Corinthians Gone Wild Subdivisions

- City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves) - 2 Ports, 5 mile isthmus= very cosmopolitan - Crossroads of commerce- north to south and east to west Corinth

Occasional Letters Response to a report from Choe's household (1:11) and from a letter (7:1) Founding Pastor 55 B.C., before winter, from Ephesus (16:8) during Paul's third missionary journey

- Temple prostitution, false gods, every kind of sexual immorality - Korinthiazomai= practicing fornication - Instead of influencing their world for Jesus, they became influenced by the world and lost their power and authority to proclaim truth Corinth

Corinth The church should be in the world - Go and make disciples - I am sending you out as sheep - Salt and light

Corinth The church should be in the world - Go and make disciples - I am sending you out as sheep - Salt and light With a purpose!

Corinth The church should be in the world - Go and make disciples - I am sending you out as sheep - Salt and light The church should not become the world

3= Awe-inspiring Leaders 1) Former Blasphemer and Murderer 2) Most Eloquent Man Alive 3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ

3= Awe-inspiring Leaders 1) Former Blasphemer and Murderer 2) Most Eloquent Man Alive 3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ So who do you follow?

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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

My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name

(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else) (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else)

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

"The Church these days Is so messed-up…"

"The Church these days Is so messed-up…" I'm out!

There has never been a time In the history of the church That it wasn't jacked-up

Widows Neglected- Race

Widows Neglected- Race The Gentile Problem- OT Law

Widows Neglected- Race The Gentile Problem- OT Law Paul and Barnabas Split over Mark

Widows Neglected- Race The Gentile Problem- OT Law Paul and Barnabas Split over Mark The enemy has always sought to divide and conquer

Widows Neglected- Race The Gentile Problem- OT Law Paul and Barnabas Split over Mark The enemy has always sought to divide and conquer Christians have been far too willing to lend him a hand

Double-Whammy: - Christians are divided and conquered - Onlookers walk away

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Name= the will of Jesus based on his character and revealed desires It is never Christ's will the Christians be divided

I appeal… that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you 1. Stasis= strong disagreement 2. Dichostasia= standing apart 3. Schismata- severe tear 4. Hairesis- established separation

I appeal… that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you 1. Stasis= strong disagreement 2. Dichostasia= standing apart 3. Schismata- severe tear 4. Hairesis- established separation

Corinthian Church- 1 step away from a complete breakup of the church 1. Stasis= strong disagreement 2. Dichostasia= standing apart 3. Schismata- severe tear 4. Hairesis- established separation

Less than 5 years old And ready to split

Jesus is a liar and a con man

That they may be one…that the world may believe you sent me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me- Jesus

Jesus is a liar and a con man Jesus is authenticated by his followers through their love for and unity with one another

Jesus is a liar and a con man 1 step away from ruining the testimony of Christ. Over what?

Jesus is a liar and a con man 1 step away from ruining the testimony of Christ. Over what? Which teachers they prefer!

Unbelievers don't give a rip Which teacher (or denomination) I prefer They just want to know If there really is hope In a God who loves them

…no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought Perfectly united= katartizo- mend, repair, restore, bring back to functionality

…no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought Perfectly united= katartizo- mend, repair, restore, bring back to functionality Used of setting a broken bone- involves pain and adjustment on both sides

As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men - Romans 12:18 "If they would just… we'd be fine"

Apply liberally to marriage as needed As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men - Romans 12:18 "If they would just… we'd be fine"

…you may be perfectly united in mind and thought Mind and thought= understanding and purpose How? Wisdom of God and purpose of Christ

My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me Why is it important to name the source?

4 warring divisions None of them right

One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Paul- Gentile focus, great testimony Apollos- Awesome preacher- Acts 18:24 Cephas- Walked with Jesus Christ- No human teachers allowed!

None of them right… - If it causes us to divide the church- and it's not an area of primary truth- it's not from God

None of them right… - If it causes us to divide the church- and it's not an area of primary truth- it's not from God - Following Christ alone sounds spiritual.

None of them right… - If it causes us to divide the church- and it's not an area of primary truth- it's not from God - Following Christ alone sounds spiritual. But…Christ gave us pastors and teachers (Eph. 4)

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? We are the body of Christ So why should we be fighting Over the things that don't really matter? Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? We are the body of Christ So why should we be fighting Over the things that don't really matter?

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 1) I follow Jesus 2) I place myself under the authority of elders 3) I place my trust in Christ alone Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 1) I follow Jesus 2) I place myself under the authority of elders 3) I place my trust in Christ alone

Comes from a heart of pride Immaturity and idolatry

Comes from a heart of pride Immaturity and idolatry Antidote: Humility, Perspective And worshiping God alone

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? "You wanna give allegiance? Give it to someone who suffers And dies for your sins" Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? "You wanna give allegiance? Give it to someone who suffers And dies for your sins"

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Integrity- goes after his own fan club first Baptized into= ownership Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Integrity- goes after his own fan club first Baptized into= ownership

"Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging about their relationship to men? "Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging about their relationship to men?

"Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging about their relationship to men? "Pray for me, Pastor…" "Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging about their relationship to men? "Pray for me, Pastor…"

"Glad I didn't baptize many of you…" For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - Baptism is identification- it's very important - Baptism is not the gospel- it doesn't save

…but to preach the gospel- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. If we can argue someone into Christ Someone else can argue them right back out

Lives change not because we're good at making arguments for following Jesus But because Jesus' power is at work- in their life and in ours

Disunity negates that change

So what do we do with the jacked-up church of Jesus Christ?

So what do we do with a jacked-up church? 1) Find a place and imitate Christ by serving 2) Try to be a force for peace, unity and purpose- or at the very least don't work against it 3) Don't let the enemy win by dividing, conquering and causing you to miss out on serving, loving, belonging

Takeaways: - Do I have a unity-mindset? Am I looking for reasons and ways to find common ground? Or to separate? - Why? What do I need to do?

Takeaways: - Have I given up on church when Jesus hasn't? - Do I understand that being a part of church isn't just being blessed, but becoming a blessing to others? In other words, I have a part to play?

Takeaways: - Do I need to cut the excuses and place my faith in Jesus?