Intro.

1.  The sin of division was present in the church at Corinth.

2.  1 Cor. 1-4 - The apostle Paul addresses the problem, rebukes the sin & exhorts the saints to be united in Christ.

3.  Whenever division or its threat arises in a church this passage helps us overcome it.

I.  AN APOSTOLIC PLEA FOR UNITY IN THE MIDST OF CONGREGATIONAL DIVISION - 1:10-13.

  A.  The Authority Of Christ Demands Unity Among Saints - 1:10, 2 (Eph. 4:4-6).

  B.  The Welfare Of The Congregation Necessitates It - 1:11-13.

-1:11-12 - Contentiousness is carnality (sinful) - 1 Cor. 3:1-4; Gal. 5:20-21.

  C.  Christ Is Not Divided! - 1:13; Jno. 17:20-21

II.  WE ARE UNITED & NAMED AFTER CHRIST BECAUSE:

  A.  Christ Was Crucified For Us - 1:13 (1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:24).

  B.  We Were Baptized Into His Name - 1:13 (Matt. 28:18-19; Acts 2:38 - Into relationship with Him, by His authority - cf. 1 Cor. 1:9).

  C.  Therefore, We Must Not Align Ourselves After Men!

    1.  Denominationalism is wrong because it does just that.

    2.  Preacheritis can damage a church - cf. 1 Cor. 3:5-9.

    3.  Following man rather than Christ & His truth is sinful - cf. 1 Cor. 4:6.

III.  UNITED IN PREACHING AND PRACTICE - 1:14-18.

  A.  Paul’s Relief - 1:14-16.

-His relief that he only baptized a few people in Corinth was lest someone would say he was trying to make disciples unto himself.

  B.  As An Apostle, His Primary Work Was To Preach The Gospel - 1:17-18.

  C.  Was Paul Saying That Baptism Is Unnecessary In 1:17?

    1.  No, Paul was not saying baptism is not necessary to be saved - cf. Matt. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21.

       -(If he was, then Paul contradicted himself by baptizing people in Corinth! - 1:14-16; Acts 18:8)

    2.  His point: Who administered the baptism was of no consequence.

    3.  "Not...but" construction: Not only the first item -- baptizing --, but also (and with emphasis upon) the second item --preaching the gospel--."

    4.  It is the "message of the cross" that saves - 1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 1:16.

    5.  The point of emphasis was being missed by the saints in Corinth:

-They were naming themselves after the person from whom they had learned the gospel (or who had baptized them) -- and forgot that their faith & obedience made them disciples of Christ and brought them into fellowship with Him - 1:2, 9.

IV. WHAT WE CAN DO TO OVERCOME & AVOID DIVISION - 1 Cor. 1:10.

  A.  Speak The Same Thing: The Gospel of Christ - cf. 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 4:11. (Basis of unity - 2 Jno. 9-11; Gal. 1:6-9)

  B.  Have The Same Mind: The Mind of Christ - Phil. 2:1-5.

  C.  Have The Same Judgment: Use The Will Of Christ To Determine Right & Wrong - cf. 1 Cor. 2:14-16; Phil. 1:9-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

  D.  "Grow Up" & Be Mature In Christ - cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Eph. 4:11-16.

  E.  Follow The Authority Of Christ (Revealed In The Truth Of The Gospel) Rather Than Any Man - 1 Cor. 1:10; 4:6; Col. 3:17.

Conclusion

1.  This local church can be united in Christ - Scriptural unity it is a beautiful thing! (cf. Psa. 133:1).

2.  On the other hand, division is ugly: It destroys our influence, our example and our souls!