Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Reading of Scripture

This is God’s Word, Amen.

Pray

The title of this message is a question: “Is Christ Divided?”

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

“Is Christ Divided?”

II.

Introduction

A. Introduction to Theme

The writer of this letter, the Apostle Paul, always has his mind upon Christ.

“Is Christ Divided?”

This is such a short and simple question he asks, but it reveals so much.

First, this question reveals to us that there was a problem among the church in Corinth: a problem of division.

“Is Christ Divided?”

The word “divided” means “to separate into parts” (LN).

There were separated parts of what was to be one whole, body of believers, united in Christ, in Corinth.

The church was divided, and that was a problem.

Given its placement at the front-end of this letter, and being the first problem mentioned, this division is worth the Apostle’s discussion.

Not because the division in Corinth had reached a certain level of intensity —

There are all kinds of divisions that separate us in one way or another and they each divide to various degrees— some small, some not.

We have opinions, preferences, personal tastes on one end of the spectrum, that sometimes seem relatively insignificant.

Yet, on the other end of the spectrum we may have major operational, practical and doctrinal disagreements that are very significant.

The Apostle does not address the division because it had ultimately reached an intensity that finally demanded a response.

He addresses the division, seeking to squash it immediately and put it down — because:

ANY division in the body of Christ represents something that is NOT TRUE OF CHRIST!

“Is Christ Divided?”

It is possible that this one issue of division underlies all the other problems the church in Corinth experienced.

Some suggest that the Apostle’s appeal to unity is the thesis statement of this letter of 1 Corinthians (NIGTC).

Division is that pervasive.

So, division is a problem - but by the grace of God it is not an unsolvable one.

For all who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ —

and I mean the kind of membership that Jesus bestows upon you, having saved you, having made you new, having called you to be saints, having sanctified you in Him, and you call upon His name, having received God’s grace and God’s peace —

For THOSE members of Christ’s Church, there is no division or separation that Christ Himself does not solve —

If we would only look away from what divides us and look to Christ who unites us.

For Paul, the solution to this problem of division is to look to Christ.

“Is Christ Divided?”

The Apostle Paul addresses the problem Christologically.

Meaning, he is going to think about the problem by thinking about Christ.

He is going to understand the problem, by understanding Christ.

He is going to solve the problem, by submitting the problem to Christ.

This is something we can all easily do!

The song asks:

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

(What A Friend We Have In Jesus)

Take it to the Lord!

Turn to the Lord!

I have never taken a problem to the Lord, for the Lord to say that He did not know how to deal with it.

Does anybody have that testimony?

Does anybody take your problems to the Lord?

If not, you should try it!

He wants us to trust Him in all circumstances.

When we turn our eyes away from ourselves, and away from our problems, and look in God’s Word, and pray, and think about Him, our problems don’t seem like problems anymore.

Look at 1 Corinthians 1:9 —

Do you see that word “Fellowship”?

That’s the word “κοινωνία.”

That’s the same word found in Acts 2:42 that describes the actions of the early believers in Jesus —

Fellowship, [ κοινωνία ], […slide change...]

[…] this word that describes what the faithful God has called us into in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, means we share something in common not only with ourselves, but with God.

There is simply no room for division in Christ!

“Is Christ Divided?”

You say — of course not!

Christ is not divided!

That is obvious.

Why take the time to focus so much on such an obvious fact.

Why did the Holy Spirit inspire the special messenger of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, to write about it to the church in Corinth?

Because they were divided.

What makes us think we are any different?

This message is for the Church today, as much as it was for the church in Corinth in that day.

May all who have ears to hear, let them hear!

B. Introduction to Text

This text has three movements to it.

Three words will guide us through these three movements.

First, we are given an

Exhortation | “I appeal to you...” (1:10-11).

Explanation | “what I mean is...” (1:12)

Evangelism | “preach the gospel...” (1:13-17)

Then, an

Explanation | “what I mean is...”

The third movement may be summed up with the word:

Evangelism | “preach the gospel...”

I pray that as we hear what God says to us through these three movements, we will receive His help and instruction with concern and caution, for this message is just as relevant and needed “to the church” today.

III.

Exposition

A. Exhortation | “I appeal to you...”

1. 1:10

This is an exhortation.

We have seen that word many times as we’ve heard God’s Word together.

Don’t confuse “exhortation” with “exorcism.”

It’s not just another “big - E” word.

The word, “exhortation,” is a word you should know, and not be scared of.

An “exhortation” is an urgent appeal!

It is a plea for something (LN).

Whatever the exhortation is may be something to lift you up and give you comfort and encouragement.

It may be something that equips you with knowledge and understanding to put into practice and apply!

It may be plea, begging for us to do something quickly — immediately.

An exhortation may also be a warning.

Something we are are to pay careful attention to and be very cautious of.