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INTRODUCTION
ILLUS: The motto “United we stand, divided we fall” has been around for a long time. It is believed to come
from Aesop of Aesop’s Fables back about 600 B.C. That motto has been used by nations, states, poets, musicians,
politicians, and preachers. My generation heard it sung by Sonny and Cher. I think they proved how true it is - when they
split up, Sonny’s show biz career pretty much fell apart, and Cher’s didn’t quite go into the right
direction.
“United we Stand, Divided we fall” is a motto that is true of the church, it has Biblical basis. Unity is an important
theme. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus says: “that they may be one, even as You, Father are in Me
and I in You” (21) “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity”(23)
The Apostle Paul hits this theme of unity often in his epistles: Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 4:2; Romans 12:16 “be of the same mind
toward one another.” 15:5 “be of the same mind with one another” and our text for today - 1 Cor. 1:10-11
The Church at Corinth was a divided church, they needed unity. Let us allow that church to be a lesson to us here today - we too
need unity at FBC.
1. United we Stand v. 10
- Paul begins in “the name of Lord Jesus Christ” - Unity is found in Christ alone. I have been
saying that for 2 weeks, one more time.
- Unity is not based on our schemes, or our forms of organization, rituals.
- But on the One who is above all the Savior: 9 times in 1:1-9 Jesus’ name is mentioned. There is power in the name
of Jesus:
QUOTE: “Blessed be the Name” “His Name is Wonderful” “Jesus, Name above all names,”
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
- Upon the name of Jesus, Paul presents a trinity of unity
“that you all agree”
“that there be no divisions among you”
“that you be made complete”
- And he speaks of unity in two areas: “same mind, same judgment”
a. “the same mind”
- the same mind about? Jesus Christ! We agree on Christ. We are united in doctrine. The Cardinal Doctrines:
Inspiration, VB, Deity, Sinless, Sub and atoning death, bodily resurrection, literal second coming,
salvation by faith. These are the Fundamentals of the Faith.
- We may disagree on details of origins, details of prophecy, church policy, personal preference. But there
must be “the same mind” about who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Our relationship with Jesus begins with salvation by faith - Jesus is the only Savior. We stress that
church members need to be saved.
- Many divisions in denominations and local churches are because unsaved people are creating the inherent
disunity. Liberal churches are destroying themselves from the inside out - compromise basics of the
authority of the Bible and who Jesus is. Are we united in Jesus?
ILLUS: A few years ago Franklin Graham wrote a book simply titled The Name.
Reminding us: Salvation only in the name of Jesus, preach in Jesus name, pray in Jesus name. His name
heals broken bodies and hearts. Even if the name of Jesus offends people, is not politically correct -
Jesus is still name above all names. “His name is Jesus, for He will save His people from
their sins.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father
but by me.”
- Do we agree, have no division, are made complete because have the same mind about Jesus Christ?
b. “the same judgment”
- the same outcomes of the same mind, agreement in practice.
New Commentary: “Paul wanted the Corinthians to be unified both in
their inward beliefs and attitudes, and in the outworking of these convictions in practical opinions
and decisions.”
- practical applications of convictions of the mind. United in action to practice what we believe.
- The world often rejects Christ and Christianity because of the hypocrisy of Christians - we don’t
have the same judgments - live contrary to what we say we believe. We must be distinct from world.
ILLUS: A year ago, a Sunday School class titled: “Being a Distinctive Christian” - we have
distinctive views about law, politics, government, justice, finances, education, sexuality, family
life, church life.
- The exclusive name of Jesus is all inclusive in all areas of life. Jesus is to be Lord of all. Do we
practice what we preach?
- Not only in our personal behavior as believers, but as a church body.
- Do we have common purpose and goals for this church? Are we united on what we do here? Do we work together
in this ministry? Support the ministries, the workers? United in giving to this church?
- United we stand is built on the “same mind” = agreement in doctrine; and upon “same
judgment” = agreement in duty. Agreement in what we believe and how we behave; Agreement in our purpose and
practice.
- Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity”
(Ps. 133:1).
- Are our doctrines about Christ right - “same mind?” Are we faithful and consistent in our
obedience - “same judgments?”
- If so, United we Stand!!!! If not...
2. Divided We Fall vs. 11-13
- The Apostle Paul having laid the foundation of unity spend much of his letter speaking about areas of disunity in the
Corinthian church. v. 11
a. They were of different minds.
- Major theological problems in Corinth. Jesus not the focus.
- Instead: 1:12-13 They were exalting the names of men, not Jesus, that only leads to division. To
follow human leaders is to slight the one who was crucified for us. Paul exalted the name of Jesus that
leads to unity. Chapters 1 -3 stress who Jesus Christ is. 2:2; 16; 3:11
- Other theological problems: The Lord’s Supper chapter 11, spiritual gifts 12-14; Chapter 15 the clear
definition of the gospel and the essential event of the resurrection 15:3-6, 20-23, 57-58
- They were of different minds, doctrine full of holes, they had a fleshly mind not the mind of Christ
3:1-3.
- Fleshly minds, creates different minds which leads to...
b. They were of different judgments.
- Since they didn’t believe right, they weren’t behaving right.
- FBC of Corinth was a messed up church, Paul had to admonish.
- 1 Corinthians gives a catalogue of sins in the church: all sorts of immorality - incest, laxity, marriage
problems, divorce. Problems with going to court with other Christians. Problems with the role of women.
Idolatry. Compromise with culture. Being a stumbling block. They didn’t love one another - chapter 13
addresses that. When they gathered together there were public disagreements, confusion.
- The Apostle didn’t beat around the bush. The Christians needed to be united in Christ - belief and behavior. He
knew the church needed this spiritual unity if they were going to honor God, change the world with the gospel of Jesus,
and stand firm against the evil culture. 16:13, 14
- Paul later 2 Corinthians, affirming unity in belief & behavior 7:1; 13:11
- It is true - “United we stand, divided we fall”
ILLUS: Modern day example of disunity and self-destruction: The Episcopal Church. Clear division because of
rejection of truth - threw out authority of the Bible, rejected every orthodox view of Jesus, then behavior has
become immoral and sanctioned by the church. Their churches are fractured. In the news this week. Sadly, other
mainline churches are heading in the same direction. Interesting book by Dave Shiftlet, Exodus, Why
American are Fleeing Liberal Churches for Conservative Christianity: Even we Baptists, we
conservative evangelicals aren’t united in Biblical doctrine (Cardinal doctrines) and Biblical practice, we
will fall too.
- Do we stand firm on the historical truths of Jesus Christ? “same mind”?
- With the truth of Jesus, do we then stand firm on moral living and godly ministry? “same judgment”?
QUOTE: 3 years ago Charles Colson wrote The Good Life, “In order to live with
significance, we need to discover truth…and once we’ve discovered it, we must live in fidelity to it”
(183-184).
- Jesus said: “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you shall know the truth and
the truth shall set you free” (John 8:31-32)
CONCLUSION
Is there any area of disunity here at FBC? Are we united in what we believe? I preached on doctrine for 6 months. United in how we
behave? Most messages end up in behavior application - do we obey the Bible? Are we united in what ministries we do here and how we
do them?
This September many transitions: Awana, staff, property, finances. Deacons begin work on evaluation and planning. Youth leaders
meeting next Sunday afternoon. Mark IV is coming in two weeks. Are we in this together? Is this church where you want to be? And
serve?
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