Divide & Be Conqured

Intro

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1672 Blest Be the Ties that Bind

Blest Be The Ties That Bind

In 1765 John Fawcett was called to pastor a very small congregation at Wainsgate, England. He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life. Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship.

Then Dr. Fawcett received a call from a much larger church in London, and after lengthy consideration decided to accept the invitation. As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye. Once again they pleaded with him to reconsider.

Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep. Finally Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, “O John, I just can’t bear this. They need us so badly here.” “God has spoken to my heart, too!” he said. “Tell them to unload the wagon! We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship.”

This experience inspired Fawcett to write a hymn. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love! The fellowship of kindred mind is like to that above.”

—H. G. Bosch

Expectations VS Reality

1 Corinthians 1:10 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.

Divisions σχίσμα

1 cor 1:10-12

1 Corinthians 1:10–12 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.”

schism n. — division of a group into opposing factions.

United ἑτοιμάζομαι

to be prepared (state) v. — to be made or become ready, suitable, or equipped in advance for a particular purpose or for some use or event.

Mind νοῦς

mental attitude n. — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways.

Like a philosophy

Purpose γνώμη

opinion ⇔ mind n. — an opinion formed by judging something, conceived of in terms of the mind.

Like having the same goal in mind and way to get there.

1 Corinthians 1:11 NKJV

11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV

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.”

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

Apollos A Jew from Alexandria who was an eloquent speaker and knowledgeable in the Scriptures. Apollos ministered in Corinth after Paul left (Acts 18:27–19:1). Some Corinthian believers may have preferred his teaching style (and even teachings) over Paul’s

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

with Cephas The Apostle Simon Peter (John 1:42; Gal 2:9). It is unknown whether he traveled to Corinth.

“...I belong to Christ.”

Expectations VS Reality Today

Refocus, Chastisement, & Purpose

1 Corinthians 1:13 NKJV

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:14 NRSV

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,

1 Corinthians 1:14–16 NKJV

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.

1 Corinthians 1:17 NRSV

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

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Conclusion