Sermon Recap--Long Division

This morning as I look out at the experienced faces in this room, I see people that grew up before the age of political correctness. Now, don't get me wrong, I try to temper my words and be open minded and look at issues from all sides--but there is something super comforting about people who have the ability to cut right through the junk and say it like it is.

Wal-Mart had an annoying habit of calling problems by a more positive name. Whenever there was an issue the Management Staff would always call them "opportunities." I immediately thought, "Yeah this is an opportunity alright and it is looking more and more like an opportunity to get fired."

One manager even had a light way of letting people know that they were about to be fired. He would call them into the office and look them in the eye and say, "How would you like to have unlimited free time but limited income?" The first part of the phrase was enticing, but the latter sent chills down the back that was followed by a marked increase in performance.

Depending on how you want to look at it, the church has plenty of problems or opportunities. We can all tell stories about failures in OUR CHURCH, issues that are painful and leave us scarred. In my twelve years (wow) of ministry, I have been involved in business meetings that were anything but Christ-like, heard sermons that sounded like they could have been delivered at a Klan rally, and have seen a church almost split over carpet and stained glass windows. The first church I served as Youth and Children's pastor, an aged senior pastor was fired at the age of 60. His wife was in bad health, he was at the age where securing another pastorate would be difficult, and he was losing his eyesight. Needless to say, he did not see the termination coming on that Wednesday night following the "Prayer Meeting." The second church I served one of our college girls did what many of us did in college. In her case, a pregnancy occurred. News spread throughout the community at breakneck speed over the telephone. Guess who was the main "town crier" via telephone? The pastor's wife. Breaks your heart doesn't it? If it doesn't, it should.

The church at Corinth was no different. Often we hear people say, "I wish we could just go back to the days of the early church and everything would be ok." Please!!! We need to realize that the People of God have always been a broken and rag tag gang. Just look at what Paul is dealing with in this mornings passage in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians beginning with verse ten.

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!

The word had reached Paul, not via email, text or phone--the letter had arrived or a personal visit from the household of Chloe. In our hearts we can hear the gist of the conversation, "Paul-those people at the Church are the biggest bunch of ___________ that we have ever seen. Congregation answers--Hypocrites

The error in this church still happens today. The emphasis was being placed on the theology of a leader or pastor. Peter had a faction, Apollos had a faction and Paul even had some claiming his name. Think about our churches today- We often identify ourselves with the theology or church government structure of a denomination. Inside those individual denominations there are battles. In the Baptist church there is a strong battle between Calvinists and Arminians. Seminary leadership seem to be worried too much about having people follow their "right" way and buying their books than focusing on the MAIN thing. We often attend a particular church because of the pastor. I hope that you come here because I preach a Message of Grace and Truth that exalts Jesus.

You, dear people, would have no difficulty finding another church to attend. They are everywhere! In Myrtle Beach everywhere you look you see a WINGS, a restaurant, a golf course or a church. Yet, you come here! I hope that it is not because of me being exalted too high in your eyes. Listen--I am amazed that Christ chose me, and uses me to make a small difference in His kingdom. I am reminded of a song that I sang a decade ago in church by Steven Curtis Chapman called the Miracle of Mercy. The words are so true and speak to the condition of each of us.

If the truth was known and a light was shown
On every hidden part of my soul.
Most would turn away, shake their head and say,
"He still has such a long way to go."
If the truth was know you'd see, that the only good in me
is Jesus, oh it's Jesus.

If the walls could speak of the times I've been weak,
when everybody thought I was strong.
Could I show my face if it weren't for the grace
of the one who's known the truth all along?
If the walls could speak they'd say, that my only hope is the grace
of Jesus, the grace of Jesus.

But, oh the goodness and the grace in Him
He takes it all and makes it mine and causes his light in me to shine
and he loves me with a love that never ends.
Just as I am, not as I do
Could this be real, could this be true?
This could only be a miracle
This could only be the miracle of mercy.

Churches sometimes get things right. I was mentored as a young kid by an older man. He turned my need to achieve into a challenge to learn the scripture and complete books in our Missions classes, called Royal Ambassadors. After I expressed interest, he walked me down the hall to the Pastor's study. I accepted Christ, kneeling on worn out yellow green carpet on a Wednesday night. This mentor also taught me in Training Union (bible study) for years and continued doing so for 30 plus years. He took me fishing alongside the Broad River and afterward picked ticks off me. He made a difference.

This past week, I received a phone call. This same man walked into his basement, grabbed a pistol and shot himself. He had lost hope and was ready to end the recent struggles that had robbed him of his freedom and health. He lived and faces a battle still today. Pray for him. Pray for Me. Pray for Each other.

Oh--It is good not to put your hope in anyone--no matter how "good" they seem to be. I am not saying that we no longer need to be subject to accountability either.

We can choose many things. We choose our friends, our clothes, our homes, our spouses, our cars, but we don't choose our family. We are intertwined and engrafted into the mysterious body of Christ. We have to keep striving to be ONE in Him.

Long Divisions have to end, we must forgive as we have been forgiven. He is the head, he is the Lord, He is our reason for being. He died for us--having full knowledge of our failures and selfishness. He knows it all and loves us...still.