1 Corinthians With Mark Dever: When Church HurtsSample

Multiplying divisions

Read 1 Corinthians 1 v 10-31

Division causes conflict, suffering and sadness. Division in the church is even more tragic, since it goes against Christ’s desire that His people enjoy “complete unity” (John 17:23). So how can a church stay united?

Know Christ

Corinthian culture exalted particular orators, and argued over which was best—not so different from celebrity culture today. This promotion of one personality over another had permeated the church, and it was obscuring the uniqueness of Christ, the only Person who had been “crucified for you” (verse 13).

Time Out

Accept foolishness

What the world rejects, the church exalts. The world did not, and does not, know that it needed God to become a man and bear our sins by dying the death of an outcast traitor. Yet this is the heart of Christianity! So if a church begins to peddle a message that pleases the world, of course the true gospel will be de-emphasized, compromised, even replaced.

Apply

Remember humility

Time Out

In Corinth, status came from being known as wise, or powerful, or from a good family.

When your boasting is only about what someone else has done—how the Lord Jesus has died for you—it is hard to get proud and defensive and divisive.