My sermon last Thursday night had to do with all the various 'Divisions' that we as humans bring into our Christian faith. I could have chosen any number of illustrations to focus upon but given our recent trip to the Holy Land, I discussed and used the "Ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre". It's sometimes referred to as "the ladder that only Jesus can move", it's a very sad tale of a problem that haunts us from large to small congregations. There is, unfortunately, in nearly every church some ladder somewhere that is still a thorn in someone's side... these ladders tend to get brought out whenever there is some new decision to be made and are touted about as some form of rationale for whatever opposition they are twisted to represent.
It would be such a wonderful day... such a Christ-Like day... the day when we put all the ladders away and just serve Christ...
Be a blessing to someone today!
In Christ,
Roy
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Divisions in the Church
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[b] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God[c] that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Footnotes:
a) 1 Corinthians 1:10 Gk brothers
b) 1 Corinthians 1:11 Gk my brothers
c) 1 Corinthians 1:14 Other ancient authorities read I am thankful
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