•I Corinthians 1:10-17
•Schism of a Lesser Kind
•The Wide World
•Corinth
•10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow 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 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
(I Corinthians 1:10-17, ESV)
•I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
(I Corinthians 1:10, ESV)
•For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.
(I Corinthians 1:11, ESV)
•What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
(I Corinthians 1:12, ESV)
•Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
(I Corinthians 1:13, ESV)
•I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.
(I Corinthians 1:14-15, ESV)
•(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
(I Corinthians 1:16, ESV)
•For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
(I Corinthians 1:17, ESV)
•Main Point
•These verses describe the schism occurring in the Corinthian Church
•It seems to be focused on leadership
•Paul reminds them that this is nonsensical since all are bound to Christ
•Application Points
•Schism of a Lesser Kind
•Schisms have happened throughout Church history
•We hope and pray that the schisms which have occurred would one day be mended through Christ
•We want to be cautious not to assume that the schism is based on theological differences
•There are many who say…our denominations are an example of the schism here
•There is no evidence that there was some teaching that was causing the divisions to occur
•We know they agreed in doctrine
•They all knew the truth
•We can rule out theology is the issue
•Instead the issue seems to be a focus on persona
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•Application Points
•Schism of a Lesser Kind (2)
•In Corinth we know they held a high view when it comes to rhetoric and personal prominence
•The sway of the crowd was more important than the truth
•They are finding leaders who appeal to them…identifying with the leader
•This is seen when Paul describes baptism
•An individual who has a special affinity for Paul above any other teacher
•To Paul this is a schism of a lesser kind because all the leaders are in accord in Christ
•
•Application Points
•Schism of a Lesser Kind (3)
•How can we refrain from such schism?
•There are ways to guard ourselves and each other from allowing ourselves to be deceived
•First: We cannot cling to any one particular leader’s persona
•Our congregation is filled with leaders
•I should be thankful for all the leaders we do have and what they each bring to the table
•Second: Do not think too highly of our preachers (including me!)
•Love us by walking with us, praying for us, and reminding us of the Gospel
•Proclaim the truth to us as we seek to proclaim the truth to you
•Application Points
•Schism of a Lesser Kind (4)
•Third: We can seek the truth
•Are our leaders proclaiming the truth?
•If we are seeking the truth then we can be thankful for the many different leaders because our goal is…to adhere to the truth
•All of the leaders throughout Church history can offer us something if they proclaim the truth, and so it is today
•Finally: We are not alone
•We are called to fellowship with each other
•Some are teachers and preachers and God has given them to us to learn from
•They need the gifts and abilities God has given to each other person
•We rejoice in what God has done through Christ for each of us personally and how that overflows corporately
•Application Points
•Schism of a Lesser Kind (5)
•“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8, ESV
•These are what we should be judging our leaders by
•If they do, praise God for this!
•Schisms are bound to occur
•Let us be divided over what is true rather than the persona
•Let us cling ever more to the truth of God
•Knowing He will keep us from the schism of a lesser kind
•Application Points
•The Gospel of Christ
•Origins
•Where it begins
•Fall
•What went wrong
•Redemption
•How it is fixed
•Glorification
•Where it at leads
