UNITY

                                                1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (841)

  Introduction

       A.  These instructions were written to the church at Corinth, but they were also

             written for us.

       B.  The church at Corinth had problems and one was that the members were divided.

              Vv 11-13

       C.  Let’s note three areas of unity that should exist in the local church.

   I.  We should be united in the gospel message.  V 11

       A.  The apostle Paul taught the churches of Galatians that there is only one gospel.

             Galatians 1:6-11 (859)

             1.  He warned them about the perversion of the gospel. Vv 6-9

       B.  The gospel of Christ is God’s power to save.  Romans 1:16-17 (830); 1 Corinthians

             15:1-4 (850)

       C.  We are united with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as we obey the Great

             Commission.  Matthew 28:18-20 (730); Romans 6:3-7 (833)

  II.  We should be united as a group and not divided into factions.  I Corinthians 1:11-13

       

        A.  One of the greatest problems in the religious world, and in some local churches, is

              division.

              1.  Division: hinders spiritual progress (1 Corinthians 3:1-4), hinders the work of the

                   Church and stands in the way of the conversion of lost people.

        B.  We are to be laborers together with God.  1 Corinthians 3:5-11

  III.  We are to be united in purpose.  1 Corinthians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:31

        A.  Our purpose is to glorify God.  1 Corinthians 10:31 (847)

  Conclusion

       A.  I think we can understand the importance of unity.  It’s been said that, “a house

             divided against itself can not stand.”  Abraham Lincoln said about the states, “united

             we stand, divided we fall.”

       B.  Certainly we understand the importance of unity in the church.