We will be taking a break from our daily scheduled posts this week to launch the “Faith Work 101” sermon series that can be used as a back to school series for your church, student ministry or personal devotion. This message was originally preached at Adrian United by David Morehead on 8-22-10.

We are united in Jesus Christ

We are the soldiers of the light

We don’t wrestle flesh and blood

But principalities of the dark

We too are marching to one beat

Brushing the enemy under our feet

We are mighty in our stand

With God’s word in our hand

In our hearts we have a vision

We have made our decision

To show the Father’s love

With great power from above

Let us reach this generation

Every tribe and every nation

For we’ve overcome the world

By the blood of Christ the Lamb

Paul cared deeply for the believers in Corinth, his heart broke when he learned of their division, bickering, and loss of focus. To ease them back on track, Paul confronted a series of issues that had divided and distracted them and encouraged the Corinthians to reunite based on the only sure foundation—Jesus Christ. Today’s church, also often divided and distracted, has much to learn from First Corinthians.

1) ONEloyalty

1 Corinthians 1:1-17 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.

• Oneness requires submission to the One.

2) ONEcross

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

• A wise church clings to a “foolish” cross.

3) ONEfoundation

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;13. Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

• Only One foundation will endure.

4) ONEtable

1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

• Let’s examine our hearts to ensure we are unified with fellow believers.

5) ONElove

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

• Godly love bridges many divides.

6) ONEhope

1 Corinthians 15:11 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

• In the midst of struggles, we have a hope based in the resurrection of Christ.

LOWE’S: “LET’S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER”

Ephesians 4:16 From whom THE WHOLE BODY FITLY JOINED TOGETHER and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

FAITH WORKS 101 SERIES

LESSON ONE: PRAYER 101

LESSON TWO: GOD’S WORD 101

LESSON THREE: UNITY 101

LESSON FOUR: SERVICE 101

LESSON FIVE: EVANGELISM 101