Scripture:
I Corinthians 1:10-17 NKJV
[10] Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? [14] I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. [16] Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Observation:
This scripture has been on my mind for about a week now. Its something that I have honestly pondered for years, and when I stand back to look at where we are, what I see is the problem that Paul was addressing here in the letter to the Corinthians has not gotten any better. I believe that the first thing that we need to identify here is that the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Corinth had a purpose. It was to correct some issues that they were having, and I don’t want to get too far off base from what the LORD wants to say this morning, so instead of chasing the rabbit trail of issues that they face, let’s take a look at the first one Paul decided to address, and honestly one of the most important in my opinion. In a place where believers should be unified what was found was division. That’s clearly seen in the way that Paul begins to correct the situations going on in Corinth. The first verse we have been brought to this morning explains it all. Paul is pleading with them to be speaking the same thing, and eliminate the division, to be joined perfectly together in the same mind and judgment. Paul wants the church to be of one mind, with one mission. As we move forward in the few short verses that the Holy spirit has chosen for us this morning, we can see how this problem unfolds. The members of the church have the wrong focus. They were looking to the men who were bringing the message rather than the message itself, and that mind set was causing division. Paul’s instructions inside this letter are to put the focus back where it belongs….. on Christ. As we look at the whole council of GOD we can see what happens when we take our focus off of the one who finished the work. It’s all throughout the Bible. The freshest example I have is when Peter was walking on water, when his focus was on Christ and Christ alone he stepped with confidence, but when his focus was on other things he began to sink, another example is the bronze serpent that Moses made and lifted up, now this one might be a little harder to see, but if we look at the old testament through the lenses of Jesus Christ we can see a picture of Jesus painted here. My point is when the focus of the Church is not Jesus Christ, there are problems. This church was finding that out. The division among them was causing problems and it was because their focus was on man and what he taught rather than Christ and what HE did. Paul drives this point home in verse 13 by saying, “ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” These are valuable hard hitting questions, and need to be paid attention to.
Application:
If there is one thing I have been charged with, it’s the truth. I don’t have a choice. It’s what HE has called me to. As long as the church is divided, and thinking we are right and every other church is wrong. We will be somewhat ineffective. Oh we will see people come to Christ and the fire inside them take off. But as the world sits and looks waiting for answers, as they look to church that sound be unified and see all the division, there though will be, “They can’t even agree on what the Bible says, how are they going to have the answer. I believe it’s time to get back to the point of GOD’S word, the simple gospel, it’s all about Jesus. That’s the interpretation that matters. The problem is we are looking to men for answers instead of looking to the finished work of Christ, and it’s easy to do. It takes faith to look to Christ when you can’t physically see HIM. I can see the pastor in front of me, but he did not die fir me Christ did. Now I may step on toes as I continue, but that means my aim is off, I’m shooting for the heart. As we look to our pastors for the truth and they draw denominational lines of division it’s hard to know who is telling the truth. These lines only divide what GOD has created to be unified. We have to stop labeling the Church with things that only divide it. All we are doing is confusing people. I am not a Baptist, I am not Pentecostal, I am not catholic, protestant, or any other denomination. I am a follower of Christ and Christ alone. I believe that’s what the Bible teaches. For any denomination to think that they have it all figured out is prideful. The more I study the more HE shows me, and I have discovered that the only way is Christ. There will be no denominational lines in heaven, only followers of Christ, that’s it. It won’t matter who your pastor was or what church you belong to. The question that will draw the line is do you know Christ, and more importantly does HE know you? That’s it nothing else will matter. Pastor Chad didn’t die for you, Pastor Brock didn’t take 40 lashes minus one. Being a Pentecostal believer won’t get you there, all the works you put in are worthless, without a relationship with Christ you have no hope. It’s time to draw our focus back to the only one who has done the work. Build a personal relationship with GOD through HIS SON, by reading HIS word and staying focused on the finished work. HE did what no one else will.
Prayer:
Father, we just want to thank you for what you have done, you have removed man from the equation. That’s exactly what was needed, because all we do is get in the way. Today I’m asking that you demolish every idol that we place above you, every man and denomination that we allow to keep us separated from those we are supposed to be a part of. Eliminate the division that we find in the church. Draw our focus back to the one point that the bible speaks over and over, its all about Christ without HIM we are nothing and can do nothing. HE is the only man that can and has saved us. Let us set aside the differences and come together on the simple gospel. It’s by Christ alone that salvation is had. Nothing and no one else can do what HE has already done, and we are so grateful for that. Keep our eyes fixed on that as the day of HIS return draws near. We want to stay ready because we know that on that day there will be no time to get ready. Your plan is so amazing. Thank you for sanctifying us for the work that you have prepared beforehand. We can clearly see it’s all about you, because we are simply human, we are flawed, and your grace is the only way. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen