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is christ divided? (1 Cor.
1:10-17)
In his opening words, Paul
thanked God for the saving grace
that He had given to the
Corinthians, the spiritual gifts
that He had blessed believer,
the establishing their faith,
and the calling them into the
fellowship of our Lord Jesus
Christ. However, the church in Corinth was divided. Quarrels and strife are
the result of man’s
self-centredness (James 4:1-2).
Call for unity (1:10-11)
Paul is not teaching about the
unity of the universal church –
the mystical body of Christ.
He was teaching the unity of the
local church – the group of
believers who worships at a
particular place. Paul called
them “brethren.” Paul said that
he was a part of them.
+
Lesson:Unity in the church
cannot be forced; it can only be
encouraged. Every
believer must work for the unity
of the church.
“Live
peaceably with all men”
(Rom. 12:18).
A.Speak the Same Thing
The phrase “speak the same
thing” means “the same thing
speak all.” Paul is encouraging
the believers to speak the
things common to all, especially
in the area of doctrine. There
can be no unity with those who
teach false doctrines (2 Cor.
6:15-17).
+
Lesson:
Be
of one mind and one voice in
matters of doctrine.
B.Let there be no Divisions
“Divisions” means “to tear”
(Matt. 9:16; John 7:43). In
matters where the Word of God is
not explicit, there can be room
for difference in opinion as
long as these opinions do not
contradict the Word of God.
Division is the unbiblical
separation of the church over
matters in which the Bible is
silent.
+
Lesson:The beauty
of Christ is a complete garment,
do not tear it up.
C.Be Perfectly Joined
Together
To be perfectly joined together
is to be made complete in one
another. Every believer has a
role to play in the church.
Every believer has a gift with
which he can serve. The
divisions in the church resulted
from pride and spiritual
immaturity.
Spiritual maturity and unity are
inseparable. Those who are truly
growing in Christ are those who
are both growing up and growing
together. Example of the early
church (Acts 1:14-15; 2:44-26;
6:2-3; 15: 30-31). Despite the
differences, the unity of the
church was preserved because (1)
the people were committed to
unity, (2) the people respected
one another, (3) they were
desirous of the truth.
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Lesson:
You have
a part to play and a place to
fill; are you doing your part?
+
Lesson:Be humble.
Think well of others (Phil.
2:3-4).
Conclusion
In response to the disciples’
decision to stop the ministry of
another man who was not part of
the group, our Lord Jesus said,
“Forbid him not: for there is
no man which shall do a miracle
in My name, that can lightly
speak evil of Me. For he that is
not against us is on our part”
(Mark 9:39-40).
Unbeliever:
Are
you united/reconciled with God?
Unity with God can only come
through our Lord Jesus – “He
is our peace”
(Eph. 2:14).
Believer:Work always for unity.
Our Lord Jesus prayed for it
(John 17:11, 22-23). It was the
goal of the apostolic church.
Paul taught it (Rom.
15:5-6; Phil.
1:27).
Unity is also the source of
blessing (Ps. 133:1). Christians
must be “endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
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