1 Corinthians (3)

Deconstructing Division-

The reason Paul wrote this letter to the corinthians is to address some problems as we have already discovered

They were deeply divided congregation

Over christian liberties , fornication

To corinthianize was to live a promiscuous lifestyle still in some dictionaries the collins dictionary

and doctrine they were proud disobedient and selfish

And there was an epistle written later by clement who was the pastor at rome and his epistles were not included in the New Testament canon

But probably written around 96 ad and they had at the time of his writings kicked out the bishops and elders and he wrote them to repent that they had fallen back into their divisive ways and reinstated the leaders Paul had appointed.

But this division is not of God

So tonight we are going to look at this passage two ways

First the consequences for division and second the cure for division

Law of unintended consequences Hitler Albert Einstein

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.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

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.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

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.

Beseech is to ask with urgency implore

We would say to beg

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

The apostles called on the name of Jesus for healing (), baptizing (), and in pronouncing judgment (5:4). Giving commandments to shun 2Th_3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Here the name of Jesus is called on to heal the wounds threatening to divide a church.

Paul makes his appeal on the basis of the spiritual kinship existing between him and the Corinthians.

Name someone after someone you admire to take on their characteristics

This is the highest thing he could appeal to

Not reason not conscience but the name of Jesus

Let me ask you does that appeal have any significance to you

I was talking to someone said the Lord is not pleased with this behaviour and they said even more than that it is bad for business.

It hurts you

There should be no greater appeal to us than the name of Jesus

We protect it we honor it we know its power and its purity.

We know that is what he wanted

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

There is no greater cause for unity than the name of Jesus.

Listen to the frustration in his voice

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.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

Internal fightings among the disciples grieved the Lord.

Nothing brings a church leader more grief than divisions.

Moses and his problems

The early church arose a murmuring.

Listen these divisions grieve God they grieve Paul and they grieve your local church minister.

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.

Some are saying it is ok do fornicate and be in the church fellowship

Some are saying it is opk to speak in an unknown tongue

1Co_14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Some are eating meat in the idols temple

Some are getting drunk at the Lord’s supper.

They did not have the same mind on things

They did not have the same message about things

He did not say they had to agree he said they had to have the same mind

He did not say they had to agree they had to have the same judgment

And part of the epistle is dealing with things that they do not agree on and how to have the same mind even though opinions differ.

You know what division does? it confuses the message for others.

What did the Lost think about this church ?

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

We do not know if Chloe was saved

But that was the message cloe took

She said they argue who they are of

Paul apollos Christ cefas

They argue Paul we were here first we stick to the old paths

Apollos was from alexandria university man excellent orator

Why do we need to stick to the old ways lets begin a new way

Cephas stick to the jewish roots

I do not listen to any one I follow Christ

I am only a follower of Christ the god told me to crowd.

That is all chloe got from them divisions that was the message she took.

Had a guy in my office today said he kept getting conflicting messages from christians is it ok to do these things or not he said I thought there was a difference but sometimes there is not.

What message are we sending out ?

If there is division it will be a confusing one.

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.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Does it matter who baptized you ?

Is a person going to get a better place in heaven because they were baptized by Paul or Apollo

You know what they were doing is over emphasizing baptism.

You ask religions that believe in baptisamal regeneration say you have to be baptized to be saved

Well I am a baptist and I have been

Well it has to be in the right place under the right theology.

Now you are going way beyond the scripture.

He said he sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel

Baptism is important and in the new testament it was done right away following conversion

But water baptism was never meant to be a part of your salvation and it really was never meant to be helpful who baptized you.

I was baptized by hyles or norris or adrian rodgers

So these doctrines get lopsided

And they become more important than the scripture puts on them.

Any church that has major divisions overemphasis either obscure doctrines and becomes legalistic or they elevate personal liberty and become license

The rights of the people laodicea

This church did both they over emphasised baptism and tounges and gifts

But at the same time used liberty to an occasion to the flesh.

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.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Democrats versus the republicans

The preachers were to bring unity

We have records of paul's messages

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

As much as lieth within you live peaceably with all men

We have records of peter messages

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

We have record of apollos that he left because of these divisions and would not go back

Jerome wrote he went back after the divisions were healed

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Disunity usually arises not from the Preachers but from the congregation

The party spirit is not promulgated by the preachers but by their adherents

Henry ward beecher sick brother preaching he said as people started to leave all that have come to worship henery may leave now but those that came to worship the Lord please keep your seat

They put an over emphasis on man

The old preacher that taught me said do not tell people you are from here if you can get away with it. Do not be like me . But they did not listen and they made loyalty to the president a requirement of fellowship.

The whole time these guys are like what is happening.

This disunity was not coming from the pulpit but from the pew

Whenever you find that disunity you should determine were is it arising from and we should consider ourselves first.

God is not part of the party spirit

It does not make you of greater importance who you connect yourself with

Who are you ?

Not who is your pastor but who are you in the Lord.

Here attached to baptism

Music dress authority of the bible pews projectors

Contention is when the party spirit has taken over and it is no longer about the truth but just a spirit of contention

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.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Whenever there is division is there than the devil gets in because the gate keepers are not doing their job they are arguing

While they argued the devil got the young man.

There was enough political power in the beginning to stop hitler but the parties were to busy protection their small interests so they let the whole nation fall.

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.

And the nazi goverment would kill or improsion those who wnet against it controled all the comunications and you apointment to office was first on your dedication to the party and second your aptitude.

2 things same mind and the same judgment

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.

The mind is what I should be

The judgment is what I should do

2 things same mind and the same judgment

The mind is what I should be

The judgment is what I should do

Mind is the way of thinking

Understanding

Php_4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Now you cant just make it up

If we are depending on our mind than we will never be of the same mind

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the one mind

The mind of Christ

What is the mind of God on these things ?

Mind of love

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Someone that rejected him for money that disagreed with him

That was self righteous

Being of one accord

A mind of one purpose to glorify the Lord

Most disagreements people are not in one accord

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

A mind of peace

Not looking to argue or to be right

Not in a vengeful spirit

Not in a prideful spirit vainglory

It is a humble mind.

It is not I am of allos

I am a Bible Believer

We are the best of the best.

It is esteeming others better than themselves.

It is a mind that values others better than you value you

I value you more than me

Not going to injure this person unless it is necessary or needed.

When you have divisions or strife

Do you have the mind of christ ?

Do you value others better than yourself

Or do you value yourself and your rights more?

Christ valued our soul more than his rights

I mean he died for you did he not ?

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

It is sacrificial mind

Not what I can keep but what he can keep

Not what will disadvantage me but what will disadvantage him.

I care about him his family his person his conscience

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

What is his mind towards those that agree or disagree ?

What attitude and spirit should I have?

What of those that rejected him

What of those that went out not asking his permission and cast out devil in his name?

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

He made himself like them not above them

Division is were some one say I am not like them

I do things differently God looks at me better

He made himself of not reputation division is all about your reputation.

He withdrew from them so he would not be seen with them.

The Lord becomes like you to communicate love to you

You can't help people by maintaining your difference

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Would you take wrong or stand up for your rights

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the one mind

What stands in the way to having this mind ?

Let's say you are in an argument with your wife and acting cool because we are in church

Look around find people that annoy you what prevents it

Have I made my own truth and adopted it as scripture is this preference or truth ?

Is it pride

Is it anger

Is it selfishness

Is it thinking of myself first ?

Is it me being a coward and needing to grow up

Is it rebellion ?

What hinders me from having the mind of christ ?

How do I do this?

He illustrated how to by not offending the weaker brother

By holding people accountable

But how do we apply it practically

What is best for them

What is best for my wife what is best for my husband

When you remove emotion confrontation turns into conversation

Who do I need to do this with

And when do I need to do it

Why is god showing me this tonight wed night 20th of november

I am sorry for this attitude

For this division it hurts you it hurts the cause of Christ

Go and do

Humble self

I am sorry

Build common ground took on him the form of the servant

find common ground

Ask the Lord to open their eyes

Messed up again

Do it again

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.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

1 Corinthians (3)

1. The Consequences of Division

1. The Consequences of Division

Division Causes the Leader Grief

Division Causes the Leader Grief

Division Confuses the message

Division Confuses the message

Division Corrupts the Message

Division Corrupts the Message

Division Creates a party Spirit

Division Creates a party Spirit

Division Creates Opportunity for sin

Division Creates Opportunity for sin

2. The Cure for Division

2. The Cure for Division

Understand the Mind of Christ

Identify Obstacles

Apply It Practically

Repent and Pray

Execute

Understand the Mind of Christ

Repent and Pray

Execute

Identify Obstacles

Apply It Practically

Repent and Pray

Execute

Repent and Pray

Execute