Introduction:

A. The church is the house of God: I Timothy 3:15

1. Jesus is the builder: Matthew 16:18; cf. Psalms 127:1
2. Jesus is the head: Colossians 1:18
3. Christians, those who have and continue to obey the Gospel, are members: Acts 2:47; cf. Romans 12:5
4. The church will never be destroyed: Hebrews 12:28; cf. v.22-23

B. While the church cannot be destroyed, local congregations certainly can (look at Corinth as an example of a church headed in that direction):

1. I Corinthians 1:11
2. I Corinthians 3:3
3. I Corinthians 11:17-19
4. Other examples: Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea (Revelation 2-3).

I. Like Termites, Brethren Who Bite and Devour Can Bring Down this House of God

A. Paul warned brethren that bickering would result in both parties being consumed and devoured: Galatians 5:15

1. Micah 3:5
2. Matthew 23:13

B. When people are unhappy with truth they cannot contend against it: Acts 5:39

1. So, they backbite and whisper: Proverbs 16:28
2. They try to sway others to their cause: Acts 14:19
3. They attack those who are doing good (sometimes to give a diversion that their attack is on an individual instead of the truth): II Timothy 3:3

a. Exodus 23:7
b. Psalms 41:7; 11

4. The local Diotrephes often arises in these occasions: III John 9-11
5. They will still come and listen, but not for the right reasons: Ezekiel 33:30-33
6. Some will leave: Deuteronomy 13:13 7. Some will stay just to cause further damage: Acts 20:30

C. Christians are supposed to love one another, not bite and devour each other:

1. John 15:17
2. Hebrews 13:1
3. We are to have unfeigned (sincere) love for one another: I Peter 1:22
4. I John 4:20

II. Like an Army of Ants Found in the Foundation of a Home, the “Party Spirit” Among Brethren Can Cause Problems in the Foundation of a Congregation

A. A congregation is to be united as a whole, not a bunch of little groups:

1. Acts 4:32
2. I Corinthians 12:12
3. I Corinthians 12:25
4. Ephesians 4:16

B. Consider some things about the “party spirit”:

1. Exodus 23:2
2. Korah and his party against Moses: Numbers 16:2-5; 19-33
3. I Samuel 8:4-7
4. I Corinthians 1:10-15

C. We ought to be on the Lord’s side and unite with those who stand equally (Moses when Israel worshipped the golden calf): Exodus 32:26

III. Like a Leaky Roof Left Alone, Complacency Can Destroy a Local Work

A. Some are content to just leave things alone, but this is wrong:

1. Isaiah 56:10
2. Jeremiah 6:14
3. Galatians 2:4-5
4. Jude 3

B. When sin is left alone souls are going to be lost:

1. Ezekiel 3:17-21
2. James 5:19-20
3. Rebuking brethren in error is an act of love: Revelation 3:19

Conclusion:

A. Let’s not allow the church of our Lord to be trampled upon by false brethren.
B. Let us be aware of the sins that work in and stamp them out!

BACK TO INDEX
HOME
E-Mail Brian By Clicking Here

© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.