Pastor Rusty Milton
"Diverse But Not Divided
1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21 ESV

The church must be diverse without division. In the church of Corinth, people were creating divisions based on burth, rank, money, education, and who they followed. But Paul schorted them to be united under the Lordship of, and mind of, Christ. Similarly, our divisions must be sanctified and brought under the Lordship of Christ. 1 Corinthians gives us 3 warnings about what is lost in division: Gospel ministry, God's glory, and God's presence. In John 17, however, we see Christ praying for unity to come as based on our being unified based on our relationship to the Father and the Son. Therefore, we should examine our hearts, allow God to pare away humanistic divisions, and unify ourselves under the Lordship of Christ.

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1 Corinthians 1:10
English Standard Version

Divisions in the Church

10 I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 

John 17:20-21
English Standard Version

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.