Let's Be Easily Edified
Imagine that a pastor started a church and left to go start more churches in other cities. Years after, he begins to hear reports of divisions between the members of that first church. Word has reached him that his first church has started to divide over which preachers they each prefer. How do you think this first pastor would respond? What do you think he would write to one of his beloved first congregations if he had the chance?
Well, the good news is we do not have to guess, because this is how 1 Corinthians (Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth) begins.
What’s the problem?
For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:11-12
The people (of Jesus) have started to divide over which teacher of Jesus they prefer most. Some say, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Paul does not give us the reason for these divisions, he simply acknowledges that they exist, and he has been made aware.
The founding pastor’s response
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
Paul appeals to his brothers in the name of “their” Lord Jesus Christ.
And what is his appeal? That they all agree that there be no divisions, rather that the people would be united in the same mind and same judgment.
The founding pastor’s rhetorical questions
Paul’s rhetorical questions reveal that the Christians in Corinth have begun to drift from the point. Is Christ divided? The obvious answer is “no!” Therefore, if Christ is not divided then why are you? Was Paul crucified? The obvious answer is “no!” (Because he is the one writing the letter), then why are you following Paul over Christ? Then, like one last blow to a nail already flush with the wood, Paul asks, “Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Again, the clear answer is “no!”
When Christ is not preeminent, we are missing the point.
Keeping Christ preeminent!
Paul’s appeal applies to us today. No doubt there are a lot of opportunities for division within Patterson Park Church e.g. Preference in preachers, teachers, worship music style, ministry ventures, and even carpet style and paint colors, etc… Paul is not admonishing the church to
pretend like they don’t have any preferences, he is appealing to the church to be united in one mind in all their judgments that Christ is greater than any of their preferences.
And so, PPC, may we all agree and be of one mind that no matter what songs are sung, which preacher preaches, or which Bible studies are chosen, may Christ be preeminent in all we do. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the only One who was crucified for us, the only One in whom we were baptized, be preeminent in our hearts and minds as we minister to one another.
Paul’s appeal is that the community of believers in Corinth would be all about following Jesus. May it be said of PPC that our whole communities primary focus is Christ.
Persevere, Joey Turner Pastor of Student Ministry