Torn Apart
The Foolishness of the Cross • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
· Ever receive an email that makes your heart sink? (vs. 11)
· Paul writes with great sensitivity, “APPEALING” to the believers to seek unity.
LET’S LOOK AT THE THREAT TO UNITY, THE CALL TO UNITY, AND THE POWER FOR UNITY
I) The Threat to Unity in the Church
I) The Threat to Unity in the Church
A. Is Unity in the Church threatened by ethics or doctrine?
A. Is Unity in the Church threatened by ethics or doctrine?
i. Some contend that the church must be united – even on ethical issues
1. Commonly said today on controversial issues – “UNITY!”
2. But this isn’t supported by the text – Paul warns against immorality
ii. Some contend that the church must be united – even on all doctrinal issues
1. Some: “Doctrine divides, Christ unites”
2. BUT: Paul has many doctrinal issues he divides over (Gal. 2:11ff)
B. No, Unity in the church was threatened by “factions” within the church
B. No, Unity in the church was threatened by “factions” within the church
i. “ERIS” & SCHIZMA: not just divisions; rival factions à quarrelling (vs. 11)
1. Not just disagreements, but contentions over different groups
2. EXAMPLE: Jesus & the Pharisees
3. The result: A Church tearing apart like a piece of cloth (vs. 10)
ii. When our primary loyalty is to one other than Jesus the church loses focus
1. Each NAME represents a group, an ideology (vs. 12)
2. NOT loyalties to true/false teachers, but to TRUE teachers
3. EXAMPLE: Keller? MacArthur? Moore? CRC? URC? OPC? àfactions
THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT PAUL IS WARNING US AGAINST.
II) The Call to Unity in the Church
II) The Call to Unity in the Church
A. Maturity is measured by Unity in the Church (vs. 10b)
A. Maturity is measured by Unity in the Church (vs. 10b)
i. The church can often miss “unity” as a mark of maturity
1. Like the Corinthians, we boast in maturity: but lack of unity = immaturity!
ii. Yet, Unity is an important way to measure maturity
1. Maturity means that we learn to be “With” those we don’t agree
2. EXAMPLE: Differentiation needed in the church
B. The church is called to practice biblical unity (vs.
B. The church is called to practice biblical unity (vs.
i. The church is called to become unified…not uniFORM.
1. Paul uses “tentmaker language” to urge not just “oneness” but “wholeness
2. The church may have differing opinions – yet can still be “whole”
3. EXAMPLES: Political? Baptism? Style of worship?
ii. What does this look like?
1. We learn to determine primary (“salvation”) matters and secondary
2. We learn to work together as a broad Christian community
HOW DO WE DO THIS? WHAT EMPOWERS US FOR THIS?
III) The Power for Unity in the Church (vv. 13-17)
III) The Power for Unity in the Church (vv. 13-17)
A. The Church is empowered for unity by a Single Savior
A. The Church is empowered for unity by a Single Savior
i. Jesus is not “apportioned” out to each group (vs. 13)
1. The word divided here: no “split” but “apportioned”
2. There isn’t a “Reformed” Jesus, “Presbyterian…” etc. but ONE Jesus
ii. Jesus’ work on the cross creates ONE church
1. Jesus’ wok on the cross is what creates a church(vs. 17)
2. Though our sinful nature, and a fallen world obscures our vision, we don’t CREATE unity, we practice what has been given us.
B. The Church is empowered for unity by a Sacrificial Savior
B. The Church is empowered for unity by a Sacrificial Savior
i. The limits of Human Leaders (vs. 13)
1. EXAMPLE: Mark Driscoll (and a slew of leaders that have fallen…)
2. For those hurt by Pastors, or a church: this pains me – yet we must never place our ultimate trust in human leaders because they are fallible
ii. The Unlimited Love of a Sacrificing Savior
1. …but remember: No Christian pastor has ever died for his flock
2. Since Christ has, our loyalty to him is supreme; our debt to him is supreme
Transition:
Conclusion
As those loyal to Christ — above all else — let’s strive for the unity that he calls us to.