Tightrope: Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 1: “Unity in Diversity”
Tightrope: Balancing Grace and Truth in 1 Corinthians Week 1: “Unity in Diversity” Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 12:12-27 **POINT #1 – PUTTING JESUS FIRST HELPS US KEEP OUR BALANCE **
1 Corinthians 1:10-15 (NLT) I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name.
POINT #2 – UNITY, NOT UNIFORMITY
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NLT) The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
** POINT #3 – PLAY YOUR PART**
1 Corinthians 12:15-27 (NLT) If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Think About It.
- How can keeping Jesus as the center of our faith help prevent division in our church community?
- What are some practical ways we can intentionally balance grace and truth in our daily relationships within the church?
- How do you see your unique gifts and role contributing to the health and unity of our church body?
- What are ways churches or groups unintentionally promote uniformity rather than unity? How can we avoid that trap?
- When conflicts arise because of differences, how can the Holy Spirit and our shared focus on Jesus help us “stay steady” and work through those challenges?
For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/
To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform
https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442
CCLI Copyright License # 1013363
CCLI Streaming License # 20006236
Thank you for your support.
Middle River Assembly of God
9620 Bird River Rd. Middle River, MD 21220
410-391-7993
Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442
Find out more at https://love-connect-grow-serve-sermon.pinecast.co
This podcast is powered by Pinecast.