‘united We Stand Divided We Fall’ (Mark 3:22-27) Series

The Miracles and the Ministry of the Messiah in the Book of Mark

Week 3: ‘United We Stand Divided We Fall’

Mark 3:22-27

Crossroads Community Church

Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor

March 22, 2015

I think everyone likes to be part of a family, an organization, something where they feel they belong. There are many organizations, clubs, fraternities, sororities, social groups, and other areas that people belong to for various reasons. One of the reasons people join these organizations is that because they have the same mindset, or they believe in what they stand for.

How many people like confrontation? Not very many of us, but at times it’s inevitable. Why because even though we may be very similar in certain areas of our lives, we are very different in others. Sometimes peoples mindsets are so different you could ask 10 different people the same thing, or their opinion and you may get 1,2 5, or even 10 different responses. The world we live in many people vary on different things. I think the reason is because of our culture we are trained, taught, or told to look out for number 1, make yourself happy, and do what’s best for you. This is what the world’s ideology is, but we are not to be like the world. Scripture tells us in

1 John 2:15-17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The world has its own set of ideals, standards, and thought process’. But we called, commissioned, and commanded to be different then the world.

I am going to minister about division and unity today, but let me start by asking you a few questions:

• What is your definition of division?

• What are things that you think are ‘divided’?

• Who wants the church divided?

• Who wants the church you united?

• Which side are you on?

• The opposite of united is divided or division

The Greek word for division is σχίσμα schisma meaning: tears, cracks, and severs, to break, a gap, discord.

• (This is all the devil needs is a slight one to get in)

Let’s look at an example that the Apostle Paul gives us in

1 Corinthians 12:25-26

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

• The debate over Christian leaders has destroyed the unity of the local congregation and led to antagonisms. (mutual resistance or opposition of two forces in action) (one doing one thing, another doing another)

• Like tug-of-war. As Paul points out the unity of the body is essential for spiritual growth and the exercise of spiritual gifts in: (1 Corinthians 12:25-26)

The significance of division in scripture is prevalent:

Division listed as a sinful act in (Galatians 5:19-21) under the word variance taken from the Greek word ἔρις eris which means:: dissensions, discord, quarreling, debating,; and disputes Galatians 5:21b, they that which do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now let’s talk about unity:

• What is your definition of unity?

• Why is unity important?

• What happens if there is not unity?

• Why is it important for the church to be united?

• What are the dangers of a church that is not united?

The Greek word for unity is: νότης henotēs meaning:

1) unity

2) unanimity, agreement

As the church it is inevitable that we will not agree on everything, but we need to be united as the Church, if we are going to be able to fulfill the great commission by unanimously agreeing to believe in God, make Jesus Christ the most important personal relationship we have, and yield and succumb to the Holy Spirt to gives us discernment, direction, and help us decipher right from wrong in our daily lives.

So it is important that be become united as ‘one’ in the body of Christ.

As we continue on in the book of Mark let me tell from last week to this week what is going on to get us up to speed:

Last week I ministered about the paralytic man and his friends focus, faith, and fortitude to get to Jesus.