1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Be United

A race with no finish line… (Kids Message: 2 kids tied together, ready, set, go… never telling them where they are going.)

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1. The Nature of Paul’s Parakalō Request (1:10)

Parakalō

Urge, Ask, Exhort: by/in the name of Jesus… Be United in your focus on Jesus. Jesus is the center. Jesus is the main idea.

Step 1: Recognize there is division

We are divided in our views on living in the life of the church

Have you stopped to think, “Is my view (or my opinion) based on Scripture or what I want?”

There are “Hot Buttons” in Christianity: Living in Discipling Relationships, Tithing, Serving (Live, Give, Serve)

None of these are “optional” ideas or even “if you feel like it” requests.

Live in the life of the family.

Give to the family: God has given you all you have (as much or as little as you think you have) give it away generously. Tithe 10% and give offerings above and beyond

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe/

The tithe was not put into place for God’s benefit—He already has everything He needs. He doesn’t need our money! (And "our" money is already His anyway. Tithing is an act of obedience and should be given freely with pure motives. In other words, we give without expecting anything back in return. And it teaches us to be good stewards of what God has given us. Tithing was created for our benefit. It teaches us how to keep God first in our lives and how to live unselfishly. Unselfish people make better spouses, friends, relatives, employees and employers. And they usually have better finances. God is trying to teach us how to prosper over time. Remember, no one has ever become poor by giving. - Ramsey

The tithe was not put into place for God’s benefit—He already has everything He needs. He doesn’t need our money! (And "our" money is already His anyway.)

Tithing is an act of obedience and should be given freely with pure motives. In other words, we give without expecting anything back in return. And it teaches us to be good stewards of what God has given us.

Piper: “We should value our riches in Christ so highly that we would simply love to give.”

Tithing was created for our benefit. It teaches us how to keep God first in our lives and how to live unselfishly. Unselfish people make better spouses, friends, relatives, employees and employers. And they usually have better finances. God is trying to teach us how to prosper over time.

Don Carson likes to say, I would say we should value our riches in Christ in this new covenant relationship so highly, and our freedom from sin so highly, and our gospel so highly, that we would simply love to give. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive ().

Remember, no one has ever become poor by giving.

Brothers and sisters, why would we want to do less? I mean, the person who is saying: Do I have to? They are getting off on the wrong foot immediately.

Serve the family with your gifts and time.

Focus: Keep your eyes focused on Jesus

Unity: Be united in Jesus-Centeredness

Mission: Proclaim Jesus