E Pluribus Unum

Text:

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 ESV

10 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. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Intro:

Last week: Life Under Grace: What is the gospel? Merely salvation by faith? What is the “good news” — what changed?

You will see Paul more as theologian in a book like Romans, but the Corinthian letters highlight Paul as Pastor, applying his theology

The founding fathers were very wary of factions that would divide the nations. When drafting the constitution, they made no mention of political parties, even though they already existed. And Washington, when he established his cabinet, made sure to include Jefferson so as to have him on his side, fearing that he would become a fierce opponent.

The story behind E Pluribus Unum and the bouquet crest

Pledge of Allegiance “Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”

Now take what was at stake in the founding of our nation and infinitely heighten the stakes and importance and we have a picture of what’s happening here in our text. Unity is critical. They undertook checks and balances in an effort to keep the peace, but our methods are not of this world. We do not employ mechanisms and policies to keep the peace - we keep the peace from willing and humble hearts.

Today, we will ask a few questions of the text

Why is unity important?

What is causing the division in Corinth?

What is at stake if we get this wrong?

Why is unity important?

Is it a Kumbaya type of unity? A unity that glosses over real danger for the sake of artificial harmony? No, take a look:

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV) — 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Devoted to Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer. Filled with awe and generosity.

The Lord added to their number

Our unity is a major part of our credibility: When the outside world sees our division, do they see division only with us (our congregation), or do they see division in the body of Christ?

By the way, the division spoken of here isn’t the division of denominations, but divisions among a local congregation.

Psalm 133:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!

Ephesians 4:1–7 (ESV) — 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Galatians 3:27–29 (ESV) — 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Romans 16:17 (ESV) — 17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Other references on unity: Phil 3:16, Titus 3:10

Some disunity is expected — unity does not mean undermining doctrine and truth: See below

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 (ESV) — 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

The rest of first Corinthians is about the errors in the church -- this opening concern of unity is key to understanding the rest of the book. It’s very important.

What is causing division in Corinth?

1 Corinthians 1:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

Paul was the founder, but Apollos was eloquent, Peter was one of the twelve.... There are some that say “I don’t need the church, I just follow Christ”....

What is the underlying sin here? They were “puffed up”

1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV)

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

“Puffed Up” 1 Cor. 4:18, 19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4

What is our posture before the lord? Is it pride? No, it is fear and trembling.

Can you hear this division echo in the scriptures?

The Pharisee’s prayer of thanks that he isn’t like other men (Lk 18)

The claim of the scribes and Pharisees that they claimed rights to Abraham as their father while neglecting the Son (John 6).

Can you hear an echo in this type of pride in our circles or our hearts?

Maybe we say, “I follow Calvin or Knox”

Maybe our pride is that we are well read, that we understand difficult doctrines.

Or that we practice a pure liturgy and look down upon others

The Corinthians were not merely divided into groups, they were also boastful of their gifts and talents.

“Lord, Lord, didn’t we do mighty works in your name?” Be careful where your security is.

Ephesians 2:11–22 (ESV) — 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

There is a vast difference between discernment and on guard for proper doctrine and being puffed up with pride, cynicism, contrarianism, or pessimism.

1 Corinthians 1:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

Paul aims at the “Pauline party” first.

Paul is glad that he didn’t baptize many people. There wasn’t a sizable claim to him — he wasn’t trying to create a following.

Paul elsewhere says that he of all people has right to boast, but it’s worth nothing — all of “his righteousness” is as filthy rags before the Lord. He stands under the tidal wave of grace.

Paul picks this theme up again in chapter 3:

1 Corinthians 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

1 Corinthians 3:18–23 (ESV) — 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

What is at stake if we get this wrong?

1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV) — 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

We do not stand on sacrament (a tendency of catholics) or on eloquent wisdom (a tendency of protestants). We stand on Christ.

Emptying the cross of its power:

The gospel is not a trick.

It’s not dependent on the tight logic of an apologist or the sharp words of a rhetorician.

It’s not an illusion -- a trick of a master wordsmith.

It’s not an idea of a philosopher.

It’s the truth. We preach the truth.

The gospel thunders in the soul not because it is artificially seasoned; it thunders because the bell of reality is struck, ringing in our hearts the testimony of Christ.

Application:

As grateful as we are for faithful men and articulate teachers, be careful not to attach yourself too closely. Paul says, “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”

Do not look down on others whose learning or gifting is different than yours. “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” (1 Cor. 12:21)

Do not find your security in your gifts, but in the giver

Conclusion:

Hebrews 12:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Listen to Jesus’ high priestly prayer:

John 17:17–23 (ESV) — 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.