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Humble Unity in the Church
1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Intro.: In spite of “communications technology” that enables us to be connected to friends, family, and our communities practically 24/7, few would argue that our social web of relationships in the church has not diminished in importance in recent years. Many of us live isolated, separated lives.

The ancient Corinthians, on the other hand, were a very social people, often holding large gatherings in the agora (town center) which were attended by the rich, the poor, and slaves alike. The early Church redeemed that tradition, and incorporated the festivities into their celebration of the Lord’s Supper, but their spiritual vitality was drained by divisiveness and exclusivity.

Proposition: Christians are designed for community. A powerful Christian community will have been:

I. Challenged by Division (vv. 17-18)
     A. The Corinthian Church was divided.
          1. By personalities (i.e. Paul, Peter, Apollos—1 Cor. 1:12).
          2. By social status.
     B. Paul chastised them, urging them to come together “for the better” (v. 17).
     C. Divisions were prevailing instead of unity (v. 18).
     D. Division will come (from Satan and sin nature)—our response is the issue.
II. Matured by Adversity (v. 19)
     A. Truth surfaces in the heat of battle. 
     B. The factions in the Corinthian Church tested the character and faith of believers.
     C. Mature Christians step forward in a crisis, and the Church is strengthened.
III. Unified by Humility (vv. 20-22)
     A. A lack of humility overshadows good character qualities.
     B. Social divisions fly in the face of the unity we have in Christ (v. 20).
          1. Class divisions in Corinth were obvious.
          2. Disunity defiled the Lord’s supper.
     C. Pride “despises the Church” (v. 22), by fitting it into sinful social categories rather than allowing the Body of Christ to be believers’ highest allegiance.

Conc.: Churches mature when they stand up to the challenge. Humility is preventative medicine.

From David Alan Sylvester

Our Best for the Lord Jesus
Mark 14:3-9

Intro.: The incident recorded in this passage (Mary anointing Jesus with perfume) is a very touching one, but what did Mary’s act signify? It signified that she was giving her very best to the Lord Jesus—indeed her all, for as she broke the alabaster box and poured out the precious nard she was saying, in effect: “Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure-store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”

In those days, every young woman would prepare a box of precious perfume which she would keep until her betrothal. If she was willing to marry her suitor, she would break the precious box of ointment and pour it at his feet. No matter what she paid for the box, it was counted as her best, and this is what she gave to him. That is what Mary did with her Lord, the One who loved her so much that soon He would die for her upon the cross. Mary wanted to be spiritually betrothed to Him (Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19), and therefore she gave her very best, her all, to Him.

I. What Can We Give to the Lord Jesus?
     A. The best of our love.
          1. Mary’s real gift.
          2. The thing above all others that He desires.
     B. The best of our years.
          1. It is a privilege to serve the Lord with one’s whole life.
          2. He is worthy of our sacrifice.
          3. How can we belong to Him and yet keep our strength and energy for our own worldly pursuits?
     C. The best of our talents.
          1. Everyone has been gifted by God with a special skill.
          2. The Lord has equipped us for His use.
          3. If we yield our talent to Him, He will use it in a wonderful way.
II. Why Should We Give Our Best to the Lord Jesus?
     A. Because He is worthy of our very best.
          1. He is God (John 1:1, 14; 1 Cor. 2:8, etc.).
          2. He is our Savior (1 Tim. 1:15; Gal. 2:20).
     B. Because He has given His best for us.
          1. He shed His blood in order that we might be redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18-19, etc.).
          2. Mary understood His sacrifice (Mark 14:8).
     C. Because we can only enjoy His best by giving Him our best.
          1. If we give little, we shall enjoy little.
          2. If we give our very best, He will be unspeakably precious to us (1 Pet. 2:7).
III. What Will Be the Result of Giving Our Best to the Lord Jesus?
     A. Some will object.
          1. The Disciples and Pharisees objected to Mary’s gift.
          2. The world sees the dedication of a life given wholly to the Lord as waste.
     B. The Lord Jesus will be pleased.
          1. The greatest blessing is His commendation (see His response in Mark 14:6).
          2. If He is pleased with us, of what consequence is what the world thinks?
     C. Others will be helped.
          1. Mary’s simple act of devotion had a marvelous result (Mark 14:9).
          2. No one can estimate the far-reaching influence of a life given to the Lord.

Conc.: Is your life completely given over to Him?

From Francis W. Dixon’s study notes
Words of Life Ministries
P.O. Box 334, Eastleigh,
SO53 2UB, United Kingdom
www.wordsoflife.co.uk

Illustrations

The Qualifications for Witnessing
Subject: Witness

During a recent short-term missions trip, we saw the power of the Gospel in a fresh light. A businessman was seen walking into a park where he stationed himself and began to tell the story of Jesus Christ to a small group of people. The businessman was not a professional preacher by any means, but he made himself available for the Lord’s work. He simply had a firm grasp on this truth: “God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

“The people in the park just kept gathering around me as I was sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “Do you want me to explain the Gospel to you also?” he would ask the newest members of the group as they would walk in closer. On that particular day, numbers of young people gave their hearts to Jesus; just because one “unqualified” man accepted the call from the God who qualifies the called.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide
Practical Illustrations: Galatians-Colossians

The Uniting Love of Christ
Subject: Unity in Christ

In a museum, an old white-haired man was standing fascinated before a picture of Christ. After gazing at it for a few moments he murmured to himself, with face all aglow, “Bless Him, I love Him!”

A stranger standing near overheard him and said, “Brother, I love Him too,” and clasped his hand. A third caught the sentence and said, “I love Him too.” Soon there stood in front of that picture a little circle of people with hands clasped, utter strangers to one another, but made one by their common love of Christ.

On further discussion, they found they belonged to different Christian denominations, but this did not disturb their fellowship. Perhaps others belonging to their particular denominations, but not to Christ, could not do what they were doing: standing in awe before Christ and sharing fellowship with those who possessed the same awe.

Spiros Zodhiates

Bulletin Inserts

On Habits
To learn new habits is everything, for it is to reach the substance of life. Life is but a tissue of habits.

    Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Bad habits are like chains that are too light to feel until they are too heavy to carry.

    Warren Buffett

A habit is something you can do without thinking—which is why most of us have so many of them.

    Frank A. Clark

Habits are safer than rules; you don't have to watch them. And you don't have to keep them either. They keep you.

    Frank Crane

A habit is like old-fashioned adhesive tape—easy to stick on, but the longer it stays the harder it is to get off, until finally, when it's ripped off, it takes skin and all with it.

    Sydney J. Harris

The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.

    W. Somerset Maugham

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

    Jim Ryun

These seven via Bob Kelley
www.wordcrafters.info