Unity in Christ: Standing Firm Against Division

 

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 serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle we 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 most insidious strategies is causing division, or schism, within the church. This division often arises from an overzealous reaction to heresy and apostasy, leading believers to separate unjustifiably.

Schism, as discussed, is a division without adequate cause, tearing apart the body of Christ. It can manifest through personal allegiances, social status, or doctrinal disagreements. Historical examples, such as the divisions following the Protestant Reformation and within the Puritan movement, illustrate how easily schism can occur when believers prioritize personal judgment over unity. The devil exploits these tendencies, pushing believers to divide over non-essential matters.

To combat this, we must discern when separation is justified. Separation is necessary when faced with apostasy or when tradition is placed above truth. However, dividing over non-essential matters, such as church governance or interpretations of prophecy, is questionable. We must prioritize the essentials of the faith and maintain unity in the body of Christ.

Ultimately, our chief concern should be the glory of God and the salvation of souls. We must consider the broader impact of our actions, ensuring that our desire for doctrinal purity does not hinder the church's witness. By keeping love and humility at the forefront, we can avoid the sin of schism and work towards a unified church that stands firm against the devil's schemes.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God: Believers are called to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This spiritual battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Understanding this helps us remain vigilant and prepared for the challenges we face as Christians. [00:09]

- The Danger of Schism: Schism, or unjustifiable division within the church, is a significant tactic of the devil. It often arises from an overreaction to heresy and apostasy, leading believers to separate over non-essential matters. Recognizing this danger helps us strive for unity in the body of Christ. [03:24]

- Historical Lessons on Division: The history of the church, including the Protestant Reformation and Puritan movement, provides valuable lessons on the consequences of division. These examples remind us to prioritize unity and avoid unnecessary separations that weaken the church's witness. [08:26]

- Justifiable Separation: Separation is justified when faced with apostasy or when tradition is placed above truth. However, dividing over non-essential matters, such as church governance or interpretations of prophecy, is questionable. We must discern when separation is necessary and when unity should be maintained. [20:14]

- Prioritizing God's Glory and Unity: Our chief concern should be the glory of God and the salvation of souls. By keeping love and humility at the forefront, we can avoid the sin of schism and work towards a unified church that stands firm against the devil's schemes. This focus helps us maintain a balanced perspective and avoid unnecessary divisions. [35:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:27] - The Spiritual Battle
- [00:46] - The Devil's Schemes
- [01:19] - Manifestations of Division
- [02:23] - Historical Context of Schism
- [03:24] - Understanding Schism
- [04:29] - Examples of Division in the Early Church
- [05:46] - Division Concerning Doctrine
- [07:21] - Lessons from the Protestant Reformation
- [09:30] - The Role of Private Judgment
- [11:23] - Consequences of Division
- [13:22] - Modern Examples of Schism
- [15:50] - The Problem of Division Today
- [17:14] - Balancing Unity and Truth
- [19:57] - Principles for Justifiable Separation
- [28:14] - Questionable Separations
- [34:26] - General Considerations for Unity
- [42:34] - The Importance of Evangelical Unity
- [46:27] - Conclusion and Call to Unity

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by "the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13, and why is it necessary for believers? [00:09]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's tactics in causing division within the church? [03:24]
3. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the consequences of schism? [08:26]
4. According to the sermon, what are some non-essential matters that have caused division in the church? [30:49]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-13 relate to the challenges faced by the church today? [00:27]
2. In what ways can an overzealous reaction to heresy lead to unjustifiable division, as discussed in the sermon? [03:58]
3. What lessons can be learned from the historical divisions within the church, such as those during the Protestant Reformation? [08:26]
4. How can believers discern when separation is justified versus when unity should be prioritized? [20:14]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced division in a church setting. How did it impact your faith and the community? [11:23]
2. What steps can you take to ensure that your desire for doctrinal purity does not hinder the church's witness? [35:02]
3. How can you contribute to maintaining unity in your church, especially when disagreements arise over non-essential matters? [30:49]
4. Identify a situation where you might have prioritized personal judgment over unity. How can you approach it differently in the future? [09:30]
5. Consider the broader impact of your actions within the church. How can you keep love and humility at the forefront of your interactions? [35:02]
6. What practical ways can you put on the "full armor of God" in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual challenges? [00:09]
7. How can you balance the need for truth with the call for unity in your personal faith journey and within your church community? [17:14]

Devotional

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Quotes


The Words which we are going to consider together this morning are to be found in Paul's epistle to the Ephesians in chapter 6 verses 10 to13 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 wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that he may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. [00:00:09]

Schism, this means a division it means a division in the church which is unjustifiable it means a separation of Christian people from one another without an adequate cause it is a sin which is denounced in the New Testament the sin of schism the breaking the tearing the rending as it were of the body of Christ now I was at pains to remind you that this is a a very peculiar manifestation of the Wilds of the devil you see he 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. [00:03:17]

We should always keep separate from heresy we should keep as far away as we can from apostasy well he so fills our minds and hearts with that that he causes us to divide when we shouldn't divide and that is what is meant by the sin of schism now I gave you some examples of the way in which schism is brought to pass in too much interest in persons and personality I am of Paul I am of Apollos I am of Cephas I am of Christ the church at Corinth you remember we saw was divided along that line. [00:04:00]

The New Testament is full of this kind of thing and the subsequent history of the church shows it perhaps still more clearly now we've got to keep in our minds as I was indicating last Sunday morning two positions on the one hand there is the danger of an indefiniteness and a vagueness which eventually leaves you in a position that you not only don't know what you believe yourself but you don't care what you believe or what anybody else believes that's the greatest danger today undoubtedly all this so-called ecumenical spirit is based upon that. [00:06:58]

Luther and others were given to see the apostate state of the Roman Catholic church and they very rightly separated from her now that was a very courageous thing to do one of the most courageous things that has ever been done in this world that one man standing alone saying I can do no other so help me God standing up against 15 centuries of tradition and the weight of this massive organization well he did it and he did it rightly he separated he had to separate we must always separate from apostasy. [00:07:39]

You see here are people who have divided from apostasy they left heresies and apostasy behind they say we must do so they see that nothing matters but the truth they're not going to be governed by tradition they say it's truth that matters they put truth first then they exercise their private judgment they say we don't care what all the Cardinals May say what the pope may say with them and what all your popes may have said for centuries it doesn't matter it's not true it's not scriptural. [00:09:35]

I am suggesting that it's very questionable whether you should divide over matters concerning which one simply cannot arrive at certainty where it is a pure matter of interpretation I am suggesting that it is wrong to divide where you cannot arrive at absolute certainty what do I mean by that well let me tell you I would myself without any hesitation say that about the question of baptism you cannot arrive at Absolute finality and certainty on the question of baptism therefore though we may disagree amongst one another I would say you should not divide or separate from one another on that. [00:30:21]

It is wrong to divide surely or at least questionable over the outworking or the practical application of the Biblical teaching what do I mean by this well I'm thinking for instance of a metal like church government you cannot prove which of them is right I don't happen to believe in the Episcopalian idea but I can't prove it you can't prove that episcopacy is right or presbyterianism is right or Independence is right I have my views but I'm saying it's wrong to divide over this you can't prove it and in any case this does not affect these vital Central matters of Salvation. [00:31:43]

What is my real and my chiefest concern is it to know God and to know the Lord Jesus Christ is it their Glory through the holy spirit is it my chiefest concern to keep ever before me the good of souls am I concerned about the lust that are hurtling to an eternal misery and Damnation are these my controlling principles or am I mainly concerned to prove that I'm am right am I intolerant of any other opinion it's a terrible Danger isn't it. [00:34:39]

Am I a pure intellectualist that wants my system absolutely perfect and won't allow any deviation at any point am I so concerned about this that I won't listen I'll go out I must divide or can I say that my chiefest concern is that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering that I might be made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from the dead am I mly concerned learn about the glory of God and of his son and of the Holy Ghost and the salvation of men and women and the upbuilding of the Saints is that my controlling passion. [00:35:20]

Balance all the factors oh but you say that's worldly wisdom no it isn't it is the very thing that the New Testament is constantly exalting us to we've got to consider all these factors in other words you see you've got to consider a thing like this that though your principle may be very clear to you it may lessen your own efficiency and efficacy it may do harm to the total witness of the church which is preaching the real truth it may confuse the people who are outside you've got to consider these matters you've got to be balanced you've got got to take it as a whole and then having looked all around it and having prayed and waited and consulted you then if you're fully satisfied everywhere proceed to action. [00:41:18]

I recognize only one division it is the division between Evangelical and non-evangelical if a man subscribes to those tenenet of the faith which I've already enunciated I'm with him I'm his brother if he doesn't I am not with him I don't care whether he's been brought up in the same section of the church as I was I don't care what he calls himself I don't care what label is on him there is only one Division if a man tells me he thinks he can put himself right with God I have no fellowship with him if he denies the deity of Christ I have no fellowship with him if he denies the substitutionary atonment I have no fellowship with him if he denies the literal physical Resurrection I have no fellowship with him for I'd have no gospel to preach if I didn't believe that these are not matters of indifference these are absolute Essentials. [00:42:34]

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Transcript
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