The Wrong Kind of Division ('To Corinth, With Love -- Sort Of' series)

(Notes from FBC Ruston, Jan. 8, Dr. Chris...)

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

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.

Division in the church -- and other key places -- is so wrong

There needs to be unity, not uniformity necessarily, among Christians
John 17 -- Jesus' prayer for us -- UNITY

What Are Some Causes Of Divisions?

I. Picking your 'hero' -- spiritual immaturity (v. 12)
* Why is spiritual immaturity so bad?
vs. 10 -- The Holy Spirit is quenched as people argue
John 17 -- "I pray they are one as we are one" ... our divisions hurt the name of Christ

II. What Do We Do?

1. Never Forget the Importance of Unity
v. 10 -- mended nets equals good fishing
v 13 -- Christ is not divided

2. Make Sure Your Heart is Right
a. Constant bickering is a sign of a heart problem.
Are you saved? Mature? Growing? Jesus would have shot straight and been easy to get along with ...
b. Godly folk are not troublemakers who live in their mistakes .. "Blessed are the peacemakers"
c. Major on the majors, not on the minors (v 13-17)
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