A House Divided
Notes
Transcript
Handout
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. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
It is interesting to note that when you look to the BIble that God likes most forms of arithmetic…
Addition Acts 2:47
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Multiplication Acts 6:7
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Subtraction Acts 5 (God took them out)
The one operation that he does not like and will not tolerate in the church especially is division…
The kind of division that God hates is the kind that is brought on by pride, envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition. This is the kind of evil division that Paul is referring to here in Romans. His last word of instruction and exhortation to this church was you better be watching out for people who cause division…
Of all the things that Paul could have emphasized in His closing remarks to this church it was this… Mark them and avoid…
I want to be faithful to the text as a pastor and the context in which this was written was here is people cause division by teaching doctrines that is inconsistent with scripture.
For just a moment by way of introduction I want to use this word as a spring board to talk more broadly about divisiveness.
You can have division not just in a church, but in a family, in a business, in an organization, and where there are people there is the potential for division.
It is important for us to understand because divisive people can destroy whatever they belong to. Divisive people do not care what they destroy. The reason they don’t care what they destroy is because they don’t care about the larger group they belong to they only care about themselves…
They are driven by selfish ambition and personal gain that is exactly the meaning of verse 18…
What makes for divisive people?
One illustration of a divisive person is found all the way back in the book of Numbers 16… (Korah) He was someone who was opposed to Moses’s leadership. This was a time period when Moses was appointed by God, to lead the people of God out of slavery out of Egypt on their way to the promise land.
Somewhere in the middle Korah and Korah recruits some of his buddies, Dathan and Abairim and those three guys are like we don’t like him, we don’t like his leadership, he’s taking to long to get to where we want to go… (Korah basically says who made you leader…) God took care of them because God hates division and all throughout the history…
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” — Matthew 12:25
Division is one of the enemy’s oldest tricks.
From Eden to Rome, Satan has always sought to divide what God has joined — marriages, churches, nations, and hearts.
A divided church loses its testimony, a divided home loses its strength, and a divided heart loses its peace.
Paul, closing this masterpiece of doctrine, warns the believers: Guard the unity of the church. Don’t let false teachers tear apart what Christ died to build.
In these four verses, Paul shows us four vital truths, as they pertain to division…
I. THE CAUTION AGAINST DIVISION (v. 17)
I. THE CAUTION AGAINST DIVISION (v. 17)
Paul briefly suggests protective measures that need to be taken by a Christian church. First, in verse 17a, he says, “watch out for those who cause divisions.” Paul has no sympathy with theological sleepiness. Christians are to make a mental note of those who are off-base.
A. Identify the Source - (Vs. 17a)
“Mark” = watch closely, take note of, keep your eye on.
This isn’t cruelty; it’s protection. A loving shepherd guards the flock. This has in mind both those who would divide God’s people (cause divisions) and those who would deceive God’s people (offenses... contrary to the doctrine you have learned). Once these have been noted (marked), they are to be avoided.
This is essential to God’s purpose for the church. Truth without unity leads to pride; unity without truth leads to a departure from the true gospel itself. Each of these must be guarded against.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
📣 Preacher Cue: Say it firmly — “Truth without love is harsh, but love without truth is hollow.”
B. Separate from the Sin - (Vs. 17b)
“Avoid them.” Sometimes the most spiritual response is distance. Heretics are to be spurned.
“Mad dogs are shot; infectious diseases are quarantined; but evil teachers who would divide to their destruction and draw away the saints with teaching contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His Apostles are everywhere tolerated!” - William Newell
We are to love people, but not tolerate lies.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Don’t receive those who bring another doctrine.
⚠️ Pastoral Insight: Unity is beautiful, but unity built on error is brittle. Guard the truth even when it costs comfort.
II. THE CHARACTER OF DECEIVERS (v. 18)
II. THE CHARACTER OF DECEIVERS (v. 18)
“Keep your eyes open,” he says, “for those who are actively seeking to split people up instead of bringing them together. You can recognize them by what they say and whom they serve.” Indeed, they speak words that are contrary to the teaching that you learned (16:17), and they do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites (16:18).
A. Self-Serving Motives - (Vs. 18a)
The belly is another way of saying personal appetite.
They look spiritual, but they’re driven by appetite — for power, praise, or profit.
Philippians 3:18–19 “Whose god is their belly.”
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Their focus isn’t the glory of Christ but the gain of self.
B. Smooth Speech & Subtle Lies - (Vs. 18b)
The warning is necessary because these dividers and deceivers do not announce themselves. They use smooth words and flattering speech and always target the simple — usually those who are young in the faith.
They sound convincing — eloquent, charming, impressive — yet false.
Even though they have smooth talk and flattering words (16:18), they are deceivers who will destroy the unity of the body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13–14 Satan appears as an angel of light.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Illustration: Poison never comes with a skull and crossbones; it comes in a pretty bottle. Falsehood always hides under pleasant packaging.
“We must be alert, because Satan’s greatest work is not fighting the church, but joining it.” — Vance Havner
III. THE COUNSEL FOR DISCERNMENT (v. 19)
III. THE COUNSEL FOR DISCERNMENT (v. 19)
This means that when it comes to dividers and deceivers, it isn’t that the Romans must correct a bad situation. They are already dealing with these situations well, and Paul is glad about it. Yet they must remain diligent against the attacks of the dividers and the deceivers.
A. Be Wise in What Is Good - (Vs. 19)
Maturity is not knowing everything; it’s knowing what’s worth knowing.
Hebrews 5:14 — Mature believers discern good and evil.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Immerse yourself in Scripture so truth becomes instinct.
B. Be Innocent toward Evil - (Vs. 19b)
This is an echo of Jesus’ saying in Matthew 10:16
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
This is good advice because our tendency is to be as wise as doves and innocent as serpents.
“Simple” = pure, unmixed, untainted… I have often been amazed as I read through the gospels and the times when Jesus references children…
You don’t need to study counterfeit doctrine…
just study the genuine article.
Psalm 101:3 — “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.”
🟨 Preacher Cue: Say gently — “Fill your heart with the Word so there’s no room for the world.”
IV. THE COMFORT IN DELIVERANCE (v. 20)
IV. THE COMFORT IN DELIVERANCE (v. 20)
When believers learn to live by faith in the spiritual resources Christ provides, they can overcome Satan’s attempt to defeat them. Deceivers in the church are not merely annoyances. As Paul hints here, they are tools of Satan. The good news is that Satan loses:
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (16:20). The more the Word of God goes out and the church is built up, the harder God drives his heel down on Satan’s neck.
A. The Source of Victory - (Vs. 20)
God Himself fights for His people.
This echoes Genesis 3:15 the promised crushing of the serpent’s head.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
He’s called the God of peace because real peace comes only after evil is defeated.
B. The Scope of Victory
“Under your feet.” — It’s personal! The church shares in Christ’s triumph.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
“Shortly” — God’s timing may be hidden, but His victory is sure.
💬 Quote: “When we stand in truth and unity, Satan is already under our feet.” — Warren Wiersbe
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Division destroys.
Deception distracts.
But our Deliverer defeats.
Paul began with warning and ended with grace:
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Key Takeaways:
Guard the Truth — Mark and avoid falsehood.
Grow in Discernment — Be wise in good, innocent in evil.
Give Glory to God — Victory belongs to Him.
🟩 Preacher Cue: End firm but hopeful — “A house divided cannot stand, but a church united in Christ cannot fall.”
INVITATION
INVITATION
Maybe division has crept into your home, your relationships, or even your heart.
Maybe you’ve entertained voices that sound right but aren’t rooted in truth.
Today, let’s choose unity in Christ over compromise with the world.
🕊 Call: Return to truth. Restore fellowship. Rest in victory.
Let us be a church grounded in truth, guarded in love, and grateful for grace—because a united church is an unstoppable church.
