Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome to our Tuesday night teaching, which many of you will view throughout the week. I am Pastor D. Kenneth Barrett, affectionately known as your Facebook Pastor, coming to you from Reconciliation Ministries Church of Chicago, located in the West Pullman community at 438 West 120th Street.
Tonight, we begin a new chapter in our survey of the Pauline epistles. We recently completed our study on the book of Romans, and we now move into First Corinthians. This teaching is part of a survey—a higher-level overview rather than an exhaustive breakdown of every verse. We touch key verses and explore major themes for understanding and application.
We begin our survey in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. But before diving into the text, it’s important to lay down some foundational principles for interpreting Scripture:
Four Key Principles for Rightly Dividing the Word:
- Know the writer – Who did God use to pen the text?
- Know the audience – To whom was the writing addressed? Not everything was written directly to us, though everything is for our benefit.
- Understand the purpose – Why was the letter written? What issue or condition prompted the message?
- Understand the dispensation – Was it written under the old or new covenant?
Let me illustrate with a quick example. When Paul said, “Let the women keep silent in the churches,” it’s important to understand the cultural, historical, and theological context. All Scripture is true, but not everything recorded is meant to be replicated without understanding the context.
Take David, for example. The Bible records that he committed adultery and arranged the death of Bathsheba’s husband. It’s true, but it wasn’t right. Understanding Scripture requires us to separate what God records from what He endorses.
Now, let’s talk about Corinth. Corinth was a strategic city with three harbors, a commercial hub in ancient Greece, and at the time of Paul’s writing, a Roman colony. Paul had spent 18 months establishing the church in Corinth. However, after he left, the church fell into confusion, apostasy, false doctrine, and immorality.
Paul’s letters to the Corinthians were responses to reports of division and dysfunction in the church. He wrote from Ephesus to correct false teachings and restore order.
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 (KJV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Paul urges unity. He pleads with the church to abandon division, to speak the same truth, and to walk in oneness. This wasn’t just for Corinth—this message applies just as powerfully in 2025.
Today, we see cliques, personality worship, and spiritual partisanship in the church. People align themselves with preachers, departments, or groups and divide themselves over who they like or support. Paul rebukes this.
“It has been declared unto me… that there are contentions among you.” (v.11)
Some say, “I am of Paul,” others, “I am of Apollos,” and still others, “I am of Cephas or of Christ.”
Modern translation? “That’s my preacher,” “I only listen to so-and-so,” or “I got saved under this person.” Saints, this is spiritual immaturity and dangerous division.
Paul reminds us: Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in Paul’s name?
Christ is not divided. Neither should His body be.
The message is clear: It’s not about personalities. It’s about Jesus. Too many churches today are built around charisma instead of the cross. Paul says:
“Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” (v.17)
We must preach Jesus—not ourselves, not our cleverness, not our traditions, not our opinions.
A Final Word on Unity
As we move into Holy Week, preparing to celebrate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, we are reminded that He died to unify us with the Father and one another. The world needs to see that unity reflected in the church. If they come and find the same strife they left outside, they won’t stay.
So let’s recommit ourselves to:
- Speaking the same truth
- Walking in unity
- Giving God the glory
- Preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified
Let every gift, every calling, every anointing serve the same mission: to build the Kingdom and lift up the name of Jesus.
For those afar, continue to connect, share, and support what God is doing.
To God be the glory.
