March 4, 2022

Are We Following the God of the Universe or People Who Talk About the God of the Universe?

1 Corinthians 1

Sheetal Agrawal
Friday's Devo

March 4, 2022

Friday's Devo

March 4, 2022

Central Truth

Are we truly divided about the interests of Christ or ourselves? 

Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1

Greeting

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Divisions in the Church

10 I appeal to you, brothers, 1 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 11, 26 by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach 2 1:21 Or the folly of preaching to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, 3 1:26 Greek according to the flesh not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being 4 1:29 Greek no flesh might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him 5 1:30 Greek And from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Footnotes

[1] 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 11, 26
[2] 1:21 Or the folly of preaching
[3] 1:26 Greek according to the flesh
[4] 1:29 Greek no flesh
[5] 1:30 Greek And from him

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Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 1

Government control vs. personal freedom? Vaccinated vs. unvaccinated? Masks vs. no masks? Homeschool vs. public vs. private school? Canceled vs. not canceled?

Over the years, we have grown increasingly divided on almost every topic, both in the world and within the church. The church today doesn't look too different than first-century Corinth. It was a place that was economically vibrant and blessed in its giftedness (1 Corinthians 1:7), but was also plagued with divisions.

First Corinthians addresses many issues within the church, but Paul starts by addressing their divisions. Paul provides the solution to the problem before addressing it. In the first 10 verses, Paul mentions Jesus in every verse, focusing our attention back to the only thing that matters. If we think about it, division comes from selfishness, a desire to be right, and lacking consideration for others, which God has something to say about (Philippians 2:3-4). In 1 Corinthians 1:12, Paul addresses their division regarding which leaders they followed and exalted and then admonishes them with three words–"Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:13) 

Often we think our perspective is correct when compared with others, but we must remember that we don't have a corner on truth or the Holy Spirit. Paul makes clear that God is wiser than men (1 Corinthians 1:25). We should ask, whose interests are we really about with all our division—our own or God's (Philippians 2:21)? We, the church, must be united around one Truth (John 17:21-23). If there's anything we should be passionately divided on from the rest of the world, it's the message of the gospel (Matthew 10:34-39), of who Jesus is and what He's done for us. 

So what do we do with our divisions? We look at how the early church handled division in Acts 15 concerning the salvation of the Gentiles versus the Jews. The church came together; and Peter, Paul, the elders, and other apostles resolved the argument by getting back to the heart of God and His character (Acts 15:8-9). When we are humble, united, and seeking truth together, our God is glorified, and the church is more effective in carrying out its purpose (Matthew 28:16-20). 

Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time you sat across from people with different perspectives and learned from them? How were you humble and eager to learn about their understanding of our God in that interaction?

2. What is a topic you passionately argue with others about (both inside and outside the church)? Have you truly searched God's Word to see what He thinks? How does that topic edify the church to further the Great Commission? 

3. This past year, what marked the topics and focus of your conversations? Were you more zealous to talk about God's love and heart and what He's teaching you, or were you more focused on the political and cultural climate?