Category: Division

Subject: Division

Christians Only

It seems like the typical attitude toward denominationalism contradicts totally the biblical view expressed in numerous places, including 1 Corinthians 1 and 3.

“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ’” (1:10-12).

“I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?  For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” (3:2-4).

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Beware the Coppersmith

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, near the end of his letter, he gave his friend a warning, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You must also beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words” (2 Timothy 4:14-15).

Such identification or marking of those dangerous to the faith was done on numerous occasions in the first century. Paul also named Demas (2 Timothy 4:10), Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:15). John marked Diotrephes in his third letter.

Paul not only identified those destructive to the faith, but encouraged other Christians to do the same. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceived the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).

The reasons this is needed and expected are obvious from the texts. First, Timothy needed to be aware of and careful about the coppersmith. If he did Paul harm, it stands to reason that Timothy could be harmed as well. Second, those who act in this way are acting contrary to the faith and the Lord. While it is never a pleasant task it is important to protect the righteous against such ungodliness. The worldly might not see it, but it is God’s way.

God’s View of the Worldly

The book of James is full of wisdom and practical knowledge that helps a Christian know God’s will, and how to adhere to it. It is certainly worth the effort to become familiar with its teaching.

In James chapter four he shows the origin of most strife.  “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (1). This is demonstrably true when considering the motivation of just about every war and conflict that has ever occurred on earth.  The pursuits of pleasure, possessions and prestige are the common motivations of conflicts.  James noted, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war” (2). Continue reading “God’s View of the Worldly”

Mining the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:14-17

As Paul condemned the Corinthians for their divisive attitudes, which he equated to carnality in chapter 3, he expressed his thankfulness for not having personally baptized any of them. Some take this as an indication of the relative unimportance of baptism itself, as Paul did the preaching, and left the baptism to others. This is absurd. What is unimportant is who does the baptism. (As Paul noted in 3:7, “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase”). Paul simply did not want to be viewed as a proselytizer because of their contentiousness.

Paul’s purpose was to preach. To bring the believer to the point of baptism (Mark 16:15-16) so that they might be raised up to a new life (Romans 6:4). He accomplished this as a mere steward of the message, not through his own wisdom. So, it would improper for anyone to put the emphasis on him rather than the message he preached.

The power is in the cross of Christ. Therefore, all who come to faith should identify themselves solely as being “of Christ.”

Sermon: Who Then Are We?

Who Then Are We

The lesson deals with the Corinthian’s carnal tendencies, and the call to preach to the lost.

Sermon: Fall 2021 Gospel Meeting (Dennis Scroggins)

Scroggins Meeting

All lessons preached by Dennis Scroggins, October 2-7, 2021

Lesson 1 (Saturday, October 2, 2021)
By Faith Noah Condemned the World

Dennis uses the example of Noah (and the text of Hebrews 11:7) to show that as he condemned the world by his righteous life, we as Christians are to shine as lights in the world as well.

Lesson 2 (Sunday @ 9am, October 3, 2021)
The Sin of Unforgiveness

Too often Christians harbor resentment and anger in their hearts when they have been offended. Such anger is self-destructive and sinful.

Lesson 3 (Sunday @ 10am, October 3, 2021)
Bitterness: The Devil’s Distraction

Bitterness of heart can destroy the spiritual well-being of the child of God. It is one of the Devil’s most successful tools in derailing the Christian walk.

Lesson 4 (Sunday @ 11am, October 3, 2021)
Spiritual Cannibalism

When Christians attack one another, it is a form of spiritual cannibalism. (Galatians 5:15), “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

Lesson 5 (Monday, October 4, 2021)
Friendship – Fellowship

The basis for Christian fellowship has never been friendship. It revolves around obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. Too often in the world today, Christians forget this truth.

Lesson 6 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)
Why Does the Holy Spirit Speak to You, and Not to Me?

Many religious people believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them. The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth, and now we have it in written form. So many, though sincere, are misguided in their feelings on the matter.

Lesson 7 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)
Who is the Greatest Among You?

Greatness in the kingdom is the product of service. We must humble ourselves before God and man to serve Him as He desires.

Lesson 8 (Wednesday, October 7, 2021)
Progressive Church Movement Found in the Churches of Christ

A progressive attitude is present as a part of an ecumenical movement in many evangelical denominations. Progressive in the sense of a depature from the standard of God’s word. Unfortunately, such attitudes can be found in the Lord’s church as well.

Sermon: Denominationalism

Denominations

A discussion contrasting contemporary attitudes regarding denominationalism, and what the Bible teaches on the matter.

The Problem of Pride

Prideful

In James 4, the writer discusses sin present in the lives of some Christians — specifically strife and worldliness. Notice verses 1-4:

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Continue reading “The Problem of Pride”

Sermon: Church Exhortations

Speaker: Josh Cox

Josh turns to 1 Corinthians 3 to see what was lacking among the Corinthians and Paul’s response. He appeals Christians today to make appropriate applications.

War and Making War in the Church

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Webster defines the word polemic – “An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy.” Describing the etymology of the word, “When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred (as it still can) to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas. The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile” and in turn comes from the Greek noun polemos, meaning “war.”

This Greek noun polemos is used in James 4. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-2).

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Warped and Sinning

warped

“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).

Paul’s description of the divisive man is a rather strong denunciation of the sin. In the NKJV, the word “warped” is used in translating the Greek ekstrepho. Other translations use the words words “perverted” and “subverted.”

Warped best reflects the etymology of the word. It literally means to twist or turn out. Thayer defines the word, “to change for the worse, pervert, corrupt.”

Picture a warped piece of wood. It is useless to the carpenter who desires a precise and square result for his project. Since it is twisted or turned from that which is straight, it can’t serve its intended purpose.

The purpose of the Christian is to reflect His God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The primary attributes of God include love (John 3:16) and unity (John 17:20-21). A divisive man has turned away from these fundamental characteristics, to something that is much worse, something corrupt.

Brethren, we need to examine ourselves, and be sure that we are not guilty of bringing strife to God’s people. There is nothing more antithetical to being a child of God!

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Sermon: Pride Manifested

Strife, worldliness, and judgmentalism are manifestations of pride, as revealed in James chapter 4.

Partisanship and Morality

argument

President Trump is a lightning rod for controversy. His pugnacious personality, outsider status and vulgarity is shocking to the sensibilities of both media and political opponents.

The criticisms of the President are well deserved on his part, as he is not a pleasant person. What is obvious to the unbiased, however, is that partisanship plays a large role in the criticism.

It is striking how often there is a willingness to overlook the failings of one’s own champion, while excoriating any perceived imperfection in the opponent’s man or woman.

Continue reading “Partisanship and Morality”

From Where Do Wars Come?

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James wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1). Commentators differ on what “wars” James refers to — big ones, or little ones. However, the motivation for is typically the same — Lust!

Selfish desire is at the root of most strife, whether disputes between nations, or petty squabbles among individuals. James wrote, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war” (4:2).

One nation covets the land or resources that are owned by another. One ruler wants riches he sees beyond the borders of his own land. Lust and covetousness is the root of war!

The same is true in religion. Wars have been fought because of sectarian jealousies. The continual war between Jews and Muslims is fueled in part by claims made on the old city of Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount. Each faction covets the same plot of land.

Strife was caused in Corinth because each faction wanted exalted status (1 Corinthians 1:10-15). Conflict existed between two women in Philippi, presumably for the similar reasons (Philippians 4:2). Paul’s remedy? “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

Selfish desires bring war and conflict. Humility brings unity and expressions of love and peace.

FB: Paul’s Fear

Saint Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn (and Workshop ), c

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Paul noted instances of corruption during his ministry. They included:

  • Judaizing teachers who sought to impose circumcision upon the Gentiles (cf. Acts 15:1).
  • A sectarian spirit at work among fellow Christians (1 Corinthians 11).
  • A corruption of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-21).
  • A denial of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12).
  • A contention that the resurrection was already past (2 Timothy 2:16-18).

Consider first Paul’s fear. Consider second that his fear was not unfounded. Do not be deceived by any who would seek to minimize or explain away any departure from truth in our time.

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