1 Corinthians 1:10-17:

What kind of youth group are you?

There are many kinds of youth groups.

Not all of them are the same or right kind.

There will never be a perfect youth group.

But there are ones that are close to where they should be.

So what kind of youth group are you?

How do you play a part into the youth group?

What makes a good youth group?

What makes a bad youth group?

1 Corinthians 1:10–11 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.

What is going on here?

Chloe and her family are telling Paul that there are is major division in the church at Corinth.

It was major enough for Paul to have to address the issue.

Are there things in your life right now that are so bad they should be addressed?

Are you trying to keep things to yourself, but others are noticing?

Their division and problems are so bad that they made it into the bible.

For the rest of history, these people have their actions recorded in the bible as an example.

You are either a good example or a bad example.

They were obviously a major bad one.

What should people think of when they think of a church?

Now Paul has to plead with them.

He has to beg them.

To consider and be aware of what is really going on.

What they are causing.

He had the authority to be stern.

But look at Paul’s heart.

This needs to be our attitude and tone when we confront someone in the Lord.

He does so in the name of Jesus.

That is the authority, not Paul’s opinion.

If we confront someone, it should always be biblical, in love and in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

Paul is begging them to have:

The same words, judgement, and mind.

This is the only

Philippians 2:1–7 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Let there be no divisions among you:

The ancient Greek word for divisions is “schismata.”

We derive our English word “schism” from this Greek word,

But it doesn’t really mean a “party” or a “faction”.

It properly means “tear or rend.”

Paul’s plea is that they stop ripping each other apart, tearing up the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:12–17 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.” 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.

They started having a popularity contest.

Some preferred Paul, and some Apollos.

Some preferred Peter, even though he really probably didn’t know Peter.

They probably just thought it would be cool because Peter was like a celebrity.

He was given the keys to heaven.

Saying that this person baptised me so it is more official.

Paul says that he didn’t even baptise any of them except for a couple.

Side theological point:

Paul makes it sound like baptism is not a big deal like a lot of churches make it to be.

Is Jesus Christ divided?

Absolutely not!

We we make Him divided by our actions.

Colossians 1:16–18 NKJV

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

He holds all things together.

But we make Him divided for many different reasons

The Corinthians started having cliques.

Does that word sound familiar?

That is what most teenagers have.

Only hanging out with your group.

When an outsider comes in, they are out of place.

Being exclusive and

Guess what one of the most complained about things in church and even more, so youth group is?

Cliques.

I hate cliques.

I think Jesus hates them to.

You should hate them.

I am not saying you can’t be closer to others, or have a group of friends.

The problem is when you get so cliquish that you basically don’t allow for someone else to come in.

No one else feels welcome.

Such a mentality has no place in the church.

Many people give up on Jesus because the church they went to, made them feel like an outsider.

That is a dangerous place to be in, to be turning people away from the One who died for them and has His scarred arms wide open for them.

We need to be there with Christ with our hands wide open.

Maybe you divide by attacking others in the youth group by:

Gossiping,

Bitterness.

Complaining?

How you treat them.

Even acknowledging them or no.

Who are your favorite people at church?

1. Will you only come if they are there?

How bad would it be if I only cared about being around Alisa.

Are you coming for the people, or for Jesus?

this is something that is terribly common.

Yes you might say it is natural, but those who are new, or aren’t as popular fall between the cracks.

Maybe you are only coming for your bf or gf, or because you just like someone.

Maybe not now, but in the future.

Then you are contributing to tearing the body.

Example:

When I was in youth group, we all had the wrong intentions.

Most of the guys were going their for the girls.

Or mainly just one girl.

The youth pastor’s daughter.

It was obvious that she was a big reason we all went to youth group,

You guys know how it is, when more than one person like the same person, there is contention, jealousy, competing, and ultimately division.

That was the natural result.

We were human.

It started to show,

Some of us, more than others.

So there was division.

We weren’t their for Jesus, even though we thought we were.

You can’t truly be somewhere for Jesus if there is something getting in the way of Jesus .

If there is something getting in the way, sin, an idol, jealousy, whatever...

Get rid of it.

Jesus convicted me, and used me to start talking to the other guys in our youth group.

I gave them reason, and the Lord changed their hearts.

Her name was Briana, and so I came up with the saying: “Bros before Bri.”

We all became good friends, and the lord used us all as brother, instead of competitors

I still talk to some of them today.

One is my best friend(other than Alisa)

Sometimes you have to be the one to make the unity.

Instead of complaining about it, unify people.

Not doing anything is the same as allowing it to happen.

If you notice division, try and make it better.

Romans 12:18 NKJV

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 NKJV

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

How do we accomplish this?

By focusing on Jesus,

He is the only one who can resow the tears and rips.

If we all just look to Jesus, unity will come naturally.

Because we will love one another.

That is what it comes down to.

Do you love you brother and sisters in the youth group?

Conclusion:

What kind of youth group are you?

How do you add to the unity, or division in the youth group?

Do you go out of your way for the others here?

This isn’t my job only.

You are all responsible.

If you are a core member of this youth group.

You know if your are.

You can’t always blame the pastor.

Are you living what you claim to be?