1. FIRST CORINTHIANS How to Live in a Pagan World

2. Two Mega-Themes In 1 st Corinthians Living as Christians in a pagan world.Living as Christians in a pagan world. Being the Church in a pagan world.Being the Church in a pagan world.

3. Two Mega-Themes In 1 st Corinthians Living as Christians in a pagan world. Being the Church in a pagan world.Being the Church in a pagan world.

4. Being the Church in a Pagan World Nine Issues: 1.Identity1:1-9 2.Unity1:10-17 3.Maturity3:1-17 4.Authority3:18-4:21 5.Purity5 6.Orderly11 7.Ministry12-14 8.Generosity16:1-4 9.Duty16:5-24

5. Being the Church in a Pagan World Nine Issues: 1.Identity1:1-9 2.Unity1:10-17 3.Maturity3:1-17 4.Authority3:18-4:21 5.Purity5 6.Orderly11 7.Ministry12-14 8.Generosity16:1-4 9.Duty16:5-24

6. 1 st Corinthians 1:10-17 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

7. 1 st Corinthians 1:10-17 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. (NKJV)

8. Living in Unity 1:10-17 A Definition of UnityA Definition of Unity Vs. 10, NKJV “…that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

9. A Definition of Unity Vs. 10, Amplified “…that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say…” NAS95 & NIV “that you all agree” 1. A Common Message

10. A Definition of Unity “Divisions” – to split or rend Vs. 10, Phillips “and not allow yourselves to be split up into parties” 2. The Absence of Factions

11. A Definition of Unity Vs. 10, “…that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” The mind: Beliefs, values, opinions The judgment: Practical decisions, things to be done There is no unity without theology 3. A Shared World View

12. A Definition of Unity In essentials, unity In doubtful things, liberty But in all things, love Augustine 3. A Shared World View

13. A Definition of Unity “Perfectly joined together” Word refers to healing a wound, or making whole a rent For setting broken bones For mending torn nets (Mark 1:19) For restoring one overtaken in sin (Galatians 6:1) 3. A Shared World View

14. Divisions are Based on Personal Followings Vs. 11-12 “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’” Vs. 12 NLT “Some of you are saying, ‘I am a follower of Paul.’ Others are saying, ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Peter,’ or ‘I follow only Christ.’

15. Personal Followings are Illogical Vs. 13 “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” NLT “Can Christ be divided into pieces?” If Christ can’t be divided, neither can his body. Leaders can bless us, but they can’t save us – our loyalty to them should be in keeping with what they are to us.

16. Personal Followings Emphasize Things Like Baptism & Preaching Style Vs. 14-15 “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.”

17. Personal Followings Dilute the Gospel by Adding to It Vs. 17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” Christ plus _______