Lesson 2. The Gospel: The Message of Unity, Power, and Wisdom
Day 3
Now we come to the first difficulty of the Corinthian church - division over leaders. A divided church is an immature (1 Corinthians 3:1) and worldly church (1 Corinthians 3:3); a divided church has lost focus on the gospel. Let’s see how Paul deals with this issue and learn how we can live and grow in the gospel to avoid this pitfall ourselves:
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household, have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 NIV
We see that when dealing with problems in the church, the gospel is the solution. When dealing with the issue of divisions, Paul runs right to the cross to clarify and resolve the matter! He says, “Was Paul crucified for you?” This question is rhetorical, but Paul is calling the Corinthians to focus on the cross.
When wanting to encourage unity, Paul did not ask, “Where can we compromise?” or say, “Hey, we are all on the same team here!” No, Paul makes a beeline for the cross because, at the cross, all believers gather to worship the One who prayed, died, and rose again to make us one (John 17:20-21). And a worshipping Church will “agree with one another” in what they say and will “have no divisions among” them. The display of the cross enables people to be “perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Question 1. Why do you think Paul reminds the Corinthians of the cross as the way to resolve their divisions?
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Focusing on the cross creates and maintains unity in the body of Christ. Let's consider how:
The Spirit of God is active and operative in people's hearts when they come to the cross (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Galatians 3:1-2), and the Spirit creates unity and love within the church.
As believers view the suffering of their Savior - the nails in His hands and feet and the crown of thorns He wore for them - it melts and breaks their hearts. At the same time, it mends their hearts and fills them with love. This brokenness, healing, and love filling lead to unity around the crucified Savior!
This new focus on Christ crucified encourages people to let lesser issues go and elevates the gospel to be that which is "of first importance." Seeing a bloody Savior hung on a cross tends to make the color of carpet in the church less important, and brings unity.
To people dividing over leaders, who’s the better teacher, who baptized the most people, etc. Paul ends with, “17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
Unity in the church should be a goal of all believers. True spiritual growth, maturity, and unity happen when believers have their eyes riveted on the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3), are broken-hearted at the sight of it, and are filled with love because of it!
Question 2. As you reflect on 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, are you one that has matured beyond quarreling and divisions, or is this an area in which you need to grow? How do you know? Please share.
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