Corinthians Gone Wild Subdivisions. - City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves) - 2 Ports, 5 mile isthmus=...

Corinthians Corinthians Gone WildGone Wild

Subdivisions

- City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves) - City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves)

- 2 Ports, 5 mile isthmus= very - 2 Ports, 5 mile isthmus= very cosmopolitancosmopolitan

- Crossroads of commerce- north to south - Crossroads of commerce- north to south and east to westand east to west

CorinthCorinth

Occasional LettersOccasional Letters

Response to a report from Choe's Response to a report from Choe's household (1:11) and from a letter (7:1)household (1:11) and from a letter (7:1)

Founding Pastor Founding Pastor

55 B.C., before winter, from Ephesus 55 B.C., before winter, from Ephesus (16:8) during Paul's third missionary (16:8) during Paul's third missionary journeyjourney

- Temple prostitution, false gods, every kind - Temple prostitution, false gods, every kind of sexual immoralityof sexual immorality

- Korinthiazomai= practicing fornication- Korinthiazomai= practicing fornication

- Instead of influencing their world for Jesus, - Instead of influencing their world for Jesus, they became influenced by the world and they became influenced by the world and lost their power and authority to proclaim lost their power and authority to proclaim truthtruth

CorinthCorinth

CorinthCorinth

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

CorinthCorinth


With a purpose!With a purpose!

CorinthCorinth


The church should not become the worldThe church should not become the world

3= Awe-inspiring Leaders3= Awe-inspiring Leaders

1)1) Former Blasphemer and Murderer Former Blasphemer and Murderer

2) Most Eloquent Man Alive2) Most Eloquent Man Alive

3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ

3= Awe-inspiring Leaders3= Awe-inspiring Leaders

1)1) Former Blasphemer and Murderer Former Blasphemer and Murderer

2) Most Eloquent Man Alive2) Most Eloquent Man Alive

3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ3) Direct Contact with Jesus Christ

So who do you follow?So who do you follow?

I appeal to you, brothers, I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that all of you that all of you agree with one anotheragree with one another

so that there may be so that there may be no divisions among youno divisions among you

and that you may be and that you may be perfectly united perfectly united

in mind and thoughtin mind and thought

My brothers, My brothers, some from Chloe’s household some from Chloe’s household

have informed me that there are have informed me that there are quarrels among youquarrels among you

What I mean is this:What I mean is this:

One of you says, One of you says, “I follow Paul”; “I follow Paul”;

another, another, “I follow Apollos”; “I follow Apollos”;

another, another, “I follow Cephas”; “I follow Cephas”;

still another, still another, “I follow Christ.”“I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Is Christ divided?

Was Paul crucified for you? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into Were you baptized into

the name of Paul? the name of Paul?

I am thankful that I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you I did not baptize any of you

except Crispus and Gaius, except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were so no one can say that you were

baptized into my namebaptized into my name

(Yes, I also baptized (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; the household of Stephanas;

beyond that, beyond that, I don’t remember I don’t remember

if I baptized anyone else) if I baptized anyone else)

For Christ For Christ did not send me to baptize, did not send me to baptize, but to preach the but to preach the gospel-gospel-

not with words of human wisdom, not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ lest the cross of Christ

be emptied of its powerbe emptied of its power

- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

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

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

I'm out!I'm out!

There has There has nevernever been a time been a timeIn the history of the churchIn the history of the church

That it wasn't That it wasn't jacked-upjacked-up

Widows Neglected- RaceWidows Neglected- Race

Widows Neglected- RaceWidows Neglected- RaceThe Gentile Problem- OT LawThe Gentile Problem- OT Law


Paul and Barnabas Split over Mark Paul and Barnabas Split over Mark


Paul and Barnabas Split over MarkPaul and Barnabas Split over Mark

The enemy has always sought to The enemy has always sought to divide and conquerdivide and conquer


Paul and Barnabas Split over MarkPaul and Barnabas Split over Mark

The enemy has always sought to The enemy has always sought to divide and conquerdivide and conquer

Christians have been far too willing Christians have been far too willing to lend him a handto lend him a hand

Double-Whammy:Double-Whammy:

- Christians are divided and conquered- Christians are divided and conquered- Onlookers walk away- Onlookers walk away

I appeal to you, brothers, I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Name= Name= the will of Jesus based on his the will of Jesus based on his character and revealed desirescharacter and revealed desires

It is It is nevernever Christ's will Christ's willthe Christians be dividedthe Christians be divided

I appeal…I appeal…that all of you agree with one another that all of you agree with one another


1. Stasis= strong disagreement1. Stasis= strong disagreement2. Dichostasia= standing apart2. Dichostasia= standing apart3. Schismata- severe tear3. Schismata- severe tear4. Hairesis- established separation4. Hairesis- established separation

I appeal…I appeal…that all of you agree with one another that all of you agree with one another



Corinthian Church- 1 step away from a Corinthian Church- 1 step away from a complete breakup of the churchcomplete breakup of the church


Less than 5 years oldLess than 5 years oldAnd ready to splitAnd ready to split

Jesus is a liar and a con manJesus is a liar and a con man


That they may be That they may be one…that the world one…that the world may believe you sent me.may believe you sent me.

May they be brought May they be brought to complete unity to complete unity to let the world to let the world

know that you sent meknow that you sent me- Jesus- Jesus


Jesus is Jesus is authenticatedauthenticated by his followers by his followers through their love for and unity with through their love for and unity with one anotherone another


1 step away from ruining the 1 step away from ruining the testimony of Christ. Over what? testimony of Christ. Over what?


1 step away from ruining the 1 step away from ruining the testimony of Christ. Over what? testimony of Christ. Over what?

Which teachers they prefer!Which teachers they prefer!

Unbelievers don't give a ripUnbelievers don't give a ripWhich teacher (or denomination) Which teacher (or denomination)

I preferI prefer

They just want to knowThey just want to knowIf there really is hopeIf there really is hope

In a God who loves themIn a God who loves them

……no divisions among you, and that you no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united may be perfectly united


Perfectly unitedPerfectly united= katartizo- mend, = katartizo- mend, repair, restore, bring back to repair, restore, bring back to functionalityfunctionality

……no divisions among you, and that you no divisions among you, and that you may be perfectly united may be perfectly united


Perfectly unitedPerfectly united= katartizo- mend, = katartizo- mend, repair, restore, bring back to repair, restore, bring back to functionalityfunctionality

Used of setting a broken bone- Used of setting a broken bone- involves pain and adjustment on both involves pain and adjustment on both sidessides

As far as it depends on As far as it depends on you,you, be at be at peace with all menpeace with all men

- Romans 12:18- Romans 12:18

"If they would just…"If they would just…we'd be fine"we'd be fine"

Apply liberally to marriage as neededApply liberally to marriage as needed

As far as it depends on As far as it depends on you,you, be at be at peace with all menpeace with all men

- Romans 12:18- Romans 12:18

"If they would just…"If they would just…we'd be fine"we'd be fine"

……you may be perfectly united you may be perfectly united in mind and thoughtin mind and thought

Mind and thoughtMind and thought= understanding and = understanding and purposepurpose

How? Wisdom of God and purpose of How? Wisdom of God and purpose of ChristChrist

My brothers, some from Chloe’s My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed mehousehold have informed me

Why is it important to nameWhy is it important to namethe source?the source?

4 warring divisions4 warring divisions

None of them rightNone of them right

One of you says, “I follow Paul”; One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; another, “I follow Cephas”;

still another, “I follow Christ.”still another, “I follow Christ.”

Paul- Paul- Gentile focus, great testimonyGentile focus, great testimonyApollos- Apollos- Awesome preacher- Acts 18:24Awesome preacher- Acts 18:24Cephas- Cephas- Walked with JesusWalked with JesusChrist- Christ- No human teachers allowed!No human teachers allowed!

None of them right…None of them right…

- If it causes us to divide the church- - If it causes us to divide the church- and it's not an area of primary truth-and it's not an area of primary truth- it's not from Godit's not from God



- Following - Following Christ alone Christ alone sounds sounds spiritual. spiritual.



- Following - Following Christ alone Christ alone sounds sounds spiritual. But…Christ gave us pastors spiritual. But…Christ gave us pastors and teachers (Eph. 4)and teachers (Eph. 4)

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

name of Paul?name of Paul?

We are the body of ChristWe are the body of Christ

So why should we be fightingSo why should we be fightingOver the things that don't really Over the things that don't really

matter?matter?



1)1) I follow JesusI follow Jesus2) 2) I place myself under the I place myself under the

authority of eldersauthority of elders3) 3) I place my trust in Christ aloneI place my trust in Christ alone

Comes from a heart of prideComes from a heart of prideImmaturity and idolatryImmaturity and idolatry

Comes from a heart of pride Comes from a heart of pride Immaturity and idolatryImmaturity and idolatry

Antidote: Antidote: Humility, PerspectiveHumility, PerspectiveAnd worshiping God aloneAnd worshiping God alone



""You wanna give allegiance?You wanna give allegiance?Give it to someone who suffersGive it to someone who suffers

And dies for your sins"And dies for your sins"



Integrity- goes after his own Integrity- goes after his own fan club firstfan club first

Baptized into= ownershipBaptized into= ownership

"Who do you belong to- me or "Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" Christ?"

If Christians belong to Christ, why in If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging the world do they go around bragging

about their relationship to men?about their relationship to men?

"Who do you belong to- me or "Who do you belong to- me or Christ?" Christ?"

If Christians belong to Christ, why in If Christians belong to Christ, why in the world do they go around bragging the world do they go around bragging

about their relationship to men?about their relationship to men?

"Pray for me, Pastor…""Pray for me, Pastor…"

"Glad I didn't baptize many of you…""Glad I didn't baptize many of you…"

For Christ For Christ did not send me to baptize, did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-but to preach the gospel- not with not with

words of human wisdom, lest the cross words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.of Christ be emptied of its power.

For Christ For Christ did not send me to baptize, did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelbut to preach the gospel

- - Baptism is identification- Baptism is identification- it's very importantit's very important

- Baptism is - Baptism is notnot the gospel- the gospel- it doesn't saveit doesn't save

……but to preach the gospel- not with but to preach the gospel- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross words of human wisdom, lest the cross

of Christ be emptied of its power.of Christ be emptied of its power.

If we can argue someone into ChristIf we can argue someone into ChristSomeone else can argue them Someone else can argue them

right back outright back out

Lives change not because we're goodLives change not because we're goodat making arguments for following at making arguments for following

JesusJesus

But because Jesus' power is at work-But because Jesus' power is at work-in their life and in oursin their life and in ours

Disunity negates that changeDisunity negates that change

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

So what do we do with a jacked-up church?So what do we do with a jacked-up church?

1) Find a place and 1) Find a place and imitate Christ by imitate Christ by servingserving

2) Try to 2) Try to be a force for peace, unity be a force for peace, unity and purpose-and purpose- or at the very least don't or at the very least don't work work against it against it

3) Don't let the enemy win by 3) Don't let the enemy win by dividing, conquering and causing you dividing, conquering and causing you to miss out on serving, loving, belongingto miss out on serving, loving, belonging

Takeaways:Takeaways:

- Do I have a unity-mindset? Am I - Do I have a unity-mindset? Am I looking for reasons and ways to find looking for reasons and ways to find common ground? Or to separate? common ground? Or to separate?

- Why? What do I need to do?- Why? What do I need to do?


- Have I given up on church when Jesus - Have I given up on church when Jesus hasn't? hasn't?

- Do I understand that being a part of - Do I understand that being a part of church isn't just being blessed, but church isn't just being blessed, but becoming a blessing to others? In becoming a blessing to others? In other words, I have a part to play?other words, I have a part to play?


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

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Corinthians Gone Wild Subdivisions. - City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves) - 2 Ports, 5 mile isthmus=...

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