"FIXER UPPER" - (Week 2) -|- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 -|- Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church

"FIXER UPPER" - (Week 2) -|- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church

• INTRODUCTION: Hey Fathom Church!
o We are in a sermon series called “FIXER - UPPER”
 Paul knew the church in CORINTH really well!
• Paul Spent 1.5 years there as a missionary (ACTS 18)

 5 AREAS OF CONCERN – (reports of huge problems in Corinth)
• Divisions – Factionalism, Sectarianism, Disunity…
• Sexual Sin – Perversion in the name of Grace…
• Food Disputes – Freedom in Christ, “Stumbling Block”…
• The Gathering – Worship Service, Orderliness, Chaos…
• The Resurrection – False teaching, HIGHEST PRIORITY!

o In every section – Paul Describes the Problem
 BUT … then responds to the problem through “Gospel Lens”
• Think about every part of life through the “Gospel Lens”
o INTIMACY – IDENTITY – IMPACT

1 Corinthians 1:10-17
10 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.

o Appeal: In the strongest possible terms – IN THE NAME OF JESUS
 United – Harmony not Unanimity! “Intentional Diversity”
• Dogma – Doctrine – Preferences
o “Same Judgment” … ABOUT JESUS!

11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

o Quarreling: Contention – Rivalry
 Chloe – probably a wealthy Christian woman who was hosting a house church in Corinth!
• Again a reference to “Brothers” --- THEY ARE CHRISTIANS

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.”

o PAUL – APOLLPS – CEPHAS (which is Peter) CHRIST…
 It is possible that these first three names are illustrative…
o 1 Corinthians 4:6 “6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.”
• Even claiming to Follow Christ in this Context is divisive!
o Hebrews 10:24-25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another …

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

o Rhetorical Questions: Even structure of questions invites the answer “NO”

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.

o “Baptismal Regeneration”: Strong counter text!
 People were developing a class of “Super Christian” for having been baptized by a super holy man!
• This was a complete aberration of what Baptism is!
• John 4:2 “although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were”

16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

o Amanuensis: Likely Sosthenes from 1 Cor. 1:1
 Paul doesn’t want to be fact checked by the ministry of truth!

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

o Preach the Gospel: This doesn’t degrade Baptism – it clarifies Paul’s task!
 NOT words of eloquent wisdom! --- (cf. Colossians 3:17 )
• 1 Corinthians 1:25 & 3:19
o “… the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom … the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God …”
• I am not here to talk slick!!! I’m here to make disciples!!!
SO WHAT?

• Ecclesiological: CHURCH
o Don’t treat your doctrine or preference like dogma and further fracture the body (Universal Church)
 With that said … Somethings require a line in the sand!

• Political: MAN
o Don’t treat your preferred politicians, public figures, even spiritual leaders like Gurus, Sages, or Idols
 Even my most treasured heroes, I keep a constant proviso on!
• I’ve been let down by men I’ve looked up to…
o [[[ Also Consider Anti-Christ ]]]

• Gospel: EVANGELISM
o Don’t treat your doctrine or preference like dogma and further fracture the body (Universal Church)
 With that said … Somethings require a line in the sand!
• Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
o It dishonors God & hurts our witness to waste time w/ unproductive, gospel hampering, factional quarreling!

#NathanDeisem #FathomChurch #FixerUpper

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