1 Corinthians 1:10....Joined together in Christ...

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Introduction...

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

New Hope is not built upon who attends

New Hope is not built upon, who the Pastor is...

New Hope is built upon the promises that Christ has made to us and He has kept his word..

I just read one..(read again...)

but here is another one...

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” ..

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

These scriptures serve as powerful reminders of Christ's presence in our lives. They encourage us to lean on Him during difficult times and to find comfort in the knowledge that we are never alone. TALK, PREACH.....

New Hope...as you begin your search for a new Pastor...

remember to stay in prayer, to stay on one accord and remember to be united as one body, with Christ Jesus being the Head of that body

Joined together in Christ...

being a member of a local church is like being a member of the football or baskeball team...

different people working together to accomplish one goal...TALK, PREACH......

so i stand here today to encourage you thru scripture, to work together, pray together, it’s ok to disagree but its how you disagree that matters..

and thru it all...every decision that must be made, make it joined together in Christ...

let’s see how Paul helps the church at Corinth with this same advice...

let’s look at the text...

Story/Text....

The apostle Paul founded the church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the church, the apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about the Corinthian church. They were full of pride and were excusing sexual immorality. Spiritual gifts were being used improperly, and there was rampant misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians in an attempt to restore the Corinthian church to its foundation—Jesus Christ.

so the church was facing several major issues but Paul had to handle the first issue....division among the people...

Paul understood that if he didn’t address that issue the other issue would just gain greater strength because of the division...

but if the people were united and united together with Christ, Paul knew the other issues would be able to be handled, WHY? because christ was in the middle

how many of you truly know that Jesus makes all of the difference in every circumstance..TALK, PREACH......

but these first 17 verses in this first chapter, is an appeal for unity among the people...

now i am not saying there is no unity here but i need to make sure and remind you to stay unified...

but when we look at the text we see why they are divided...

they had their own favorite preacher...

1 Corinthians 1:12 “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”

TALK, PREACH......

then he really breaks it down for them,

1 Corinthians 1:13 “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

it’s not man but it’s Christ...

man will try and bring you together but it Jesus that will hold you together...TALK, PREACH......

New Hope i am so grateful that God placed me here for my first assignment and i am honored that you love me the way you do...

but God has other plans for all of us...

and whoever God puts on your hearts, remember, yes he is not me but if God put him on your hearts, remember that he is sent by God...TALK, PREACH......

but the other issues can be resolved but we must make sure that you are joined together in Christ...

a divided church, is like a buffet for the devil...TALK, PREACH......

and for 126yrs, new hope has been leaning and depending on the Lord and guess what, HE HAS NEVER FAILED US YET...

The Book of 1 Corinthians very well could have been written to the church today and we would do well to heed Paul’s warnings and apply them to ourselves.

1 Corinthians brings our focus back to where it should be—on Christ. 

let’s go deeper into the text...

Points...

1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

once again, Paul is writing to help clear some things up that are happening withing the church.

and in the first chapter, he deals with the division that has been taking place..

the first thing that leaps out from this text is who we must put first...

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Putting Jesus first is about making choices that reflect our commitment to follow His teachings and ways. It involves recognizing Him not just as a historical figure but as our Savior and friend. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, we cultivate a deeper connection that influences our actions and decisions.

By putting Jesus first, we align our lives with His will, allowing His love and guidance to permeate our actions. This commitment transforms our hearts and lives, enabling us to reflect His character in our daily interactions.

this is advice for our everyday lives...TALK, PREACH.......

Paul knows how important Jesus is too us in our lives and staying unified, if you just look at verses 1 thru 10, he called on the name of Jesus at least 10 times...(work verses)

to be joined together in Christ, you must put Christ first in everything...

Next, he is also encouraging the church to be on one accord ...

that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you;

now let’s be clear..Paul is not saying everyone has to think or say the exact same thing

but he wanted to make sure the outcomes was the same...

look, i like to cook my bacon first and then leave a little of that bacon grease and make my eggs a little dirty, my wife is the opposite

but that is no reason to be divided because the outcome is that we still gonna be eating some breakfast...TALK, PREACH.....

Paul was telling the church at corinth, there was no need to claim this preacher or that preacher because at the end of the day it was all about Christ...

I & II Corinthians B. Paul’s Appeal in Response to Church Divisions (1:10–12)

Here, he expressed plainly that Christian unity requires like-mindedness

I & II Corinthians B. Paul’s Appeal in Response to Church Divisions (1:10–12)

Paul did not mean that unity implied uniformity on all matters, there will be some disagreements but it’s how you disgree and keep Jesus first..

curtis vaughn states in his commentary,

1 Corinthians A. An Appeal for Unity (1:10)

His appeal that they might say the same things is seen by Barrett as a call for peaceful coexistence. The term “divisions” is a reference to differences of opinion that can lead to sin and contentious rivalry....

to be joined together in Christ, we keep Christ first and be on one accord...where 2 or 3...

Lastly, Unity of the church

but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

We can strive for unity in Christ by being of the same mind and judgment. This means aligning our thoughts and decisions with the teachings of Christ and His Word. When we prioritize Christ and His message above all else, we can overcome disagreements and divisions that can hinder unity among believers.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (work text for unity)

Conclusion...

as i prepare to close this thing,

Paul urges them in the name of Christ to agree with each other. He sets a high expectation for this church, and all Christian churches: zero divisions. Because each of them is in Christ, Paul insists that they can live in unity. This unity can, and must, reach the level of cooperative thinking and judgment on matters of critical importance.

New Hope, stay prayed up, and know that others are praying with you...

New Hope never give up because God still has a plan and purpose for you..

New Hope be that church that is joined together in Christ as you go forward in your work for the Lord

the work doesn’t end with me, He has moved me to another assignment and will bring someone in to continue the work that was begun here 126 yrs ago..

and always Jesus is the greatest example...

he stayed joined to the father thru it all...

he prayed and stayed joined...

he called on his name and stayed joined...

TALK, PREACH, CLOSE...