When Christ Is At The Center We Won’t Take Sides | 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

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Our text today is 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.

The argument started small.
They always do.

A comparison here. A subtle jab there. Then suddenly the whole church in Corinth was splintering into camps — Paul’s camp, Apollos’ camp, Peter’s camp, even a “we only follow Christ” camp said with a smug twist.

Division never screams at first. It whispers. Then it fractures.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. — 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

Paul doesn’t tiptoe around the problem.
He hits the heart of the issue.

Because when people start attaching their identity to personalities rather than to Christ, unity dies.

And Paul slices through the noise with one sharp question:

“Is Christ divided?”

Of course not.
But when Christ isn’t at the center, people start choosing sides.

Here’s the truth Corinth needed — and we need:

When Christ is at the center, we won’t take sides.

• Pastors don’t unite the church.
• Preferences don’t unite the church.
• Personalities don’t unite the church.

Only Jesus does that. So why are the names of your pastor, your preferences, and your personalities so important to you?

But when Christ becomes the main thing again.
The sides disappear.

Comparison fades.
Pride quiets.
Unity rises.

So let this settle deep today:

If Christ stays at the center, division loses its power. And said another way — because we need the reminder — When Christ is truly at the center, we refuse to take sides.

DO THIS:

Reach out to one believer today — someone outside your usual circle. Send encouragement. Build a bridge where a wall once stood.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have preferences quietly replaced Christ as the center?
2. Who do you tend to "follow" more closely than Jesus?
3. Is there a person you need to reconcile with for the sake of unity?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, keep me centered on You alone. Quiet my pride, crush my comparisons, and make You the center of everything I follow and everything I love. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Make Room”