1. Divisions in the church!
A Beautiful Mess
Divisions in the church!
1 Corinthians 1:10-17

2. 1 Cor. 1:10-17
A Beautiful Mess
An Alert
An Appeal
An Awareness

3. Verses 11 & 12 Quarrels and Divisions Galatians 5:20
An Alert
A Beautiful Mess
Verses 11 & 12 Quarrels and Divisions Galatians 5:20

4. Split into cliques Some followed Paul Some followed Apollos
A Beautiful Mess
Some followed Paul
Some followed Apollos
Some followed Cephas = Peter (Aramaic)
Some followed Christ

5. Tradition of the day Theoi Anthropoi Men possessing divine qualities
A Beautiful Mess
Theoi Anthropoi
Men possessing divine qualities
Men of god
Paul’s goal – to challenge the world IN the church.

6. An Appeal Verse 10 Beseech
A Beautiful Mess
Verse 10
Beseech
Family gathering together to change their thinking
Higher authority – The name of the Lord Jesus Christ = His full title!

7. An Appeal 2 aspects Speak the same things
A Beautiful Mess
2 aspects
Speak the same things
There be no divisions among them
Schismata – to rip up, to tear
4 chapters out of 16

8. An Appeal
A Beautiful Mess
The primary calling of God for us as a church is that of UNITY! John 17 One another one another To love one another as God has loved us Our greatest witness should be our unity

9. An Appeal Perfectly united in mind and thought
A Beautiful Mess
Perfectly united in mind and thought
Perfectly joined together in unity of heart and purpose for the glory of God.
Isaiah 26:8
Divisions cannot benefit
The cause of Christ

10. An Awareness 3 questions: Is Christ divided?
A Beautiful Mess
3 questions:
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Were you baptised in the name of Paul?
Absolutely no
Impossible
Unthinkable

11. An Awareness Paul pointed men to Jesus Mark 3:14
A Beautiful Mess
Paul pointed men to Jesus
Mark 3:14
Our main business is to proclaim the saving act of God in Christ Jesus.
Wise and eloquent preaching draws people to the preacher
Faithful preaching of the Cross causes people to put their full trust on God’s work in Jesus.