What is the secret of Church growth. In Corinth, they were divided (v10). Perfectly United?
1. Division. (v10). Never amongst God's Children. (cf Matthew 7:21 - division between believers and non-believers). There have been many who do things in the Name of Jesus but do not actually know Him. True believers are united in Christ. Family (v11). The problem at Corinth (v12), and Paul can't believe they are doing this. Today, we need to 'test the spirits' (1 John).
2. Expressing unity. (v10). Agree with one another. v17 - the Gospel is what we agree on. So often we argue over minor things, and the Cross of Christ is at risk of losing its power. We also express our unity by loving and care for each other.
3. What about our differences? We are not to be photocopies of each other. We are free to disagree but we are to be united. (a) Acknowledge our differences. (b) Accept that we are family, even with our differences. (c) We can learn to appreciate our differences. (d) Enjoy our non-core differences.
