1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Do you have a favorite speaker you enjoy listening to? Perhaps it's a podcast or a pastor you enjoy listening to online. What about at your church? Do you have a favorite preacher? Do you find yourself only wanting to listen to one specific preacher? Do you ever find yourself wanting to skip if you hear they aren't preaching or teaching that day?
In the church in Corinth, this became a real problem. There was disunity happening within the church, and people began to take sides with different leaders and their teachings. Some said that they followed Paul, some said that they followed Apollos, some said that they followed Cephas, and some even said that they followed Christ. The people began to become divided on who they liked to listen to more and who they should follow. Paul obviously rebuked them for what they were doing.
He said in verse 13, "13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
I love how Paul quickly gets right to the point. He points out that there should be no division in Christ. Christ is the only one who was crucified for us. Why are we all not united under Him? Why are we putting others in that same spot that belongs to Christ alone? It is in the name of Jesus that we are baptized, not by Paul or whoever is baptizing. The baptism is not more special depending on who is doing it. It is all about Jesus, not about us, and not about whoever is teaching or baptizing.
Paul emphasizes this is the last verse, pointing out that it is not by his own power or words that the gospel is preached. He does not want to get in the way at all or do it in his own power. He wants the power of the gospel to transform lives, not his own words or power. He knows that the gospel is all that matters. He doesn't want the glory. He doesn't want people to follow him. He wants people to know Jesus and to know the life-giving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ alone.
We all need to look at this example here and learn from it. So often, I see in the church that people only come to hear the main pastor preach or teach. People often will skip church if they hear that the lead pastor is on vacation or gone. They get so wrapped up in how great that a certain preacher is or their storytelling, rather than getting caught up in the gospel. You will often see people who will even say out loud that they only want to hear a certain preacher, and it may even affect the church they choose to attend.
Too often, we put too much emphasis in our human leaders. We put our preferences and personalities first, but instead, our unity should be in Jesus alone. The gospel is all about Jesus and His power to save us. Baptism is all about being obedient and following Him, not in who is baptizing you. The focus is to be on Christ and His power, not in our own in any way. It is the power of the gospel that changes lives, not the human skill of who is teaching it. The cross of Christ should never be overshadowed by human pride or division.
Do you have a favorite speaker you enjoy listening to? Perhaps it's a podcast or a pastor you enjoy listening to online. What about at your church? Do you have a favorite preacher? Do you find yourself only wanting to listen to one specific preacher? Do you ever find yourself wanting to skip if you hear they aren't preaching or teaching that day?
In the church in Corinth, this became a real problem. There was disunity happening within the church, and people began to take sides with different leaders and their teachings. Some said that they followed Paul, some said that they followed Apollos, some said that they followed Cephas, and some even said that they followed Christ. The people began to become divided on who they liked to listen to more and who they should follow. Paul obviously rebuked them for what they were doing.
He said in verse 13, "13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
I love how Paul quickly gets right to the point. He points out that there should be no division in Christ. Christ is the only one who was crucified for us. Why are we all not united under Him? Why are we putting others in that same spot that belongs to Christ alone? It is in the name of Jesus that we are baptized, not by Paul or whoever is baptizing. The baptism is not more special depending on who is doing it. It is all about Jesus, not about us, and not about whoever is teaching or baptizing.
Paul emphasizes this is the last verse, pointing out that it is not by his own power or words that the gospel is preached. He does not want to get in the way at all or do it in his own power. He wants the power of the gospel to transform lives, not his own words or power. He knows that the gospel is all that matters. He doesn't want the glory. He doesn't want people to follow him. He wants people to know Jesus and to know the life-giving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ alone.
We all need to look at this example here and learn from it. So often, I see in the church that people only come to hear the main pastor preach or teach. People often will skip church if they hear that the lead pastor is on vacation or gone. They get so wrapped up in how great that a certain preacher is or their storytelling, rather than getting caught up in the gospel. You will often see people who will even say out loud that they only want to hear a certain preacher, and it may even affect the church they choose to attend.
Too often, we put too much emphasis in our human leaders. We put our preferences and personalities first, but instead, our unity should be in Jesus alone. The gospel is all about Jesus and His power to save us. Baptism is all about being obedient and following Him, not in who is baptizing you. The focus is to be on Christ and His power, not in our own in any way. It is the power of the gospel that changes lives, not the human skill of who is teaching it. The cross of Christ should never be overshadowed by human pride or division.
Posted in Devotional