peter, or I follow only Christ." [32:53] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The gospel message in its purest and truest form, who Jesus is and what he did, should be compelling, and it should be attractive, and we as his church should be winsome, that others would be attracted to the message that they're hearing. That's how Paul got this church planted and started and off the ground, because the gospel was compelling." [31:10] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul says the thing that should keep us, the church, from drawing lines that would divide is for us to stay focused on Jesus. Maintain a singular focus on Jesus. Now, I think about this. If you were a part of an orchestra and you were preparing for a big-time concert, and you wanted to sound the best that you possibly could, you would want every instrument that's there to be tuned perfectly." [39:48] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The truth is that following Jesus is about him, period. It's about me living in a way that makes him famous. It's about sharing the story of Jesus. And here this, the goal is not for people to think I'm good or I'm cool or I'm a good servant. It is for them to see Jesus. And I would add one last thing to this. The goal is not for people to know the name Crosspoint. It is for them to know the name Jesus." [43:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Paul says, listen, we are all on the same team. Apollos and I have worked in conjunction so that you would be a healthy church. And what's happening right now is hurting the health of that church. I would say this. I think so far in our history, we're coming up towards 20 years of history here at Crosspoint. I think we have avoided, for the most part, any serious division or walls being built. I would say that we've been blessed with probably an uncommon sense of unity in this body. And I praise God for that." [38:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Paul refers to these church members as dear brothers and sisters. You might have noticed that. Brothers and sisters, that's a greeting that I use with some of you. Some of you use that with me. Hey, brother, great to see you. And this speaks to the idea that we are a family. We're a family of believers, and we are a body of believers. He's reminding the readers of this, and he uses this phrase, united in thought and purpose." [32:53] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Harmony is something we should desire. In fact, Paul says you need to live in harmony with one another. He continues to say this let there be no divisions in the church rather be of one mind United in thought. And purpose this message of let there be no divisions in the church is one that needs to be spoken needs to be heard and needs to be adhered to we know man." [27:30] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Paul says, for our benefit, God made Jesus wisdom. That even his foolish message of the cross would be wiser than any of man's greatest wisdom. He says that the weakness of God is stronger than any human strength. And he finishes this chapter by saying this, Paul says the thing that should keep us, the church, from drawing lines that would divide is for us to stay focused on Jesus. Maintain a singular focus on Jesus." [39:48] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Paul says, let there be no divisions in the church. And that word, that word is like schisms, speaks to like a cut or a tearing, speaks to a painful, painful experience. Verse 11, for some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, I'm a follower of Paul. Others are saying, I follow Apollos, or I follow Peter, or I follow only Christ." [32:53] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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