Who Are You Following?
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Introduction: Have you ever been a part of one of those caravans? You know, the kind that has six minivan and a car transporting about 40 people across state lines? Yeah, it’s enough to make you want a bus. Well, on one occasion I was leading one such caravan, and the previously agreed upon spot no longer existed, and A GPS would always take people to the wrong final destination. It was vital that we stayed together. So, as I was leading the group, I had to make a judgement call to drive past the afore-agreed-upon-gas station, and go to the next exist that looked good to stop at. Even amid all the chaos, it was important that the group stay together, because who you followed determined where you ended up.
Who you follow determine where you’re going.
Appolo-Sophia-wisdom
Cephas-being spiritual
Paul-being attacked
Christ-I’m better than paul
All are preaching Christ, so they should lead you to him
10 I appeal to you, brothers, 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. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may 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 preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Paul urges them as “brothers (and sisters)” to conform their behavior to the gospel, not as law but as a response to the grace that is in Christ
This time Paul is appealing based on
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him.
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
John 10:19–21
19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
11 Paul now proceeds to explain to them how he came to know about their divisions: he was “informed” by “some from Chloe’s household.”32 Although one cannot be sure, it is unlikely that these informants were themselves members of the Corinthian community.33 The church had sent as representatives to Paul Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (16:15–17), who had almost certainly also carried their letter to him. Had Chloe’s people been members at Corinth, they would most likely have been among those who “followed Paul.”
Since 1831 the prominent idea was that there were Judaizers and other parties who were divided, and it should be better understood that they were individuals who thought they were better than others.
The whole church has fallen prey to a love for disputation, in which various members exalt themselves (“boast”) by supposing that their wisdom has been taken over from one of their renowned leaders, one of those close or well known to them, or in some cases even from Christ himself ~Johannes Munck (1904-1969) first professor of New Testament exegesis at Aarhus University, Denmark
Do you tend towards divisions and quarreling, or towards unity? Does each juicy morsel appear to you as something that should be shared, challenged, and opposed, or as an opportunity to thoughtfully follow and participate?
Do you think too highly of your own perspectives, or do you think of yourself as you ought? See Phil 2:2-3
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Are you trying to get to heaven, escape hell, or to be with Christ?