Should the Church be unified?

Monday, December 5, 2011: 1 Corinthians 1:10 – 11 (NKJV)                  Should the Church have denominations?

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Should the Church have denominations? No, the Church should be united. But this is not the case.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011: 1 Corinthians 1:12 – 13 (NKJV)                  What name should we carry?

Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

What name should we carry? We should carry the name of Christ: we’re Christians. In reality, we’re Catholics & Protestants, Baptists or this or that.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011: 1 Corinthians 1:17 – 18 (NKJV)                  What was Paul’s mission?

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

What was Paul’s mission? Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles, to whom he preached Christ crucified.

Thursday, December 8, 2011: 1 Corinthians 1:20 – 21 (NKJV)                  What is preaching?

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

What is preaching? It is foolishness to those who think they are wise; it is salvation to believers.

Friday, December 9, 2011: 1 Corinthians 1:22 – 25 (NKJV)                  Why does Paul preach Christ crucified?

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Why does Paul preach Christ crucified? This is the power and wisdom of God.