Causes Divisions And Offenses (Lesson 1) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Causes Divisions and Offenses

Introductory Remarks.

1. This is lesson one in this sermon series: “Paul’s Solemn Plea To Rome.” This was an urgent and solemn plea from the beloved apostle Paul to the saints at Rome. His message began with a sincere plea to the brethren faithful to the Lord and part of the body of believers in the church in Rome. This solemn plea is given to the faithful saints: to mark and turn away from those causing divisions and offenses in the body of Christ. These are those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their (own) bellies and are making merchandise of babes, the unlearned, unsuspecting, and innocent. Nothing is more important to the church of Christ than to warn her of this solemn message of Paul and all the other apostles.

2. We will consider Paul's concern regarding those who cause divisions and offenses in the body of Christ. The apostle begins this solemn plea with his softest word: “Brethren, I beseech you, not command you.” We, like Paul, understand that though we have the authority to demand, it serves best when we humbly ask, pray, or beg in the “name of Jesus Christ” for the saints to be persuaded rather than directed. Some military men, like myself, struggled with this after giving and receiving “orders” for decades. It took my wife to help me in this area of communication. Paul’s solemn plea included two things: 1) to mark them and 2) to turn away from them: “who cause divisions and offenses within the body of Christ,” Romans 16:17. Let’s consider lesson 1.

BODY OF LESSON

I THAT CAUSES DIVISIONS AND OFFENSES

A. Now I beseech you, brethren: “Mark them that cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine that you have learned, and avoid them,” Romans 16:17.

NOTE: The EGNT reads: “But I exhort (urge) you, brethren, to consider those who make the divisions and the offenses, and turn away from them,” Page 435. He encouraged them to consider and turn away from them (those)who cause, encourage, or commit divisive behaviors.

1. Paul’s acclamations. After the apostle had given sincere compliments to all those saints in Rome, he turned his attention to the evils of those who would cause divisions and offenses among them. He begins,

2. With a solemn plea. “Now I beseech you, brethren.” He does not demand or command such to these saints. He warns and urges them to do these things as an apostle because: “That which comes upon him daily, the care of all the churches,” 2 Corinthians 11:28. Nothing is more attractive to the evil one and his disciples than their assaults, temptations, and divisive works against, unto, and within the church of the Lord. Especially when,

a. Fruit-bearing congregations are busy doing the Lord's work and growing in numbers and (the) faith of the gospel.

b. Its ministers are “doing the work of an evangelist.” Like Timothy and Archippus, whom he wrote,

1) To Timothy, “But watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry,” 2 Timothy 4:5.

2) And to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it,” Colossians 4:17.

3) My sons, continue the ministry's work and do not turn away from “preaching the sound word to strengthen the saints” in all good things. Guard thyself and the church from “evil men and seducers that wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” 2 Timothy 3:13.

c. A church’s leadership team is committed to “Equipping the saints into the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12.

d. The whole congregation is dedicated to winning souls for Christ.

3. He wrote: “I beseech you, brethren.” The word beseech in Gr., is parakaleo, which means to call for, comfort, desire, appeal, and intreat through prayer. The Greek word also means: “to call to one’s side, call for, to beg or entreat (plead) earnestly,” Romans 12:1-2; Romans 15:30-33.

4. You brethren. Paul uses the word brethren in Gr., is adelphos, which means one born from the same womb. Recall, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:28-29.

5. Born from the same womb. Christians are born from the Gr., “ek,” or “out of” the same womb: “The water and of the Spirit,” John 3:3; John 3:5. If the Lord says so (LSS), we will discuss this process in the invitation. Paul now directs what the saints do with those that cause divisions and offenses.

B. Paul commands that the church must “mark them.” Let’s consider what the apostle means in this term. Observe,