1 Corinthians 1 Lesson

*CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO VERSION OF TODAY'S LESSON, OR SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE TEXT*

PROBLEMS IN CORINTH

It has been a little more than twenty years since the resurrection of Jesus, and the churches of Corinth are experiencing problems.  

Paul has received a report that there are divisions among the brethren, much as the way that some of our congregations may be experiencing divisions today.

Sometimes we believe that our relationships at church will be different, and never have any problems.

If only that were the case!  

Families fight, and church families are no exception!

We fight because we are imperfect people worshiping a perfect God and things can sometimes get a bit messy. 

It is important to understand that fighting among the brethren is not what God wants, and there are steps we can take to become more united with our Brothers and Sisters. That will be the focus of today’s lesson.

CHURCH UNITY

Paul had been receiving reports that there were divisions among the brethren in Corinth.   In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote:

• “For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.” – 1 Corinthians 1:11. 

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminded them of three things:

1. They are all on the same team (as followers of Christ),
2. As followers of Christ, they should be of the same mind and in the same judgment,
3. Christ is their leader.   Not Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or anyone else.  

We will look at these points one at a time, and then the lesson will be yours. 

WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM

If our sole focus is on glorifying God and serving others, we should all be on the same page, right?

Unity is important to God. And that is why the Bible so clearly explains what our roles as Christians are while we are on earth:

1. Glorifying God,
2. Serving others.

Peter wrote about the importance of unity within the brethren in his first epistle:

• “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8.

This verse implores us to be harmonious, sympathetic, and loving. As you read this beautiful scripture, be mindful of the following definitions:

• Harmonious:    "Free from disagreement or dissent."
• Sympathetic:    "Having feelings of pity and sorry for someone else’s misfortune." 
• Loving:   Being loving is synonymous with being affectionate and warm. The Apostle John wrote,  “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.” - 1 John 3:16.  If we truly are seeking unity, we are to be servants of one another, and we are to put the needs of others ahead of our own.
• Compassionate:  "Feeling or showing concern for others."
• Humble: " Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance."

When we look to honor God by serving one another, and not ourselves, we become united in a common purpose.

BE OF THE SAME MIND

As Christians, we not only share the same purpose of glorifying God and serving others, but we are also to share the same mindset!

The Apostle Paul knew how important it was for followers of Jesus to be of the same mindset. That is why he wrote the following in his first letter to the Corinthians:

• “Now I urge you, brothers   and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Christians have a lot in common.  

The most important thing that we have in common is our faith.

And the most important thing about our faith that we have in common is a shared belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God!

And because we have this belief in common, we are all looking to the same source to determine “right from wrong,” the Bible.

Paul wrote about the power of the Bible in his second letter to Timothy, where he said:

• “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness ." - 2 Timothy 3:16.

When we look to the Bible to be our moral compass and for the answers to life's questions, we become united in a commonfaith.

JESUS IS OUR LEADER

And the third reason that Christians should be united is that we are all under the same authority, the authority of Jesus.

As you read the following three scriptures, consider how they apply to Christians everywhere, and how Jesus has the ultimate authority:

1. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” - Mathew 28:18,
2. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:6,
3. “He is the head over every ruler and authority.” - Colossians 2:10.

When we acknowledge Jesus as our leader and look to Him for authority, we become more united with our brethren. 

CONCLUSION

It is important to Jesus that His followers be united.

Jesus said that as His disciples, we are to be:

1. The salt of the earth (Mathew 5:13),
2. The light of the world (Mathew 5:14).

But how can we be the salt of the earth, or the light of the world if we are always bickering?

When disagreements happen between the brethren, we need to follow the scriptures and unite around three things that we have in common with other believers:

1. We are all on the same team (followers of Christ),
2. As followers of Christ, we are of the same mind and the same judgment,
3. We all have the same leader in Jesus.  

We will end today’s lesson with the following two scriptures:

1. “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” -Philippians 2:2,
2. “In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” - Colossians 3:14.