Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division and Schism
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 highlights the spiritual battle Christians face, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil's tactics are varied and cunning, aiming to disrupt the church and individual believers. One of the devil's strategies is causing division, or schism, within the church. Schism is an unjustifiable division among Christians, often driven by extreme reactions to heresy or apostasy. It is a sin that tears apart the body of Christ.
The devil exploits sincere believers by pushing them to extremes, leading to unnecessary divisions. Historical examples, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, illustrate how initial justified separations from apostasy led to further divisions within Protestantism. These divisions often arise from disagreements over non-essential matters, such as church traditions, interpretations of doctrine, or church governance.
To avoid the sin of schism, Christians must prioritize unity in essential beliefs while allowing liberty in non-essentials. The focus should be on the core tenets of the faith, such as the deity of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and the authority of Scripture. Christians should be cautious about dividing over issues that do not pertain to salvation or where certainty cannot be achieved. Instead, they should strive for balance, considering the broader impact of their actions on the church and its witness to the world.
Ultimately, the goal is to glorify God, edify the church, and reach the lost. By keeping these priorities in mind, believers can navigate the challenges of division and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God: Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle against the devil's schemes, which require the full armor of God for protection and strength. This armor enables believers to stand firm against spiritual forces of evil, emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's power. [00:11]
2. The Danger of Schism: Schism, or unjustifiable division within the church, is a sin that the devil uses to disrupt the unity of believers. It often arises from extreme reactions to heresy or apostasy, leading to unnecessary separations among Christians. [03:23]
3. Historical Lessons on Division: The history of the church, including the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, shows how justified separations from apostasy can lead to further divisions over non-essential matters. These examples highlight the need for discernment and balance in addressing doctrinal differences. [09:11]
4. Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Non-Essentials: Christians should prioritize unity in essential beliefs, such as the deity of Christ and His atoning work, while allowing liberty in non-essential matters. This approach helps maintain the church's witness and prevents unnecessary divisions. [22:23]
5. The Importance of Love and Humility: In addressing potential divisions, believers should be guided by love for God and others, humility, and a desire for God's glory. By focusing on these priorities, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of schism and work towards the edification of the church and the salvation of souls. [35:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:47] - The Devil's Schemes
- [01:52] - Understanding Schism
- [03:23] - The Sin of Division
- [05:43] - Division Over Doctrine
- [07:33] - Lessons from the Reformation
- [09:11] - Historical Examples of Schism
- [11:19] - Consequences of Division
- [13:34] - Modern-Day Implications
- [17:06] - Avoiding Extremes
- [19:53] - Principles for Justifiable Separation
- [22:23] - Tradition vs. Truth
- [27:01] - Questionable Grounds for Division
- [34:34] - General Considerations for Unity
- [42:23] - Conclusion and Call to Unity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by "the whole armor of God," and why is it necessary for believers? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's tactics in causing division within the church? [03:23]
3. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the consequences of schism? [09:11]
4. According to the sermon, what are the essential beliefs that Christians should prioritize to maintain unity? [22:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-13 relate to the challenges of maintaining unity within the church? [00:11]
2. In what ways can the devil exploit sincere believers to cause division, according to the sermon? [03:23]
3. How do historical examples of division, such as the Protestant Reformation, inform our understanding of schism today? [09:11]
4. What does the sermon suggest about balancing tradition and truth in the context of church unity? [22:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed division in a church setting. How did it affect your faith and the community? [03:23]
2. How can you personally contribute to unity in your church, especially when disagreements arise over non-essential matters? [22:23]
3. Identify a non-essential issue that has caused division in your church or community. How can you approach this issue with love and humility? [35:01]
4. What steps can you take to ensure that your focus remains on the core tenets of the faith, such as the deity of Christ and His atoning work? [22:23]
5. How can you practice spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's power in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual forces of evil? [00:11]
6. Consider a situation where you might have been pushed to an extreme in your beliefs. How can you find balance and avoid unnecessary division? [03:23]
7. What practical actions can you take this week to glorify God, edify the church, and reach the lost, as emphasized in the sermon? [35:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Vigilance in Warfare
Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle that requires vigilance and reliance on God's power. The devil's schemes are cunning and varied, aiming to disrupt the church and individual believers. To stand firm against these spiritual forces of evil, believers must put on the full armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. This armor is not just a metaphor but a spiritual reality that empowers Christians to withstand the devil's attacks and remain steadfast in their faith. [00:11]
Ephesians 6:14-17 (ESV): "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: What specific piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to focus on today, and how can you actively incorporate it into your spiritual life?
Day 2: Recognizing the Sin of Schism
Schism, or unjustifiable division within the church, is a sin that the devil uses to disrupt the unity of believers. It often arises from extreme reactions to heresy or apostasy, leading to unnecessary separations among Christians. These divisions can tear apart the body of Christ and weaken the church's witness to the world. Christians must be aware of the devil's tactics and strive to maintain unity by focusing on essential beliefs and allowing liberty in non-essentials. [03:23]
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: Is there a relationship in your church community where you sense division? How can you take a step towards reconciliation and unity today?
Day 3: Learning from Historical Divisions
The history of the church, including the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, shows how justified separations from apostasy can lead to further divisions over non-essential matters. These historical examples highlight the need for discernment and balance in addressing doctrinal differences. Christians should learn from the past and avoid repeating the same mistakes by prioritizing unity in essential beliefs and allowing freedom in non-essentials. [09:11]
Romans 14:1-3 (ESV): "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you disagreed with someone over a non-essential matter. How can you approach similar situations with more grace and understanding in the future?
Day 4: Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Non-Essentials
Christians should prioritize unity in essential beliefs, such as the deity of Christ and His atoning work, while allowing liberty in non-essential matters. This approach helps maintain the church's witness and prevents unnecessary divisions. By focusing on the core tenets of the faith, believers can navigate doctrinal differences with love and humility, ensuring that the church remains a strong and unified body. [22:23]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: What is one non-essential belief or practice that you can hold more loosely to promote unity within your church community?
Day 5: Love and Humility in Addressing Division
In addressing potential divisions, believers should be guided by love for God and others, humility, and a desire for God's glory. By focusing on these priorities, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of schism and work towards the edification of the church and the salvation of souls. Love and humility are essential in maintaining the unity of the Spirit and ensuring that the church remains a powerful witness to the world. [35:01]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love and humility in a current conflict or disagreement, and what steps can you take to promote peace and unity?
Quotes
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that he may be able to stand against the Ws of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against Powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [00:00:11]
The devil exploits sincere believers by pushing them to extremes, leading to unnecessary divisions. Historical examples, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, illustrate how initial justified separations from apostasy led to further divisions within Protestantism. These divisions often arise from disagreements over non-essential matters, such as church traditions, interpretations of doctrine, or church governance. [00:03:23]
To avoid the sin of schism, Christians must prioritize unity in essential beliefs while allowing liberty in non-essentials. The focus should be on the core tenets of the faith, such as the deity of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and the authority of Scripture. Christians should be cautious about dividing over issues that do not pertain to salvation or where certainty cannot be achieved. [00:22:23]
Ultimately, the goal is to glorify God, edify the church, and reach the lost. By keeping these priorities in mind, believers can navigate the challenges of division and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [00:35:01]
The devil comes to people who've seen the danger of heresy and the danger of apostasy and he drives them so violently to the opposite extreme that they divide when they shouldn't divide. We should always keep separate from heresy; we should keep as far away as we can from apostasy. [00:03:23]
The history of the church, including the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, shows how justified separations from apostasy can lead to further divisions over non-essential matters. These examples highlight the need for discernment and balance in addressing doctrinal differences. [00:09:11]
Christians should prioritize unity in essential beliefs, such as the deity of Christ and His atoning work, while allowing liberty in non-essential matters. This approach helps maintain the church's witness and prevents unnecessary divisions. [00:22:23]
In addressing potential divisions, believers should be guided by love for God and others, humility, and a desire for God's glory. By focusing on these priorities, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of schism and work towards the edification of the church and the salvation of souls. [00:35:01]
The devil exploits sincere believers by pushing them to extremes, leading to unnecessary divisions. Historical examples, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Puritan movement, illustrate how initial justified separations from apostasy led to further divisions within Protestantism. [00:03:23]
To avoid the sin of schism, Christians must prioritize unity in essential beliefs while allowing liberty in non-essentials. The focus should be on the core tenets of the faith, such as the deity of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and the authority of Scripture. [00:22:23]
Ultimately, the goal is to glorify God, edify the church, and reach the lost. By keeping these priorities in mind, believers can navigate the challenges of division and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [00:35:01]
The devil comes to people who've seen the danger of heresy and the danger of apostasy and he drives them so violently to the opposite extreme that they divide when they shouldn't divide. We should always keep separate from heresy; we should keep as far away as we can from apostasy. [00:03:23]
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