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Category Archives: divisions
word problems
1 Corinthians 14. All of the problems that Paul was dealing with here have to do with speaking in church. He identifies three specific problems:1) too many people were “speaking in tongues” instead of prophesying;2) too many people were speaking … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, Holy Spirit, ministry, spiritual gifts, Uncategorized, worship
Tagged 1 Corinthians 14
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loving service
1 Corinthians 13. Paul is still addressing the divisions caused in the Corinthian churches by those who are partial to one or the other minister. They valued those gifted with good communication skills, insight, faith, generosity, sacrificial commitment — and … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, love, ministry, spiritual gifts
Tagged 1 Corinthians 13
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not a competition
1 Corinthians 12. The Corinthians used the spiritual gifts manifested among themselves as a measurement of who should be followed and who should be shunned. Ministry became a means of perpetuating division. Some preferred the speaking gifts, others rallied behind … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, Holy Spirit, ministry, spiritual gifts
Tagged 1 Corinthians 12
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traditions that dishonor Christ
1 Corinthians 11:2-34. Paul had set up some traditions that the Corinthian churches were following. He commended them for following the head-covering tradition. This was especially important in first-century Corinth, because members of the freedom faction were arguing that their … Continue reading
Posted in divisions, integrity, self-control, submission, witness, worship
Tagged 1 Corinthians 11
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the scum of the world
1 Corinthians 4. The ESV study Bible, commenting on verse 3, says “Some of the Corinthians, perhaps followers of Apollos or Cephas, probably spoke disparagingly of Paul, especially of his speaking ability (1:17; 2:3–4; 4:18–21; 2 Cor. 10:9), thinking they … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, equality, judgment, leadership, ministry
Tagged 1 Corinthians 4
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fireproof buildings
1 Corinthians 3. Paul describes the Christian life as both God’s field and God’s building. As a field, the life is planted in us by God through one worker, and watered through another, but but workers answer to God — … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, divisions, future, Holy Spirit, preparation, scriptures, works
Tagged 1 Corinthians 3
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evangelical unity
1 Corinthians 1:1-17. The Church at Rome had some divisions (e.g. the weak and the strong) but in Corinth they were mastering the art of division. Paul appealed to the Corinthians that they make efforts to manifest their unity, not … Continue reading
one decision
2 Chronicles 10. It was one decision that Rehoboam made that led to division and rebellion and the dissolution of Israel. He decided to listen to the wrong counselors. They encouraged him to make the heavy yoke even heavier. The … Continue reading
Posted in conflict, discernment, divisions, leadership, ministry, peace, self-control, wisdom
Tagged 2 Chronicles 10
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a generation’s doom
Luke 12:49-13:9. Jesus knew not only that he was going to suffer a violent baptism (the cross), but also that the entire generation in which he lived would be under judgment. That generation would be torn apart by division among … Continue reading
Posted in conflict, discernment, divisions, repentance, the cross
Tagged Luke 12, Luke 13
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let us build a city
Gen. 11. Babel was humanity’s chance to make something of themselves — outside of God’s plan. The words we read here are seen by the humanist as those of a frightened god, afraid that his creatures will live up to … Continue reading
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