Restoring A Divided Kingdom

RESTORING A KINGDOM DIVIDED.

TEXT: Matt. 12:22-25.

INTRODUCTION:

1. One of the greatest weapons Satan has in his arsenal is division (text)

2. If you’ve been around very long, you’ve seen churches torn and crippled by cliques, power struggles, malicious talk and the club syndrome.

3. The church should be a place where there are no power struggles, no gossip or strife.

4. But, That is not the way Satan wants it to be.

5. Two of the most potent weapons in Satan’s arsenal are the tongue and the self-willed heart.

6. We must be an guard against these problems within our individual lives, and congregations.

DISCUSSSIN:

I. The problems described in scripture.

A. The TONGUE

(Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV) These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: {17} A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, {18} A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, {19} A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

(Proverbs 15:28 NKJV) The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

(Proverbs 18:3-8 NKJV) When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. {4} The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. {5} It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. {6} A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. {7} A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. {8} The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

(Proverbs 26:20-23 NKJV) Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. {21} As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. {22} The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. {23} Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

(Ecclesiastes 7:22 NKJV) For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others.

(Ecclesiastes 10:11-14 NKJV) A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. {12} The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; {13} The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. {14} A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

(Romans 3:13-14 NKJV) "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; {14} "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

(Ephesians 4:29-32 NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. {32} And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

(James 1:26-27 NKJV) If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. {27} Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

(James 3:5-10 NKJV) Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! {6} And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. {7} For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. {8} But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. {10} Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

(1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV) Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; {9} not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.