READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l Paul brings us to a divided church in Corinth. The problem was not bad theology or false doctrine, but misplaced attention. The Corinthians believed in the gospel, but had rallied around certain leaders rather than the cross of Christ. Their focus had shifted away from surveying the cross, toward admiration for those who spoke about Christ. Paul noted that their following different human leaders had led to comparisons, jealousy and quarrels.
It is not wrong for us to admire certain leaders, but this becomes a problem when admiration turns into allegiances and comparisons. Our gaze gets diverted from the cross of Christ to humans. Do our concerns and conversations revolve only around our own problems and people? The problems that arose in the Corinthian church began with misplaced attention. Long before they started quarrelling, their eyes had already shifted away from the cross of Christ to human leaders.
Paul urged the Corinthians to look to the cross, and to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in whose name they were baptised; instead of idolising and invoking the names of human leaders. These human leaders had been given too much prominence and had overshadowed the cross of Christ. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they had been named and claimed by Christ. He called the church back to the cross, for unity is born at the foot of the Cross. Paul’s solution was to turn their gaze back to Christ crucified, so that there are no divisions and there is perfect unity in mind and thought. It was Jesus who was crucified and paid the price for their redemption. Jesus alone directs and unites, and is the corner stone and foundation of the church.
Our Speaking
Imagine how united the church would be, if we all prayed, called upon and exalted the name of Jesus; and lived in ways that build up the body of Christ. When we call on the name of Jesus, we experience the power and beauty of the name of Jesus. In life, we often do not have the answers; but Jesus casts out all fears and fills our heart with peace. When we glorify and exalt the name of the Lord, it unites us. (PS 34:3)
Our Thinking
We should train our mind to reject envious comparisons. We can rejoice, when we realize that God’s work in others is His glory. We can cultivate godly thought patterns, that remind us daily that our worth is not measured against another believer.
The church is strengthened through a shared rhythm of regular gatherings for worship and prayer, shared meals, stories, serving and caring. When we come close to each other, God’s Spirit will knit our hearts together. We then speak, think and act in everyday ways that strengthen our unity.
We can be likened the keys in a manual typewriter. Each key is different and starts from a different position, but it invariably moves to the same centre point where the imprint is made. Similarly, we in the church, begin from different positions and differ in gifts, opinions, maturity. This is not the problem. Unity is not about everyone being the same or having the same starting point. It comes about when we move in the same direction. Like a typewriter key, we only make an impression when we move towards the centre. When the keys refuse to move to the centre, the page remains blank. When believers move away from Christ, and Jesus is no longer at the centre of the church; division and dysfunction follow. The typewriter metaphor reminds us, that although we are different, we need to move in the same direction, toward the centre — the cross of Christ.
Paul said he was not sent to the church to draw attention to himself, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Paul knew that clever words and impressive arguments or charismatic leadership could shift the focus from Christ to the messenger. He called on God’s people to converge at the foot of the cross and to behold Christ once again. The foot of the cross is both a place of surrender and alignment, where our hearts and the focus of our lives are reoriented towards the centre – Jesus Christ our Lord.
The love and unity of the church allows us to shine for God. We have the great commission to make disciples of all nations, and today’s passage reminds us that, through the Spirit, we can be united to effectively win souls for Christ.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. Why would allegiance to human leaders be so tempting in Corinth?
- Paul asks, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul?” (v. 13). Why does Paul confront division with questions rather than commands, and how do those questions still challenge us?
- In the sermon, we heard that the Corinthians did not abandon the gospel but shifted their attention from the cross to human leaders. Where do you see signs of “misplaced attention” in your walk with God or in the church of God?
- What comparison or quiet rivalry has this sermon exposed in your heart?
- Complete this sentence aloud or silently: “Because Christ was crucified for me, this week I will…”
- How can we celebrate leaders without turning them into rivals?
- What is one concrete change you sense God inviting you to make – in your speech, relationships, or posture towards others in the church this week?
- How can your small group become a place that resists personality-driven faith and models cross-shaped unity?
