A
Dismembered Christ? 1 cor 1:10-17
Introduction
"No
other religion has so high an ideal of an inclusive community of love. Yet, as
we are to see again and again in the course of our story, no other religion has
had as many divisions and as many bitter controversies between its
adherents." Kenneth
Latourette
Central Idea:
In Christ’s name reject
division and pursue unity!
1. We must reject
division based on Mere preferences
1.1 Personality
Preferences
Paul, Apollos and Cephas
"I
have observed one thing among true Christians in their differences in many
countries: What divides and severs true Christian groups and Christians—what
leaves a bitterness that can last for 20, 30, 40 years (or for 50 or 60 years
in a son's or daughter's memory)—is not the issue of doctrine or belief that
causes differences in the first place. Invariably, it is a lack of love—and the
bitter things that are said by true Christians in the midst of
differences." Francis Schaeffer
Other Examples
And
so there are two forms of pride in the church when it comes to Christian
leadership—one wants to ride the coattail of a leader to a kind of vicarious
glory; and the other is a kind of anti-authoritarian, suspicious, skeptical,
often cynical attitude that wants to make clear to everybody that it is not
part of the herd. Both tend to destroy the unity of the church. John Piper
1.2 Practice
Preferences
1.3 Particulars
Preferences
"In
essentials, unity;
in
non-essentials, liberty;
in
all things, charity." Peter
Meiderlin
1.4 Cultural
Preferences
2. pursue unity based
on the centrality of the gospel of Christ.
"Unity
in error is unity in ruins." Charles
Spurgeon
In a day in which biblical
ignorance and doctrinal deterioration abound, it is critical that Christians
understand issues facing the church at large, especially those that directly
impinge upon the gospel. As we begin a new millennium, it seems appropriate to
revisit the doctrinal heart of Christian faith and to affirm with other
believers that truth which fundamentally unites us as followers of Christ. Jeff
Purswell
2.1 Christ
as Whole
·
A dismembered Christ.
·
Each with a portion.
·
Is Christ divided?
2.2 Christ
as Savior
Compared
to what Christ has done in dying for us, the distinctives of our different
teachers are as nothing. To elevate a human teacher to the point where the
allegiance shatters the body of Christ means that we have lost sight of the
infinite and overwhelming worth of a crucified Savior…. And the other effect
that this truth should have on us is to remind us that our sin is so great that
we needed to be saved by nothing less than the horrid execution of the Son of
God, and so did our teachers! To boast in a man, to puff him up and to puff
ourselves up on his coattail, means that we have forgotten the dreadful
condition we are all in without a crucified Savior. The cross breaks the back
of all boasting. And so the cross undermines the deepest basis of disunity and
lays a new foundation for unity. John Piper
2.3 Christ
as Lord
"We
must realize that such unity does not actually require one worldwide church
government over all Christians. In fact, the unity of believers is often
demonstrated quite effectively through voluntary cooperation and affiliation
among Christian groups. Moreover, different types of ministries and different
emphases in ministry may result in different organizations, all under the
universal headship of Christ as Lord of the church. Therefore the existence of
different denominations, mission boards, Christian educational institutions, college
ministries, and so forth is not necessarily a mark of disunity of the church
(though in some cases it may be), for there may be a great deal of cooperation
and frequent demonstrations of unity among such diverse bodies as these." Wayne Grudem
Guidelines for selectivity
Gospel at stake?
·
Appeal and pray.
·
Change? If not go
Significant secondary?
i.e. Doctrines of Grace, Ecclesiology,
Pneumatology?
·
Appeal, pray, flex, wait.
·
long term change possible?
·
Weigh significance.
·
If needed leave but communicate respect and desire to partner around
essentials.
Tertiary and preferences and comfort? – stay.
Guidelines for unity for KGC.
Heart attitude
·
Humility, love, thankfulness
Prayer
·
Praying for the mission, abreast of churches,
·
My email to the pastors.
Actions
·
Cooperation in evangelism
·
Praying for revival together
·
The counsel of the elders
Application Questions:
1.
What is the core teaching of Christianity –the gospel?
2.
How does the gospel create unity?
3.
Does the gospel ever create disunity?
Is that okay?
4.
What is unity? How is it
characterized?
5.
Do you know of any examples unbiblical disunity?
6.
How can we avoid them?
7.
How can we express our unity within our church?
8.
How can we express our unity beyond our church?
daily Devotional
|
Day |
Passage |
Thoughts |
|
Monday, November
22, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:10 |
What do they need to agree
on? How does Christ influence what
they agree on? What do you need to
agree on as part of Christ's body? |
|
Tuesday,
November 23, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:10 |
How were the Corinthians thinking
differently than each other? How would
the knowledge of Christ change their thinking? What needs to happen so that you are of the
same mind and same judgment as other believers according to God's will? |
|
Wednesday,
November 24, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:11 |
Have you ever been part of a quarrel? How'd it get started? How does the gospel change our view of
quarrels? What quarrel do you need to
avoid? |
|
Thursday,
November 25, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:12 |
Is there a leader you admire too
much? Are there any you serve under
you admire too little? What makes the
difference? How does the gospel impact
our regard for leaders? |
|
Friday,
November 26, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:13 |
Take time to worship the only
Lord, the only Savior, the Lord of His church. |
|
Saturday,
November 27, 2004 |
1 Cor
1:14-16 |
Is baptism as important as the
gospel? How is it related to the
gospel? Have you been baptized? |
|
Sunday,
November 28, 2004 |
1 Cor 1:17 |
What are 'words of eloquent
wisdom'? How is the Cross emptied of
its power by this approach to speaking about the gospel? How does this affect how you share the
gospel? |
Resources:
NIV Study Bible
New
NAS Study Bible
ESV Bible
1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems, John MacArthur
The Cross and
Showing the Spirit, DA Carson
1 Corinthians, David Prior, Bible
Speaks Today Series