Denominationalism

Is Christ Divided?

Not Our Group—But Is It Christ?
AM Sermon Waupaca Church of Christ Ed March 21, 2026
Because Christ is not divided, every identity, loyalty, doctrine, and religious structure built on men, parties, creeds, or denominational distinctions must be rejected in favor of complete submission to Christ, His cross, and His Word.
Mark 9:38–40 | 1 Corinthians 1:10–13 | NASB 1995
01
Big Idea

Christ Must Be Greater Than Every Circle

  • A man may say “Christ” and still serve a party.
  • Group loyalty can outrank Scripture in the heart.
  • When our people outrank the text, division begins.
Big Idea / Thesis
02
Primary Text

Party Slogans Expose a Deeper Disease

“Each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas.’”
1 Corinthians 1:12
Scripture Slide
03
Primary Text

Paul’s Crushing Question

“Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he?”
1 Corinthians 1:13
The Cross Rejects Party Spirit
04
Main Point I

Party Spirit Tries to Divide What the Cross Made One

  • Division is not harmless preference.
  • Party labels become rival allegiances.
  • No servant has the right to replace Christ.

Cross Questions

  • Who was crucified for you?
  • Into whose name were you baptized?
  • Who owns your loyalty?
1 Corinthians 1:10–13
05
Greek Word Study

What Paul Actually Condemns

Schismata

Splits, tears, rents. Party spirit damages what should remain whole.

Katērtismenoi

Made complete, fitted together. The answer is restoration under Christ.

Memeristai

Has been divided, apportioned. Christ is not cut into party portions.

Expanded Word Study
06
Sermon Gem
When a man’s name begins to organize your loyalty, the cross has already been pushed out of the center.
Gem 1
Warning Against Rival Allegiance
07
Supporting Text

The Apostles’ Wrong Measure

“We tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”
Mark 9:38
The Problem Was “Us”
08
Supporting Text

Christ Corrects the Circle

“Do not hinder him… for he who is not against us is for us.”
Mark 9:39–40
Our Group Is Not the Standard
09
Main Point II

Group Loyalty Replaces Christ as the Standard

  • The complaint was associational, not doctrinal.
  • They measured by proximity to themselves.
  • Sectarian thinking makes our circle the test.
  • Christ is the measure of truth.
  • Scripture still condemns false doctrine.
  • But our camp is not the kingdom.
Mark 9:38–40 | Galatians 1:8 | 2 John 9
10
Sermon Gem
The moment “us” becomes the test of truth, Christ has been displaced from the throne of judgment.
Gem 2
Christ Alone Judges
11
Contrast Slide

Two Very Different Questions

Tribal Judgment

Who said it? What circle are they in? Are they one of us?

Righteous Judgment

Is it true? Is it biblical? Does it honor Christ and submit to His Word?

John 7:24
12
Historical Background

Party Spirit Has a Long History

Judaism
Pharisees / Sadducees
Religion crowded with parties, schools, and rival authorities.
Post-Apostolic
Hierarchy / Creeds
Men drew disciples after themselves and buried Scripture under structure.
Reformation
Named Bodies Multiply
Protest exposed error, but fragmentation continued under new names.
Restoration
Bible-Only Plea
Even good pleas can become party markers if men stop at slogans.
Acts 20:29–30 | Ephesians 4:4–5
13
Sermon Gem
Party spirit is so deceitful that men can condemn creeds with their mouths and still build one with their habits.
Gem 3
History Repeats the Same Disease
14
Key Doctrine

What Is a Denomination?

  • A named religious body distinguished from other named bodies.
  • Separate organization, doctrine, heritage, or practice.
  • Division organized, named, and normalized.
One Body | One Lord | One Faith | One Baptism
15
Cross-Reference

The New Testament Gives One Identity

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Acts 11:26
Also 1 Peter 4:16
16
Memory Verse

The Unity Christ Built

“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
Ephesians 4:4–5
Memory Verse Slide
17
Objection / Answer

Is This a Plea for Doctrinal Compromise?

False Answer

“Doctrine does not matter. Just unite with everybody.”

Biblical Answer

Truth still governs fellowship. The answer is not compromise, but Christ-centered, Scripture-ruled unity.

Galatians 1:8 | 2 John 9–11 | Romans 16:17
18
Application

Where This Sermon Lands

Personal

Do not wear in your heart a name that did not bleed for you.

Congregational

Do not build unity on famous men, inherited phrases, or tribal instincts.

Generational

Hand your children the Scriptures, not a camp to defend.

Application Slide
19
What Must I Do?

Come to Christ—Not to a Party

Step 1
Hear
Step 2
Believe
Step 3
Repent
Step 4
Confess
Step 5
Be Baptized
  • John 8:24 — Believe
  • Acts 17:30 — Repent
  • Romans 10:9–10 — Confess
  • Acts 2:38 — Baptism for forgiveness
  • Revelation 2:10 — Remain faithful
Invitation / Plan of Salvation
20
Closing Challenge

Christ Is Not Divided

  • Do not give your loyalty to what His blood never purchased.
  • Reject every rival banner that competes with Christ.
  • Be a Christian—nothing more, nothing less.
Closing Line
21
Nav: ← → | Export: E (all) | PDF: S
Scroll to Top