“Grasping for Meaning”

Todd Misfeldt

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10‐17 (NIV) 

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.  11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 

13 Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Were you baptized in the name of Paul?  14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.  16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)  17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 

Old Testament reading: Ecclesiastes 1:12‐14  (NIV) 

12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.  13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.  What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!  14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.