Curing the Cancer of Division

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

United in mind:

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” —1 Corinthians 1:10

Explanation:

Paul gives three commands in verse 10:

A. “That all of you agree with one another in what you say…”

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
—Ephesians 4:29

“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” —Proverbs 16:28

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” —James 1:26

B. “…that there be no divisions among you…”

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” —Romans 14:19

There are so many exhortations and commands in the New Testament for the church to be unified that it would take hours to read them all. Unity takes work. We must be a people who pursue relational peace.

C. “…but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” —Philippians 2:3

If we are going to be united in mind then we must be humble in heart.

United Around Christ

“My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” —1 Corinthians 1:11-13

“In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” —Acts 14:8-15

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” —Colossians 1:15-20

United for Mission

“I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” —1 Corinthians 1:14-17