DIVISION THAT DOESN'T ADD UP! (7 OF 7)
Scripture: Proverbs 29:22, Psalm 133:1-3, Titus 3:9-11
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Division That Doesn't Add Up! (7 of 7)
Series: The "7 Things God Hates"
Dennis Marquardt
Proverbs 6:19b; 29:22; Psalm 133:1-3; Titus 3:9-11
INTRO: Western culture is obsessed with individualism. Eastern culture is focused on community or team effort, hence why communism was able to get a foothold in the east while capitalism became the benchmark of western society. One of the drawbacks to our rugged individualism is the lack of unity it sometimes fosters, elevating the individual as the supreme good.
The early church saw its best days when they were "in one accord" and some of the worst days when it was divided, such as in the church at Corinth. The Corinthian church was in danger of losing its witness, its worship, even its way because division had destroyed the unity in the church. On the other hand, the church in Acts though small made a huge impact because they were "all in one accord." There is great power in UNITY, and great destructiveness in DIVISION … and so God hates "… a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."
The power of unity can even be seen in nature:
ILLUS: Back at the turn of the century, there was a plague of locusts in the Plains of the United States. In a matter of a few days that swarm of locusts swept over the states of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. In less than a week, they did over five hundred million dollars' worth of damage (in the currency of that time).
Locusts don't have a king to get them organized. They don't have a draft board to call them into ranks. By instinct the locust knows it has to be in community with other locusts. When that occurs, they are able to topple kingdoms. The wisdom of the locust is the wisdom that tells us we must have community. -- Haddon Robinson, "The Wisdom of Small Creatures," Preaching Today, Tape No. 93.
God doesn't act alone … the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is ONE! Jesus said He did not act alone, but only what His Father willed, the Holy Spirit would not speak o ...
Series: The "7 Things God Hates"
Dennis Marquardt
Proverbs 6:19b; 29:22; Psalm 133:1-3; Titus 3:9-11
INTRO: Western culture is obsessed with individualism. Eastern culture is focused on community or team effort, hence why communism was able to get a foothold in the east while capitalism became the benchmark of western society. One of the drawbacks to our rugged individualism is the lack of unity it sometimes fosters, elevating the individual as the supreme good.
The early church saw its best days when they were "in one accord" and some of the worst days when it was divided, such as in the church at Corinth. The Corinthian church was in danger of losing its witness, its worship, even its way because division had destroyed the unity in the church. On the other hand, the church in Acts though small made a huge impact because they were "all in one accord." There is great power in UNITY, and great destructiveness in DIVISION … and so God hates "… a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."
The power of unity can even be seen in nature:
ILLUS: Back at the turn of the century, there was a plague of locusts in the Plains of the United States. In a matter of a few days that swarm of locusts swept over the states of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. In less than a week, they did over five hundred million dollars' worth of damage (in the currency of that time).
Locusts don't have a king to get them organized. They don't have a draft board to call them into ranks. By instinct the locust knows it has to be in community with other locusts. When that occurs, they are able to topple kingdoms. The wisdom of the locust is the wisdom that tells us we must have community. -- Haddon Robinson, "The Wisdom of Small Creatures," Preaching Today, Tape No. 93.
God doesn't act alone … the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is ONE! Jesus said He did not act alone, but only what His Father willed, the Holy Spirit would not speak o ...
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