1 Corinthians 1:10-17 “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of
Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 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.”
Last Sunday, Pastor Obie continued in our church sermon series through the book of 1 Corinthians. He points out that this last year and a half have been some of the most divisive times at this scale in history. Political, social, pandemic, law enforcement and mandate issues have produced strong emotional feelings that caused strife, strained relationships and polarize the nation. In this letter that the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth that he planted, he dealt with five issues, of which the first was division and unity in the church. Disagreements and disappointments within the church will happen. Do everything in your power to not let it end in division.
John 1:12-13 tell us, “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The Christian church is the family of God. Brothers and sisters in Christ have different personalities, experiences and gifts. Later in 1 Corinthians 12:4, Paul states, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” Unity in the Spirit is key. Disunity in the church tears apart the body of Christ, not only destroying the those within the church, but misrepresents the Lord and Savior of the world to the watching world around us, who do not know Jesus Christ yet. In Luke 11:17 Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.” Disunion in the Christian church is unnatural and it must be cured. We are united vertically in our Heavenly Father.
Why do disagreements and disappointments in the church happen? Because of improperly dealing with them in one of five ways. (1) Preferences. Choosing sides creates a faction. God’s grace and liberty are not license to sin. Intellect and knowledge do not supersede sanctity. Philosophy and ideology do not supplant Theology. It is fine to have preferences, but not preferences that pull the church apart in division. (2) Opinions - The judgment which the mind forms of any proposition, statement, theory or event, the truth or falsehood of which is supported by a degree of evidence that renders it probably, but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty. (3) Offenses. People say and do offensive things in every relationship (whether intentional or not). They need to be dealt with properly. (4) Pride. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Pride causes divide and comes before a fall. (5) Expectations. The root of disappointments can be found in unmet expectation, whether realistic or unrealistic. This is true in all relationships. We need to manage our expectations. We are united in Christ.
Let's continue Pastor Obie's message on "church harmony" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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