You Belong To Christ

The amazing thing about scripture is that it works on us, moves in us, and creates faith in its very hearing.  Also, I think it is striking that though these texts, like Paul's letter to the Christian congregation at Corinth, are very specific to a time/place/people, they have real parallels and relatable points to our life today. 

This sermon is the first in a series which will preach through the continuous passages from the beginning of 1 Corinthians found in our regular lectionary readings.  The sermon below is on 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.

Click below to read the sermon

Coffee or tea? Raise your hands . . . for coffee, tea . . . 

Morning or nighttime person?

Whoopie pies or shoo-fly?

Emails or written letters?

Now what if we moved seats (I know, some good Lutherans would never consider such a thing) and sat based on our choices. It isn't that strange a concept in our society. In fact, it would look a lot like all of the years I can remember of the state of the union address, in a room much the same shape as this, with a sharp division down the center, each applauding and standing for only nods to their agenda and preferences.

What if our preferences, our divisions of opinion dictated how we grouped ourselves, including in church?

What if it wasn't just dividing by our choices, but our gender – males on this side, females on the other . . .

or race divided us . . .

marital status . . .

education level . . .

mood . . .

Of course, that would lead us with a divided group of just the coffee-drinking, male, winter-loving, married, happy people... and that might amount to . . . who knows... only a couple here or there

But part of being a congregation, a family, or any other group together, is learning to deal with differences. And we know, probably all too well, that there are still many divisions that separate the Christian world.

This isn't a new concept. We read today Paul's letter to the congregation in Corinth, in modern-day Greece. Across the world, hundreds of years earlier, this congregation is not that different from us, here today, at Christ Lutheran. In the pattern of lectionary readings we follow, the rest of the weeks here in the season Epiphany we will be reading continuous passages from this letter to the congregation in Corinth. Each week we will hear Paul's words the Corinthians, and to us as Christ Lutheran. This letter calls us to look at the reality of life around us, and how through the power of the cross God calls and forms us to be the body of Christ in the world.

But the body of Christ, the church, is made up of real people, and the Corinthians like most others, prove that just because you're in a book of the bible doesn't make you perfect. This letter was written sometime in the mid fifties a.d., only about twenty years after Jesus' death and resurrection. And yet, the congregation is already divided. If things were all well and good, Paul wouldn't have to write them saying, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. ¹¹For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. ¹²What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." ¹³Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

Paul, the author, holds nothing back – this passage asks every Christian the very real question – Do divisions divide our congregation? The Corinthians are arguing. And not only that, but they are considering their social status and standing with humans as more important - “I belong to Apollos” - kind of like saying “I belong to the country club” or “I belong to the Democratic party.” The issue is that putting any sense of belonging above your belonging to Christ ignores the cross and denies its power. This was central then and also for our Christian lives today – it's not about who you are, based on your differences, but whose are you – who do you belong to?

Paul continues with three questions –(1)- Has Christ been divided? Christ cannot be divided. Christ came once, for all, not for those who sit on the left, or right, or those who prefer pumpkin pie rather than chocolate, or watching NBC. Proclaiming “I belong to Christ” could be the strongest faith statement we can make. But we are reminded that it is Christ taking us, not our taking Christ, and not “I belong to Christ (and not you).” Christ cannot be divided this way.

(2) Was Paul crucified for you? Only Jesus was crucified for you, nailing your sins to the cross, and died and rose to eternal life.

(3) Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? You were baptized only in the name of the triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You were baptized into Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Jesus cannot be divided, and no human differences will divide or pull Christ onto one side of the aisle or another. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is present with each person, and though we all have our differences, all people belong to Christ.

You belong to Christ.

You also belong to Christ Lutheran. As do all of you, and all are welcome here. Christ's unity holds us together. God gives us these clear signs of our unity – our one baptism in Christ – our one table of communion with God and all the saints, - and Jesus the one foundation of the whole church. Christ's unity does not mean uniformity. United in Christ, we belong to Christ Lutheran, and we are old and young, we like different things, do different work, share different backgrounds, and have different homes and neighborhoods. Christians, you are united in Christ, not called to be uniform or fit to a perfect mold.

Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is constantly working to bring about unity in our world. Here at Christ Lutheran, you all reflect the unity you know in Jesus by inviting others to church. There is unity in praying with and for your friends and neighbors, and to work for unity in our family, church, and neighborhood. I see you creating unity by sharing your faith, by sharing your life, by making connections with those around you.

Today is near the end of the annual week of Prayer for Christian Unity, when faithful people gather around the world and remember what we share in common. There is only one Jesus Christ, and though we may worship him in so many different ways based on our culture, he is not divided. We are moved to pray for each other, to work together, and reflect Christ's love. We see real Christian unity right here in Lancaster. Many shared ministries, including the Lancaster County Council of Churches, are a real reflection of this unity. But also do not forget that even with the practical considerations and occasional hurdles, by sharing the space in our buildings here at Christ Lutheran, you reflect the unity in Christ we believe in. There is only one savior, Jesus, and through him we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

A popular word in the political and media world right now is “civility.” Really, civility is nothing more than acknowledging the unity we share. God is at work everywhere to bring about unity, even on the floor of our legislative houses which are usually so divided. But for the first time in recent memory, on Tuesday night for the State of the Union some Democrats and Republicans will sit together instead of divided, a visible sign of unity.

Wherever you sit on any issue, Christ unites us. God is at work in the world, uniting us to share our lives with those who are different. Together we build up the faith and love we know to be true, from the one God who loved us so much to send his only son to die for us. You belong to Christ. Amen.

To get to know you a little better, I have a few important questions for you. Which do you prefer?