Messes and Masterpieces: Fighting Division 1

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Messes and Masterpieces: Fighting Division 1 Corinthians 1:4-31 5-5-19 Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ephesians 4:13 – “...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”

John 17:20-21 – “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

I. Be Rooted in Your Identity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

II. Battle for Unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17) 1) Core Doctrines: These are the doctrines vital to the gospel and Christian faith, such as Jesus’ deity and humanity, the atonement, justification by faith, and the Trinity. When there is a belief or action that contradicts the gospel in its essence—at its core—it is a real problem that needs to be addressed swiftly and clearly. We cannot agree to disagree with these central doctrines of the faith.

2) Convictions: These doctrines are not salvific in nature but are important and can frame much of how we understand God and live out the gospel. These second level doctrines often create various denominations. Believers who agree on the core doctrines can be brothers and sisters in Christ even while disagreeing on second-level doctrines.

3) Preferences: This distinction often refers to personal and diverse preferences in a local church that ought not hinder healthy fellowship between brothers and sisters in Christ. Differing views on worship style would be an example.

III. Boast in the Cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

Discussion Questions: 1. What are some common causes of division within churches today? In what ways can they be prevented? 2. How would you describe the difference between Christian unity and the way the broader culture thinks about unity? (Then see John 1:12-14, Philippians 2:1-8) 3. Why are we tempted to find church unity in charismatic preachers, music and or certain activities instead of in the gospel message? 4. How does the gospel help us maintain unity despite being diverse in so many other ways? (Eph. 2:1-10) 5. Describe what it could look like for followers of Christ to embrace weak and foolish lives in the eyes of the world? 6. How does boasting in the Lord bring Christians together in unity? Pray for our unity of message and purpose.