1 Corinthians Message 3

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 NKJV

10 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. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 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.” 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 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 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.

You will remember that our last time together that there is much for us to learn about people from Paul’s example to us. We looked at the attitude of gratitude that Paul expressed for the church at Corinth. With all of their issues and dearly beloved, we all have issues. He exercised a grateful heart for that church. He spent eighteen months with the dear church. He enjoyed fellowship, growth, laughter and seeing and listening to the hearts of the people and he fell in love with them in spite of their shortcomings.

What brought that about? God’s amazing grace and Paul exercising with constancy a thankful spirit for God’s people.

Secondly, Paul shared that the people had every gift needed to be established or confirmed in Christ Jesus. In other words, you have everything called for to keep you in Christ until He comes again.

Lastly, Paul reminds the church that the goal is to stay in Christ Jesus, to be found faithful to the end until He comes again.

How does that happen? By staying in fellowship with the triune God.

Now to this point, the first nine verses Paul is complementary of the church. Now the mood changes to a confrontational or critical word for God’s church. Paul minces no words:

“Now I plead with you , brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”

The word “plead” is a strong word that means I urge you, I in great you, I call upon you to do such and such. The word plead means that he is passionate about the request he is making. He is requesting with passion. What is Paul pleading?

Harmonious Nature

1 Corinthians 1:10 “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.”

The Root nature Paul is pleading is a oneness, a unity among God’s people. That is what Paul is pleading. He describes what that looks like. How is unity and oneness fleshed out in the church?

Have you heard of the sandwich method? He begins with this passionate plea and he closes with a very similar request in the 2 Corinthians closing remarks:

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Paul describes the church as complete or we may think of the word whole when a church manifests this nature.