Church - When Members Won't Get Along 1 Corinthians 1 and 3 - March 7, 2010

Bible Study – When Church Members Won’t Get Along – March 7, 2010

We begin a new series of study entitled “Church Gone Wrong.”

Today’ scripture is 1 Corinthians 1: 10-15, 26-29; 3:1-4.

Our scripture for the next five (5) weeks will be in 1 Corinthians:

March 7 – When Members Won’t Get Along, scripture above – Study deals with the things that divide a church.

March 14 – When Immorality Comes to Church – 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 9-13; 6:15-20 – Study deals with the church upholding GOD’S standard of morality.

March 21 – When Members Insist on Their Way – 1 Cor. 8:1-4, 7-13; 10:31-33 – Study deals with Christian liberty while keeping the good of others and the glory of GOD in mind.

March 28 – When Worship Dishonors GOD – 1 Cor. 11:17-34 – Study of attitudes that prevent meaningful worship.

April 4 – When Easter Becomes Just another Holiday – 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 12-19, 54b-58.
Many believers have been members of churches that have had various difficulties. It is always sad when they allow frivolous matters to result in dissension, disunity and ultimately in the split of a church. When there are fundamental matters that are at issue, they must be carefully discerned and resolved using GOD’S Word.

Homosexuality, gay pastors, gay church leadership and same sex marriage are some modern day issues churches may have to consider. I quickly add that as Christians, we must keep in mind that they need to love the sinner while condemning the sin. Homosexuality is a sin but it is no different from any other sin. GOD looks upon sin as sin. We as Christians sin both by commission and omission. Christians who sin must confess their sin and repent of their sin. Repent means to stop doing it and go in the opposite direction.

These issues along with other issues such as the ordination of women deacons and women pastors have resulted in separate conventions being established among once united denominations. Other issues are deciding which translation of the Bible must be used or avoided, baptism, alcohol or no alcohol, abortion, baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT with the manifestation of speaking in tongues, gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT, the resurrection, the second coming of CHRIST, which color of carpet must be used in the church, the appropriate windows for the church, the pews, the color and style of the choir robes, robe or no robe for the pastor and the list goes on.

In our last study, we dealt with spiritual warfare. We know that Satan is at war with GOD’S people and seeks to divide, defeat, discourage, conquer and destroy them as individuals and as a united group of believers. Christians must put on their full armor when matters of disunity arise in the church between friends, family and loved ones. What is critical? It is CHRIST in a person that makes him/her a Christian and not what church he/she joined or who led him/her to CHRIST.

Disunity was a major issue in Corinth and Paul had to address it.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:10-15: (Misplaced Loyalties)

Divisions at Corinth

10 Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with • Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? 14 I thank God[1] Other mss omit God [2] Or I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say you had been baptized in my name.

We studied unity in our last study. Unity is critical for a church. Satan loves nothing better than to have church members divided on issues. The Apostle Paul addressed the issue of division and disunity among church members in Corinth. In verse 10, Paul gives the solution to the problem. All believers must come together and be united under one authority and that is CHRIST. Just as a nation divided cannot stand, neither can a group of Christians divided stand and be effective witnesses for CHRIST or grow and mature Spiritually through the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT.

We must keep in mind that just because a person is a member of a church does not necessarily mean he/she is a born-again believer. Then there is another matter to consider. A person can be a believer but he/she can be a Spiritually immature believer. Churches are assemblies of a hodgepodge of people at different Spiritual levels from zero (led by the flesh) to mature (led by the Spirit). This includes pastors, deacons, elders, church leaders, Sunday school teachers, church staff and the list goes on. Some leaders in the church are more charismatic than others. Those who are charismatic command a greater following than those who are less charismatic. Being charismatic does not equal Spiritual maturity but it can. That is why all believers must know the scriptures and discern the message that is being presented regardless of the person making the presentation, me included.

The Apostle Paul was dealing with church members quarreling about who either led them to CHRIST, who was teaching them or who baptized them. Paul zeroed in on what was important by asking, “Is CHRIST divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” The central focus of the Christian church must be CHRIST and not focused upon a certain person in that church. The purpose for the church is to preach, teach, evangelize, equip believers, encourage, and minister to its members, minister where ever CHRIST leads it and to glorify CHRIST. Humans will fail you but CHRIST is the solid rock.

Paul mentions himself, Apollos, Cephas (Peter) and CHRIST.

Paul had a spectacular conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Since his conversion to CHRIST, GOD had worked though him in mighty ways. Paul had established many churches throughout the region and was well known for his stand with CHRIST. Even with these credentials and powerful testimony and witness, Paul was telling the Corinthian believers not to consider him over CHRIST.

Apollos is mentioned in Acts 18:24 and 28 - 24 A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. Notice his credentials – eloquent, powerful in the Scriptures, vigorous, can express himself, can debate and be effective in presenting CHRIST as the promised Messiah. Therefore Apollos had a following. He was charismatic. However, because Apollos was dynamic and knowledgeable did not mean believers should follow him over CHRIST.

Paul mentions Cephas (Peter). Paul did not mention Peter in a derogatory way but as an example of an apostle some of the believers in Corinth were following. Just because Cephas had credentials of walking with CHRIST during HIS earthly ministry, having a powerful ministry and witness for CHRIST, believers should not follow him over being committed to CHRIST.

Then Paul mentions CHRIST. It is interesting why Paul mentioned CHRIST. After all, don’t all believers follow CHRIST? Some scholars believe Paul mentioned CHRIST because they were using CHRIST to justify the freedom they had in CHRIST. That is it was okay for them to do whatever they wanted to do because they were believers. They were eternally secure, therefore, they could do whatever they wanted to do. In essence, they were not accountable to anyone and did not answer to anyone. Other Bible scholars take another view of this group. They think this group considered themselves superior to other believers. They considered themselves the Spiritually elite. This group may have received gifts of the Spirit and in doing so gave them a sense of Spiritual pride and superiority. Either group of scholars could be correct or it could be that Paul was pointing out to the group that all believers must belong to CHRIST. Paul’s main point was that CHRIST was not divided. There is unity in CHRIST and to be effective, believers all must be united in this one message and belief.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: (Human Pride)

26 Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective,[6] Lit wise according to the flesh not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen the world’s insignificant and despised things—the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, 29 so that no one[7] Lit that not all flesh can boast in His presence.

Paul addressed fellow believers as brothers. In the verses preceding this scripture, he dealt with the wise, powerful, knowledgeable and those of noble birth who considered the death of CHRIST on a cross as foolishness. Their rationale was that only a foolish person could believe that an all powerful GOD would allow HIS SON to give HIS life on a cross, which was reserved for the really bad criminals, to pay the penalty for sin. Surely GOD would not allow such a thing to happen to HIS SON and surely if HE was the SON of GOD, HE would not allow such a thing to happen to HIM.

Paul, in essence, was saying, “Folks look around you. Who makes up most of the followers of CHRIST? Are they wise from a human perspective? Are they powerful and have positions of power from an earthly point-of-view? Are they of noble birth from an earthly point-of-view? Or has GOD chosen the opposite of what the world thinks to dumbfound those who think they have GOD all figured out? When you see the ordinary believer accomplishing the extraordinary you know that GOD is the orchestrator and power behind the accomplishment.”

This shows the wisdom of GOD. If the noble, wise according to the world, rich, knowledgeable and famous were the ones to embrace CHRIST, what impact would this have on those who are ordinary? I think those considered ordinary, which would have included me, would think that CHRIST was only for those who had made it in life, as measured by the standards of the world. Since they did not measure up or considered worthy enough, according to the world standard, they could not become a member of this elite group of Christians. In which category were the majority of the people of the world then and are in now? Certainly not the group the world favors and considers the social elite. Doesn’t it warm your heart to know the awesomeness of GOD? CHRIST is for all people, regardless of their station or status in life. GOD chose the lowly and the poor to reveal HIS SON. This does not mean that the wealthy, those of noble birth, the wise and those of great intelligence cannot receive CHRIST as their SAVIOR and make HIM the LORD of their lives. However, often those of means, wealth, a pedigree or intelligence must get beyond their self-sufficiency to see their need for eternal salvation.

Today we have sports stars and the stars of the world of entertainment that are idolized and become role models. Some are Christians but many are not and seem to embrace other religions. They have a great influence on others. Our young people want to be like them and they want instant success.

Paul reminded them that most of them were ordinary yet GOD called them to serve HIM. The source of their calling was GOD and not the person who led them to CHRIST, baptized them or mentored them. He reminded them that Spiritual wisdom comes from GOD and not from the world. As believers, they were united by the common bond of CHRIST, as confirmed by the HOLY SPIRIT. Therefore, they were united in CHRIST and no fellow believer had a special hot line to heaven.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3:1-4: (Spiritual Immaturity)

1 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet able to receive it. In fact, you are still not able, 3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife[1] Other mss add and divisions among you, are you not fleshly and living like ordinary people?[2] Lit and walking according to man 4 For whenever someone says, “I’m with Paul,” and another, “I’m with Apollos,” are you not [typical]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. men?[3]
Other mss read are you not carnal

Paul called his fellow believers brothers but they were immature believers. Paul explains to them that they have a lot of Spiritual growing to do. The reason they have not grown was the result of them living and acting like people of the flesh and not people of the Spirit. When a believer ties his/her faith to another human personality, it reveals that person is immature and relies upon the flesh connection rather than the HOLY SPIRIT.

In the original text, Paul used two (2) different Greek words for “people of the “flesh” in verse 1 and “fleshly” in verse 3. When a person first becomes a believer, he/she is born into the family of GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. The new believer is a baby (flesh) in CHRIST and needs to be fed the milk of the Word to grow and mature Spiritually. After a time, the new born believer (flesh) grows Spiritually and can be fed more solid Spiritual food. In the case of the Corinthians, many believers had remained Spiritual babies (fleshly) because they were still tied to their human nurse maid. They had not grown beyond depending upon their fellow human believers/mentors for their Spiritual food. These Corinthian believers needed to cut the apron strings and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to feed them, lead them and guide them into obedient service for CHRIST. They needed to build their own relationship with CHRIST and not depend upon fellow believers. I quickly add that meeting with fellow believers and attending Bible study groups are important for all believers. The key is not to become dependent upon them for all of your Spiritual growth. It is great when we attend such meetings and we are refreshed and inspired to dig deeper into GOD’S Word, talk with HIM more through prayer, seek to get to really know HIM and obediently serve HIM. We all need a battery charge from time to time. In fact, that is what church should be about. It should be a time of Spiritual refreshment and challenge.

Paul used the two (2) words “flesh” and “fleshly” to paint a word picture for the Corinthian believers. He wanted them to see that even though time had passed since they were born into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth, they had not grown Spiritually. They were still on milk and they should be consuming solid Spiritual food. Paul’s measure of their Spiritual growth and maturity was measured by their unity and solidness in CHRIST.

New believers are not expected to begin their Spiritual journey knowing how to build a loving, intimate relationship with CHRIST and obediently serve HIM, which is solid food. The new believer is suppose to be growing Spiritually from a flesh mind-set, which is depending upon the guidance of the flesh, to a Spiritual mind-set, which depends upon the guidance, enlightenment, teaching and empowerment of the HOLY SPIRIT.

By this time, Paul considered they should have been consuming solid Spiritual food and fully united in CHRIST through relationship. Those who were still “fleshly” had not grown and matured Spiritually. They were still led by the flesh mind-set since they were honoring man over CHRIST.

When a person becomes a believer it is good for him/her to have a mentor but there comes a time when he/she needs to build an intimate, personal, trusting relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Spiritually mature mentors recognize the need to cut the ties with the new believers so they can build their own relationship with CHRIST and not become dependent upon them. However, some mentors allow their egos to get in their way and they like for believers to depend or lean upon them. They like a following. The flesh gets in the way of many believers.

It is good for Christians to attend Bible studies led by credible Bible teachers. The important thing is not just soak up good Bible teaching but to apply it as the HOLY SPIRIT leads. Christians must be careful not to judge fellow Christians in what they are doing or not doing to obediently serve CHRIST. All Christians are accountable to CHRIST. Fellow Christians can join us in prayer when we are seeking to do the will of the FATHER. Keep this in mind, when we are in relationship with HIM, we are in HIS will. We need to keep in mind that opportunities to obediently serve HIM come as we go about our daily routine of living – grocery, service station, neighbors, bank, traveling, restaurants, clerks in stores and the list goes on. Then there are special callings for us to obediently serve GOD. All Christians are called to serve. It may be to serve a cup of cold water, a word of encouragement, a smile, a helping hand, a visit or any number of things. It is not the size of the service as measured by our flesh but the opportunity.

I know when I first committed my life to CHRIST my life took off like a rocket. I was very eager to serve the LORD. I often felt that I was far ahead of the LORD and had to encourage HIM to catch up with me. Notice that Spiritual ego. The LORD allows us to run ahead of HIM because HE knows that eventually we will hit a wall. When HE has our full attention, then HE can bring us back in line with HIM and HIS will for our lives. Learn of HIM, walk with HIM, wait upon HIM, get to know HIM, get to know when HE speaks to you and allow HIM to lead you to all truth and into obedient service.

Where are you Spiritually? Are you growing and maturing in CHRIST? Are you on milk or solid Spiritual food? Are you being mentored or are you mentoring? What is your relationship with GOD through CHRIST? Do you know CHRIST more this year than you did last year? Are you being led by the HOLY SPIRIT? Do you know how to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT? Is your church helping you grow in CHRIST or hindering you?

As you ponder these questions be honest with GOD. Ask HIM to reveal barriers that prevent you from having a more intimate relationship with HIM. If your desire is to grow and mature Spiritually, ask GOD to help you build a more intimate, loving relationship with HIM. Remember “Greater is HE (CHRIST) that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world.”