1. Pine Lane Church of Christ1 First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems” Lesson Two “Unity of Mind” First Corinthians 1:10-17 Pages 6-9

2. Pine Lane Church of Christ2 The Corinthians Problem: Division 1 Cor. 1:10-12  Paul was concerned about their lack of unity  This problem (and several others) was reported to Paul by concerned members of the Corinth church who visited him at Ephesus (11)  God hates division and those who cause it (Prov. 6:16-19)  Christ wants unity among His believers (John 17:20-22)  Jesus said, “Every house divided...shall not stand” (Matt. 12:25)

3. Pine Lane Church of Christ3 The Corinthians Problem: Division 1 Cor. 1:10-12  Paul begged them to: Speak the same thing Be in the same mind [purpose] and in the same judgment [opinion] Be “perfectly joined together” (10)  Why? To not have divisions among them (10) To eliminate the contentions [quarrels] (11)  They were showing inappropriate honor and allegiance to certain preachers [leaders] (12)

4. Pine Lane Church of Christ4 Paul Speaks Against Division 1 Cor. 1:13-17  Causes of their divisions?? Too much importance attached to certain leaders Leaders accepting exaltations among the brethren Not focusing on Christ - the only leader of the church  The folly of aligning with any sectarian leader: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (13)  Paul baptized in the name of Christ -- not in his own name (15)

5. Pine Lane Church of Christ5 Paul Speaks Against Division 1 Cor. 1:13-17  The tendency at Corinth -- too much of human involvement in the process of salvation (14-16)  Had Paul baptized more people, the problem may have been even greater (14)  Paul was commissioned to preach the gospel (17)  He obviously baptized some people but that was not the express purpose of him being sent  The act of baptism can be preformed by almost anyone who does so in the name of Christ

6. Pine Lane Church of Christ6 Paul Speaks Against Division 1 Cor. 1:13-17  Remember -- It is the message, not the messenger, that is important

7. Pine Lane Church of Christ7 First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems” Lesson Three “Problem One - Intimidation by the World” First Corinthians 1:18-31 Pages 10-13

8. Pine Lane Church of Christ8 Wisdom of Man vs. Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1:18-31  The Corinthians lacked God’s wisdom They acted according to the wisdom of the world This caused many of their problems  The core of God’s wisdom is the preaching of the cross of Christ (18) It shows the sinfulness of man and his helpless state It shows God’s power to save and sanctify the believers

9. Pine Lane Church of Christ9 The “Foolishness” of Preaching 1 Cor. 1:18-21  Paul said to the unbeliever, “the preaching of the cross is...foolishness” [ridiculous] (18)  God chose, “the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (21)  The gospel of Christ is not logical to the human mind God made foolish the wisdom of this world (20) The world by wisdom knew not God (20)

10. Pine Lane Church of Christ10 The “Foolishness” of Preaching 1 Cor. 1:22-25  Paul preached Christ crucified - A stumbling block to the Jews Foolishness to the Greeks (23)  But unto them that are called (both Jews and Greeks), it is: The power of God The wisdom of God (24)  “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (25)

11. Pine Lane Church of Christ11 Glory Only In The Lord 1 Cor. 1:26-29  Paul reminds them that not many Christians come from the ranks of the wise of this world, the mighty [powerful], or noble [upper class] (26)  God chose things that were foolish and weak to confound [confuse] the wise and mighty of this world (27)  Man cannot claim personal glory for any part of God’s salvation (29) There is no part of God’s plan that man in his own wisdom would have chosen

12. Pine Lane Church of Christ12 Glory Only In The Lord 1 Cor. 1:30-31  God, through Christ, made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (30)  “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (31)

13. Pine Lane Church of Christ13 The Gospel: The Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1:18-31 In summary:  The gospel plan of salvation is plain and simple to those that believe It is foolish in the wisdom of the world The world wants more -- signs, philosophies, etc  The gospel is the power of God to those that are saved [obedient believers]