THE LITTLE CHURCH WITH BIG PROBLEMS B8-10-6A-8
Ro. 16:16-20 R8-05-0A-7
SB1-17-3A
Purpose: To ENCOURAGE THE CHURCH to put away all the DIVISIONS that keep them
from working together and to go forward in the middle of any DIFFICULTIES.
INTRO:
A. In many ways, the church at Rome was very much like this church.
1. It was very small (even smaller than this one?)
a. Four households (families)
b. Plus 26 individuals, 3 of which were kin to Paul
2. They did not even have a building (home of Priscillia & Aquila)
3. They were facing some very severe problems in such a small group.
a. Cpt 1, fleshly sins of fornication & sodomy
b. Cpt 2, hypocritical judges, "thou art inexcusable..."
c. Cpts 3-5, O.T. law keepers (circumcisers)
d. Cpts 6-7, weak, carnal Christians (flesh vs. spirit)
e. Cpt 8, persecution & suffering -> apostasy (18,35)
f. Cpts 9-11, antisemitism & bigotry (11:11,18)
g. Cpt 12, egotism & lack of unity, cliques (5)
h. Cpt 13, rebellous "social gospel" refused government
i. Cpts 14-15, "Kosher" food inspectors put down others
j. Cpt 16, Paul sent a WOMAN as pastor! (Phoebe)
4. Illustration: They probably felt like a man I once heard of:
a. Off the edge of Grand Canyon, hanging onto a small limb, "HELP!"
b. "Yes." came reply from top. -- "Can you help me?"
c. "Yes. Do you believe? Do you have faith?" -- "YES!"
d. "Then turn losse of the bush and everything will be fine."
e. LONG pause.... "Is anyone ELSE up there?"
B. But they were so important in the eyes of God that He directed Paul
to write a letter to them that some have called, "the most profound
writing in existance today!"
C. Paul showed them that they were serving the MASTER of problem solving
I. They had DIVISION in the church:
A. This is a common problem even today
1. But, "A house divided against a house falleth" (Lu 11:17)
2. Paul said that envy and strife were the causes of such division and
that it was a sign of carnality (1 Co 3:3)
B. The ministry of Jesus also revealed division, however
1. "And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for
some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the
people." (John 7:12)
2. "So there was a division among the people because of him." (Jn 7:43)
C. But division should not stop the work of God!
1. "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you,
Nay; but rather division: (Luke 12:51)
2. The text says, 17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our
Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair
speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
D. Most churches have divisive elements but they work in SPITE of it.
2
II. There were some who had LEFT the assembly
A. There are always some who will fall back into the old ways
1. Tempted by the prevalence of sin in the world
2. Drawn away by their lusts
B. It starts with simpler (less condemning) things
1. Consistentant fault-finding
2. "Holier than thou" attitudes
3. Judgement upon all others not like self
4. Backbiting and accusations
5. Bitterness, resentfulness, vengefulness
6. Selfness & rebellion
C. These were all things that Paul wrote to Rome about
D. Paul reminded the faithful that their obedience was know abroad!
1. God knows His own and records their works.
2. No one likes a talebearer or backbiter
E. The KEY: "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil"
III. They had the promise of IMMINENT VICTORY
A. There was no evidence of victory now (but the promise is sure)
B. There may be many more battles before the war is over.
C. Remember: Our foe is already defeated!
1. "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means
hurt you." (Luke 10:19)
2. "Who [or what] shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall]
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35)
-- Our greatest peril is INTERNAL rather than external!
3. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 Jn 5:4)
4. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his
throne." (Revelation 3:21)
D. Paul's shipwreck, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be
saved." (Acts 27:31)
E. "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen." (Romans 16:20)
CONCLUSION:
A. Work for God in spite of problems (even when people backslide)
B. Determine not to listen to those who teach divisive things
C. Commit to be, "wise unto good & simple concerning evil"
D. Anticipate the victory over Satan -- VERY SOON!
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
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