Agree With One Another

We are going through a sermon series called One Another where we are looking at what the New Testament has to say to us about being a faith family. This is one of the most precious descriptions of the local church found in the Bible. The local church is to be more than a gathering of people; it is to be like a family built around the common faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, we are going to look at a message that I’ve titled Agree With One Another. Agreeing on something is hard to do at times. Just ask the family that is trying to decide where to go eat, right? There are so many choices and so many opinions that it can take the work of God to bring everyone together at times.

If a local church wants to be all that God desires her to be, there has to be a unity about her. A church cannot move forward in the mission of God if she is not unified. Maybe this is the reason that Jesus Himself prayed for unity within the church.​

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.

John 17:20–21 CSB

If unity was important enough for Jesus to pray for concerning the church, it should be equally important to us as the church. Unity is a key ingredient of a thriving local church.​

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

1 Corinthians 1:10 CSB

Beware of Division

As Paul writes these words to the Corinthian church in the first century, he finds a church that is going through some disunity. In the verses that follow the one that we’re focusing on, Paul shares about the fact that some members of the church were at odds with one another. Many of them were taking sides and clinging to certain leaders within the church.

There is nothing wrong with admiring the leaders that God has set up within the church, but we must be careful that we do not allow our admiration to lead to unnecessary division. This is what Satan would like more than anything else. He knows that if a church is divided among itself, then it cannot be used greatly in what God wants to do through that church.

It is for this reason that Paul starts this letter to the Corinthian church with a strong appeal found in verse 10 of the first chapter.

Paul’s Appeal

In verse 10, Paul’s appeal can be broken up into three important sections. The first section is the reminder to the church that they are a family.

Reminder that they are family

Paul calls the church “brothers and sisters” in verse 10. This is not just a chance phrase that he uses. He is trying to draw them back from their divisions to the truth that they are on the same team.

Through this sermon series, I hope that you see the continual use of family language among Christians throughout the Bible. If we have come to faith in Christ, then we’ve been made family through Christ as well. We should have the same affection for one another that a family is supposed to have.

Leaning on the greatest authority

The second section of Paul’s appeal shows Paul leaning on what is the greatest authority there is: the authority that Jesus holds. Paul points to this when he writes “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

The phrase “in the name of Jesus” or any variation of it points to the authority that He holds over all creation. This is why we pray “in the name of Jesus.” We are appealing to the authority that He has been given to rule and reign over everything. ​

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:18 CSB

As Paul reminds the church that they are family, he points to the authority found in Jesus for what he is about to say next. What Paul is about to say is not his opinion or something that he has dreamed up. No, what Paul is about to share comes straight from the heart of Jesus Himself.

There are many opinions around us that try to move us in certain directions. Even in the church, there can be different opinions about what should happen. It is important that we lean not on our own understanding, but listen to the “opinion” that matters most: that of Christ Jesus.

A Call for Action

After Paul reminds the church of their identity (family) and points to the authority of Jesus, he calls the church to action in three specific ways. The first call to action is that the church agree in what they say. ​

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

1 Corinthians 1:10 CSB

Some translations may only say “agree” but the original word that Paul wrote in the Greek had to do with agreeing in what is said. “What is said” is the billboard that others follow. If you have one person saying one thing and another person saying something completely different, who is right and which one do you follow? Do you see the potential for division and nothing actually being done?

The second call to action that Paul shares is for the church to eliminate divisions among themselves.​

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

1 Corinthians 1:10 CSB

With any group of people, you will have differing opinions. These differing opinions can lead to division if not kept in check. Paul warns the church to not just go with the flow on things, but to be on guard and deal with divisions as they arise. If a church does not correctly deal with divisions that arise, these divisions will hinder that church’s effectiveness in the work she is to do. This is one reason why Jesus shared these words…​

Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Mark 9:50 CSB

God has chosen the local church to be the vehicle that He uses to carry out the Great Commission. There is no plan B. This is why it is so important that a church works diligently to deal with divisions that arise.

The third call to action that Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 1:10 is to be united with the same understanding and conviction.​

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

1 Corinthians 1:10 CSB

If we are to have the same understanding and conviction, where does that come from? Does that come from agreement around the pastor’s opinion or a certain group within the church? No, we have been given the standard by which we should gain this understanding and conviction – the word of God.

The Bible is the only thing that we have that is infallible and inerrant. My opinions can be off-base at times, and so can yours. The Bible will never be wrong when it comes to truth. ​

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB

It is by the word of God that we gain true and pure understanding on any matter.

When this verse talks about conviction, it is not talking about personal convictions. Personal convictions are those guardrails that the Holy Spirit has applied to our lives to keep us on track in godliness. Personal convictions deal with the sins that we struggle with personally but others may not so much.

The conviction that is talked about in this verse is the conviction that is universal from the word of God – the clear standards that are for all people at all times.

Conclusion

The church is a faith family that is made up of people from different walks of life. We all bring different ideas and opinions to the table. But we have been brought together under the banner of Christ to be unified in our mission. There is a work that the Holy Spirit is guiding us to do. Part of that work is to agree with one another so that we can take the gospel of Jesus Christ in an unhindered manner to those who need it.

Let us work diligently in keeping the peace by agreeing with one another, eliminating divisions as they seek to get us off task, and stand firm and united in the teachings of God’s word.