Sunday, February 11, 2018 am
NT Church (46)
Unity 4
When Separation Is Necessary
First, some clarifications:
1)
God wants unity – John
17:20-21, 1 Corinthians 1:10, etc.;
2)
God hates division.
He despises the one who sows discord among brethren – Proverbs
6:19;
3)
Whenever there is
division there is sin. When
you have division (not mere disagreement), someone is sinning, and
perhaps all involved are sinning.
4)
Whenever there is
division, it does damage.
Souls are in danger. Often
it is used to mock faith, the church, true believers and even God’s
word.
5)
We need to endeavor to
keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
This means we need to WORK at avoiding division and maintaining
unity.
However, sadly there have always been divisions and we live in a time of
bitter division. We live in
a time when far too many demand that things be done their way, OR that
we accept their way, OR that any way is fine, and all of this while
ignoring that there may actually be one true way, and they could be
wrong.
So
in this lesson we want to discuss the other side of division – when it
is necessary and why.
a.
The action of
separating something into parts.
2. Disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing
tension or hostility. Google
dictionary.
b.
In the Bible, it is the
idea of discord, which typically results in
SEPARATING into two or
more groups. For example:
The Greek word for division in 1 Corinthians 1:10 is also translated
tear in Matthew 9:16 where Jesus is speaking of putting an unshrunk
patch on an old garment, which tears it and makes it worse.
It is also found in 1 Corinthians 12:25 – the word schism.
c. As we speak of division, we are not addressing mere disagreement. We mean the tearing asunder of those who previously were in agreement or together.
a.
The very idea of enmity
shows division.
When we are in sin, we are
separated from God.
NOTE: This is NOT what God wants!
He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked – Ezekiel 33:11,
He desires that all men be saved - 2 Peter 3:9 -not willing that
any should perish; 1 Timothy 2:4 – He desires all men to be saved
He sent Jesus to put to death the enmity – 1 Timothy 1:15 –
Christ came to save sinners; Romans 5:6-11 describes how God
demonstrated His love by Christ dying, even for the ungodly.
Vs. 10 notes, For if when
we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
BUT, sin separates us.
Romans 6:23 – the wages of sin is death.
b.
Jesus, while on earth produced division.
As He lived and taught, many turned against Him.
And the stronger His teaching, the greater the divide.
Matthew 10:34-37 – Jesus said He came to bring a sword.
He warned that His teachings would divide families.
He warned that His message would be rejected and
separate them from the ungodly.
Luke 6:22-23, on one occasion Jesus noted that you are blessed,
when men hate you, And when they
exclude you, And
revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
He also noted that is exactly
what they did to the prophets.
John 7:40-43 after teaching, the people were divided over Him.
John 9:16, after healing the blind man as they interrogate him and he
acknowledges that Jesus healed him we read,
Therefore some of the Pharisees
said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”
Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there
was a division among them.
c.
The apostles and disciples in teaching often produced division against
them.
It began with Jews in Jerusalem and Judea rejecting those who followed
Jesus. They wanted nothing
to do with them, in spite of their peacefulness and the works which
verified their teaching.
This became even more prevalent later as Gentiles began to obey the
gospel, and again many of the Jews (some of who professed belief in
Jesus) rejected the whole counsel of God, which was inclusive.
Stephen was stoned to death for preaching and exposing the corruption of
the Jewish leaders (Acts 7)
On his preaching journeys, Paul often faced opposition from the Jews as
he tried to explain that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
Acts 14:1-4, Paul at Iconium (on his first preaching journey) went to
the synagogue and taught.
Both Jews and Gentiles believed.
BUT there were unbelieving Jews that stirred up the Gentiles and
poisoned their minds against the brethren.
Vs. 4 tells us the multitude of the city was divided.
Acts 17:1-5, in Thessalonica some believed but the Jews who were not
persuaded became envious and cause trouble, even using evil and
underhanded ways to discredit the Christians there.
Paul had to leave before he was ready to.
Acts 19:8-9, in Ephesus we have the same picture.
Paul was teaching but some were hardened and did not believe and
spoke evil of “the Way”.
Therefore, Paul departed and “withdrew
the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”
What did these
examples have in common?
i.
Someone REJECTED the
truth and that resulted in division (the need for separation).
ii.
When the godly left or
were cast out (and this WOULD equally apply if the godly stay and the
ungodly leave), it was because of ungodly attitudes and actions from
those who did not want the truth that actually caused the division.
Why?
Because God gets to set the
standard!
iii.
The godly simply could not stay and still be pleasing to God.
d.
Other passages to
consider:
i.
1 Corinthians 11:19, For there must
also be factions among you, that
those who are approved may be recognized among you.
ii.
1 John 2:18-19,
Little children, it is the last
hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they
were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued
with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that
none of them were of us.
iii.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12,
And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they
should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not
believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
a.
Now I realize that as we
have discussed division thus far, we have not been discussing a
congregation or brethren dividing, but truth be told, the underlying
reasons for these divisions are the same and there are parallels.
b.
Basically, this is an
issue of fellowship.
While division always involves sin, it does not necessarily mean that
everyone involved is guilty of sin.
In fact, at times, it would be
a sin to NOT separate. And that is the point of this lesson.
When our fellowship with man endangers our fellowship with God, we must
choose God.
2 John 9-11, Ephesians 5:11, etc.
c.
When is division (separation) necessary?
i.
When one (or a group) begins practicing or teaching error
– whether in worship,
doctrine, or morality.
ii.
When one (or a group) refuses to stand for the truth.
This could be an individual – where discipline is necessary; or a group
of people who simply reject the truth – including the world, those
advocating religious error - whether denominational or even among
brethren. Or perhaps those
who refuse to correct error.
iii.
When one (or a group) refuses to mark those in error
– 1 Corinthians 5:1-2,
vs. 6-7 warn of the consequence of ignoring this.
Revelation 2:12-16 – the church at Pergamos had those holding to false
doctrines.
Revelation 2:18-21 – the church at Thyatira had those practicing
immorality who had not repented “in time”.
NOTE: In these examples there is a call to repent. And while there is
time given for discussion and change, we learn from the examples of
Revelation 2 and 3 (7 churches), that such time is not unlimited.
d.
So, when someone REFUSES
to accept or follow truth, we have no choice but to
separate. For the sake
of purity and preservation of truth.
e.
1 Corinthians 10:16-21 –
we are not to have communion with idols (false religions)
f.
We are to separate
ourselves from the world – the idea of separation implies there is
division.
i.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 –
do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…
ii.
Hebrews 7:26 – Jesus, as
our High Priest, is described as holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
g.
HEED this warning of Jesus.
“Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against
itself will not stand.
(Matthew 12:25)
h.
Titus 3:10 – reject a
divisive man after the first and second admonition. NOTE: In this
lesson, this is a crucial verse.
It reminds us not to abandon someone too quickly.
We ought to seek resolution and be willing to discuss with
someone our concerns and differences as brethren.
a.
First, realize that it
is NOT a cause for rejoicing.
As we have noted in this lesson, when there is division SOMEONE
is in sin and that means their soul is in danger unless they repent.
Paul grieved for his Jewish brethren who rejected the truth – Romans
9:1-3
Jesus, as He overlooked the city of Jerusalem knew what was in store.
He grieved – Matthew 23:37-38; Also in John 6 after Jesus taught
some hard sayings we read that from that time many of His disciples went
back and walked with Him no more (John 6:66).
In vs. 67 we can see the demeanor of Jesus as He asks His
apostles, “Do you also want to go away?”
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 – rather than mourning, they were described as
puffed up.
b.
Let it because of God
and His word.
NOT for selfish reasons.
NOT personality clashes.
c.
I (we) must examine myself to see if I am (part of) the cause
– or am I right! This calls
for brutal honesty as always.
d.
Am I maintaining a godly
attitude?
Before, during and after!
Let it be with truth in love that we deal with our circumstances.
e.
Division (separation) should be a last resort
– it should only occur when all efforts to avoid it have been exhausted.
When we approach problems and differences we ought to do so with
the intention of avoiding division if at all possible.
f.
Seek reconciliation, when possible, but not at the expense of truth!
This is not a lesson that gives me joy to preach.
But for the time being, it is very much needed.
Because there is so much religious division in our midst, and
sadly there are far too many instances where separation should occur,
but it hasn’t. May we
resolve first and foremost to avoid division as much as possible
(Ephesians 4:3), BUT let us value our standing with God more than with
men.
There is another separation
we need to be concerned about.
On the day of judgment there will be the ultimate division.
Matthew 25:32 Jesus speaks of the nations being gathered and
separated, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats.
You do NOT want to be on the wrong side of this separation for it
has eternal consequences.
Are you united with God?
Think about it!