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PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER

Text: 1 Corinthians 1
16 January 2011

(I) THE THREAT OF SCHISM IN THE CHURCH

1. A historical reality in the Corinthian Church

2. Statement of the problem of contention in the Corinthian Church

“For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.” 1 Corinthians 1:11

(II) ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF SCHISM

“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

1. Apostolic initiative

a) The swift response of the apostle Paul

b) The forthright approach

c) The thorough approach

2. Apostolic Approach

a) Reasoning from faith

b) Reasoning from the Scriptures

c) Reasoning from personal practice of ministry

3. Apostolic Appeal

a) In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) To speak the same thing

c) That there be no divisions

d) That there should be a “perfectly joined together” scenario in church

e) Having the same mind and the same judgment

(III) OUR CHALLENGE TODAY

1. To deal with problems that can cause division in the Church

a) There must be a collective will

b) There must be courage

c) There must be commitment

2. To appeal to all involved to be committed to promoting Oneness in the church

a) To focus on the Lord

b) To comply with the Scriptures

c) To submit to one another in humility

3. To pray for Oneness as Jesus did

a) To pray with faith

b) To pray diligently