Unity in Christ: Overcoming Divisions in the Church
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we delve into 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, where Paul addresses the issue of unity within the church. Paul’s tone is that of a loving but exasperated father, urging the Corinthians to be united in Christ. He emphasizes that unity is not a trivial matter but central to the Christian faith. Paul begins by urging the church to agree in what they say, to have no divisions among them, and to be united with the same understanding and conviction. He highlights that the church in Corinth is plagued by rivalries and factions, with people aligning themselves with different leaders like Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or even claiming to follow Christ in a divisive manner.
Paul’s message is clear: Christ is not divided, and neither should His body, the church, be. He underscores that the focus should not be on who baptized whom but on the gospel of Christ. Baptism is important, but it should not create divisions based on who performed it. Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel, not with eloquent wisdom, but so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.
Paul’s call for unity is deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. He reminds the Corinthians that their unity is a reflection of their unity with Christ Himself. This unity is not just about agreeing on doctrines but living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. Paul’s plea is for the church to remember who they are in Christ and to live in a way that is different from the divisive culture around them.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Christ is Essential: Paul emphasizes that unity is not a superficial or optional aspect of the Christian faith. It is central and deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. Our unity reflects our relationship with Christ and is a testimony to the world of His love and sacrifice. [03:21]
2. Avoiding Divisions Over Personalities: The church should not be divided based on personalities or leaders. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were all servants of Christ, and their followers should not create factions. Our focus should be on Christ, who unites us all, rather than on human leaders. [22:15]
3. The Importance of Baptism: While baptism is an important identity marker for Christians, it should not be a source of division. Paul clarifies that who performs the baptism is not as important as what it signifies – a change of allegiance to Christ. This helps prevent the creation of spiritual pedigrees that can divide the church. [30:37]
4. The Gospel is Paramount: Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel. Unity in the church is not for its own sake but for the sake of Christ and His gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ is what unites us and should be the focus of our lives and ministry. [34:00]
5. Living Out the Gospel: Unity in the church is more than just agreeing on doctrines; it is about living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. This lived experience of unity is a powerful testimony to the world and a reflection of our unity with Christ Himself. [13:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians
[03:21] - Call for Unity
[04:54] - Paul's Exasperation
[06:35] - Historical Context of Corinth
[08:23] - Corinth's Cultural Challenges
[10:24] - Unity in Christ
[12:01] - What Does Unity Mean?
[13:46] - Unity as a Lived Experience
[15:37] - The Tragedy of Division
[17:17] - Unity Beyond Individual Churches
[18:54] - Overcoming Ethnic and Cultural Divisions
[20:46] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[22:15] - Avoiding Divisions Over Personalities
[23:51] - The Role of Leaders
[25:34] - The "We Follow Christ" Group
[27:27] - Paul's Rhetorical Questions
[29:06] - The Danger of Spiritual Pedigrees
[30:37] - The Importance of Baptism
[32:19] - Baptism in Context
[34:00] - The Gospel is Paramount
[35:49] - Conclusion and Call to Unity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (CSB)
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific issues of division does Paul address in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17? ([03:21])
2. How does Paul describe the importance of unity in the church? ([10:24])
3. What does Paul say about the role of baptism in the church, and why does he downplay who performs it? ([30:37])
4. How does Paul use rhetorical questions to emphasize his point about unity? ([27:27])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that unity in the church is not a trivial matter but central to the Christian faith? ([10:24])
2. How might the cultural context of Corinth, as described in the sermon, contribute to the divisions within the church? ([08:23])
3. What does Paul mean when he says that the gospel is paramount, and how does this relate to the issue of unity? ([34:00])
4. How does Paul’s plea for unity reflect the teachings and person of Jesus Christ? ([20:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed division within a church. How did it affect your faith and the faith of others around you? ([15:37])
2. Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid divisions over personalities. Are there leaders or personalities in your church that you find yourself aligning with more than others? How can you shift your focus back to Christ? ([22:15])
3. Baptism is an important identity marker for Christians. How can we ensure that it remains a unifying practice rather than a divisive one in our church? ([30:37])
4. Paul emphasizes that the gospel should be the central focus of our lives and ministry. What are some practical ways you can keep the gospel at the forefront of your daily life? ([34:00])
5. Unity in the church is more than just agreeing on doctrines; it is about living out the gospel. What are some specific actions you can take this week to promote unity and reflect Christ’s love and sacrifice in your community? ([13:46])
6. How can you contribute to overcoming ethnic and cultural divisions within your church, as Paul suggests in his letter? ([18:54])
7. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. How can you make this prayer a reality in your own life and in the life of your church? ([20:46])
Devotional
### Day 1: Unity Reflects Our Relationship with Christ
Paul emphasizes that unity is not a superficial or optional aspect of the Christian faith. It is central and deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. Our unity reflects our relationship with Christ and is a testimony to the world of His love and sacrifice. Paul begins by urging the church to agree in what they say, to have no divisions among them, and to be united with the same understanding and conviction. He highlights that the church in Corinth is plagued by rivalries and factions, with people aligning themselves with different leaders like Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or even claiming to follow Christ in a divisive manner.
Paul’s message is clear: Christ is not divided, and neither should His body, the church, be. He underscores that the focus should not be on who baptized whom but on the gospel of Christ. Baptism is important, but it should not create divisions based on who performed it. Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel, not with eloquent wisdom, but so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. [03:21]
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement or division you have experienced within your church community. How can you take a step today to promote unity and reflect your relationship with Christ?
### Day 2: Focus on Christ, Not Human Leaders
The church should not be divided based on personalities or leaders. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were all servants of Christ, and their followers should not create factions. Our focus should be on Christ, who unites us all, rather than on human leaders. Paul’s tone is that of a loving but exasperated father, urging the Corinthians to be united in Christ. He emphasizes that unity is not a trivial matter but central to the Christian faith.
Paul’s call for unity is deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. He reminds the Corinthians that their unity is a reflection of their unity with Christ Himself. This unity is not just about agreeing on doctrines but living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. Paul’s plea is for the church to remember who they are in Christ and to live in a way that is different from the divisive culture around them. [22:15]
1 Corinthians 3:4-5 (ESV): "For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each."
Reflection: Reflect on whether you have ever placed a human leader above Christ in your spiritual journey. How can you refocus your attention on Christ today?
### Day 3: Baptism as a Sign of Allegiance to Christ
While baptism is an important identity marker for Christians, it should not be a source of division. Paul clarifies that who performs the baptism is not as important as what it signifies – a change of allegiance to Christ. This helps prevent the creation of spiritual pedigrees that can divide the church. Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel, not with eloquent wisdom, but so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.
Paul’s message is clear: Christ is not divided, and neither should His body, the church, be. He underscores that the focus should not be on who baptized whom but on the gospel of Christ. Baptism is important, but it should not create divisions based on who performed it. Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel, not with eloquent wisdom, but so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. [30:37]
1 Corinthians 1:14-15 (ESV): "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name."
Reflection: Consider the significance of your own baptism. How does it reflect your allegiance to Christ, and how can you ensure it does not become a source of division?
### Day 4: The Gospel Unites Us
Paul’s ultimate priority is to preach the gospel. Unity in the church is not for its own sake but for the sake of Christ and His gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ is what unites us and should be the focus of our lives and ministry. Paul’s call for unity is deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. He reminds the Corinthians that their unity is a reflection of their unity with Christ Himself.
This unity is not just about agreeing on doctrines but living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. Paul’s plea is for the church to remember who they are in Christ and to live in a way that is different from the divisive culture around them. [34:00]
1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV): "For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Reflection: How can you make the gospel the central focus of your life and ministry today? What practical steps can you take to ensure that the good news of Jesus Christ unites rather than divides?
### Day 5: Living Out the Gospel in Unity
Unity in the church is more than just agreeing on doctrines; it is about living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. This lived experience of unity is a powerful testimony to the world and a reflection of our unity with Christ Himself. Paul’s call for unity is deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. He reminds the Corinthians that their unity is a reflection of their unity with Christ Himself.
This unity is not just about agreeing on doctrines but living out the gospel in a way that reflects Christ’s love and sacrifice. Paul’s plea is for the church to remember who they are in Christ and to live in a way that is different from the divisive culture around them. [13:46]
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate Christ’s love and sacrifice in your interactions with others today. How can you contribute to the unity of your church community through your actions?
Quotes
1. "The point of Paul's letter to this saved but seriously messed up church is this. Remember who you are. In the middle of all of this cultural stuff, don't let yourself get sucked in by the culture all around you. Stop dividing, be united. And we start here in verses 10 and 11, that the church should be properly united in Christ. You can hear it in Paul's language that unity is no small thing. It is no inconsequential thing. It is not a, let's agree to disagree sort of a thing, right? This is central for Paul, the firm request of someone who is very concerned for his family." [08:23] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Be united. And in verse 10, he says it three different ways in one verse. He says, agree in what you say. Literally, it's say the same. He says, there should be no divisions among you. And the word divisions is a word used for political parties or factions in that time and place. Then he says, united with the same understanding and same conviction. And united here should probably be better translated, restored to unity. And in mind and thought, some translations have it. Just a little bit later on in chapter two, verse 16, he is going to say, to remind them that as Christians, we are to have the mind and thought of God." [12:01] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our belief in Jesus is supposed to cause us to live differently. Heard that last week, right? Differently than the culture around us to behave as Jesus teaches and behaves. To pull in the same direction at the same time in the same place. Have you ever seen that? Rowing, whether the Olympics or whatever else. If they don't pull at the same time in the same place, it doesn't work. And there is going to be a significant doctrinal component to this unity. And we see this in churches today, right? The doctrinal statements we see on websites and everything else." [13:46] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the reason you have to plea for unity, for restoration of unity, as Paul says, is because you're not unified, right? That's what's going on here. And it's not been that long. On the one hand, it's kind of reassuring to me, comforting to me, that there was no golden age. We don't get to say, oh, if we could just get back to the New Testament times, everything would be okay. No, it wouldn't. Paul is quite regularly, hey, guys, knock it off, right? At the same time, it's tragic. It's tragic that we are like this." [15:37] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Our personalities aren't what unites us and they certainly shouldn't divide the church. Christ unites us no matter who we are. We belong to him and we have different strengths and different gifts and we are one in him because the thing about when we divide about personalities it regularly devolves into divisions over spiritual pedigrees if you look at verses 14 to 16 this this is very interesting i thank god that i baptized none of you except crispus and gaius so that no one can say you were baptized in my name i did in fact baptize the household of stefanis beyond that i don't recall if i baptized anyone else." [29:06] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The gospel is paramount. The good news of Jesus Christ who makes our unity possible who unites us together people who would never be united otherwise with the father the very creator and sustainer of the universe in Jesus we have communion not with some mystical nebulous spiritual force out there but the author and perfecter of our faith the good news is that in all of our brokenness all of it Christ comes for us singular and plural and as David puts it in the psalms he has lifted us out of the miry clay and set us on a solid rock God chooses us dies for us defeats death once and for all for us in Christ." [35:49] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Unity is not for unity's sake it is not unity for Christ's sake and the people who lead us who are influential in our lives are not unimportant they are used by God to accomplish his purposes because the gospel is paramount the good news of Jesus Christ who makes our unity possible who unites us together people who would never be united otherwise with the father the very creator and sustainer of the universe in Jesus we have communion not with some mystical nebulous spiritual force out there but the author and perfecter of our faith." [35:49] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Paul says, Chloe's people let him know that there are conflicts, rivalries. We don't know exactly who Chloe is. Probably she is a businesswoman, either from Corinth or Ephesus, where Paul's writing this from. She's well-to-do and her people, which is a phrase referring to people under her authority, maybe servants, maybe slaves, maybe kids, maybe employees, we don't know exactly. But her people have reported back to Paul, hey, there's a problem here. And as the body of Christ, we should be properly united in Christ, not, not divided based on personalities. But that's exactly what's going on." [22:15] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Paul identifies four, let's call them parties, in verse 12. Those who follow him, those who follow Apollos, those who follow, Peter, and a group who says, we follow Christ. What are we to make of this? Were these formal factions in the church? One commentator sort of tongue-in-cheek called them the spiritual, the sophisticated, the serious, and the smug. All capital S's as if these were the names of four parties. Now chances are these aren't actual parties, and they're probably not a serious doctrine." [23:51] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Paul's point here is pretty simple our personalities aren't what unites us and they certainly shouldn't divide the church christ unites us no matter who we are we belong to him and we have different strengths and different gifts and we are one in him because the thing about when we divide about personalities it regularly devolves into divisions over spiritual pedigrees if you look at verses 14 to 16 this this is very interesting i thank god that i baptized none of you except crispus and gaius so that no one can say you were baptized in my name i did in fact baptize the household of stefanis beyond that i don't recall if i baptized anyone else." [29:06] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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