Divisions and Distractions

Strutting His Stuff

One of the most beautiful birds is the peacock. The male's train of feathers can be up to six feet long, creating up to sixty percent of its length. When looking to attract a mate, the peacock will spread out his plumage in a colorful display, fanning his feathers at a rate of twenty-six times per second with the hopes of catching the eye of a female.

It is a very proud exhibition. The colorful display, the rhythmic movement, the exaggerated strut, and the shrill vocalizations are the male's way of saying, "Look at me! I am the one you are looking for!" There is an air of confidence as the male "struts his stuff."

The Church at Corinth

As I was reading Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth this morning, the display of the peacock immediately came to mind. This local body of believers had a problem. Rather than being united in their pursuit of Jesus and the gospel message, they were divided by the messengers of that gospel (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

The people who belonged to the church in Corinth were using the names of Paul, Apollos, Peter, and even Jesus as a peacock uses the feathers of his train. They were boasting about trivial matters. One might say, "I was baptized by the Apostle Peter," to which someone might reply, "Well, I was there. I actually sat down and listened to Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives." Paul's letter begins with his response to the division that existed in the church, and his answer is simply this, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31)

As I read these words this morning, I saw that Paul is not only offering instruction and discipline to these people; he wraps discipline and direction in terms of encouragement. He wants them to recognize that they shouldn't boast in being associated with these messengers, but he also wants them to realize that they, too, are capable of sharing the gospel message.

You are Equipped

Paul starts his letter by sharing how he continually gives thanks to God for these people, but he is not only thankful that they have received God's grace, he is also grateful that God has made them rich, in a particular way.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4-7)

Before Paul ever makes mention of anything that the church is doing wrong, he wants them to recognize that they are fully equipped and capable. God has given them everything they need for righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Don't miss that.

As believers, we are often quick to forget the simplicity of the gospel. We can easily feel that we can't witness to others because we don't know what to say, that we don't know how to deliver the message that we ourselves find hope in. The news we gather to celebrate with others each Sunday morning.

Paul says that we have not only received the message, we also have the means to deliver the message through the gifts that God has given us (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The truth is, we often feel inadequate and are compelled (and often quite comfortable) waiting for someone else who may be more eloquent, more informed, or more charismatic to share this message with others.

Paul is a smart guy, he knows that is our default position, so he encourages us further. He will go on to say that it doesn't matter who shares the message; the message is always going to sound foolish. Then he takes it a step further. He says the reason we boast in God alone, is because it is by his design that not only the message seems foolish, but also the messengers.

The Message of the Gospel

Paul says that the reason many people will not believe is that the claims of the gospel seem like foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). Sure, you may not sound like the Apostle Paul, Greg Laurie, or John Piper, but that doesn't matter. The biggest obstacle to someone's belief is not found in the delivery but the content. (1 Corinthians 1:22-23)

It doesn't matter if you speak about sin, the virgin birth, and crucifixion with a southern draw or a Brittish accent, the claims of the Bible are astounding. It doesn't matter if you use complex theological words or stutter and have trouble finding your words, the message of the gospel is simple. 

What's really interesting, is that the message of the gospel is not only the most significant obstacle for those who refuse to believe, it is also the most powerful asset that leads others to repentance. We should be encouraged, and our confidence lifted when we are faced with the reality of what convicts and draws people to Jesus. 

What draws people to Jesus is hearing about Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:23-25)

The Messengers of the Gospel

I have often joked that I would like to be as knowledgeable as a particular teacher, or as pleasant to the ears as a specific speaker, but it turns out I am not alone in my feelings of inadequacy. Again, Paul's words are encouraging.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

You and I may not have the affluence and recognition as one of our favorites bible teachers. We may not have the education or possess the same caliber of knowledge as the person that we are witnessing to, but God's message is still effective despite our own insufficiencies.

When someone hears the message of the gospel, there is no greater joy than seeing someone who was lost in their sin, recognizing that they need a Savior, call out to Jesus. We rejoice, not that we convinced them, not that we were smart or smooth in our delivery, but that God has drawn them to himself for his glory.

Where my words and my delivery are insufficient, the gospel is entirely sufficient. 

When we feel like we don't know what to say or how to say it. When we feel our mouth getting dry and our knees shaking with even the thought of sharing God's word, we are in excellent company (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Paul admits that even he struggled with speaking to others, but we can be encouraged by the truth that God is with us; his Spirit enables us, empowers us, and speaks through us as we proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Disciples Making Disciples

We can interpret the beginning of this letter in a way that says it doesn't matter if you sing hymns or more modern worship music in church, or it doesn't matter if you wear a suit or shorts. We can also stress how various local bodies of the church should seek unity rather than boastful division. There is truth in each of those statements, but this morning, I was drawn to Paul's encouraging words that are really at the heart of each of these other trivial issues.

We are equipped messengers, enriched in all speaking and all knowledge concerning the testimony of Christ Jesus, and given a variety of spiritual gifts to proclaim his message.

We have one message and various means of delivering that message, but we are all messengers.