1. The Sin of Division 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

2. Division in Corinthian Church A sin fully addressed by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul, 1 Cor 1-4 Not justification for failing to address, discipline and correct moral and doctrinal error in churches today Division can be defeated and defended against, Eph 6:10; 4:3 2

3. A POSTOLIC P LEA FOR U NITY 1 Cor 1:10-13 Authority of Christ demands unity among saints, 1:10, 2 Spiritual welfare of the church necessitates unity, 1:11-13 – Strife is carnality (sin), 1 Cor 3:1-4; Gal 5:20-21 – The evidence of their sin was convincing: Faithful testimony and verifiable conduct, 1:11-12 Christ is not divided, 1 Cor 1:13; Jno 17:20-21 3

4. W E ARE N AMED AFTER C HRIST 1 Cor 1:12-13 Christ was crucified for us, 1:13 (15:3; Rom 5:8; Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 2:24) Baptized into His name, 1:13 (Matt 28:18- 19; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 1:9) Must not divide and align after men – Denominationalism – Preacheritis, 1 Cor 3:5-9 – Following men and not Christ is sin, 1 Cor 4:6 CHRISTCHRIST 4

5. U NITY IN P REACHING AND P RACTICE 1 Cor 1:14-18 Paul’s relief, 1:14-16 – Only personally baptized a few, lest some say he was trying to make personal disciples – His work was to preach gospel, not personally baptize, 1 Cor 1:17-18 Paul did not deny necessity of baptism, 1:17 (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21) BAPTISMBAPTISM 5

6. I F P AUL D ENIED THE N ECESSITY OF B APTISM... He contradicted himself by baptizing people, 1:14-16; Acts 18:8 Point: Who administers baptism is inconsequential, and giving importance to who baptizes promotes division! The message of the cross saves, 1:18 – It contains the command to baptize and the command to be united in Christ BAPTISMBAPTISM 6

7. O VERCOMING AND A VOIDING D IVISION, 1 C OR 1:10 Speak the same thing – GOSPEL of Christ, 1 Cor 2:1-5 – Basis of unity (Jno 17:20-21; 1 Cor 4:6; Eph 4:4-6) Have the same mind – Mind of Christ, Phil 2:1-5 7

8. O VERCOMING AND A VOIDING D IVISION, 1 C OR 1:10 Have the same judgment – Use the will of Christ to determine right and wrong, 1 Cor 2:14-16; Phil 1:9-11 Psa 19:9 (2 Tim 3:16-17) Grow up, 1 Cor 3:1-3 – Mature in Christ, Eph 4:11-16 Follow authority of Christ – Not man, 1 Cor 1:10; 4:6; Col 3:17 8

9. T HIS C HURCH CAN R EMAIN U NITED IN C HRIST Scriptural unity is a beautiful thing, Psa 133:1 The sin of division is ugly – Destroys influence – Destroys effectiveness – Destroys love – Destroys souls 9