CHRIST IS NOT DIVIDED

CHRIST IS NOT DIVIDED

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Key Verse: "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptised in the name of Paul?" — 1 Corinthians 1:13 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:1-6; Romans 12:4-5; Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:12-15; Psalm 133:1

Description: Christ is one, and all believers are called to reject division, preserve unity, and glorify God as one Body in Him.

INTRODUCTION
The church in Corinth was experiencing serious divisions because believers had begun identifying themselves with different church leaders rather than with Jesus Christ. Some claimed to belong to Paul, others to Apollos, others to Cephas, while some insisted they belonged to Christ alone. Paul confronted this unhealthy spirit by asking a profound question: "Is Christ divided?" This question exposed the foolishness of allowing personal preferences and human loyalties to divide the Body of Christ.

The Church belongs to Jesus Christ, who purchased it with His precious blood. Since there is only one Saviour, one Lord, and one Head of the Church, there should be no room for unhealthy competition, pride, jealousy, or party spirit among believers. Every Christian is called into one spiritual family, united by faith in Christ.

In every generation, Satan seeks to weaken the Church through division, misunderstanding, and personal ambition. Therefore, believers must intentionally preserve unity by walking in humility, love, forgiveness, and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

1. CHRIST IS THE ONLY FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH
The Church is built upon Jesus Christ alone. Every believer must keep Christ at the centre of faith and worship rather than exalting human personalities.

a) Christ Is The Head Of The Church (Colossians 1:18)
Jesus alone possesses supreme authority over His Church. Every believer and every leader must submit to His Lordship.

b) Christ Purchased The Church (Acts 20:28)
The Church belongs to Christ because He redeemed it with His own blood. No human leader owns God's people.

c) Christ Alone Is Our Saviour (Acts 4:12)
Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. No denomination, minister, or religious organisation can save anyone.

d) Christ Must Receive All The Glory (1 Corinthians 1:31)
Every success, gift, and blessing should point people to Christ rather than to human achievement.

Biblical Example: John the Baptist refused to draw attention to himself but directed everyone to Jesus, declaring, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:27-30).

2. DIVISION WEAKENS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Division damages the Church's testimony, hinders spiritual growth, and creates opportunities for the enemy to work among God's people.

a) Division Destroys Fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:10)
God desires believers to be perfectly joined together in unity of mind and purpose rather than divided by personal opinions.

b) Division Hinders Spiritual Growth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
Jealousy, strife, and party spirit reveal spiritual immaturity and prevent believers from growing in Christ.

c) Division Weakens Christian Witness (John 13:34-35)
The world recognises Christ's disciples through their love and unity, not through their disagreements.

d) Division Gives Place To The Devil (Ephesians 4:27)
Unresolved conflicts and bitterness create opportunities for Satan to sow confusion and destruction.

Biblical Example: Korah led a rebellion against Moses, bringing division among God's people and suffering God's judgment because of his pride and rebellion (Numbers 16:1-35).

3. GOD CALLS BELIEVERS TO UNITY
Christian unity is founded upon our common relationship with Jesus Christ. Every believer has a responsibility to preserve that unity.

a) Be United In Mind And Purpose (Philippians 2:2)
Believers should pursue harmony by sharing the same love, purpose, and commitment to Christ.

b) Walk In Humility (Philippians 2:3-4)
Humility prevents selfish ambition and enables believers to value others above themselves.

c) Preserve The Unity Of The Spirit (Ephesians 4:3)
Unity requires patience, gentleness, and deliberate effort under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

d) Let Love Rule Your Relationships (Colossians 3:14-15)
Love binds believers together in perfect unity and allows the peace of Christ to govern their hearts.

Biblical Example: The believers in Jerusalem remained united in fellowship, prayer, and worship, and God continually added new believers to the Church (Acts 2:42-47).

4. FOCUS ON CHRIST ABOVE HUMAN LEADERS
Church leaders are servants of Christ, not objects of worship or unhealthy loyalty. Every believer should honour faithful leaders while keeping Christ as the ultimate focus.

a) Honour Faithful Servants Of God (Hebrews 13:7)
Believers should respect godly leaders who faithfully teach God's Word without idolising them.

b) Avoid Personality Worship (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
Ministers are servants through whom God works, but all glory belongs to God who gives the increase.

c) Work Together For God's Kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:8-9)
Every servant of God has a different assignment, yet all labour together under Christ.

d) Boast Only In The Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Our confidence and glory should always be in the Lord and not in human wisdom, ability, or influence.

Biblical Example: Paul and Apollos served together with different ministries, yet both recognised that God alone gives spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

CONCLUSION
Christ is not divided, and His Church must never be divided. Since Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church and the only Saviour of humanity, every believer must reject pride, jealousy, personality worship, and every form of division. Our loyalty belongs first and foremost to Christ.

Let us therefore preserve the unity of the Spirit through love, humility, forgiveness, and faithful service. As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and work together for His Kingdom, the Church will become a powerful testimony of God's grace, bringing glory to His name and drawing many souls to Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for making me a member of the Body of Christ through Your saving grace, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every spirit of division, pride, and selfish ambition from my life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to keep Jesus Christ at the centre of my faith and service, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, unite Your Church in love, peace, and one purpose, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to walk in humility and honour every believer as a member of Christ's Body, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, destroy every work of Satan designed to bring division into Your Church, in Jesus name.

7. Father, fill my heart with genuine love and forgiveness towards fellow believers, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation wherever I serve, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let Your Church continue to grow in strength, unity, and spiritual power, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me faithful to You until the end, always living to glorify Christ above all else, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall remain firmly established in Christ, and no spirit of division shall separate you from the fellowship of believers.

2. The Lord shall fill your heart with genuine love, humility, and compassion towards His people.

3. Every root of pride, jealousy, offence, and bitterness shall be uprooted from your life by the power of God.

4. You shall become an instrument of peace, reconciliation, and unity in the Body of Christ.

5. The Holy Spirit shall guide your words and actions to strengthen the unity of God's Church.

6. You shall never place human personalities above Christ, but your heart shall remain wholly devoted to Him.

7. The Lord shall use your life to encourage believers and strengthen the fellowship of the saints.

8. Every plan of the enemy to create confusion and division around you shall fail in the name of Jesus.

9. You shall continually walk in the love of Christ, and your life shall reflect His grace and truth.

10. You shall finish your Christian journey in faith, preserving the unity of the Spirit and receiving your eternal reward in Christ Jesus.