Chico Alliance Church
March 2, 2003
Pastor David Welch
“The Priority of Christ and the Cross”
I Corinthians 1:10-31
OUTLINE
Address and Introduction (Greeting and Thanksgiving) 1:1-9
I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6
A. Reproof concerning divisions 1-4
B. Reproof concerning disorder 5-6
II. Response to questions and issues 7-16
A. Concerning Marriage 7
B. Concerning Liberty and things sacrificed to idols 8-11
C. Concerning the Lord’s Supper 11
D. Concerning Spiritual gifts 12-14
E. Concerning the Gospel 15
F. Concerning the Collection 16:1-4
Conclusion 16:5-24
The spiritual position of the Corinthian church in spite of their substandard practice
1. They belonged to God
2. God made them special (sanctified) in Christ
3. God invited (called) them saints (special people).
4. God united them with other saints who called on Jesus.
5. They all called on the name of the Lord.
6. God granted grace in Christ Jesus.
7. God enriched them in Christ.
8. They were anxiously awaiting Christ’s return.
9. God confirmed them blameless to the end by His faithfulness
10. God called them into FELLOWSHIP (intimate unity) with His Son.
Having reinforced their place in God’s heart and home, Paul launched into his reproofs.
He reproved them for their fleshly behavior which manifested in disunity and disorderly conduct.
Sensuality and disunity go hand in hand when we allow the flesh to dictate our behavior.
For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. 2 Cor. 12:20-21
Paul’s first reproof addressed a problem with cliques in the church resulting in disunity.
Disunity is nothing new among people in a self-focused world.
It is not how God planned things to operate.
The Bible has a great deal so say about disunity and strife.
God creates us for unity and community.
Jesus prayed for unity in His High Priestly prayer.
There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife. Proverbs 17:1
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. Pro 17:14
An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. Proverbs 28:25
And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25
For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:14-15
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19
The sad thing is that the church has become known for divisions and splits and fighting and strife more than the unified community to which we have been called.
Cartoons (2)
Unity among diverse people demonstrated the glory of the Gospel.
Paul took four chapters to deal with this problem in the Corinthian church.
In these four chapters Paul outlines the cure for disunity in the church.
The appeal looks something like this: Diagram
Opening appeal for unity
The Biblical foundation for unity
Focus on the priority of Christ and the cross
Focus on the power and wisdom of the Spirit
Focus on the partnership of the body of Christ
The Final Appeal for unity
Today we will examine the opening appeal and the call to a renewed focus on the priority of Christ.
I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6
A. Reproof concerning divisions 1-4
1. Opening appeal for unity 1:10-17
a) Encouraged them to unity 1:10
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. 1:10
Paul exposed the issues and highlighted his ultimate goal at the very outset of his appeal.
He presented the desired demeanor of the body in three quick exhortations.
These exhortations each linked to a needed correction I the church.
Remember, the point of this whole passage is to restore these three things in the church.
Try not to get lost in the extended logic to follow.
This is the life-change goal of these four chapters.
“I exhort you”…
He exhorted (100 times in the NT) or came along side of them as “brothers”.
He exhorted them on behalf of (in the name of) the Lord Jesus Christ. (Tenth reference to Christ in ten verses)
This is Jesus’ appeal to unity.
• That you all keep on speaking the same thing
The word “to speak” (lego) is the same word used of Jesus the Word (logos).
Paul uses a present-tense verb to indicate something we are to continually practice.
These words were found on a 1st Century gravestone of a married couple.
It appears that the members of this church were not saying the same thing.
They were not all on the same page.
Many were not even using the same book.
There were verbal differences of opinion on the basic foundation of the Gospel and its application to life and ministry.
The whole book really is an attempt by Paul to proclaim the word of the Lord on issues where they should be saying the same thing.
I am not advocating that we become carbon copies of each others.
I am saying that we should continually work at arriving at a common understanding that we all embrace and talk about.
There is nothing more confusing to a new Christian than to come into a group that has no standard of faith or practice.
Part of being an intimate community has to do with common beliefs and practice.
That is why organizations and denominations develop doctrinal statements and mission statements so that what we believe and why we do what we do are clearly understood.
Paul exhorts them to continually have the same things to say about the basics.
• That divisions not continue among you
“Schism” the condition resulting from splitting or tearing, divide, tear or crack,
Paul again employs a present-tense verb indicating continuous action.
Verbal disagreements had led to splintering.
Many had aligned themselves with a particular leader whose style or emphasis supported their case and alienated from each other.
A “schism” was unauthorized division causing damage because it diminished the capacity or value of the whole.
ILLUS: tear a $100 bill in half it becomes no good to anyone.
Tear a corner off a sheet and you have diminished the value and usefulness of both pieces.
However, when a cell divides by natural and authorized division it carries with it the full potential of the original cell and results in growth.
Paul exhorts unauthorized fracturing of the body to stop restoration of unity take place.
• That you be restored to the same thinking and judgment
Be Perfectly joined together.
A versatile Greek word, used of the adjustment of parts of an instrument, of the setting of bones by a physician, of the mending of nets (Mk 1:19), as well as of the outfitting of a ship for a voyage. Adjustment with a view to unity is the appeal.
This word has the following meanings: “to repair, to restore to a former good condition, to prepare, to fit out, to equip.” It was used of reconciling factions, setting broken bones, putting a dislocated limb into place, mending nets. Paul used it metaphorically in the sense of setting a person to rights, of bringing him into line
Paul used a perfect-tense verb here indicating a concerted effort to unify at a point in time that stays unified.
Paul encouraged a lasting restored unity.
He exhorted them to be perfectly joined together to the same mind and judgment.
These two words are similar.
One refers to one’s thinking process and general mind set or world view.
The other indicates one’s opinion on particular issues stemming from our worldviews.
Unified thinking leads to unified speaking and prevents divisions.
So now did this problem manifest itself in Corinth?
b) Exposed their disunity
For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 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." 1 Cor. 1:11-12
Here is where they were not saying the same thing.
They were aligning themselves with different leaders.
• The Paul Party -- Freedom and grace and the apostle to the gentiles.
• The Apollos Party -- Intellectual and charismatic speaker
• The Peter Party -- Jewish traditionalist
• The Jesus Party -- Independent super spiritual with an inside advantage
What is the focus for cliques in the church today?
Looks, financial status, intellectual abilities, opinions, values, denominations, radio personalities, personality types, worship styles, personal preferences.
Clement of Rome on of the church fathers addressed three of these very same groups in Corinth around 95AD some forty years later.
The only one he didn’t mention was the “I’m of Christ” group who probably started another church across town.
We have churches today whose basis for unity is not Christ but creed or conduct not divine precept but human personality.
c) Confronted their man-centered focus
All through the letter Paul addressed areas of disagreement and divergent opinions resulting in critical cliques within the church.
The central issued I believe had to do with a failure to focus on the essentials.
Surveying the issues contained in Paul’s argument presented in these four chapters I find a failure to focus on at least three essentials resulting in divisions.
• Failure to focus on the priority of Christ and the cross rather than the charisma of men.
• Failure to focus on the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit rather than the persuasiveness of men and human wisdom.
• Failure to understand partnership and mutuality of the body rather than the veneration of people.
These people were used to idolizing human power, wisdom, philosophy, oration, physical prowess.
The men they chose to align themselves symbolized these virtues.
Paul exposed their man-driven divisions and failure to focus on Christ by posing three simple but pointed questions in verse 13.
Has Christ been divided?
Paul was not crucified for you, was he?
Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Their problem was taking their eyes off of the Head of the church.
How many church splits have occurred over personalities or alliances to people?
People taking up an offense and gathering others to their cause.
What about the cause of Christ?
Paul exposed their man-centered actions.
Christ can’t be divided. He is the head not people.
Christ died for the church not people. Paul, Apollos or Peter.
They swore allegiance to Christ not people when they were baptized.
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 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. 1 Cor. 1:14-17
Paul affirmed his calling.
Christ did not send him to baptize or solicit people to align with him.
Christ sent Paul to proclaim the gospel in such a way as to focus simply and purely on Christ so as not to distract from the power of the cross.
Paul affirmed his allegiance and service to Christ, not people or himself.
Pride and a failure to keep your focus on Christ will
We not only today have people willing to follow but those willing to draw people unto themselves and feed their god-complex.
This is pure idolatry and evil.
These people had become proud and man-centered.
They abandoned their focus on Christ.
They failed to follow the direction and utilize the power of the Holy Spirit.
They failed to understand the nature of partnership in the body of Christ.
So how does Paul approach this problem in the church?
2. The Biblical foundation for Unity 1:18-4:5
Paul’s argument for unity will rest on three legs which all related to each other.
• The Priority of Christ and the cross.
• The power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit
• The partnership of the Body
Diagram
Today we will touch on the first leg.
a) The priority of Christ and the cross 1:18-31
If I were to summarize Paul’s argument in these fourteen verses it would be this...
Stop focusing on mere men with their limited power and wisdom.
God established Christ and the crucifixion as the focal point of the universe.
God deliberately uses the weak things of the world to keep the focus on Christ.
If you are going to speak or boast or unify around someone, let it be about Christ!
First listen to the argument uncluttered by my interruptions.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
"I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;(including Peter, Paul and Apollos) but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1:18-31
Stop focusing on mere men with their limited power and wisdom.
God established Christ and the crucifixion as the focal point of the universe.
God deliberately uses the weak things of the world to keep the focus on Christ.
If you are going to speak or boast or unify around someone, let it be about Christ!
It is not from Peter, nor Paul, nor Apollos, nor yourselves that you find wisdom and power.
But by GOD’S doing you are in Christ Jesus.
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Because of Christ…
• You can understand the ways of God in divine wisdom
• You stand righteous before God with the righteousness of Christ
• You are God’s special people presented holy and acceptable before Him by Jesus
• You have redemption the forgiveness of sins and will be redeemed through His blood.
So let us quit focusing on people and boast in our Lord Jesus Christ.
God does not call us to be centerpieces but signposts pointing to Christ.
We provide orientation for each another’s journey to Christ.
We are NEVER the point!
The body of Christ must skillfully play the music of Gospel like an orchestra.
A group of diverse instruments each contribute their gifting to the overall sound.
Under the direction of one conductor.
Playing the music of a specific composer.
Understanding this picture is the cure for discord in the body of Christ.
We all have our place in the body and instrument to play.
We must all focus on the direction of Christ the head, the conductor.
We must all play from the music (truth) written by the composer (the Holy Spirit).
These are the three arguments for unity that Paul presents.
They focused on people not Christ
They depended on the flesh not the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit
They valued the individuality not mutuality of the members of the body.
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say keep saying the same things and that divisions not continue among you, but that you be restored to the same thinking and judgment.
Christ sent us to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For God has chosen the foolish, weak, base, despised and insignificant things of the world so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1:18-31
Chorus “Crown Him King of Kings”
Chorus “No other Name”
Chorus “Jesus, Your Name”
Chorus “Before the Thorne of God Above”
Communion
When we get our eyes off of Jesus and the cross we fall into the trap of becoming people centered.
We let people bother us.
We tell others about it and convince them to join our “cause”.
Soon we have little cliques and groups based on man-centered issues.
The communion celebration celebrates and communicates two things.
It celebrates our identification and union with Christ.
It celebrates our identification and union with His body.
You can’t have intimacy with a head without acknowledging and embracing the body.
Have you aligned yourself with a little group that alienates others.
Later in Corinthians Paul will address the celebration of the Lord’s supper.
But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 1 Cor. 11:17-19
The first step in heeding Paul exhortation to unity today is to embrace the cross of Jesus.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness (or fail to love one antoher), we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another (and with Him), and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6-7
Vocal: Embrace the Cross (slide -- Jesus on Cross)
Chorus “We Remember You” (Sing once and pause to eat bread)
Chorus “We Remember You (Sing second time and pause to drink juice)
Chorus “I’m Forever Grateful”
Blessing
May you keep Christ as the focal point of your life this week.
May the peace of Christ calm your troubled soul.
May the love of Christ fill your heart to overflowing and touch everyone around you.
May the wisdom of Christ guide your every step.
May the power of Christ enable you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called.
May the grace of Christ provide help in time of need and strengthen your heart.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your every step and make your way clear.
