Teachings of Jesus (Part 16) A House Divided
Abe Lincoln was elected to congress in 1847. The Mexican war was going on at the time and Lincoln opposed the war. His antiwar speeches did not make his political supporters very happy and he knew they wouldn’t re-elect him.
So at the end of His term in 1849 he returned to Illinois to practice law. Then in 1858 he was nominated by the republican party to be an Illinois state senator.
Addressing the State convention at Springfield, he gave the first of his memorable speeches. His huge hands tensely gripped the speaker’s stand, he declared slowly and firmly: “A house divided against its self cannot stand”
At that time he was talking about the country being divided on the issue of slavery. But where did he get that phrase? He got it from Jesus. And it’s recorded in 3 of the 4 gospels. Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and in our text for today Luke 11:17.
Even tho He was doing a good things Jesus was accused of driving out demons in the name of Beelzebul, or the ruler of demons.
In Luke 11:17-20 it says: “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Jesus brushes their accusation off with logic. They’re accusing Him of being in league with the prince of demons because of His power over demons. Basically He says that Satan would not attack his own subjects because it would only weaken and divide his kingdom.
As you know, we live in a country that is divided on many issues. Certain events periodically bring it together (Like what happened on 911). But that unity is usually short lived. We live in a world full of division and different loyalties. But we as Christians we are not to be of this world.
We are separated from the world by our belief in the word of God, and His Word never changes nor will it ever fade away.
Sad to say, that even Christ’s church has divided over time on numerable issues. But it did not start out that way when it began on the day of Pentecost and closely thereafter. One can read in Acts 2 how the apostles and the early church was all with one accord in one place when it first began there in Jerusalem and the church was a unified body, of one faith, one hope, and love that bound believers together.
Bu that slowly changed; and in Eph. 4:3-6 the Apostle Paul wrote: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit. Just as you were called to one hope when you were called. One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all. Who is over all and through all and in all.”
When church members disagree over what God has prescribed in His word, then division begins to occur. Unfortunately we see division in almost every venue of life; in our nation, in families, in business, and even in the church.
Today I’m going to briefly talk about this problem which is addressed in one church, and then what will help cure division.
In the city of Corinth Paul shares some issues that they had and then tells us how to deal with these issues in His letters to them.
When Paul went to Corinth He worked as a tent maker and preached the Gospel there on a regular basis. He remained there for about a year and half, and established a growing church. (Acts 18)
The congregation consisted of some Jews, but was mostly Gentile and ex-pagan in nature. Socially, the membership ranged from the very affluent to Jewish refugees (Ac.18:2) and former criminals (I Cor.6:9-11).
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church was written about 55 years after the death of Jesus. In it he deals with issues on marriage, celibacy, food offered to idols, proper dress, responsibilities of women, public worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of the dead.
Paul was also concerned about growing friction and division in that church. Different groups were forming and were quarrelling among themselves. Some had even taken other members to pagan courts to settle disputes. Although Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth was written to deal with specific needs of that church, it also has a tremendous value for us.
In his letter Paul addresses divisions in the church. I Corinthians 1:10; Paul wrote, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
And in verse 12:13 He says, “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. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into Paul?”
Sometimes congregations even today are divided for the same reason. People say I’m going to follow this teacher because He’s my favorite speaker, or I’m going to side with this person because he a family member. I’ve heard of some churches where the affluent people sit on one side and the not so affluent sat on the other side. Invisible barriers like this actually divide congregations. Close fellowship with one another should be a distinctive mark of the members of Jesus’ church. This unity among our members came about because of Jesus Christ. And this fellowship is meant to prompt church members to help one another emotionally, spiritually, and even economically if the need arises because of our relationship with Jesus..
Because of Jesus and what He did on that cross, He made it possible for all of us to unite across all cultural and economic lines to become ONE BODY. Our relationship with Jesus should help produce unity and bonds with other church members who they would not normally associate with,
Galatians 3:27-28 says, “27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Listen to what Paul says in Romans 15:5-7; “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God desires unity among His people. Holding grudges and resenting other members of the body separates us from the will of Christ. Christians should accept each other as Christ accepts us. In Christ all people are one. All are brothers and sisters in Christ because all are indebted to Jesus.
Paul has weaved a thread of unity throughout this letter, but that thread doesn’t stop in this one letter to the Corinthians. It is woven throughout the Bible. We are called to be in harmony and in unison with each other. In chapter 11:19; Paul also says that there is no doubt that there will be differences of opinions. But differences can be healthy if they are approached in a Christ like manner. It’s where we can learn from one another, but we need to be careful with our attitudes.
Now in our text today, Jesus said that a house divided will not stand. In other words, division destroys relationships and peace. A divided home will fall apart. Division and arguments will cripple if not destroy a marriage, a friendship, a business, a church and even a nation, and more if things go too far.
We therefore need to learn how to nip this problem in the bud before they corrode our relationship and permanently divide us.
There are many things that can divide us. One big thing that can divide us is when we sin. Sin divided and separated us from God. Satan deceived Eve, separating man from fellowship with God. And He’s still at work, deceiving and dividing people with sin.
Immoral and adulterous behavior and lies divide husbands and wives. Sinful behavior can divide children from their parents. Jealousy, envy, and greed will divide people. Gossip, slander and sowing discord among brethren can tear even the best congregation apart.
There are other things that also can lead to division if we are not careful; things like poor communication, jumping to conclusions without all the facts, selfish behavior and other bad attitudes. We have to be careful of all of these.
So what is the cure for division? If anything, I believe a loving, faithful, kind, truthful, and forgiving attitude is the best cure. I believe they will pacify if not cure the problem. Love is the key to defusing division..
In I Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. It always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
God sent his only begotten son into the world, because He loves us. Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sins, why? Because He loves us and wanted to fix the great rift or divide between us and God.
Love is the Key. Not being selfish, self centered, confrontational and always trying to argue our point as being the best.
I’m not saying that we need to approve of or even tolerate sinful behavior in others; some things are just plain unacceptable. But when someone simply thinks differently than we do, our love for them should prevent us from getting upset wit them because of those differences.
I would like to close by reading what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans about our need to love, and our need to accept other rather than divide over differing opinions.
Read Romans 12:9-18 “ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
13:8-10 “ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.“
And Chapter 14:1-3 “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. “
6-8 “Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
13-22 “ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”
You want to defuse arguments and potential rifts? Then seek peace. Sometimes that means keeping some of your beliefs and opinions to yourself.
Based on what I’ve read here, some things are just not worth fighting and dividing over. You don’t have to win every battle, and every argument. Rather in vs 19 Paul wrote, “Make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.”
Can you do that? I pray that you will make an effort to do so. It will only lead to a happier and more peaceful life.
Is there a rift between you and someone else? Go and do your part or what you can to fix it. You don’t have to put up with another’s sinful behavior or fake that it’s OK, but it’s important for us to remember that we need to hate the sin but love the sinner…. Just like God does with us.
(Based on a Sermon by David Thompson) For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566
All comments can be emailed to: bfronzek@gmail.com
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