Division

by Steve Hale

We are so fortunate at the Mt. Juliet church to have peace, harmony, and love prevail. It is only in this kind of atmosphere the church can prosper ( Ephesians 4:3ff.). Unfortunately, such sweet unity is not true everywhere in the brotherhood.
Some wonderful brothers who do a magnificent job of preaching Christ have shared with me divisive situations in their local work. Prominent preachers have told me they believe division is on the horizon. Churches in Hendersonville and Red Boiling Springs have made the local papers with their divisions.
Brethren why? Warfare' should be against Satan and worldliness , not each other ( Ephesians 4:10-20; 1 Peter 2:17)! What are we telling people in our communities when we fuss and fight? How many souls do we drive away by so doing?

Solomon said: "There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea seven which are an abomination unto him..." ( Proverbs 6:16). The last of these seven things is: "...And he that soweth discord among brethren" ( Proverbs 6:19).

Why does the Lord hate '.'...he that soweth discord among brethren?" Because His Son died to unite us, not divide us! Of Jews and Gentiles, Paul said that Jesus died so that He: "...might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross,, having slain the enmity thereby; and he came and preached peace to you that were far off and peace to them that were nigh" ( Ephesians 2:16, 17).

Most church problems are not doctrinal, but personal! Our love for God is manifested in our love for each other. ( I John 4:19-21)! Surely people that love each other can work out their problems ( Matthew 18:15-20)!

The major reason why many churches are not growing is they are too focused on division and fighting! Crisis-oriented ministries lead to fighting and divisions. Factions form around each clique's champion! Beloved, our champion should be Christ!

I love the Mt. Juliet church. I am so thankful for our love for God and each other. I wish with all my heart the same was true throughout our great brotherhood.

The above article appeared in the Mt. Juliet Messenger, March 29, 1992

Devilish Division

by Steve Hale

Few churches in our day had the problems the church at Corinth experienced. Just look at them:
1. Factions ( I Corinthians 1-4).
2. Vile Fornication ( I Corinthians 5).
3. Taking Brethren To Court ( I Corinthians 6).
4. Sexuality In Marriage ( I Corinthians 7:1-9).

S. Marriage And Divorce ( I Corinthians 7:10A.0).

6. Meats Sacrificed To Idols ( I Corinthians 8).

7. The Veil ( I Corinthians 11:1-16).

8. Abuse Of The Lord's Supper ( I Corinthians 11:17-34).

9. Abuse Of Spiritual Gifts ( I Corinthians 12-14).

10. The Resurrection ( I Corinthians 15).

In the midst of all of these problems, you read nowhere the command to split and divide! You do read:

1. "...ye 0 speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment ( I Corinthians 1:10).

2. "for ye are yet carn.A: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not camal, and do ye not walk after the manner of melf' ( I Corinthians 3:3).

3. "...there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for anothey' ( I Corinthians 12:25).

Division occurs when Satan is successful in turning brother against brother, sister against sister, and the Christian against God! It is ugly, harmful, and even fatal to some churches. It takes years and even generations to get over it!

The message of I Corinthians is clear enough: be mature enough to work these differences out. Follow the Lord, not the leader of a clique. Put away the fornicator. Work out your differences brother-to-brother, not plaintiff to defendant! Sexuality in marriage is wonderful and a gift from God. Do not divorce trivially, but work your problems out!

Consider weaker, but conscientious brethren. Dress in such a fashion as not to be offensive, but to give glory to God! The Lord's Supper is a memorial, not a common meal! Whatever talents or abilities we have, we should use to God's glory, not ours. The resurrection gives us the motivation and hope to abound in our work for the Lord!

Division is from the Devil! Unity is God's gift through Jesus! May we endeavor ever to keep it ( Ephesians 4:3).

The above article appeared in the Mt. Juliet Messenger, April 5, 1992.

When to Divide

by Steve Hale

For the last two installments, we have examined the sin of division. We've emphasized the biblical entreaty to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We have decried the tendency to form factions and congregational champions. However, is there a time when brethren should say enough is enough, and divide?
Given the magnitude of the problems at Corinth, it is amazing that Paul nowhere in the book tells the brethren to divide. In fact, he encourages them to be unified ( I Corinthians 12:12-26). So, generally speaking, churches should not divide!
However., churches do divide! Some counties have multiplicities of churches, not because the church is so strong, but because brethren simply do not get along! Such division sends a wrong message to the precious souls in our communities! Consider the lists below then:

WHEN TO DIVIDE

1. When the church is in an area that needs another church planting for evangelistic purposes ( Mark 16:15). This should be a co-operative and united effort.
2. When doctrinal teaching compromises Christ, and all efforts to correct the situation fail (this may entail leaving, not dividing, Acts 20:28-30).
3. Disciplinary action against brethren for moral or doctrinal reasons ( I Corinthians 5:1ff.; I Timothy 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:6).

4. When an offensive brother or sister refuses to repent ( Matthew 18:15-20).

5. When the Lord removes the candlestick ftom a church ( Revelation 2:.5).

WHEN NOT TO DIVIDE

1. Over personalities ( I John 4:19-21).
2. Over doctrinal matters which do not compromise Christ, i.e., the authorship of Hebrews, the means by which the Spirit dwells in us, etc.

3. Over matters of opinion and judgment ( Hebrews 13:17).

4. When I do not get my way ( Titus 1:7; Philippians 2:3, 4).

5. Over rumors and innuendoes ( Philippians 4:5).

Certainly, these lists are by no means exhaustive, but maybe they will serve to get us thinking about this vital subject. Let's unite, not divide! Let's build, not bombard! Let's love, not loathe! Let's pray, not prey! Let's honor God, and not dishonor Him with heinous division ( I Corinthians 1:10).

April 12, 1992

Related Articles:

The Mt. Juliet Church: Jerusalem or Corinth? -Jan 07, 1990

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Division by Steve Hale We are so fortunate at the Mt. Juliet church to have peace, harmony, and love prevail. It is only in this kind of atmosphere the church can prosper ( Ephesians 4:3ff.). Unfortunately, such sweet unity is not true everywhere in the brotherhood. Some wonderful brothers who do a magnificent job of preaching Christ have shared with me divisive situations in their local work. Prominent preachers have told me they believe division is on the horizon. Churches in Hendersonville and Red Boiling Springs have made the local papers with their divisions. Brethren why? Warfare' should be against Satan and worldliness , not each other ( Ephesians 4:10-20; 1 Peter 2:17)! What are we telling people in our communities when we fuss and fight? How many souls do we drive away by so doing? Solomon said: "There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea seven which are an abomination unto him..." ( Proverbs 6:16). The last of these seven things is: "...And he that soweth discord among brethren" ( Proverbs 6:19). Why does the Lord hate '.'...he that soweth discord among brethren?" Because His Son died to unite us, not divide us! Of Jews and Gentiles, Paul said that Jesus died so that He: "...might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross,, having slain the enmity thereby; and he came and preached peace to you that were far off and peace to them that were nigh" ( Ephesians 2:16, 17). Most church problems are not doctrinal, but personal! Our love for God is manifested in our love for each other. ( I John 4:19-21)! Surely people that love each other can work out their problems ( Matthew 18:15-20)! The major reason why many churches are not growing is they are too focused on division and fighting! Crisis-oriented ministries lead to fighting and divisions. Factions form around each clique's champion! Beloved, our champion should be Christ! I love the Mt. Juliet church. I am so thankful for our love for God and each other. I wish with all my heart the same was true throughout our great brotherhood. The above article appeared in the Mt. Juliet Messenger, March 29, 1992 Devilish Division by Steve Hale Few churches in our day had the problems the church at Corinth experienced. Just look at them: 1. Factions ( I Corinthians 1-4). 2. Vile Fornication ( I Corinthians 5). 3. Taking Brethren To Court ( I Corinthians 6). 4. Sexuality In Marriage ( I Corinthians 7:1-9). S. Marriage And Divorce ( I Corinthians 7:10A.0). 6. Meats Sacrificed To Idols ( I Corinthians 8). 7. The Veil ( I Corinthians 11:1-16). 8. Abuse Of The Lord's Supper ( I Corinthians 11:17-34). 9. Abuse Of Spiritual Gifts ( I Corinthians 12-14). 10. The Resurrection ( I Corinthians 15). In the midst of all of these problems, you read nowhere the command to split and divide! You do read: 1. "...ye 0 speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment ( I Corinthians 1:10). 2. "for ye are yet carn.A: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not camal, and do ye not walk after the manner of melf' ( I Corinthians 3:3). 3. "...there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for anothey' ( I Corinthians 12:25). Division occurs when Satan is successful in turning brother against brother, sister against sister, and the Christian against God! It is ugly, harmful, and even fatal to some churches. It takes years and even generations to get over it! The message of I Corinthians is clear enough: be mature enough to work these differences out. Follow the Lord, not the leader of a clique. Put away the fornicator. Work out your differences brother-to-brother, not plaintiff to defendant! Sexuality in marriage is wonderful and a gift from God. Do not divorce trivially, but work your problems out! Consider weaker, but conscientious brethren. Dress in such a fashion as not to be offensive, but to give glory to God! The Lord's Supper is a memorial, not a common meal! Whatever talents or abilities we have, we should use to God's glory, not ours. The resurrection gives us the motivation and hope to abound in our work for the Lord! Division is from the Devil! Unity is God's gift through Jesus! May we endeavor ever to keep it ( Ephesians 4:3). The above article appeared in the Mt. Juliet Messenger, April 5, 1992. When to Divide by Steve Hale For the last two installments, we have examined the sin of division. We've emphasized the biblical entreaty to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We have decried the tendency to form factions and congregational champions. However, is there a time when brethren should say enough is enough, and divide? Given the magnitude of the problems at Corinth, it is amazing that Paul nowhere in the book tells the brethren to divide. In fact, he encourages them to be unified ( I Corinthians 12:12-26). So, generally speaking, churches should not divide! However., churches do divide! Some counties have multiplicities of churches, not because the church is so strong, but because brethren simply do not get along! Such division sends a wrong message to the precious souls in our communities! Consider the lists below then: WHEN TO DIVIDE 1. When the church is in an area that needs another church planting for evangelistic purposes ( Mark 16:15). This should be a co-operative and united effort. 2. When doctrinal teaching compromises Christ, and all efforts to correct the situation fail (this may entail leaving, not dividing, Acts 20:28-30). 3. Disciplinary action against brethren for moral or doctrinal reasons ( I Corinthians 5:1ff.; I Timothy 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:6). 4. When an offensive brother or sister refuses to repent ( Matthew 18:15-20). 5. When the Lord removes the candlestick ftom a church ( Revelation 2:.5). WHEN NOT TO DIVIDE 1. Over personalities ( I John 4:19-21). 2. Over doctrinal matters which do not compromise Christ, i.e., the authorship of Hebrews, the means by which the Spirit dwells in us, etc. 3. Over matters of opinion and judgment ( Hebrews 13:17). 4. When I do not get my way ( Titus 1:7; Philippians 2:3, 4). 5. Over rumors and innuendoes ( Philippians 4:5). Certainly, these lists are by no means exhaustive, but maybe they will serve to get us thinking about this vital subject. Let's unite, not divide! Let's build, not bombard! Let's love, not loathe! Let's pray, not prey! Let's honor God, and not dishonor Him with heinous division ( I Corinthians 1:10). April 12, 1992 Related Articles: The Mt. Juliet Church: Jerusalem or Corinth? -Jan 07, 1990 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM