EPIPHANY 3 – January 26, 2020 – 1 Cor. 1:10-18
“THE UNITY OF CHRIST’S CHURCH”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 1 Cor. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ:
- Much is said in Holy Scripture about “unity,” being “united in the same mind and the same judgment.” This is the will of God. As we all know, this must be encouraged, for sin, which afflicts all people, divides us from one another. It is not to be so within the church – at least not when it comes to issues of morality and theology, the knowledge of God as He truly is.
- What is described in our text is a congregation in disunity! Horrible division and conflict! And we will have to discuss the nature of this division, and also the consequences of this division.
- Our text also encourages us to unity – but a specific kind of unity. We are not to simply “agree to disagree,” or have unity in a least common denominator. We will have to discuss this more fully as well, as our text and other texts in Holy Scripture are quite clear about what unity we are to strive for.
- We must remember that:
I. It Is The Word Of The Cross That Unites Believers
Text: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel . . . the cross of Christ . . . the word of the cross.”
A. This Is A Unity In Repentance And Faith In God’s Gracious Mercy And Forgiveness In Christ Jesus
1 John 1:8 “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.”
Rom. 3:23-25 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as a blood atonement, to be received by faith.”
B. This Is A Unity Under God’s Word
Text: “Christ sent me to preach . . . the word of the cross.”
John 8:31,32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you remain in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Romans 16:17 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
C. It Is To Be A Complete Unity Of Mind, Judgment, And Confession
Text: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
Phil. 2:2 “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Romans 15:5,6 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Statement: The goal here is to unite all Christians in the most blessed truths and realities – regarding the forgiveness, mercy, and gracious love and salvation of God! This presupposes a unity and agreement in what is sin, so there is agreement in repentance!
Application: This is why Christ has given His Word to us – through the prophets, the evangelists, and the apostles. This is why He urges us to abide in His Word! And if we do so it will ease and eliminate virtually all division within the church! This is the good and gracious will of God for us personally and corporately!
Transition: But we must take care and work at this, for:
II. The Evil One Seeks To Destroy The Unity And Harmony Of Christ’s Church
2 Cor. 11:3,4 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”
A. He Seeks To Destroy The Unity Of The Church By Cult Of Personality
Text: “Each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas, or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?”
B. He Seeks To Destroy The Unity Of The Church By Use Of Eloquent Words And Eloquent Wisdom
Text: “Christ sent me to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
C. We Must Remember That The Word Of The Cross Divides Believers And Unbelievers
Text: “For the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Statement: Just as were the Corinthians, we too are vulnerable to someone “proclaiming another Jesus” or “accepting a different gospel.” And there are still many false prophets and antichrists out there encouraging this! And sadly, they do sometimes sneak into the church, and corrupt and pervert congregations and even whole denominations!
Application: This not only upsets the unity and harmony of the church, but jerks and yanks people out of the faith and out of the fellowship of the church! Lord forbid we should ever allow such a thing in our church!
Conclusion: So let us receive and embrace this appeal from Christ through the apostle Paul! Let us work always to have “no divisions, to be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
This is God’s good and gracious will for us, and it is our great blessedness! God grant it to us always, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.