"Who Do You Belong To?" - I Cor. 1:10-18 - January 24, 1999

The other day someone asked me who I wanted to win the Super Bowl. I responded by saying that it really didn’t matter to me since I have no interest in either team. Perhaps if there were a team from the Midwest I might have more passion for the game. It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good football game now and then, I simply have no loyalty to teams that are so far away.

When Ohio State was playing in the Sugar Bowl, there was much more at stake. Columbus is only 75 miles from Sidney and there are many alumni in our congregation. That game got my attention because it is much closer to home and there are many "fans" among us.

Our passion for a particular team has a lot to do with where we are and where our loyalties lie. Of course many have no interest in football or sports at all. Take Mary McCarty, for example, a columnist from The Dayton Daily News. In her column last Sunday she claimed illiteracy when it comes to sports. She would rather sit and read a good book or visit a museum.

Who do you belong to or who are you loyal to? What activities, teams, organizations or people receive your attention and interest? Perhaps your family is number one. Maybe your career takes precedence over all other areas of your life. How do you choose when two people or activities are demanding your time and resources? What if your boss wants you to work on a Friday evening but your spouse has made plans for an intimate evening together? What if two of your children have scheduled events at the same time? Who do you support?

We live in a competitive world, a world which pulls us in different directions at the same time. We make our choices based on who we are most loyal to. The church is also a part of our lives which demands our time and energy. And within the church there are conflicting opinions and beliefs that sometimes divide us.

Paul was deeply concerned that within the church there were divisions. He appealed to them, "that there be no dissensions among them, that they be united by the same mind and the same judgment." Doesn’t this seem unrealistic, to think that we all have to be of the same mind and same judgment? Can you imagine a church, or any organization for that matter, where everyone agrees?

At a previous church that I served there was a very popular minister who was in his prime in the 50’s and 60’s. The church was prosperous and there were many excellent programs. The minister was known for his wonderful messages. The minister retired in 1968, but in the 80’s many still talked about him as if he were still there. Every pastor that followed him could not live up to their expectations of this minister from their past. Consequently there was conflict and dissension among them.

I believe what concerned Paul was "favoritism." When people of the faith looked to a particular leader or pastor it caused disunity. Paul was very popular and very respected. But, Paul, did not want to be their favorite. Paul wanted their primary loyalty to be to Jesus Christ.

When we favor one person over another it causes jealousy and hurt. We used to laugh at Tommy Smothers when he told his brother that "Mom always loved you best." Actually, he was using humor to let us see ourselves. Favoritism is families can cause deep and lasting pain. I remember the time my grandmother, whom I loved very much, told me how beautiful the daughter of my first cousin was. We were the same age and often competed with one another. My grandmother had no idea how this hurt. My daughter was beautiful too, no less than her second cousin.

There is danger in giving our allegiance to one group over another. It is a problem that divides us. It doesn’t just happen in the world of sports. It can be found everywhere in life, politics, families, corporations, nations, etc. It happens in subtle ways too. When people are pulled in different directions they are forced to make a choice. How we choose depends on who or what we are most loyal to.

Paul was concerned that the early Church was going in too many directions. Some were following him, others were being loyal to Apollos or Cephas. The Church could not be together unless everyone made Christ the center of their loyalty. Unfortunately the Church today is divided. The divisions are over traditions, polity and personalities.

When Jesus gave his final message (in the gospel of John), he reminded them that "apart from me you can do nothing." The future of Jesus’ ministry was clearly placed in the lives of his disciples. It was unrealistic to think that they would stay together and that only one Church would prevail. Nevertheless, Jesus wanted them to remember to keep him "first" in their minds and hearts.

This past week I found myself in a situation where I was pulled in two different directions. My world wide web sermon site has increased in popularity. Because of the growing interest I was feeling the pressure to have a sermon ready for my inquiring audience. At the same time I had pastoral concerns which needed by attention. I realized at that moment that Paul was speaking to me. To give excessive energy to the web and ignore my congregation was being disloyal.

To be faithful to my role as pastor the congregation must be my first priority. But that applies to all of you as well. In a marriage relationship your "favorite" must be your spouse. To give your spouse a role any less than first place is to be divided. If you put your work ahead of the attention of your family you are also mixing priorities. There is nothing wrong with belonging to other organizations. There is nothing wrong with having hobbies and interests in activities like sports. It is very clear, however that Jesus wants to be given the number one priority in our lives.

Jesus did not play favorites. We are all equal in the eyes of God. Being loyal to one person at the expense of another damages relationships and causes pain and sorrow. Nothing haunts us more than to grow up in a situation where we are always "second best." There is nothing exciting about begin the runner-up. We become a nameless person in history. Imagine how God must feel when we put God in any place other than first.

When we put our own preferences aside and look only to Jesus as the leader of the faith, we are being faithful. By putting Christ first in our lives we will not be forced to choose one person over another. By keeping our priorities in line with the teaching of Jesus and the preaching of Paul, our lives, relationships and families will be whole and fulfilled. By being together there will be unity in the Church and God will be praised.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio