The Apostle Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians to address division in the Church. Division in a church, a family, or an organization becomes an entrance point for the enemy. The enemy thrives in a divided atmosphere. Disunity and division produces contention. Contention is defined as “a struggling together in opposition; strife. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest. strife in debate; dispute; controversy.” (Dictionary.com).
A divided church is a contentious church. Division is a problem that happens in every church. The early church experienced this problem in Acts 6:1-7. Verse 1 reads, "There arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their windows were neglected in the daily distribution." This problem was solved by addressing the problem through prayer. Verse 3 reads, "Therefore brethren seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."
A divided church will become a factional church. We will be fractured and separate ourselves into factions. The enemy would love to divide us racially, generationally, and ideologically. The Apostle Paul addressed these issues with the New Testament Church in Corinth. He writes in First Corinthians 1:10-11 - "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. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those Chloe's household, that there are contentions (quarrels) among you."
Verse 12 reveals that their divisions had developed into factions. "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." What causes division? Why are we divided? The Apostle Paul answers this question in First Corinthians 3:1-3. "In verse 1 he defines them as being carnal, babes in Christ. A divided church will be an immature church. A church that refuses to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord.
One of the symptoms of division is murmuring and complaining. Throughout the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land the children of Israel murmured and complained against God. Look at the people's lives who are always complaining and causing division. Do you see spiritual growth? Do you see a genuine hunger for God? Do you witness spiritual maturity.
Murmuring and complaining is rebellion against God. When we complain we do so from a heart that is not totally and completed surrendered to the Lord. We must be careful to praise God and to give Him thanksgiving even in difficult times. First Thessalonians 5:18 reads, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
In First Corinthians 3:3-4 the Apostle defines the cause of division. "Or are you still carnal. For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?" To be carnal means to be worldly, fleshly, or temporal. To be carnal means to "live at the human level of life." In this passage the Apostle Paul describes a people who are following the lower part of their nature. They are allowing the flesh, with its passions and lusts, to control their behavior." (Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)
One of the results of carnality will be division. Division produces strife, envy and jealousy. Division becomes an open door for the enemy. The Corinthian church had a number of problems. Their carnality and division gave access to the enemy. The Apostle had to address a number of problems in this divided church. He had to write to bring correction for confusion and abuse of spiritual gifts, incestuous relationships, lawsuits among believers, marriage and divorce, and immorality and fornication. The Bible tells us in James 3:16, "For where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
Divisions are a result of rebellion and refusing to recognize God given authority. When we are divided we will not realize God's best for our lives. M prayer is that we will unite together in one mind, with one heart to accomplish God's highest will for our lives, our families, and for His church.
A divided church is a contentious church. Division is a problem that happens in every church. The early church experienced this problem in Acts 6:1-7. Verse 1 reads, "There arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their windows were neglected in the daily distribution." This problem was solved by addressing the problem through prayer. Verse 3 reads, "Therefore brethren seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."
A divided church will become a factional church. We will be fractured and separate ourselves into factions. The enemy would love to divide us racially, generationally, and ideologically. The Apostle Paul addressed these issues with the New Testament Church in Corinth. He writes in First Corinthians 1:10-11 - "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. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those Chloe's household, that there are contentions (quarrels) among you."
Verse 12 reveals that their divisions had developed into factions. "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." What causes division? Why are we divided? The Apostle Paul answers this question in First Corinthians 3:1-3. "In verse 1 he defines them as being carnal, babes in Christ. A divided church will be an immature church. A church that refuses to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord.
One of the symptoms of division is murmuring and complaining. Throughout the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land the children of Israel murmured and complained against God. Look at the people's lives who are always complaining and causing division. Do you see spiritual growth? Do you see a genuine hunger for God? Do you witness spiritual maturity.
Murmuring and complaining is rebellion against God. When we complain we do so from a heart that is not totally and completed surrendered to the Lord. We must be careful to praise God and to give Him thanksgiving even in difficult times. First Thessalonians 5:18 reads, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
In First Corinthians 3:3-4 the Apostle defines the cause of division. "Or are you still carnal. For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?" To be carnal means to be worldly, fleshly, or temporal. To be carnal means to "live at the human level of life." In this passage the Apostle Paul describes a people who are following the lower part of their nature. They are allowing the flesh, with its passions and lusts, to control their behavior." (Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)
One of the results of carnality will be division. Division produces strife, envy and jealousy. Division becomes an open door for the enemy. The Corinthian church had a number of problems. Their carnality and division gave access to the enemy. The Apostle had to address a number of problems in this divided church. He had to write to bring correction for confusion and abuse of spiritual gifts, incestuous relationships, lawsuits among believers, marriage and divorce, and immorality and fornication. The Bible tells us in James 3:16, "For where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
Divisions are a result of rebellion and refusing to recognize God given authority. When we are divided we will not realize God's best for our lives. M prayer is that we will unite together in one mind, with one heart to accomplish God's highest will for our lives, our families, and for His church.
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