Problem of division identified

Problem identified: Sectarianism

After addressing the church that Paul thanked God for (1Cor1:2, 4) who had everything (1Cor1:4, 6-7) who Paul calls for them to be united and faithful until the end (1Cor1:8-9) has a problem, or problems, but they stem back to division.

Sectarianism: Excessive attachment to a particular sect or party, especially in religion.

The world sees the church, the sanctified (v.2); enriched with all things (v.3) to be divided and not united. They see we may all claim “Jesus” but there is religious division.

When you think of religious division, if you even think there is, what do you think it is?

Division: Catholics and Protestants

Division: Within different Protestant denominations

Division: Between liberal and conservative within a denomination

Division: Within members of the same congregation

This last one is the problem that is being presented before us this afternoon.

A couple of united reminders to prepare us for today:

Even if there are issues we can be united

Our unity is found “in Christ”

In Christ we are sanctified

Added to the church

Unity is not denying an issue, it is identifying it and working through it in love.

Paul addresses the first division problem within the church at Corinth in our passage today (1Cor1:10-17) and you will see

The solution to problem offered (v.10)

How the problem was made known (v.11)

The problem (v.12)

Foolishness of the problem (v.13)

Paul’s input about the problem (vv.14-16)

Paul’s point, focal point, the solution (v.17)

So, as we look at this passage, keep in mind these things and see what we can glean along the way.

1 Corinthians 1:10–11 NASB95

10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

1 Corinthians 1:12–13 NASB95

12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:14–15 NASB95

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.

1 Corinthians 1:16–17 NASB95

16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

1 Corinthians 1:18–19 NASB95

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you.

Severity of the problem

Identify the problem, don’t ignore it. Be willing to address the problem. Problems unaddressed can bring division.

You have to love it when the section starts with the solution to a problem (v.10) what can we learn about the solution here?

Paul begs, pleads for unity as solution to problem (1Cor1:10; 1Cor12:25)

That was not the only place in (v.10) he does this, look at this

1 Corinthians 12:25 NASB95

25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

but in context

1 Corinthians 12:24–25 NASB95

24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

What else do you see in (v.10)?

Look how he pleads, in the name, in the authority of Jesus

Solution

Be perfectly joined together

in the same mind

in the same judgment

Let’s talk about it, what does it mean to be joined together in same mind, same judgment?

Word travelled to Paul that there was contention, which brings division (1Cor1:11)

(Contention picture here)

Contention (n) “a heated argument;” it is “an assertion, especially one maintained in argument.”

Can you see how a heated assertion can cause, bring division?

So we have a part of the problem there “contention” but there is more.

The problem illustrated (1Cor1:12 1Cor11:18; Jude8)

In your own words what is being said? What is the problem?

Here is another passage to consider

1 Corinthians 11:18 NASB95

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.

Are you familiar with the passage, what was the division? It was over the Lord’s Supper becoming a love feast instead of a remembrance, a proclamation of the Lord’s death.

You can also look at Jude8 if you want in your free time regarding division.

The Foolishness of the problem (1Cor1:12-13)

Why is the problem foolish?

For if it were true then Christ has been divided

For if it were true they are rely on man not the work of Christ, the crucifixion.

Such foolishness is a display of immaturity of the body (1Cor3:1-4)

1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NASB95

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,

1 Corinthians 3:3–4 NASB95

3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

I think you can gather in how this is put that Paul took religious division pretty serious, as should we. So how can we prevent religious division among the body?

(hint; look back at v.10)

Now may I shift for a few minutes to Jesus words when it comes to division and unity.

Scriptures to consider

Jesus prayed for unity (Jn17:20-21)

Jesus explained unity; gave illustration (Jn17:21-23)

Jesus explains the reason and the results of unity (Jn17:21-23)

I should give you the passage now, as it is addressed to the apostles would it not also be for the learning of the disciples?

John 17:20–21 NASB95

20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

John 17:22–23 NASB95

22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

So the world may believe

Believe that the Father Sent the Son, sent Jesus (v.21)

So the world my know

That the Father not only sent the Son, but loved the Son and loved them as He loved the Son (v.23)

So the world may understand the glory given

Understand the glory of the Father given to the glorify the Son and it makes eternity possible for all (v.22)

So Paul took religious division seriously, and I think you get the point so did Jesus! So, so should we.

A closer look at problem solving

Problem solving, don’t we all need good instructions when it comes to problem solving? How about if the problem is division? The answer is yes, may we now take a closer look at the solution to the identified problem “division.”

Solution offered (1Cor1:10; 1Pt4:7-11)

1 Corinthians 1:10 NASB95

10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Simple solution with effort needed to apply.

May we consider Peter’s words?

1 Peter 4:7–8 NKJV

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Stop here just for a moment, what are the instructions, or the application that takes effort here?

Be serious, be watchful in your prayers

Have fervent love for one another

Love covers multitude of sin, and would that not cover division?

1 Peter 4:9–10 NKJV

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

And here, what is application

Be hospitable without grumbling (complaint)

Minister to one another, using the gifts God has given you and be a good steward of the manifold grace of God, why?

(transition) my thoughts and my opinions should not have any weight in lieu of the Word for the Word has the authority, the word has the direction, the word has the power to apply the solution to the problem.

Have the same mind (1Cor1:10; Php2:1-5)

We are to have the same mind, the mind of Christ as Paul expands in Php2.

Philippians 2:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Philippians 2:3–4 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:5 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Same love, same spirit, same purpose

In humility and selfless, with the attitude of Christ who thought of You first!

Having the same mind results in consolation, comfort, fellowship, affection and mercy

If we work on, have diligence, apply perseverance toward having the mind of Christ we will be united in having the same mind!

Have the same judgment (1Cor1:10; Act2:42; 1Cor4:17, 14:37; 1Tim3:15)

As Christians we may have some of the same knowledge, common reasoning skills, that would help us to come to the same conclusion on many issues, there can still be some division, because of the standards of authority adhered to.

Many go with “majority rule” vs. word of God as the authority.

Or a “golden rule” whoever has the gold makes the rules.

Or even allow our feelings to rule, when we know we have to go by what His Word reveals not by our feelings that can change from day to day, moment by moment even.

As Christians we are to abide in the apostles doctrine as taught in every church (or should be)

The instruction and adherence

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

In 1cor4 Paul says the same thing is taught in all the churches and other are taught (Timothy) to do the same. Regardless of a place of worship, the heart of worship, the doctrine should be the same and when it is there is no division!

It takes knowledge and application of the word, and the command of God according to 1Cor14:37 (paraphrase)

But let e give you some simple instruction given for our application.

1 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Only way we can know how to act is to know the Truth of Gods Word!

Where there are different conclusions are drawn, the wrong information or source is being sought and believed. Our source needs to be the Spirit inspired Word which helps us to have the mind of Christ which will solve the problem of religious division.

May we remeber how paul addressed them

1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB95

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Pauls desire for them

1 Corinthians 1:3 NASB95

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s reminder to them

1 Corinthians 1:9 NASB95

9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Transition) Now right back where we started, Paul begged, pleaded for them in the name and in the authority of Jesus Christ that there be no division (see 1Cor1:10).

So, may we be committed to the solution.

Speak the same thing,

Have the same mind

Have the same judgment

Ask if any final thoughts or questions (Prayer) prayer (exit)