Sermon Tone Analysis

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

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

John 10:19–21

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

Are you trying to get to heaven, escape hell, or to be with Christ?