Unity at the Cross
NEW SERIES: THE TROUBLED TRIUMPHANT CHURCH
Sermon 3 – “Unity at the Cross”
1 Cor. 1:10-17
Introduction
We continue this morning in our series The Troubled Church….The Triumphant Church! Life in the Body of Christ – with our 3rd sermon in the series….and today we get into the actual body of Paul’s letter. Structurally, this section of the epistle goes from 1:10 to 4:21. So far, Paul has been reminding the Church in Corinth who they are in Christ - and more importantly, how they are to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Now, we come to the first problem in the church Paul addresses – the problem of division in the church! I want us to talk a minute about unity! Unity is something that we pray for….something that we long for in the Body of Christ….and for good reason!
The Beauty and Power of Unity – The Bible makes a big deal of unity! In fact, Jesus prayed in John 17:11 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
The oneness Jesus calls for here is a oneness in our community….also in verses 21-23…..v.23: 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
It is clearly our Lord’s desire that there be unity in the church; and we see from these passages that there is a great testimony to the lost when they witness a united church….there is a confirmation of the gospel…there is a display of God’s love for His people….and of the transforming power of that love in His people! This is what we see displayed in the early church……after Pentecost in Acts 2, Luke tells us that the people (that is…the church) were eating, praying and worshipping together….v. 44 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” (Acts 2.44) Again in (Acts 4.32) - 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, ……….but they had everything in common.
In unity there is spiritual power unleashed in and through the church! But Unity in the church is also beautiful….listen to David’s description of “dwelling together in unity” in the 133rd Psalm:
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore. (bold and italics added)
David says there is blessing and life found in unity!
We find more in the NT concerning unity or….maybe another descriptive word of the same meaning-harmony! Here are just a couple:- From Paul in Rom. 12.16 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
- Paul prays for it in Rom. 15.5 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- And Peter writes in 1 Pet. 3:8 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
There are many other passages that deal with harmony and unity among believers….but I think we’re getting the picture here…that being “of one accord” is desired by our Lord Jesus; that it is powerful in its effect and that it’s a beautiful sight to behold in the church!
Now….let’s read our text this morning and look at the heart of disunity in the Corinthian church:
Stand with me….Read TEXT
The Plea: Doctrinal Agreement – v.10
In v.10, we find our word “exhort” (ESV uses “appeal” but it is the Greek word _________________) used by Paul as he says, “I’m encouraging you, brothers (and sisters), in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…that you all, literally, will speak the same thing and there will be no division among you….” Now, remember v. 9 – where Paul has reminded them that “you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” They are one in fellowship with Christ and they must be one in fellowship with each other! It is Key that Paul, here, exhorts them “in the name of our Lord Jesus” – what does this mean? It means the same as when we pray in Jesus’ name….we are praying in accord with His Word…..in agreement with His will. Our harmony must be grounded in the Word of God! The Word of God perfectly reflects the character and will of Christ…..and so agreement begins with Scripture! Here’s the truth the Holy Spirit is conveying through Paul: The Local church must be in doctrinal unity in order to be healthy, to be in harmony with one another. The teaching of the church cannot be a smorgasbord from which people pick and choose.
[Aside – Doctrine is NOT synonymous with Denomination! – (Doctrine is a word that describes the teachings of Scripture; it also includes the historical, well accepted teachings of Scripture in the church. Denomination is an organization or association of churches with like faith and practice. As Southern Baptists, we adhere to certain doctrines or teachings that other SBC churches also believe - but one of our “doctrinal” stances is the autonomy of the Local church-so homogeneity is not found in SBC churches!]
So, I am NOT saying that all SBC churches have 100% correct doctrinal teaching…..but what I am saying is that it is up to us at CBC to make certain that our doctrine is Biblical…..and we must agree on the essentials of the faith…..the gospel, our belief in God and Who He is….our understanding of the incarnation and life of Jesus of Nazareth….our understanding of Humanity. These are ALL important to our harmony as a church.
Illust. - There is a well known mega-church in Illinois that grew from a few dozen to over 20,000 members as a “seeker” church. This church (WillowCreek) preached freedom in doctrine and prided itself on being tolerant of differing views on baptism, the operation of spiritual gifts, worship liturgy – including communion, etc. The church is now over 25 years old and recently released a study that concluded the church had made a great error in not teaching and agreeing on doctrine. There was no depth to the church and the disciple-making ministries had continued to suffer from a lack of unity and fellowship in the Body.
Doctrinal confusion fosters strife and spiritual weakness in the church! The Holy Spirit is exhorting the church to “speak the same words” – be united – in the name of Jesus! Now, it’s true that we cannot know perfectly….we cannot be dogmatic in areas where revelation is not clear….there is room for different views, for example, on the rapture of the church and the period of tribulation – but there can be NO variation in the belief that Jesus Christ is physically coming back again! There is room for differing views on whether creation occurred in a literal 7 day period or over many years….but there can be no disagreement that God is the Creator of all the universe! It is so important that we know what we believe.
Same Mind and Judgment: Look at the balance of v.10 – “10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
The harmony in the Local Body of Christ is both internal and external! It is in our beliefs….our doctrine – AND in our praxis…..our actions!
“But that you be united….” is really better translated “you be made complete” (NASB) and the Gk word ________________ means “to mend or to make whole what was broken.” It was used in Matt. 4.21 where the disciple was “mending his nets.”
Harmony in the church means we are “speaking the same”….that we are living in the same way….and that our hearts are “mended” together – we are complete in Christ!
The Parties – Divisions in men: In the next two verses (11-12), Paul describes what “has been reported” to him by Chloe’s people. Chole could have been a member of the Corinthian church, but more than likely she was a wealthy trader whose agents frequently traveled between Ephesus and Corinth. In any event, the news is not good! The word translated “quarreling” (__________________) really should denote a stronger meaning….such as “strife or verbal conflict.”
It would appear that there are 4 parties to this division…..some claiming allegiance to Paul…others to Apollos…..still others to Peter. Each of these three were teachers (Paul and Apollos were former pastors in Corinth….and Peter had either visited or, more likely, some of his disciples (with judaizing, legalistic tendencies) had visited. Most commentators agree that the fourth party….those claiming Christ, were similar to many today who are anti-authority and constantly attack those in leadership in the church….they say things like, “Christ is my leader” or “I don’t need any leadership other than Christ!” Whereas the first three tended to idolize a certain teacher – perhaps sort of “super-spiritualizing him…the fourth “Christ” party super-spiritualized themselves! Many people today who fall into this category….the “give me Christ only” party tend to eventually break-off from the church and either meet in small groups themselves or form their own church.
All four of these groups have two very dangerous sins in common:
1. They are egotistically driven. People tend to latch onto the teaching / preaching of certain ones and almost idolize them. If Charles Stanley didn’t say it….it must not be true! The problem is that the ones who fall into this category often look down at others who don’t idolize or totally agree with whomever they are idolizing. Dr. Stanley would be the first to reject this type of idolatry – it’s like an ego trip lived vicariously through another! Those in the “Christ” party were on personal ego journeys….prideful in themselves!
2. Secondly, their focus is on man….on people rather than Christ! There can be no harmony, no unity outside of Jesus Christ. Nowhere in Scripture are we told “How to create unity”! We are taught to preserve it….and we are certainly able to destroy it….but we cannot create it! The church is, by its very nature, established by the Holy Spirit in unity. We keep it by, “3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philip. 2.3) Putting others before ourselves and walking in humility preserves the unity of the Spirit of Christ.
All Eyes Focused on Jesus Christ
So, how does Paul answer the strife and dissension in Corinth. Simply, he tells us to fix our eyes on Christ! There can be no idols in our lives! We must look to Christ alone….not in the sense of the “Christ Party” – but in submission to Him and His Word. Paul re-focuses us on 3 areas:
1. The Wholeness of Christ - “Is Christ Divided?” (v.13) = We have Christ or we do not. Our Lord is a person….we cannot have part of him! Literally, “Is Christ parceled out?” There is one Christ….and He is whole and complete and perfect. He is not divided among groups!
2. The Cross of Christ – “Was Paul crucified for you?” There is no clearer picture of focusing on Christ than the cross! Later in 2.2, Paul will write, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The greatest ground of unity is on the level ground of the cross! This is where we all meet; where divisions and dissension yield ground to healing and mending…to oneness and reconciliation. We never leave the place of the cross! If we do, we leave the Lord behind us! We can come to God only by way of the cross!
3. The Lordship of Christ – “Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” To be baptized “in the name of” someone meant that you had assigned your life over to that person. Paul is teaching that we are baptized in the name of Christ….we are His possession…we belong to Him!
It is in these three arguments that Paul turns the eyes of the church…the church in Corinth and the church at Cragfont….he turns our eyes to focus on Jesus Christ our Lord! When we quarrel and gossip and backbite, we reflect away from the glory of Christ…..we damage our testimony to the world and weaken our church. Worst of all, we grieve and put to shame the One who bought us - - the One who died to make us one with Him! The Father is one, the Son is one, the Spirit is one, and the church is one!
Pray:
Most holy Righteous Father – we come before you this morning in humility….recognizing that we sometimes take our focus away from our Lord, your Son, Jesus, and place it on ourselves….or on another!
We come this morning, Father, in the spirit of repentance…..that we would not grieve the Holy Spirit through disunity – but we ask, Father, by your power and in your grace, please help us to keep our eyes on Jesus….help us to come together at the cross of Christ – celebrating our forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus….and walking as one before the presence of our King! In Jesus Name – Amen.
Would the men come forward for the serving of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper