Brian Yeager's Outlines
Those Who Would Divide From the Inside

Introduction:

In this lesson we will look to God’s word and find out why brethren divide and what can be done to prevent it. We will see that the Bible clearly warns us of those that would come in among us and sow discord among brethren.

I. God wants unity among brethren.

A. God expects unity in the church, which is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18). 1. Jesus prayed for unity John 17:20-23

2. God condemns division. I Corinthians 1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
 

a. Ephesians 4:3-6


3. We need to walk by the same rule. Philippians 3:16"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."

 B. Unity cannot come at the price of compromise. 1. We must not sell out on the truth Proverbs 23:23. 

2. We please God by walking in the truth. III John verse 3-4 "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

3. The church can unify under the one faith (Ephesians 4:5).

a. We cannot be swayed by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."

b. We must be willing to defend the one faith. Jude v.3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

c. We need to be set for the defense of the Gospel Philippians 1:17"But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel."

 C. The ultimate question: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" – AMOS 3:3 1. The answer: Mark 3:24 "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." II. The Bible warns of us those among us that are enemies of the truth. A. Acts 20:29-30 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." 1. Jude v. 4 "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." B. False workers transform themselves as does Satan into workers of light. II Corinthians 11:12-15

C. We are warned that the wicked plot against the just. Psalms 37:12"The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth."

D. Sometimes God’s children will plot against good to serve their own ideas and prevent God’s children from doing what is right.

1. Jeroboam leads Israel into idolatry to prevent unity with Judah. I Kings 12:26-33

2. Nehemiah went to rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem. Yet, some wanted to make him fail his God and fall from doing this great thing (Nehemiah 6:1-14).

a. Nehemiah did not fail and he even took the law back to the people (Nehemiah 13:1). 3. Some brethren have the bite and devour attitude. Galatians 5:15"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

4. Some brethren get upset and hateful when brethren are more righteous then they are. Instead of changing they take the attitude of Cain (Genesis 4:1-10).

5. Some would even set themselves up in the church and act like Diotrephes (III John v. 9-11).

 III. What can be done to prevent dividers in the church? A. These workers can be known by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).

B. They must not be left alone. They need to be marked and avoided.

1. Romans 16:1-18 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

2. Contentious brethren who babble and ask foolish questions need to be rejected. Titus 3:9-10 "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject."

3. We cannot fellowship those who represent darkness (Ephesians 5:11).

 C. When they are marked we must notice that they are enemies of the Lord by way of their divisiveness. 1. They are wolves (predators), just a Satan is a lion (predator) I Peter 5:8.

2. I Corinthians 5:6 "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"

3. This little leaven should be purged. I Corinthians 5:7-8 "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 

 Conclusion:

Ultimately these people will be judged and handled by God: (Proverbs 10:29) "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity." In the mean time we must rid the body of Christ of these predators and keep the church pure and spotless for our redeemer. Our prayer should be that those who are divisive will repent before it is too late (Luke 13:3). 

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced  for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.

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