What is the church?
- Matt 16, Jesus promises to build church gates of hell not against it
- John 17. Jesus prays for Christian unity in the church
- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, the church is everyone who calls on Jesus as Lord and Savior is the church.
- Jesus changed Paul, to lead the church for non-Jews
- Paul built a church in Corinth for a year and a half. But it began to fall apart.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Scripture Outline:
10-12) appeal in Jesus name for unity,
heard about division (from Chloe) around teachers (Paul, Apollos, Peter, Christ).
13-16) Christ is not divided into other baptisms
17) called not to baptize but preach
Application: intimacy with Jesus doesn't mean maturity in faith. Maturity comes with serving in unity with people. No lone ranger Christians
10-12) appeal in Jesus name for unity,
heard about division (from Chloe) around teachers (Paul, Apollos, Peter, Christ).
13-16) Christ is not divided into other baptisms
17) called not to baptize but preach
Application: intimacy with Jesus doesn't mean maturity in faith. Maturity comes with serving in unity with people. No lone ranger Christians
Principle: know your role as a Christian. It's about Jesus on the cross for our sins reconcile us to God, who changes our hearts.
For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]--not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].
1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 AMP
For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]--not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].
1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 AMP
In other words: Christianity works because Jesus is really God, really died for our sins, and really makes a relationship with God possible through the Holy Spirit he sent after the resurrection and ascension.
Message Outline:
1. Unity doesn't mean absolute tolerance
- sin, error, false teachings should not be tolerated in the church
- we maintain our conviction without losing compassion
2. Unity doesn't mean uniformity
- we don't have to look the same,
- diversity is good
3. A difference doesn't need to become divisions
- Basics of Gospel we all agree
- Drums, vs hymns, are differences. Spiritual gifts, style, end times we allow different perspectives
- we are like a multi-lane highway, with a bike lane and walking lane
- sin, error, false teachings should not be tolerated in the church
- we maintain our conviction without losing compassion
2. Unity doesn't mean uniformity
- we don't have to look the same,
- diversity is good
3. A difference doesn't need to become divisions
- Basics of Gospel we all agree
- Drums, vs hymns, are differences. Spiritual gifts, style, end times we allow different perspectives
- we are like a multi-lane highway, with a bike lane and walking lane
Bottom line, let's respect each other in preferences, embrace unity around our need for Jesus Christ
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