1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17 - WEEK 1 - A REASON FOR UNITY
WEEK 1 - A REASON FOR UNITY
Tuesday
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
FINDING UNITY
Since the beginning, people have been arguing and competing with one another. Our unity fractured, we have formed groups and sub-groups that stand in opposition to one another. Unfortunately, we carry this habit of divided relationships even into the church.
If we look at why we are divided, it often stems from our feeling of inadequacy. We try to deal with this by joining the best group, and by putting others down. But when (and only when!) we align ourselves with Christ, we find our adequacy from Him - and also unity with one another.
QUESTIONS
Can you think of any places where you see division or competition in the church?
Where do you seek to find your identity and value from your status, your reputation, your membership in a group, or anyone besides Jesus?
What is one area of your life where you need to shift from being a quarreler to an encourager?
Is there anyone you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness in order for the church to move forward in unity?