Standing United Against Division: The Armor of God
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage is crucial for understanding the spiritual battles Christians face, both collectively as the Church and individually. The devil's schemes manifest in two primary ways: through movements that affect the Church as a whole and through personal attacks on individual believers. It's vital for Christians to recognize these schemes to avoid falling into misery and bondage.
One of the devil's most subtle schemes is causing division, or schism, within the Church. Schism, as described in the New Testament, refers to unnecessary divisions that tear apart the unity of the Church. This is contrary to Jesus' prayer in John 17:21, where He prayed for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. Schism is not about doctrinal differences but about divisions over personalities, social status, or other non-essential issues.
The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in 1 Corinthians, where he rebukes the Church for dividing over leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. Such divisions are carnal and detract from the unity that should characterize the body of Christ. Similarly, divisions can arise from personal pride, the desire for preeminence, or social distinctions, all of which are condemned in Scripture.
To combat schism, Christians must strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, as Paul exhorts in Ephesians 4. This involves humility, patience, and love, ensuring that personal preferences or ambitions do not disrupt the unity of the Church. By understanding and applying these principles, believers can stand firm against the devil's schemes and reflect the unity that Jesus prayed for.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the Devil's Schemes: Recognizing the devil's schemes is crucial for Christians to avoid spiritual defeat and bondage. These schemes manifest both in the Church as a whole and in individual lives, requiring vigilance and spiritual discernment. [01:23]
- The Danger of Schism: Schism, or unnecessary division, is a significant threat to the Church's unity. It often arises from non-doctrinal issues like personalities or social status, contrary to Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:21. [11:20]
- Unity in Doctrine and Spirit: True unity in the Church is based on shared doctrine and the Spirit's bond of peace. Christians must avoid divisions over non-essential matters and strive to maintain unity through humility and love. [25:21]
- Avoiding Carnality and Pride: Divisions often stem from carnal desires, such as the desire for preeminence or personal pride. These attitudes are condemned in Scripture and must be replaced with humility and a focus on Christ. [35:29]
- The Role of Bigotry in Division: Bigotry, characterized by obstinate and unreasoning adherence to personal beliefs, can lead to division. It often stems from fear and a lack of self-discipline, highlighting the need for a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. [45:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:06] - The Importance of Recognizing the Devil's Schemes
- [02:34] - The Role of the Individual in the Church
- [04:39] - Heresies and Apostasy
- [05:45] - Understanding Schism
- [07:13] - Biblical References to Schism
- [10:23] - The Impact of Schism on Church Unity
- [13:19] - The Subtlety of the Devil in Causing Division
- [16:24] - Balancing Heresy and Schism
- [20:24] - Defining Schism
- [27:15] - Causes of Schism: Personalities and Carnality
- [35:02] - The Desire for Preeminence
- [37:55] - Social Status and Division
- [41:59] - Gifts and Understanding
- [44:10] - Bigotry and Its Effects on Unity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- John 17:21
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13, and why is it necessary for believers? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's schemes as affecting both the Church as a whole and individual believers? [01:23]
3. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, what specific divisions does Paul address within the Corinthian church, and what are the causes of these divisions? [07:13]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:21, and how does it relate to the issue of schism? [11:20]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-13 relate to the everyday challenges faced by Christians, both individually and collectively? [00:10]
2. What are the potential consequences of schism within the Church, as discussed in the sermon, and how do they contrast with the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:21? [11:20]
3. How does the sermon suggest Christians can discern between necessary doctrinal separation and unnecessary division or schism? [16:24]
4. In what ways does personal pride or the desire for preeminence contribute to division within the Church, according to the sermon? [35:29]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced division within a church community. How did it affect your faith, and what steps could have been taken to prevent it? [12:48]
2. How can you personally contribute to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in your church, as encouraged in Ephesians 4? Consider specific actions or attitudes you can adopt. [25:21]
3. Identify a non-essential issue that has caused division in your church or community. How can you approach this issue with humility and love to promote unity? [26:01]
4. The sermon highlights the danger of bigotry and unreasoning adherence to personal beliefs. How can you ensure that your convictions are grounded in Scripture and not personal bias? [45:41]
5. Consider the role of social status or personal preferences in your church interactions. How can you work towards inclusivity and equality within your church community? [37:55]
6. How can you guard against the subtlety of the devil in causing division, as described in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to be vigilant and discerning? [13:19]
7. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where personal pride or the desire for recognition might be causing division? How can you address these issues to foster unity? [35:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Warfare in Daily Life
Understanding the devil's schemes is crucial for Christians to avoid spiritual defeat and bondage. These schemes manifest both in the Church as a whole and in individual lives, requiring vigilance and spiritual discernment. The devil often uses subtle tactics to lead believers astray, making it essential for Christians to be aware of his methods. By recognizing these schemes, believers can stand firm in their faith and avoid falling into spiritual traps. [01:23]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you felt spiritually attacked. How can you use the armor of God to stand firm in similar situations in the future?
Day 2: The Subtle Danger of Division
Schism, or unnecessary division, is a significant threat to the Church's unity. It often arises from non-doctrinal issues like personalities or social status, contrary to Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:21. These divisions can weaken the Church's witness and hinder its mission. By understanding the nature of schism, believers can work towards maintaining unity and avoiding the pitfalls of division. [11:20]
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
Reflection: Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced division in the Church. What steps can you take to promote unity and reconciliation in your community?
Day 3: Cultivating Unity Through Humility and Love
True unity in the Church is based on shared doctrine and the Spirit's bond of peace. Christians must avoid divisions over non-essential matters and strive to maintain unity through humility and love. This involves setting aside personal preferences and ambitions for the greater good of the Church. By fostering a spirit of humility and love, believers can reflect the unity that Jesus prayed for. [25:21]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. How can you practice humility and love to help restore that relationship?
Day 4: Overcoming Pride and Carnality
Divisions often stem from carnal desires, such as the desire for preeminence or personal pride. These attitudes are condemned in Scripture and must be replaced with humility and a focus on Christ. By recognizing and addressing these carnal tendencies, believers can work towards greater unity and spiritual maturity. [35:29]
James 3:16-17 (ESV): "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where pride or selfish ambition has caused division. What steps can you take to cultivate humility and seek reconciliation?
Day 5: Confronting Bigotry with Love and Understanding
Bigotry, characterized by obstinate and unreasoning adherence to personal beliefs, can lead to division. It often stems from fear and a lack of self-discipline, highlighting the need for a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. By confronting bigotry with love and understanding, believers can promote unity and reflect the character of Christ. [45:41]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: Identify a belief or attitude you hold that may be causing division. How can you approach this belief with a spirit of love and understanding to promote unity?
Quotes
There is nothing more important from Christian for Christian people than that they should know something about this otherwise we shall be defeated and brought into a state of misery and of bondage and great harm may result to the whole life of the Christian church. [00:01:18]
The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in 1 Corinthians, where he rebukes the Church for dividing over leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. Such divisions are carnal and detract from the unity that should characterize the body of Christ. [00:28:08]
Schism is the exact opposite of that it is a state in which the church is wrongly divided the opposite of John 17:21 a state in which you've got factions groups and divisions in the body of the Christian church. [00:11:17]
The world is looking on at the Christian church and there can be no question at all but that schisms and divisions do constitute an obstacle and a hindrance to those who are outside from believing and submitting themselves to the Christian faith and the Christian teaching. [00:12:43]
Nowhere perhaps is his subtle art and artistry and artfulness shown so clearly as in the way in which he drives us as Christian people to overcorrection and to extremes. [00:13:24]
The desire to have the preeminence, masterfulness, the desire to be a leader and to be a dictator in the church. There's a classical illustration of this: James and John you remember sent their mother to ask our Lord should these two sons of hers have be seated when he was in his glory in his kingdom one on his right hand one on the left hand. [00:35:02]
Bigotry is ultimately a matter of a man's Spirit. Bigotry is ultimately due to a man failing to discipline himself to be a bigot means that you are obstinate in what you believe. [00:44:47]
The Apostle Paul was able to say that he wasn't responsible for this he says I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius he never set out to form a party he came in humility and in meekness weakness fear and much trembling. [00:30:31]
The rich and the poor the rich had too much were eating and drinking too much the others hadn't sufficient and they were abusing even the Lord's table and the love Feast which they had in connection with it because of this division amongst the rich and the poor. [00:37:55]
The Apostle says there that if you divide on any one of these accounts you are guilty of schism all are necessary and it is the spirit who decides how he dispenses his gifts whether he gives any or none and what particular gifts he may chance to give. [00:41:59]
The bigot is a man of course whom we should feel very sorry for is a meant to be pitied because he is not aware of what is happening to him and I believe that ultimately the ultimate cause of all bigotry is a spirit of fear. [00:45:41]
God preserve us from it and he can he will he tells us that we can be clothed and filled with the power of His might and if we but take unto us the whole armor of God we shall be ready we shall be prepared. [00:47:14]
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