DONE 240211 1 Corinthians 1:10: Christian Unity - THIS IS JUST A WORKPAPER

INTRODUCTION

1:00 Minute(s) INTRODUCTION SLIDE

Mark 9:50““Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.””

Question: Are we persuadable from God’s Word? Paul beseeches on the basis of our Lord Jesus Christ

Known by your love John 13:34–35““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Philippians 2:1–4“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

MAINPOINT

1:00 Minute(s) MAINPOINT SLIDE

1 Corinthians 1:10“Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Philippians 2:5“Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

ROADMAP

1:00 Minute(s) ROADMAP SLIDE

Analogy: if I were to destabilize a family what would I do?

Remove the father, either through incompetence, ignorance, impotency or self importance

Distract the mother with the diversions of the world elevating any and all priorities as long as it keeps her away from her kids

Expose the children to as much worldliness as possible through entertainment and education and entirely limit edification

PRAYER

1:00 Minute(s) BLANK SLIDE

CONTEXT

1:00 Minute(s) CONTEXT SLIDE

Time/Space

50-53AD on Paul’s second missionary journey

800 Miles as the crow flies 1500 via boat and land travel from there to Jerusalem is appx 3 weeks and is similar in distance from here to Topeka or St. Paul Minnesota

Church Sins

Immorality 1 Corinthians 5:1“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.”

Lawsuits 1 Corinthians 6:1–3“Does any one of you, when he has a case against another, dare to be tried before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not worthy to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?”

Idolatry 1 Corinthians 10:14“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Issues with Pride and Submission 1 Corinthians 11:3“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”

Demographic Data

1/3 Population Enslaved, well to do merchants, artisans and even Jews

Art, Sports, Cultural Festivities brought visitors

Temple of Aphrodite housed temple prostitutes

Exceptionally diverse

Surprising aspects

Diolkos - paved trackway that allowed ships to be transported overland 5 miles across the Isthmus that was nearing the end of its use

Is a good metaphor for the transition of:

Wealth demonstrating the economic disparity between the body, rich and poor

Ideas - so much so that there was indeed a large amount of syncretism there - worship centers were established for Roman/Greek/Egyptian/Easter gods.

Opportunity: Social hierarchy was more fluid and advancement was available to those who would take advantage of others, if limited by normal methods they could seek honor and status in the church social setting

The Diolkos is a metaphor for cutting straight through the world by means of the Gospel. These divisions like the land of the isthmus can be cut through by believing and living out the Gospel - meaning we incorporate what Christ did into our lives and live it out

Spiritual journey through the Isthmus, avoiding the dangerous waters of the Peloponnese

1st Corinthian context

Paul has completed his introduction in his letter and uses some pivotal words to indicate that he is getting down to the root issue driving his letter - disunity. We know that he is opening a new topic because of:

his appeal - translated “exhort”

his reference to fellowship via the word “brothers”

the pivotal word “δὲ” translated “now” - Of the 21 times it occurs in 1 Corinthians, 17 are at the shift of an argument, and 4 are in conclusions

SERMON

1:00 Minute(s) SERMON SLIDE

I. Basis (v10a) Urged by Christ

1 Corinthians 1:10“Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Paraphrase/Retranslation

This is an enhanced request (vocative, less than a command but more than a request) to Christians with authority of Christ

but urge, implore you brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Notes

NAC: That Jesus is our Lord is central to all that Paul believes and also sums up his preaching

1 Corinthians 12:12“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

Call upon the name of Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:2“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:”

Give Thanks Ephesians 5:20“always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”

Justified through the name 1 Corinthians 6:11“And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Do everything in the name of Jesus Colossians 3:17“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

The “Name”

When we say Lord we mean that He is our Boss, our Head, our Master and that we are submissive to Him

When we say Jesus we trace back to the root meaning, Yahweh Saves

When we say Christ we elevate Jesus as the Messiah, the One anointed by God for the purpose of deliverance

Consequence is what Paul appeals them they should respond as if Christ Himself is giving the command

Questions

Cross References

Acts 18:1–5“After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”

Acts 18:6–11“But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue. And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

Observations:

Warning

Application

II. Goal (v10b) - To be whole

1 Corinthians 1:10...that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you...

Paraphrase/Retranslation

All of the body must be in agreement in doctrine, in body life, in discipline, and that there be no fracturing amongst you

so that he and you say all and not be in you divisions

Notes

“that you all agree” is literally that you all say the same thing - unanimous in expressing faith

There were divisions,

Divisions related to the definition of “love” - one man has his step mother 1 Corinthians 5:1“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.”

Divisions in regard to who the best preacher was 1 Corinthians 1:12“Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.””

Divisions due to legal disputes 1 Corinthians 6:1“Does any one of you, when he has a case against another, dare to be tried before the unrighteous and not before the saints?”

Questions

No perfection in this life but progress

Cross References

James 4:1–5“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 murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?”

Observations:

Warning

Application

III. Method (v10c) - Complete in mind and expression

1 Corinthians 1:10... but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Paraphrase/Retranslation

The goal is maturity and that comes from harmoniously believing in the truth and working to effect it in our lives as a corporate body

Be but made complete in the same mental attitude and in the same opinion or judgement

Notes

Questions

Cross References

James 5:9“Do not groan, brothers, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.”

James 4:16“But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

Observations:

Warning

Application

OBSERVATION: What Keeps Christian Unity

1:00 Minute(s) OBSERVATION SLIDE

Root Cause: Galatians 5:19–20“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,”

There ought to be unity within the

local body as well as the Church Universal

Church past, present and future

body beyond age, heritage, economic status and health

In doctrine and theology, our held beliefs

Unity in carrying out our commission

for the purpose of love - no cliques

The exercise of spiritual gifts - not one or two or ten stewards of gifts but all exercising their gifts

Unity in mourning and joy 1 Corinthians 12:26“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

To continue the ministry of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:17–18“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,”

Benefits of unity

Peace

Enhanced testimony

Reliance upon each other, sharing Galatians 6:10“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” 1 John 3:17“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Progressive Sanctification

Philippians 1:27“Only live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel,”

Discipline and reconciliation:

Ephesians 4:31–32“Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and shouting and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.”

WARNING: What Kills Christian Unity

1:00 Minute(s) WARNING SLIDE

Disunity destroys testimony - this is an effect or result

Slander, gossip destroys unity

Cliques are killers of Christian unity

APPLICATION: What Cultivates Christian Unity

1:00 Minute(s) APPLICATION SLIDE

Fostering Unity

1 Peter 3:8“Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit;”

Proverbs 17:14“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the dispute before it breaks out.” Philippians 2:3“doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves,” 1 Corinthians 11:16“But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.” ; Philippians 2:1–2“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose,” 2 Corinthians 13:11“Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Discern between Die for’s, Divide for’s, Debate for’s, Decide for’s

Who can give this peace - only The Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

Discipline unto Restoration

Galatians 6:1“Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

Straighten out Semantics

2 Timothy 2:14“Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.” 1 Timothy 6:4“he is conceited, understanding nothing but having a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions,”

Distinctions

James 2:1–4 “My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

SUMMARY

1:00 Minute(s) SUMMARY SLIDE

CONCLUSION

1:00 Minute(s) CONCLUSION SLIDE

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

****Ephesians 2:11–22“Therefore, remember that formerly you—the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might create the two into one new man, making peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having in Himself put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit…”

Ephesians 4:1–6“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Philippians 2:5–11“Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

Prayer

1:00 Minute(s) CONCLUSION SLIDE

Romans 15:5–6“Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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