The followers of Jesus may have believed in Jesus words only, and did not believe that the writings of Peter, Paul, and the other apostles were really Scripture. 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. That, of course, is as it should be. There was nothing wrong with them, they were very helpful, but it was not very long before they became status symbols, and they were used to put down, not always intentionally, those who did not have them. Gods people who are moving in revival (like we have been to experiencing right here in Brisbane these last few months) have no qualms about getting together to see the nation of Australia come to Christ. In conjunction with this, some people were questioning Pauls character and authority ( 1 Corinthians 14 ). Not when we hear of churches with factions or cliques of people who sit on opposite sides of the aisle. We all know what a clique is. The cross of Christ cuts across all human value systems. We pray that it may be rich and real in our hearts as we live this week together. If I am not out of line I seem to remember that Constantine played a large role in allowing Pagan influences back into the Christian Life. One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. We must allow him the privilege of doing that. The church was divided into factions, and one group was urging him to take half the congregation and go to another part of the city and start a new church. This is not what the Church was meant to be like, and I fully believe that Paul would be appalled by our actions today as a Church of believers in Jesus Christ. Paul wants the Corinthian church to mend the broken relationships that have been caused by the divisions among its members. There is not a teacher among us today, or at any other time, who is able to open the mind and open the eyes of the heart and reveal to us the glory and majesty of God, not one. As a result, this led to the division among Christian converts and to the Christian community as a whole. I will jump on the bandwagon here and say that division is definitely an issue today. The news went out but no one had seen the little fellow. Obviously, here at Peninsula Bible Church we cannot do that. Believers who are joined in heart should not find it difficult to be joined in hand, working together for the common good and for the glory of Christ. It is possible that these divisions represent competing house churches, some founded by Paul, some by Apollos. This division in the church was over their own selfish ambitions evidenced in what they wanted. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (NKJV). Conclusion. Others bragged that they were followers of Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Thank you, Father, for this time here contemplating the cross. In Jesus' name, Amen. The elders should make their decisions with the same mind and the same judgment. Why? Everybody has their denomination and they cling relentless to their doctrinal beliefs. Let's go back to Jerusalem. The church in Corinth was a group of people who were tearing themselves apart! He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. Now, in one verse he introduces to us the cure for these divisions (Verse17): For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom [literally, "wisdom of words"], lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Church has become about the pastor and not about his message. Some sued their fellow Christians in the secular courts. Was Paul crucified for you? The bridesmaids have come down the aisle. Its all about who looks the best, how much money is made, and how big our churches are. The words made complete in verse 10 are translated from a Greek word that was used to speak of mending such things as nets, bones, dislocated joints, broken utensils, and torn garments. Paul condemns their behavior in verse 13 by saying, Has Christ been divided? In other words, have different amounts of Christ been given to different people? The bride is limping! 3- The presence of an immoral member. These kinds of things happen when there are divisions in a church. The church is never called to having everybody think exactly alike. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. They were hard to get in those war years, and every shipment that came in went out like hot cakes. Now, we all have our favorite preacher, and up to a point that is not wrong. A second issue that seems to keep the church divided (the whole church and individual churches) is the little things such as the structure of the service, the type of music played for worship, whether a pastor should always wear a tie, and what color should be used in the bathroom. Its pathetic that people should get so angry about whether drums are used or if the AC unit is kept at 71 or 70. In my church it seems like they are all about numbers. Christians are all disciples, or better, stewards and servants of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). 6-Members defiling the Lords Supper. Some had no problem with consuming meat that had been sacrificed to idols; for others, it was a real offense. Some considering Paul their authority, other Apollos, others Peter, and still others accepted only Jesus as their authority. The divisions of Christendom are the scandal of Christianity. They were caused by Cliques (1:12; 3:4). Conclusion. 2- The Churchs division. There are the Calvinists and the Arminians and the Dispensationalists -- these are some of the things that are held up as the "summum bonum," the highest good, in theology. The anxiety of the childs mother continued to grow, for she knew that her boy was somewhere out in the darkness where wild animals were constantly on the prowl. That is why Paul calls us back to it. Every piece of that jigsaw puzzle is different, isnt it? One of the celebrities was Paul himself some believers at Corinth actually claimed to be his followers. He appeals to them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I appreciate the perspective given by the author and agree 100% that the body of Christ is divided. They failed to take seriously the power of evil; their behavior caused divisions in the church and led to a lack of concern for other members. But when each piece is fitted together into its proper place in the puzzle, you have a beautiful and complete picture. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. Alexandria was a center for learning and philosophy. 1-False prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13). The same viewpoints are still dividing people. As we read through First Corinthians, I think we will see how very much like modern day churches this ancient church of Corinth was. WebThe spirit that wrought such mischief at Corinth has been busy in the Church ever since. In fact, these divisions are a sign of worldliness. These preachers draw in masses of people every week who are eager to hear them speak. Within our churches, and even in our own denominations (sophisticated name for divisions), we argue about church funds, whos on the worship team, and whether the youth should have long hair. In the same way, thats not the way the Church was meant to be fitted together. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. It is well known that division in the church of Corinth was over leadership. The cross of Christ is what will heal the fragmentation of Christians wherever they are. There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 1:12 RSV) Now, there was the trouble at Corinth. There he indicates that the problem with cliquishness is that it tends to overemphasize the significance of the human leader. WebThe Corinthians were basically making a mockery of Communion. (1Corinthians 1:13b-16 RSV). This is the result of a religious snobbery associated by cliques that produced pride and conflict. God, therefore, has designed that there be many teachers, many preachers, many viewpoints, in a church. Lewis.". Webdivided. There are some people who minister to us better than others, and it is only natural that we should listen to them and follow them. The Navigators in those days did a great work in the Navy throughout the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and hundreds of young men were led to Christ through their efforts during the war years. Lovelessness among Christians is not a light thing.. That does not mean that everybody has to think alike. Paul here introduces that which can cure divisions, both negatively and positively. Austin Hellier Brisbane Queensland Australia. Are we willing and ready to pray for unity in His Church, and work at building a stronger unity among fellow members of the congregations where we fellowship and serve? We are so proud of them when they look right, but when things start to fall apart, the church begins to fall apart as well. Her gown is ripped and covered with mud! Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? In what ways have we failed to de-paganize? It seems like it would be better to ask in what ways have we been re-paganized. Their relationship to Christ was the unifying factor of the church. How important was unity to our Lord Jesus Christ? There is not a single teacher who ever lived who can heal the hurt of a broken heart, or supply energy and adequacy to someone who feels worthless and unable to function in society, not one. 7-False zeal for spiritual gifts. I do not identify my self as being a follower of anybody but Jesus (although there are certain theologians that I do hold in higher regard than others). Faith rests on Gods shoulders alone- its not by our wisdom and ability (Polhill 237). It seems so bland compared to all the other choices out there when really it presents and encourages people to live out a very different and exciting life in the opposite direction of the world. In the year 1 054 the Church was divided into two parts: 1) The Greek Eastern Church 2) The Roman Western Church. 2 Corinthians Every Navigator had to have a Scofield Reference Bible; that was the only "Authorized Version." With that spirit of self-righteous smugness, they were separating from the rest, dividing up the congregation and quarreling with one another over these things. Because I am a little defensive it seems like they are almost my enemy. We tend to deify men, and people look at them as if they can do no wrong, can made no errors, that they know everything and can settle all questions. 13Is Christ divided? Then not only did they have the Bible, but every Navigator who was anybody at all had to have an index drawn in on the pages of the Bible, a kind of a ladder that gave you a clue to where the books were so that with your thumb you could turn up any book in the Bible almost instantly. Paul exhorts them to agree. And, after all, Peter even walked on water!" For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. All that mattered to Paul was Jesus! WebPaul goes right on, in Verse 12, to describe the forms that these divisions were taking in the church of Corinth: What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas" [another name for Peter], or "I belong to Christ." Now, Paul says this is all basically, fundamentally wrong. With Pauls harsh criticism of said divisions, you would think that we might have learned how to move beyond that in the 21st Century, however, that is not the case. These are two common causes of church divisions in the West. So, just a few texts and there are so many more. They are still acting just like the world. This is the challenge of the divisions in 1 Corinthians how does the modern church act just like the world? The organ begins the bridal march, and everyone stands. I would like to approach it from an evangelistic standpoint. If you survey the church scene all over America today, you find people dividing up this way. His followers in the Corinthian church may have viewed Christianity as a philosophy rather than a relationship with a Person Jesus Christ. WebDivisions in the Church. Their divisions, lack of church discipline, lawsuits, abuse of Christian liberty and over-emphasis of the gift of tongues, all illustrate this root problem. Maybe if they are getting rid of core doctrine it is a justifiable anger but I can definitely see how the church is very much the same as 2000 years ago. John 12:37-50, THE PARADOX OF LIFE FROM DEATH John 12:20-26, THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM JOHN 12:9-19, SPIRITUAL LIGHT AND DARKNESS John 9:35-41. Paul always expresses great concern about the possibility of a split in the church. He was a rhetorician who was especially capable in the allegorical style of teaching of the Old Testament. Unity in the church is something that requires cooperation with each other and with the Spirit of God. The countless denominations and different beliefs of Christianity are often not appealing to non-believers. It is not merely that the Church is everywhere split up into sections, but that this has led to party strife and jealousy. And there were some who said, "Well, when Peter came through, he baptized me. I still have at home the Scofield Reference Bible with the index ladder drawn by him. He described the activities of the disciples of the Sophists the professional orators who were able to command large audiences, high fees for educating youth, and often a great deal of power within the city. He didnt focus on himself being superior to all the rest of the church leaders. Christ did not send me to take scalps or to cut notches on my gun handle as to how many converts I've won." The Greek word used here literally means to say the same thing. Like Greg, I recognize this tension in some of the churches I have served in and find it appalling (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). Webdivided. He chooses various channels through which to work. A. Members follow him blindly and whatever they do seems right to them. Today we have followers of Rob Bell, Rick Warren, and even Joel Osteen (for some reason). These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. One of his biggest goals is to double our congregation so we have 5,000 members. Four groups had formed in the Corinthian church. That is why we have four gospels, because not even one of the disciples who was with the Lord was capable of giving us a complete enough view of Christ. They love to listen to someone because he turns them on emotionally. I told them that it is a concern of mine as well. Religious snobs want to be a part of a small group who I have been in many places where they were having church fights and almost invariably the thing that gives away that a church is in trouble is when people start talking about "my church," not in the sense that is perfectly proper as meaning, "The church where I go," but leaders of the church actually saying, "This is our church," and telling other people they have no rights to do something because the church belongs to them. To resolve this issue, he encourages communal love. Since I was working at that time in the ship's service department in Pearl Harbor, we ordered great quantities of these Bibles. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 2- The Churchs division. Perhaps, in their individual efforts, they had missed some spots; so the suggestion was made, Lets all join hands and go through the long grass again. Finally, the child was found, but it was too late. Divisions never really ended with Pauls letters; they just appear to have evolved into having more sophisticated names. They embraced the values of their Roman society, which divided over ethnicity (e.g., Jews vs. Gentiles) and social rank (wise vs. foolish, powerful When you divide up among men you lose something, that is what he is saying. The Protestant Reformation had its beginnings in 1517 (see Chapter 1 0). I think we have failed to de-paganize the art of preaching/teaching if pastors/leaders are looking for patronage, prestige, and numbers over relationships, service, and transformation. It is possible, though, that the divisions among Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. He said so himself. As a young Christian in my early twenties during World WarII, I was stationed in Hawaii, and I became acquainted with the work of the Navigators. Paul gives the church a stern warning about their actions and the proper way to participate. 2 Corinthians There was nothing wrong with Paul baptizing people, but Paul didnt want people to boast about the fact that he baptized them. A gasp bursts from the guests! The third danger of groups is given in the latter part of Verse13, and on through the next few verses: Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? How important was unity to the apostle Paul, and to the Holy Spirit who moved Him to write this letter to the Church in Corinth? We tend to fall out along doctrinal lines or because we are drawn to one charismatic pastor over another. But that is a very dangerous attitude, and yet we tend to think of people as being the channel by which deliverance can come to our heart. The words made complete mean to be perfectly joined together, like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes a church leader can have so much clout that he begins to have cult status. I lead a small group so I sometimes have to sit in meetings where the pastor shares things about the vision of our church. So, just a few texts and there are so many more. But when it comes to the clear teachings of Gods Word, there cannot be two conflicting views that are both right. WebDivisions in the Church. He recognizes that we share a common life if we have come to Christ; we are brothers and sisters because we have his life in us. It is a serious threat to the life of a church to find people choosing favorite preachers, to the degree, at least, that they do not want to listen to anyone else. We become followers of out Pastors and churches rather than of Christ. How important is it that there be unity within the Church? These are not the only causes of divisions in churches today. That is what they were doing with baptism here in Corinth. I think that some of the ways we have failed to de-paganize is because we are still so focused on the little things that make up the church. Not even a three-fourths vote should carry a motion. (I suppose that if Dio were commenting on the modern world, he would describe the wretched bloggers shouting abuse at the temple of WordPress!). There are three different causes of divisions in churches that Paul mentions in I Corinthians. I'm nobody, just like you!" A. It is popularized in the movie Mean Girls. How many of you have ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? Some boasted of their special spiritual gifts; others felt left out. Paul is going to go on to describe this radical force that is so different than anything else there is nothing like it in the world. The first and perhaps biggest is denominations. Sermon 5: Who is the Most Important? Now, in Verse13 you understand why. Let it do its great work of cutting down and eliminating from our lives those things over which we take pride and which separate us from others; these distinctions that make us dislike our brother or sister, and turn our backs on them. Doesnt He deserve better than this? the author asks. There was extreme competition among the orators for honor and power. Some people will pick other matters of doctrine to affirm. With all the differences among us, it is impossible to get people to think alike. There should be oneness of mind, no matter how long it takes. Paul does not want to be considered a philosopher who is gathering disciples, nor does he want that for Apollos or Peter or any man. But when doctrinal beliefs keep churches from working together to further the gospel. Paul goes right on, in Verse12, to describe the forms that these divisions were taking in the church of Corinth: What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas" [another name for Peter], or "I belong to Christ." But you could always tell a Navigator because there were three things that he always had: First, he had a Scofield Reference Bible tucked under his arm. His most recent book is The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World (Rockridge, 2022).
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