Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Corinthians 1
Daily Bread 2011 – 1 Corinthians 1
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: On¬¬¬e of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
What Does This Mean?
As we start the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul acknowledges the many gifts that the church has been given by God’s grace. Verses 5-7 say, “For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” But because it was a young church, the danger in Paul’s eyes is that they might forget the source of their gift and not confuse the wisdom of God, with the wisdom of this world.
Specifically, in the verses above, Paul confronts a tendency that was causing division in the church and it stemmed from their focus on individual giftedness. It seems as though the church was focusing on their favorite preacher and it was causing rivalry and prideful behavior. Because of their dependence on “personality” vs. the “charisma” (gift) that was from God they were even declaring “I follow Cephas (Peter)”, or I follow “Apollos”, or I follow Paul. Some were even saying, “We follow Christ”, not in a humble way, but pridefully. Paul quickly debunks this argument by saying, “Were you baptized into Paul?” Then he concludes that the power for any preacher comes from the wisdom of Christ, not their own personality or personal charisma, lest the cross be emptied of its power.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy with our human nature to mix up the message and the messenger. When a pastor, teacher or other Christian leader is operating in their area of spiritual giftedness and relying on God for His power, you will sense the grace of God working through that person. But the Spirit will draw you closer to Christ and His power not the preacher or teacher. While there is nothing wrong for appreciating and being grateful for those who have been called to preach and teach the Word among you (in fact Scriptures call us to do this!), it is important to remember that God chooses the humble among us so that they will not take credit that belongs to God
There are many different types of preachers and teachers, with different styles and different gifts. Each person called by God will help guide you closer to Christ and perhaps be used by God to show you different aspects of the wonder of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remember though they are but mortals and their true power comes as they surrender themselves to the Lord and are careful preach the gospel not with human wisdom, lest the Gospel be emptied of its power.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the different pastors, preachers and teachers you call to lead the church. Keep them reliant upon your wisdom and your power so that they might lead people closer to You. Remind us that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. In Your name, Amen.
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: On¬¬¬e of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
What Does This Mean?
As we start the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul acknowledges the many gifts that the church has been given by God’s grace. Verses 5-7 say, “For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” But because it was a young church, the danger in Paul’s eyes is that they might forget the source of their gift and not confuse the wisdom of God, with the wisdom of this world.
Specifically, in the verses above, Paul confronts a tendency that was causing division in the church and it stemmed from their focus on individual giftedness. It seems as though the church was focusing on their favorite preacher and it was causing rivalry and prideful behavior. Because of their dependence on “personality” vs. the “charisma” (gift) that was from God they were even declaring “I follow Cephas (Peter)”, or I follow “Apollos”, or I follow Paul. Some were even saying, “We follow Christ”, not in a humble way, but pridefully. Paul quickly debunks this argument by saying, “Were you baptized into Paul?” Then he concludes that the power for any preacher comes from the wisdom of Christ, not their own personality or personal charisma, lest the cross be emptied of its power.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy with our human nature to mix up the message and the messenger. When a pastor, teacher or other Christian leader is operating in their area of spiritual giftedness and relying on God for His power, you will sense the grace of God working through that person. But the Spirit will draw you closer to Christ and His power not the preacher or teacher. While there is nothing wrong for appreciating and being grateful for those who have been called to preach and teach the Word among you (in fact Scriptures call us to do this!), it is important to remember that God chooses the humble among us so that they will not take credit that belongs to God
There are many different types of preachers and teachers, with different styles and different gifts. Each person called by God will help guide you closer to Christ and perhaps be used by God to show you different aspects of the wonder of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remember though they are but mortals and their true power comes as they surrender themselves to the Lord and are careful preach the gospel not with human wisdom, lest the Gospel be emptied of its power.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the different pastors, preachers and teachers you call to lead the church. Keep them reliant upon your wisdom and your power so that they might lead people closer to You. Remind us that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. In Your name, Amen.
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