Power
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January 29, 2008 - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Open It
Over what matters do families often argue?
When was a time you hurt someone because you were forced to take sides?
When was a time you helped two people settle a dispute?
Explore It
On what basis did Paul appeal to the Corinthian believers? (1:10)
Why did Paul ask the Corinthians to agree with one another? (1:10)
What kind of action did the Corinthian church need to take? (1:10-17)
What specific problem were the Corinthian Christians having? (1:11-12)
How was Paul a part of the Corinthians' problems? (1:13-17)
How did baptism cause division in the Corinthian church? (1:13-17)
What can result from preaching the gospel with "words of human wisdom"? (1:17)
What did Christ enable Paul to do? (1:17)
What danger is there in dividing a church? (1:17)
What danger was Paul trying to avoid? (1:17)
What's wrong with preaching the gospel with "words of human wisdom"? (1:17)
Get It
How did Paul show his concern for the Corinthians?
What difference does local church unity make?
What does it mean for Christians to be "perfectly united in mind and thought"?
Why is it important for Christians to be united?
How should we respond to arguments among Christians today?
What church divisions have you known or heard about?
What has been the outcome in church splits of which you are aware?
How can division among Christians empty Christ's message of its power?
What witness does a unified church give to a lost world?
What social and cultural forces present the greatest threat to the unity of Christ's church today?
How can Christians avoid becoming distracted by petty disagreements?
What can your church do to build unity and guard against division?
What practices can help us be more united with other Christians?
Apply It
What is the first step you could take to heal a damaged relationship with another Christian?
How could you help your church leaders build the unity of your congregation?
Notes
1 Corinthians 1:10-11: Paul founded the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey. Eighteen months after he left, arguments and divisions arose, and some church members slipped back into an immoral life-style. Paul wrote this letter to address the problems, to clear up confusion about right and wrong, and to remove the immorality among them. The Corinthian people had a reputation for jumping from fad to fad; Paul wanted to keep Christianity from degenerating into just another fad.
1:10 By saying "brothers," Paul is emphasizing that all Christians are part of God's family. Believers share a unity that runs even deeper than that of blood brothers and sisters.
1:10-11 To "agree with one another," allow for "no divisions" and "be perfectly united in mind and thought" does not require everyone to believe exactly the same. There is a difference between having opposing viewpoints and being divisive. A group of people will not completely agree on every issue, but they can work together harmoniously if they agree on what truly matters-Jesus Christ is Lord of all. In your church, speak and behave in a way that will reduce arguments and increase harmony. Petty differences should never divide Christians.
1 Corinthians 1:12-13: In this large and diverse Corinthian church, the believers favored different preachers. Because there was as yet no written New Testament, the believers depended heavily on preaching and teaching for spiritual insight into the meaning of the Old Testament. Some followed Paul, who had founded their church; some who had heard Peter (Cephas) in Jerusalem followed him; while others listened only to Apollos, an eloquent and popular preacher who had had a dynamic ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:24; Acts 19:1). Although these three preachers were united in their message, their personalities attracted different people. At this time the church was in danger of dividing. By mentioning Jesus Christ ten times in the first ten verses, Paul makes it clear who it is all preachers and teachers should emphasize. God's message is much more important than any human messenger.
1:12-13 Paul wondered whether the Corinthians' quarrels had "divided" Christ. This is a graphic picture of what happens when the church (the body of Christ) is divided. With the many churches and styles of worship available today, we could get caught up in the same game of "my preacher is better than yours!" To do so would divide Christ again. But Christ is not divided, and his true followers should not allow anything to divide them. Don't let your appreciation for any teacher, preacher, or author lead you into intellectual pride. Our allegiance must be to Christ and to the unity that he desires.
1 Corinthians 1:17: When Paul said that Christ didn't send him to baptize, he wasn't minimizing the importance of baptism. Baptism was commanded by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19) and practiced by the early church (Acts 2:41). Paul was emphasizing that no one person should do everything. Paul's gift was preaching, and that's what he did. Christian ministry should be a team effort; no preacher or teacher is a complete link between God and people, and no individual can do all that the apostles did. We must be content with the contribution God has given us to make, and carry it out wholeheartedly. (For more on different gifts, see 1 Corinthians 12-13.)
1:17 Some speakers use impressive words, but they are weak on content. Paul stressed solid content and practical help for his listeners. He wanted them to be impressed with his message, not just his style (see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). You don't need to be a great speaker with a large vocabulary to share the gospel effectively. The persuasive power is in the story, not the storyteller. Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say (see 1 Corinthians 2:6), but against those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability.
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