division

Divisions in the Church

1Corinthians 1:10-17

Today we look at divisions in the church. It is a major problem in most churches. It is a matter of personal will versus God�s will. Too many churches have fallen apart over such things as what color Bible to use, or the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. What�s more, people believe that when a church splits that the two separate entities will grow larger, just as a cell does. Wrong! What usually happens is that there are two smaller churches with the vast majority leaving Christendom all together due to infighting.

Divisions prove that we lack wisdom, both naturally and spiritually. In a word childish! In this lesson we will deal with divisions and wisdom. In the next lesson, I will expand the theme of wisdom and how to apply it. In the Corinthian Church division was so strong that it was the foundation of all their problems.

Let�s look at this foundation. To start with it was laid with cracks in it. No foundation that has cracks in it can hold up a building! Here in Florida, most foundations are laid with sand surrounded by concrete blocks. Sooner or later problems arise. Jesus spoke about how to build a solid foundation (Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49.)
Divisions in Corinth were so bad that other churches knew about them. No doubt some folks left the Corinthian Church because of them. The believers at Chloe�s house told Paul of the problem. He was not happy about it, as we will see over the course of this study. In fact Paul told the Corinthians what was being said about them around town. They were arguing over who the best Pastor was among other things. Guess what, folks; we do the same thing today in many churches. There are people who vacate the Church when the pastor goes on vacation or is out of town on business because they don�t want to hear the substitute, even though they may have a fresh Word for the congregation. Also remember, it�s not about slick presentations and fancy words, but the truth in the Word. In today�s world we need a bit of modern presentation, but too often the truth of God�s Word is left out. Recently I have seen many name preachers on TV who no longer preach the Word straight up, but use a magazine format (like dateline, etc.) to talk about everything but the Gospel. Too much show involved.

As we read through the passage we are reminded that Christ cannot be divided. Jesus prayed that the church be united as one body (John 17.) We are to live in harmony and not argue. That doesn�t mean that everyone has to agree on every issue (except things like salvation, etc.), but we can agree to disagree. It�s all about Jesus and who he is anyway, not us! Our preaching, teaching, and ministry must center on Jesus and who he is-not ourselves!

The selfishness of Christians is destroying the pure witness of Christ in our communities. Too much of the world is in our lives. We are called upon to die to self. Jesus also said to �seek his kingdom first.� That kingdom resides within the believer.

Are you caught in the trap of selfishness? Gossip? Causing trouble in the church, or at work? Stop it!! It�s time to get alone with the Lord and seek his forgiveness and move on to greater things in his name.

Next time we will deal with the preaching of the Gospel and expand on the wisdom it has for us. Here I will also expand on the slick presentations and whim preaching. Over the past few years a few preachers have led others to narrow the preaching to one or two particular subjects.

As always, if you have any questions or comments you can email me at Soaring Eagle Ministries. I will be more than happy to answer you.

Be Outrageously Blessed!
Pastor Earl

Last updated February 20, 2004



	*Divisions in the Church* 1Corinthians 1:10-17 Today we look at divisions in the church. It is a major problem in most churches. It is a matter of personal will versus God�s will. Too many churches have fallen apart over such things as what color Bible to use, or the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. What�s more, people believe that when a church splits that the two separate entities will grow larger, just as a cell does. Wrong! What usually happens is that there are two smaller churches with the vast majority leaving Christendom all together due to infighting. Divisions prove that we lack wisdom, both naturally and spiritually. In a word childish! In this lesson we will deal with divisions and wisdom. In the next lesson, I will expand the theme of wisdom and how to apply it. In the Corinthian Church division was so strong that it was the foundation of all their problems. Let�s look at this foundation. To start with it was laid with cracks in it. No foundation that has cracks in it can hold up a building! Here in Florida, most foundations are laid with sand surrounded by concrete blocks. Sooner or later problems arise. Jesus spoke about how to build a solid foundation (Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49.) Divisions in Corinth were so bad that other churches knew about them. No doubt some folks left the Corinthian Church because of them. The believers at Chloe�s house told Paul of the problem. He was not happy about it, as we will see over the course of this study. In fact Paul told the Corinthians what was being said about them around town. They were arguing over who the best Pastor was among other things. Guess what, folks; we do the same thing today in many churches. There are people who vacate the Church when the pastor goes on vacation or is out of town on business because they don�t want to hear the substitute, even though they may have a fresh Word for the congregation. Also remember, it�s not about slick presentations and fancy words, but the truth in the Word. In today�s world we need a bit of modern presentation, but too often the truth of God�s Word is left out. Recently I have seen many name preachers on TV who no longer preach the Word straight up, but use a magazine format (like dateline, etc.) to talk about everything but the Gospel. Too much show involved. As we read through the passage we are reminded that Christ cannot be divided. Jesus prayed that the church be united as one body (John 17.) We are to live in harmony and not argue. That doesn�t mean that everyone has to agree on every issue (except things like salvation, etc.), but we can agree to disagree. It�s all about Jesus and who he is anyway, not us! Our preaching, teaching, and ministry must center on Jesus and who he is-not ourselves! The selfishness of Christians is destroying the pure witness of Christ in our communities. Too much of the world is in our lives. We are called upon to die to self. Jesus also said to �seek his kingdom first.� That kingdom resides within the believer. Are you caught in the trap of selfishness? Gossip? Causing trouble in the church, or at work? Stop it!! It�s time to get alone with the Lord and seek his forgiveness and move on to greater things in his name. Next time we will deal with the preaching of the Gospel and expand on the wisdom it has for us. Here I will also expand on the slick presentations and whim preaching. Over the past few years a few preachers have led others to narrow the preaching to one or two particular subjects. As always, if you have any questions or comments you can email me at Soaring Eagle Ministries. I will be more than happy to answer you. Be Outrageously Blessed! Pastor Earl Last updated February 20, 2004