United
we stand
we stand
What
a mess! It should have been a model
church; after all it had all the earmarks of becoming the greatest church in the
denomination. Its founding pastor was
the most prolific church planter in the denomination; the next man was by far
the best preacher that could be offered and tossed in for good measure was one
of the original founders of the denomination.
a mess! It should have been a model
church; after all it had all the earmarks of becoming the greatest church in the
denomination. Its founding pastor was
the most prolific church planter in the denomination; the next man was by far
the best preacher that could be offered and tossed in for good measure was one
of the original founders of the denomination.
One
who had stood closer to the original flame that started the group than any
other. It had everything that could be
offered to it, it had been planted in a major metropolis that was the capital
city of the state. Time, money and
talent had been invested in seeing it become everything that it could possibly
be. This church was destined for
greatness.
who had stood closer to the original flame that started the group than any
other. It had everything that could be
offered to it, it had been planted in a major metropolis that was the capital
city of the state. Time, money and
talent had been invested in seeing it become everything that it could possibly
be. This church was destined for
greatness.
But
then it came tumbling down like a house of cards. They began to have problems with the
spiritual gifts and tongues in particular seemed to tear the church apart. Sexual immorality had reared its ugly head
within the congregation, as well as incest, adultery, marriage problems and
just a hint of heresy over the resurrection.
Members were taking each other to court, and their fellowship times were
becoming excuses for gluttony and even drunkenness.
then it came tumbling down like a house of cards. They began to have problems with the
spiritual gifts and tongues in particular seemed to tear the church apart. Sexual immorality had reared its ugly head
within the congregation, as well as incest, adultery, marriage problems and
just a hint of heresy over the resurrection.
Members were taking each other to court, and their fellowship times were
becoming excuses for gluttony and even drunkenness.
And
then if that wasn’t enough the entire church split along party lines giving
loyalty to either the guy that planted the church, or to the fellow who was
such a great preacher or the denominational official. What a mess.
then if that wasn’t enough the entire church split along party lines giving
loyalty to either the guy that planted the church, or to the fellow who was
such a great preacher or the denominational official. What a mess.
Surely
not a Wesleyan church, it must have been you know one of those churches.
not a Wesleyan church, it must have been you know one of those churches.
Well
you’re right and you’re wrong. I mean it
wasn’t a Wesleyan church but then again it wasn’t one of those churches
either.
you’re right and you’re wrong. I mean it
wasn’t a Wesleyan church but then again it wasn’t one of those churches
either.
The
church planter was Paul, the preacher was Apollos, and the official of the
denomination why that was one of Jesus’ closest friends, Simon Peter. The church of course was the Corinthian
church and its problems are well chronicled in both 1 and 2 Corinthians the
letters that Paul wrote addressing those problems.
church planter was Paul, the preacher was Apollos, and the official of the
denomination why that was one of Jesus’ closest friends, Simon Peter. The church of course was the Corinthian
church and its problems are well chronicled in both 1 and 2 Corinthians the
letters that Paul wrote addressing those problems.
Here
we are week 9 in our “Story of the Book” series. Since the first of July we have been taking a
whirlwind tour through the bible. Last
Sunday we were in the book of Acts and looked at the Birth of the Church, and
finished with Bill Hybel’s words “The local church is the hope of the world.” And
the promise of Jesus when he said “And the gates of hell will not prevail
against the church.”
we are week 9 in our “Story of the Book” series. Since the first of July we have been taking a
whirlwind tour through the bible. Last
Sunday we were in the book of Acts and looked at the Birth of the Church, and
finished with Bill Hybel’s words “The local church is the hope of the world.” And
the promise of Jesus when he said “And the gates of hell will not prevail
against the church.”
And
now we have arrived at the Pauline Epistles, or the Letters of Paul. This section is exactly what it is called, Letters
written by Paul to various churches and individuals. It includes Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2
Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon.
now we have arrived at the Pauline Epistles, or the Letters of Paul. This section is exactly what it is called, Letters
written by Paul to various churches and individuals. It includes Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2
Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon.
These
letter were written by Paul between 50 and 57 AD. These probably aren’t the only letters that
Paul wrote but they are the ones chosen by God to be preserved for the
church.
letter were written by Paul between 50 and 57 AD. These probably aren’t the only letters that
Paul wrote but they are the ones chosen by God to be preserved for the
church.
Most
of the letters were written to churches and often related to problems that the
church was having in regards to specific situations. And letters are the most personal of
correspondence, even now, maybe especially now, if you receive a letter you are
getting something special.
of the letters were written to churches and often related to problems that the
church was having in regards to specific situations. And letters are the most personal of
correspondence, even now, maybe especially now, if you receive a letter you are
getting something special.
And
we think that privacy is a major concern today and we are always warning people
that what they write will be around forever it wasn’t much difference when our
country was first born. Our first Prime
Minister Sir
John A. MacDonald testified to the power of the letter when he said “Never write a
letter if you can help it, and never destroy one!”
we think that privacy is a major concern today and we are always warning people
that what they write will be around forever it wasn’t much difference when our
country was first born. Our first Prime
Minister Sir
John A. MacDonald testified to the power of the letter when he said “Never write a
letter if you can help it, and never destroy one!”
And
Paul was a prolific letter writer, it is because Paul left us so many letters
that we feel we know him so well.
Paul was a prolific letter writer, it is because Paul left us so many letters
that we feel we know him so well.
It
was Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe who wrote, “Letters are among the most significant memorial a person
can leave behind them.”
was Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe who wrote, “Letters are among the most significant memorial a person
can leave behind them.”
But
there is a problem with reading a letter, letters are dialogues, they are part
of a fluid conversation. And when we
read a letter it is often like hearing only one side of the conversation.
there is a problem with reading a letter, letters are dialogues, they are part
of a fluid conversation. And when we
read a letter it is often like hearing only one side of the conversation.
In
the case of the scripture that we are looking at today Paul starts by bringing
us up to speed on the other side of the conversation.
the case of the scripture that we are looking at today Paul starts by bringing
us up to speed on the other side of the conversation.
You
see in this case Paul is writing to a
church that is torn from within and Paul
sums up the major problem of this division in 1 Corinthians 1:12 Some of you are saying,
“I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter.”
see in this case Paul is writing to a
church that is torn from within and Paul
sums up the major problem of this division in 1 Corinthians 1:12 Some of you are saying,
“I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter.”
And
then he responds to the problem in the next verse by asking is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? And the answer is “of course not”.
then he responds to the problem in the next verse by asking is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? And the answer is “of course not”.
What
a dumb question, but it is rhetorical. Dr.
Victor Hamilton who was a professor at Asbury theological seminary and he illustrated
by telling the story of being in the Toronto international airport and it was
wall to wall people.
a dumb question, but it is rhetorical. Dr.
Victor Hamilton who was a professor at Asbury theological seminary and he illustrated
by telling the story of being in the Toronto international airport and it was
wall to wall people.
Dr.
Hamilton had just finished reading the paper he had purchased and had no place
to put it so he sat on it. A gentleman
walked over and asked Dr. Hamilton “excuse me sir, are you reading that paper?” Hamilton looked at the man and said “yes I am”
then he stood up turned the page and sat back down again.
Hamilton had just finished reading the paper he had purchased and had no place
to put it so he sat on it. A gentleman
walked over and asked Dr. Hamilton “excuse me sir, are you reading that paper?” Hamilton looked at the man and said “yes I am”
then he stood up turned the page and sat back down again.
A
rhetorical question is a question that you really don’t expect an answer
to. Like “how dumb do you think I am?” Don’t really want anyone to answer that do
you?
rhetorical question is a question that you really don’t expect an answer
to. Like “how dumb do you think I am?” Don’t really want anyone to answer that do
you?
And
so even though Paul doesn’t expect his readers to answer his rhetorical
question he answers it himself in 1 Corinthians 3:4-6 When one of you says, “I
am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” (or “Denn)” aren’t
you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who
is Paul? (Who is Denn) We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the
Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed
in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
so even though Paul doesn’t expect his readers to answer his rhetorical
question he answers it himself in 1 Corinthians 3:4-6 When one of you says, “I
am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” (or “Denn)” aren’t
you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who
is Paul? (Who is Denn) We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the
Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed
in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
And
so Paul Begins With the present reality: The Corinthian Church was a Church Divided. And we all know what Jesus said about
division remember Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family
splintered by feuding will fall apart.”
so Paul Begins With the present reality: The Corinthian Church was a Church Divided. And we all know what Jesus said about
division remember Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family
splintered by feuding will fall apart.”
I’m
sure that he would have added every church divided against itself will be
ruined. Some thoughts on disunity:
sure that he would have added every church divided against itself will be
ruined. Some thoughts on disunity:
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things
the LORD hates— no, seven things
he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false
witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
the LORD hates— no, seven things
he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false
witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful
nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful
pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts
of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild
parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before,
that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful
pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts
of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild
parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before,
that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Now
the Guptill paraphrase of that last statement is this “if any of the
aforementioned applies to you then you is going to hell.”
the Guptill paraphrase of that last statement is this “if any of the
aforementioned applies to you then you is going to hell.”
The
disunity in the Corinthian church was brought about by three men, Paul, Peter
and Apollos. But understand that wasn’t
their original plan. That wasn’t what
anyone of them wanted or planned.
disunity in the Corinthian church was brought about by three men, Paul, Peter
and Apollos. But understand that wasn’t
their original plan. That wasn’t what
anyone of them wanted or planned.
In Acts 18:1 Then Paul left Athens and
went to Corinth. If we were to continue to
read in Acts 18 we would discover that Paul joined up with Aquila and Priscilla
who were fellow tent makers, and that Crispus the ruler of the synagogue
believed and all his household and that many others believed, finally we are
told in Acts 18:11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a
half, teaching the word of God.
went to Corinth. If we were to continue to
read in Acts 18 we would discover that Paul joined up with Aquila and Priscilla
who were fellow tent makers, and that Crispus the ruler of the synagogue
believed and all his household and that many others believed, finally we are
told in Acts 18:11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a
half, teaching the word of God.
Well
that explains Paul’s connection with the Corinthians but what about the other
two guys? Well Apollos is mentioned in Acts
18:25 when we are told he had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught
others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.
that explains Paul’s connection with the Corinthians but what about the other
two guys? Well Apollos is mentioned in Acts
18:25 when we are told he had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught
others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.
And
then again he is mentioned in Acts 19:1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled
through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he
found several believers.
then again he is mentioned in Acts 19:1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled
through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he
found several believers.
So,
from that we can assume that Paul founded the church and then Apollos came as
the preacher.
from that we can assume that Paul founded the church and then Apollos came as
the preacher.
But
what about Peter? Where does he come
into the picture? And you might be
thinking “But preacher we don’t know what Peter’s connection was to the
Corinthian church.” You’re right and that is how it will remain on this side of
eternity, we just don’t know.
what about Peter? Where does he come
into the picture? And you might be
thinking “But preacher we don’t know what Peter’s connection was to the
Corinthian church.” You’re right and that is how it will remain on this side of
eternity, we just don’t know.
We
don’t know when Peter was thereof why Peter was there but somewhere along the
line he developed a following.
don’t know when Peter was thereof why Peter was there but somewhere along the
line he developed a following.
Three
good men, each with only the very best motives for serving the Corinthian
church and yet they became the reason for dissent.
good men, each with only the very best motives for serving the Corinthian
church and yet they became the reason for dissent.
In
a church that I served there were some folks who were constantly reminding me
of how awesome one of the former pastors was.
He was a great teacher, and a great visitor and they were so lucky to
have had him as a pastor.
a church that I served there were some folks who were constantly reminding me
of how awesome one of the former pastors was.
He was a great teacher, and a great visitor and they were so lucky to
have had him as a pastor.
I
love Cornerstone, but someday, hopefully not someday soon, but someday I will
be gone. And I hope that your loyalty to
whoever replaces me will equal or exceed your loyalty to me and that the words “When Denn was here” will never cross
your lips. Because when that day comes,
you will need to realize that your primary loyalty will be to the Cornerstone of
the present not the Cornerstone of the past.
love Cornerstone, but someday, hopefully not someday soon, but someday I will
be gone. And I hope that your loyalty to
whoever replaces me will equal or exceed your loyalty to me and that the words “When Denn was here” will never cross
your lips. Because when that day comes,
you will need to realize that your primary loyalty will be to the Cornerstone of
the present not the Cornerstone of the past.
And
so Paul broaches the most pressing problem in the church, a problem that was
more severe than sexual immorality, an issue more pressing then tongues, more
critical than problems relating to communion, more dangerous than divorce or
lawsuits.
so Paul broaches the most pressing problem in the church, a problem that was
more severe than sexual immorality, an issue more pressing then tongues, more
critical than problems relating to communion, more dangerous than divorce or
lawsuits.
The
very first problem that Paul addresses is the disunity that was rampant in the
church. And he approaches this problem
not as the boss, not flaunting his apostolic authority, not ordering the people
to unit but instead we read in 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear
brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .
very first problem that Paul addresses is the disunity that was rampant in the
church. And he approaches this problem
not as the boss, not flaunting his apostolic authority, not ordering the people
to unit but instead we read in 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear
brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .
You
notice that it’s not addressed to servants or subjects but brothers and sisters,
and he doesn’t present himself as brother’s keeper but brother’s brother. And he doesn’t order he appeals.
notice that it’s not addressed to servants or subjects but brothers and sisters,
and he doesn’t present himself as brother’s keeper but brother’s brother. And he doesn’t order he appeals.
This
isn’t a request for Paul, he’s not addressing the “First Pauline church of Corinth”
be instead he appeals in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
isn’t a request for Paul, he’s not addressing the “First Pauline church of Corinth”
be instead he appeals in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because
I am the pastor of Cornerstone whatever you do reflects on me, and whatever you
do reflects on Cornerstone Wesleyan church, and whatever you do reflects on the
Wesleyan church as a whole, and it hurts but really it don’t matter. But when you bring reproach on the name of Jesus
Christ that matters.
I am the pastor of Cornerstone whatever you do reflects on me, and whatever you
do reflects on Cornerstone Wesleyan church, and whatever you do reflects on the
Wesleyan church as a whole, and it hurts but really it don’t matter. But when you bring reproach on the name of Jesus
Christ that matters.
Probably
the greatest damage done to the Christian church throughout the ages has been
done by Christians. I will defend the
church of Jesus Christ to the hilt and part of doing that is to promote unity within
the local body.
the greatest damage done to the Christian church throughout the ages has been
done by Christians. I will defend the
church of Jesus Christ to the hilt and part of doing that is to promote unity within
the local body.
Now
I want to clarify right now, this message is not because there is disunity at
Cornerstone. This isn’t a reactionary
message at all, you don’t need to be wondering about what you might have missed
and what is happening at Cornerstone.
I want to clarify right now, this message is not because there is disunity at
Cornerstone. This isn’t a reactionary
message at all, you don’t need to be wondering about what you might have missed
and what is happening at Cornerstone.
But
understand that there was a time in the Corinthian Church that they didn’t need
this message either and then one day they did.
Perhaps if Paul had of addressed these issues in advance this might have
been a different story.
understand that there was a time in the Corinthian Church that they didn’t need
this message either and then one day they did.
Perhaps if Paul had of addressed these issues in advance this might have
been a different story.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters,
by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other.
Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in
thought and purpose.
by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other.
Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in
thought and purpose.
And
so Paul not only identifies the present reality but he also presents them with a vision of a preferred
future. Paul says that he believed that The
Corinthian Church Could be a Church United Now personally I prefer the how NKJV translates
Paul’s words, when he says I want “That you
all speak the same things.” And very
simply it means that the church needs to be one in doctrine, or as some would
say “We are singing from the same music.”
so Paul not only identifies the present reality but he also presents them with a vision of a preferred
future. Paul says that he believed that The
Corinthian Church Could be a Church United Now personally I prefer the how NKJV translates
Paul’s words, when he says I want “That you
all speak the same things.” And very
simply it means that the church needs to be one in doctrine, or as some would
say “We are singing from the same music.”
Now
that doesn’t mean that you can’t come to Cornerstone if you don’t believe what
we believe. But that does mean that if
you don’t agree with what we believe and you are vocal about your beliefs then
you probably would be happier in another denomination. Because although the Wesleyan church may not
be the one and only true church it is the Wesleyan church and you probably won’t
change it, at least not this week.
that doesn’t mean that you can’t come to Cornerstone if you don’t believe what
we believe. But that does mean that if
you don’t agree with what we believe and you are vocal about your beliefs then
you probably would be happier in another denomination. Because although the Wesleyan church may not
be the one and only true church it is the Wesleyan church and you probably won’t
change it, at least not this week.
Why
should we all live in harmony with one another?
Well Paul implies that that is the first part of the goal which is Let there be no divisions in
the church. The word division is the Greek word skhismah
and it literally means a tear in a garment, something that is torn when it
should still be in one piece.
should we all live in harmony with one another?
Well Paul implies that that is the first part of the goal which is Let there be no divisions in
the church. The word division is the Greek word skhismah
and it literally means a tear in a garment, something that is torn when it
should still be in one piece.
Surely
Christ was thinking of the church when he prayed in John
17:23 I am in
them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world
will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Christ was thinking of the church when he prayed in John
17:23 I am in
them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world
will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Notice
that Jesus didn’t say the believers had perfect unity, he said “may” they experience perfect unity,
they weren’t there yet. The real problem
with the Christian church is people, if we didn’t have people we wouldn’t have
any problems. Of course we wouldn’t have
any church either, oh well.
that Jesus didn’t say the believers had perfect unity, he said “may” they experience perfect unity,
they weren’t there yet. The real problem
with the Christian church is people, if we didn’t have people we wouldn’t have
any problems. Of course we wouldn’t have
any church either, oh well.
We
may disagree on some things but let’s be careful about how that is presented to
those outside the church. Nothing will
damage the reputation of the church quicker than infighting. On the other hand listen to what David says
in Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers
live together in harmony!
may disagree on some things but let’s be careful about how that is presented to
those outside the church. Nothing will
damage the reputation of the church quicker than infighting. On the other hand listen to what David says
in Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers
live together in harmony!
Disagreements
are not division, but when parties start to form over a disagreement that
becomes divisive. As long as people
gather you will hear the words “I don’t think so” and “I don’t entirely agree”
or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. And I
have no problem with that, and you don’t need to leave the church over it.
are not division, but when parties start to form over a disagreement that
becomes divisive. As long as people
gather you will hear the words “I don’t think so” and “I don’t entirely agree”
or “I wouldn’t do it that way”. And I
have no problem with that, and you don’t need to leave the church over it.
People
that do that often find that the same problems come up time and time
again. When I was fresh out of college a
very wise old preacher’s wife (at least she seemed old then, she was probably
40) told me once, “Don’t change churches because of
problems because you will find them in your next church with different faces.”
that do that often find that the same problems come up time and time
again. When I was fresh out of college a
very wise old preacher’s wife (at least she seemed old then, she was probably
40) told me once, “Don’t change churches because of
problems because you will find them in your next church with different faces.”
We
will never agree on everything I can virtually guarantee that. My wife and I don’t agree on everything, my staff
and I don’t agree on everything, my best friend and I have never agreed on
everything. So it is very doubtful that
you and I will agree on everything.
will never agree on everything I can virtually guarantee that. My wife and I don’t agree on everything, my staff
and I don’t agree on everything, my best friend and I have never agreed on
everything. So it is very doubtful that
you and I will agree on everything.
And
sometimes I’ll be right and you’ll be wrong.
And sometimes you’ll be right and I’ll be wrong. And sometimes we’ll both be right, and if the
truth be told there will even be times that we will both be wrong.
sometimes I’ll be right and you’ll be wrong.
And sometimes you’ll be right and I’ll be wrong. And sometimes we’ll both be right, and if the
truth be told there will even be times that we will both be wrong.
It
doesn’t matter if we disagree over whether to sing old hymns or new worship
songs, whether we clap or don’t clap, raise one hand, two hands or three hands. What translation of the bible we use, what clothes we wear or
how long or how short our hair is or even when and how Jesus is coming back.
doesn’t matter if we disagree over whether to sing old hymns or new worship
songs, whether we clap or don’t clap, raise one hand, two hands or three hands. What translation of the bible we use, what clothes we wear or
how long or how short our hair is or even when and how Jesus is coming back.
By
the way in that particular instance we need to remember that was are supposed
to be on the welcoming committee not the planning committee.
the way in that particular instance we need to remember that was are supposed
to be on the welcoming committee not the planning committee.
You
see those things are only differences of opinion. But when they start to cause you to think
less of me then they become divisive.
see those things are only differences of opinion. But when they start to cause you to think
less of me then they become divisive.
Now
that does not mean that we tolerate sin or heresy in the body, Paul is very
adamant about that and perhaps we have fallen down on the job in that
area.
that does not mean that we tolerate sin or heresy in the body, Paul is very
adamant about that and perhaps we have fallen down on the job in that
area.
In
trying to be a loving church maybe we have forgotten that the church isn’t
supposed to condone sin in the body instead it called to condemn sin.
trying to be a loving church maybe we have forgotten that the church isn’t
supposed to condone sin in the body instead it called to condemn sin.
Paul
was very blunt when it came to sin that was in the church in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 When I wrote to you
before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.
But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are
greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world
to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with
anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or
worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even
eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but
it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are
sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say,
“You must remove the evil person from among you.”
was very blunt when it came to sin that was in the church in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 When I wrote to you
before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.
But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are
greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world
to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with
anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or
worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even
eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but
it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are
sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say,
“You must remove the evil person from among you.”
We shouldn’t
sacrifice standards of belief or morals on the altar of unity.
sacrifice standards of belief or morals on the altar of unity.
And
so the result of all agreeing together we are told by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear
brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in
harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of
one mind, united in thought and purpose.
so the result of all agreeing together we are told by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear
brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in
harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of
one mind, united in thought and purpose.
In
order for the Corinthian church to get from the Present reality: They were a
divided church, to a preferred future: They could be a church united Paul tells
them Unity Will Have to be
Intentional The word picture that is used here for united
together actually comes from a medical word in the original language which
literally meant “knit together”, and it was usually used in the sense of a
broken bone mending or a scar healing.
order for the Corinthian church to get from the Present reality: They were a
divided church, to a preferred future: They could be a church united Paul tells
them Unity Will Have to be
Intentional The word picture that is used here for united
together actually comes from a medical word in the original language which
literally meant “knit together”, and it was usually used in the sense of a
broken bone mending or a scar healing.
Maybe
Doctor Luke was with Paul at the time of the writing and suggested that
particular usage. But the fact of the
matter is that it does not refer to something that had always been whole but
had in mind something that needed to be mended or healed.
Doctor Luke was with Paul at the time of the writing and suggested that
particular usage. But the fact of the
matter is that it does not refer to something that had always been whole but
had in mind something that needed to be mended or healed.
The
truth is that if there has been a split in a church body or in a personal
relationship then it can be rejoined, healing can happen but it has to be
intentional we need to want it to happen.
And don’t expect it to be perfect overnight.
truth is that if there has been a split in a church body or in a personal
relationship then it can be rejoined, healing can happen but it has to be
intentional we need to want it to happen.
And don’t expect it to be perfect overnight.
If
you were to break your leg, even though I have no medical training I would
suspect that your doctor would strongly recommend that you stay off said leg
until it mended properly in the same way when a split in the church is healing
don’t try bending it again the same way that broke it before.
you were to break your leg, even though I have no medical training I would
suspect that your doctor would strongly recommend that you stay off said leg
until it mended properly in the same way when a split in the church is healing
don’t try bending it again the same way that broke it before.
When
it comes together in perfect unity Paul says it should first of all be unity in
thought in 2 Corinthians 13:11 Paul tells the church in Corinth 2 Corinthians 13:11 Dear brothers and
sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity.
Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace
will be with you.
it comes together in perfect unity Paul says it should first of all be unity in
thought in 2 Corinthians 13:11 Paul tells the church in Corinth 2 Corinthians 13:11 Dear brothers and
sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity.
Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace
will be with you.
And
in Philippians 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of
heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.
Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that
you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the
Good News.
in Philippians 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of
heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.
Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that
you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the
Good News.
As
we continue to grow our main concern should not be expanding, and our main
concern should not be not expanding. Our
main concern should not be what type of music we sing, or what bible we read
out of from the platform, or how well the preacher preaches or doesn’t
preach. Or what colour the carpet is or
whether the preacher wears jeans or a robe.
we continue to grow our main concern should not be expanding, and our main
concern should not be not expanding. Our
main concern should not be what type of music we sing, or what bible we read
out of from the platform, or how well the preacher preaches or doesn’t
preach. Or what colour the carpet is or
whether the preacher wears jeans or a robe.
Our
main concern needs to be that there are people in our communities who are dying
and going to hell. Our main concern
needs to be reaching those people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and everything
else is secondary.
main concern needs to be that there are people in our communities who are dying
and going to hell. Our main concern
needs to be reaching those people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and everything
else is secondary.
This
building and our programming they are nothing more or less than tools to help
with the task at hand and the task at hand, needs to always be, helping to
depopulate hell.
building and our programming they are nothing more or less than tools to help
with the task at hand and the task at hand, needs to always be, helping to
depopulate hell.
And
so Paul tells us that ours should not just be a unity of minds but as well a
unity of vision and purpose.
so Paul tells us that ours should not just be a unity of minds but as well a
unity of vision and purpose.
There
may be times that you may not agree with everything we do, but do you agree
with our vision and purpose? It will
only be in unity that we will be able to move ahead together to do the task
that God has called us to do.
may be times that you may not agree with everything we do, but do you agree
with our vision and purpose? It will
only be in unity that we will be able to move ahead together to do the task
that God has called us to do.
Remember
what the prophet Amos said in Amos 3:3 Can two people walk together without
agreeing on the direction?
what the prophet Amos said in Amos 3:3 Can two people walk together without
agreeing on the direction?
Each
of us, by making Cornerstone our church home have agreed to walk together, let’s
do it and reach out and touch this community for God.
of us, by making Cornerstone our church home have agreed to walk together, let’s
do it and reach out and touch this community for God.