1Cor. 1.10-17

No Divisions

Intro : Two weeks ago we started our study in the book of first Cor.

A) The Church of Cor. Was a church that began well - but stumbled & fell - its fall was great.

B) Church that was filled w/ many problems : Immorality / Marriage problems / Lawsuits/ Divisions / Abuse of gifts / abuse of Lords supper!

Bb) AS we begin to look at this book which deals w/ many of the

problems that can creep into the Church .

1) I want us to see the main reason for these problems / why they

were happening / so that we might avoid them!

C) I want us to see the Lord’s heart in dealing w/ situations like this that

can creep into a church, or a family

1)So that we might deal w/ these types of things swiftly & effectively !

Now in our study last time we noted that v.9 is a key verse in all of 1 Cor. That is where we want to begin tonight in review

A) God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is the key verse of First Corinthians.

A) The rest of the letter centers around it. It is a statement that God had called them to a very important relationship.

B) They were called both corporately as well as individually into fellowship w/ the Lord.

1) Fellowship = Koinnia - to share in common. Speaks of a closeness & a unity

C) But they had lost sight of the fact that corporately as well as personally they were a part of Christ .

1) That Christ was in their midst.

D) Rev. 2:1 describes Jesus as the one who walks in the midst of the Church. - He was walking in the Midst of Cor.

1) But He was grieved - because their eyes were no longer on Him

THE CHURCH IN CORINTH HAD LOST SIGHT OF CHRIST

This was the source of all the problems w/in the church at Corinth

A) They were suffering divisions because they had lost sight of the

Lordship of Jesus.

B) They were immoral because they had forgotten that the members of

their bodies were the members of Christ.

1) They were in lawsuits with one another because they had failed to

see that Jesus was judge of the innermost motives of the heart.

C) They were quarreling because they had forgotten that others were

members of Christ's body and, therefore, they were members one of another.

D) That is what Paul will constantly bring them back to in this letter!

1) They are a part of Christ & share in the fellowship of Christ - Christ is in the midst of Them & of us here tonight

D) CAN’T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT !!!!!!!

E) How does Christ feel when He walks in the midst of the Church at CCV - / conversations He hears / attitudes He watches

1) Worship that goes forth - Hearts that are depicted

V10-17

1st problem Division :

A) The word Division in v.10 is an interesting word Grk it is schismata from which we get our English word - schisms =

B) It means to tear or to rip - speaks of something being out of Joint .

1) Bone that is out of joint can be very painful -

C) Same is true in the body of Christ - when Division occurs it is painful

Now there are two things that are at the root of most division & quarreling that takes place in a church or a family

A) Immaturity & selfishness

B) Infants are quick to express displeasure when they are not given something they want or when something they like is taken away.

C) Little children cry, fight, and throw tantrums because they cannot have their own ways.

1) It is all characteristics of their immaturity as kids .

CC) Amanda in Vons - PARKING THE shopping cart - MINE!!!!!!

1) Now if Denise did that we would be in serious trouble

D) Well unfortunately adults can often act in an immature way or childish way toward others

1) We are to be childlike but not Childish & at the core of that immaturity & childish behavior is selfishness.

E) We argue and fight over a rattle, then a toy, then a football, then a position on the football team or in the cheerleading squad, then in business,

1) the pta , or politics. Friends fight, husbands and wives fight,

f). And the source of all the fighting is the same: man’s depraved, egoistic, selfish nature.

Scripture CLEARLY teaches that man is basically and naturally sinful, and that the heart of his sinfulness is self–will.

A) From birth to death the natural inclination of every person is to look out for “number one”—to be, to do, and to have what he wants.

B) At the heart of sin is the ego, the “I.”

Writing to fellow Christians, James asks, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel” (James 4:1–2).

C) Basically what James is saying there is the cause for all conflicts,

quarrels, and fighting is selfish desire.

CC) Man is selfish by nature & when that selfish attitude begins to manifest itself in the body of Christ - things begin to tear.

1) Ministries get out of joint & People get ripped off!

D) Few things demoralize, discourage, and weaken a church as much as bickering, backbiting, and fighting among its members.

1) And few things so effectively undermine its testimony before the

world.

E) One Commentator put it well when he said

Because of quarreling the Father is dishonored, the Son is disgraced, His people are demoralized and discredited, and the world is turned off and confirmed in unbelief.

F) So true !!!!!

In V. 12 Paul identifies the reason for the divisions - they were focused on men & not on Christ ! Eyes on men and not the Lord .

Church was divided into 4 groups - each group had latched on to a certain individual

A) One group I am of Paul - not impressive - but radically anointed

Apollos - Eloquent - and insightful / great speaker - versed in O.T.

C) Peter - Practical & down to earth

1) Jesus - just Jesus - super spiritual

Notice what Paul said v13/ Is Christ Divided?

A) These people were guilty of focusing on the messenger

not the message or the one who sent it!

B) We can be guilty of the same thing !

1) Normal to have your favorite teachers - but when a person gets held into such esteem that we can not receive from anyone else - trouble

C) In my walk I have had the privilege of being able to sit under the teaching & ministries of 4 great pastors

1) At CM Chuck - still a favorite & Richard - huge impact

D) Yrs w/ Brian learned so much especially about grace & being Balanced

1) Jon Courson - indirectly - tape & friendship - focus on Jesus / search the word - dig deep -

E) All four are great teachers & godly guys - I benefited greatly from each one / so blessed at the opportunity to have them in my life!!!!

Also Blessed by the different writers - Morgan LJ / Stedman Wiersbe Mac-

A) It is when we start thinking that any one person has all the answers or we can only learn & grow by this person - we limit God

1) And Divide his body / Only listen to the hand

B) Ministered to by any teacher if your heart is right - open willing to glean & grow - But if critique - No way

C) In fact when we put leaders on such a high pedestal - so that we cannot receive any body else - borders on idolatry.

D) Paul says is Christ Divided ? No - Paul Peter - Apollos all had the same goal - to see people grow in Christ - be pointed to Christ .

1) Any teacher who seeks to drawn others to himself is in great danger

James 3:1 We will receive a stricter Judgment

E) I am sure the attitude in Corinth grieved Peter & Apollos the same way it grieved Paul.

1) In their hearts they didn’t want to see anyone following after them or any other man - but Christ.

Paul goes on to say I wasn’t crucified for you - & were you Baptized in the name of Paul.

A) In other words what Paul was saying was I didn't seek to point anyone to me & I did do anything to save you .

B) Church - stained glass window picture of Jesus / Preacher who was a large man went on vacation " - smaller assistant took place

1) 5yr. Girl asked mother Mommy Where is the man who never lets us see Jesus !

This is the Crux of their Problem / root of every problem

they took their eyes off Jesus / off of the cross

A) Paul seeks to bring them right back to basics V.17 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

AA) WHAT IS THE GOSPEL - MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

1) Liberty / unity / life /

B) That was the Beg. of their Problems / took their eyes off of Jesus off of the Cross Division starts

1) That then leads to carnality & compromise

We have Unity at the cross all sinners all in need of a savior

C) At the cross we are all lumped into one group

At the cross we are all made a new group / new man !

D) Suggest to you that the answer to every problem we might deal w/ answer is in the cross / Paul preached Jesus Christ & him crucified !

1) God doesn't love me ! Rom. 5 Proved .......freely give all .....

E) Husband doesn't know how to relate to wife Eph. Love as .........

F) There is unity at the cross - At the cross I am reminded that It is finished / That Jesus did it all - that He the Lord !

When we get our eyes off the cross - easy to get twisted . out of Joint

A) Essentially what Jesus taught in John 12 turn

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

28 "Father, glorify Your name."

Back to 1Cor. V.10 See the Lord’s heart & desire for us communicated through Paul .

A) Begins by saying Now I plead with you, brethren,

B) The word Plead could also be translated exhort -

C) Exhort comes from the Greek, the verb root of the “Helper” (or Comforter) of John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7

D) The basic meaning is that of coming alongside someone in order to help.

1) Paul wanted to come alongside his Corinthian brothers and sisters in order to help correct their sins and shortcomings.

E) Paul was writing to rebuke them - but to reprove them - to correct them to straighten out this error to deal w/ their immaturity .

1) The word Plead also speaks of an urgency take care of this now .

F) True in light of the day & age in which we live / in these last days / no time to be hung up in stupid disputes

1) Give up the pride lay down your rights -

Also notice that Paul appeals to them as brothers.

A) In so doing he moderates the harshness, without minimizing the seriousness, of the reproof

1) Abe w/ Lot Direct & discerning - we are Bros.

B) They are his brothers and each other’s brothers, and should act in harmony as brothers.

1) It GETS BACK TO THE ISSUEOF THEIR CALLING

C) They had all been “called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1:9) and are now being lovingly exhorted TO ACT LIKE BROS

.

D) Because they were one in fellowship with their Lord, they should be one in fellowship with each other.

1) Their unity in Jesus Christ was the basis for Paul’s appeal for unity among themselves.

E) Basically Paul was saying to them & He would say to us you are one in Christ Jesus - LIVE LIKE IT

The phrase in v.10 by the name of our Lord JC - Speaks of His character & His will.

A) They were acting in a way that was completely against the character & the will of Jesus

B) And Paul was pleading w/ them according to the will & Character of Christ -

1) See things from His perspective - His will - His heart - His mind should be our constant prayer.

C) 1Sam. 24 example of this in David's life. Turn

Scene - David being Chased by Saul - The cave - the opportunity - the encouragement from His men. David’s perspective

A) V.10 10 "Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.'

B) David was aware that this meeting was set up by the Lord - Divine appt. / the Lord has delivered you into my hand

1) But not to kill Saul but to be gracious to Saul - to show Saul kindness & mercy

C) That was God’s heart - Patient w/ Saul - / Patient w/ Corinth

D) So Paul writes to them - I am coming along side of you in the in the nature of & hoping reflecting the will & Character of Christ.

E) That needs to be our goal in dealing w/ conflicts & people in sin - and divisions coming alongside in the Character & heart of Christ

For the Purpose of seeing these 2 things happen

A) You would be perfectly joined together & of the same mind

B) Perfectly joined or Made complete is the Greek katartizoµ,

C) It is used in classical Greek as well as in the New Testament to speak of mending such things as nets, bones, dislocated joints, broken utensils, and torn garments.

D) The basic meaning is to put back together, to make one again something that was broken or separated.

E) Christians are to be made complete (“perfectly joined together,” both internally (in the same mind) and externally (in the same judgment).

Now this oneness comes together at the Cross as I mentioned earlier & when we realize our purpose here .

A) Phil 1:27 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

B) Standing fast in one spirit w/ one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

1) One mind & one spirit - striving together for the sake of the gospel.