- Introduction
- God’s Word says a lot about the importance of being in unity. We see this in Psalm 133:1: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! A kingdom, a house, a church, and a nation divided against itself can not stand. We’ll talk about a house divided in this message.
- Let’s look into the subject of A house divided against itself.
- Mark 3:25: And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
- What does this mean?
- Let’s look at the verses surrounding the one we just read. Mark 3:22-26: And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
- The scribes were saying that Jesus was casting out demons by Satan’s power.
- Jesus responds that a kingdom and a house divided against itself cannot stand, and will not survive.
- This shows the importance of unity. As Christians, we all are working towards the same goal, bringing souls to Jesus Christ, and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must be in unity and not be divided.
- How can you and I stand firm knowing that we as Christians are not divided?
- Pray for one another. James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
- Be in church and fellowship often with other believers. Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- Be involved in a ministry, where your gifts and talents are being used to reach souls and encourage the saints. Ask your pastor how you can help in the church. Ephesians 4:16: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
- If I had to ask you what side you were on, the Christian side or the side of the enemy, what would you say, and how would you explain it to someone who doesn’t know whether they are on one side or another.
- We are encouraged to choose sides. We are either on the Lord’s side, or that of the enemy. Exodus 32:26: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
- If you have not given your heart to Jesus, and are not consciously living for God, serving and obeying Him, you are not on His Side, but are on the side of the devil. Jesus had these strong words to say in John 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
- One sign that shows that you are on God’s side, is if you pray regularly. Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
- Another sign that you are on God’s side is if you are studying the Word. 2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- Are you in church regularly? This will be a good indication of which side you are on. Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- Finally, are you fulfilling the great commission, and telling people about Jesus. Those on the Lord’s side are doing this in one form or another. Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
- What does God’s Word say about a house divided against itself?
- We read Jesus’ Words earlier. Here is another recording of this saying: Matthew 12:24-25: But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
- Here are a couple of other places where the bible talks about the need for us to be in unity and not divided. Psalm 133:1: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
- And now for the New Testament: Ephesians 4:3: Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- Some examples of a house divided against itself.
- A church or ministry where everyone is following their own agendas, instead of working with the pastor and leadership to achieve a common goal, namely seeking to save that which was lost, and building up the Body of Christ.
- A job site where everyone has their own ideas about how a job should be done, instead of following the guidance of the owner.
- A home in which family members don’t communicate and go about doing their own things, instead of coming together as a family.
- Our nation has become more and more of a house divided. Coming together to get things done in our nation has become increasingly hard, and tensions on all side continue to escalate.
- How should you and I explain to someone else when we know for a fact that their house has been divided?
- First, pray for them.
- Then, speak the truth in Love to them. Ephesians 4:14-15: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
- Encourage them to pray for one another and confess their faults to one another. James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
- Encourage the people involved to forgive and have peace. Colossians 3:13: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
- Encourage them to continue to love one another, as love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8: And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
