How to overcome the spirit of division with the weapon of Honour
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How to overcome the spirit of division with the weapon of Honour
How to overcome the spirit of division with the weapon of Honour
Hello everybody, those gathered here and those watching online on youtube facebook or Kingdomway.ca
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Today I want to talk about Division and how to overcome it with honour
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.
Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Let’s Pray
Well you made it
5 months 1 week 5 days since covid 19 arrived in Alberta
the date was March 5, 2020 for those who might not remember that long ago
March 22 was our first service online when churches were deemed non-essential by our province
let’s not forget that
This is also our 22 week that we are broadcasting our full service
I’m glad some of you have been able to return, and I’m praying for the day when all of us can be back together again.
Not sure when that will be. The province is indicating some changes like possible reducing physical distancing to 1M
But our municipal government has only indicated mask wearing bylaw in in effect to the end of this year.
so its really hard to know what life will be like over the next little while
Our church leaders with be meeting this Thursday to discuss what will be happening in this church over the next 6 months. Be praying for us!
Jokes
Why do they call it the novel coronavirus? It’s a long story….
You know what they’re saying about 2020. It went viral faster than anyone thought it would.
Why don’t chefs find coronavirus jokes funny? They’re in bad taste.
What should you do if you don’t understand a coronavirus joke? Be patient.
I’ll tell you a coronavirus joke now, but you’ll have to wait two weeks to see if you got it.
Finland closed its borders. You know what that means. No one will be crossing the finish line.
So many coronavirus jokes out there, it’s a pundemic.
If there’s a baby boom nine months from now, what will happen in 2033? There will be a whole bunch of quaranteens.
I ran out of toilet paper and had to start using old newspapers. Times are rough.
What too early for Covid jokes?
Ok 1 more
What types of jokes are allowed during quarantine? Inside jokes!
Its good to laugh, and if you can;t laugh at least groan!
Well today I want to continue the teaser message I gave during the last Covid update.
It doesn’t require a prophet to see there is a lot of division in the world today
Riots taking place in many cities around the world
Racial anger against Police
People hating on politicians
Economic uncertainty for some while others prosper
Families being divided
even down to the cities mandatory mask wearing bylaw
There are so many issues and so many sides to every issue people are dividing from one another.
I have to admit I’ve cut myself off from certain people who have a differing opinion.
I have no desire to argue or fight over trivial issues, which some people are so fired up about
wear a mask, don’t wear a mask. it doesn’t really matter to me
Have you had to do the same?
The word that God gave me is that this is another effort of the enemy to bring division within the church.
As I prophesied at the beginning of Covid 19 pandemic.
One of the primary purposes of the demonic weapon .
Was that the church would be isolated from one another.
Fear and Economic turmoil were the other 2
That's what the enemy wanted to do cause fear. Cause isolation. Increase poverty
But now that isolation is coming to an end. The true intent of the weapon has come to light
Isolation was to prepare for division
The enemy not only wants to isolate, but he intends to isolate with the purpose of division
Jesus warned us in
But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.
You see the devil only has the authority we give him.
a quick reminder
God gave Authority on the earth to Adam
Adam lost it to the satan at the fall
Jesus took the authority back from the satan at the cross
Jesus gave the authority back the church
satan can only get authority 1 way.
Like Adam gave it away through a sinful act
we to can give up authority through unrepentant sin
satan know the bible.
he has figured ways to use it against us.
eg
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
satan know that if he can get you to not fogive someone, then he can get in the way of God forgiving you!
in the same manner
he knows if he can cause division in the church, he can cause it to be laid waste and fall.
he uses Jesus own words against us
But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.
I have been saying for 9 months now.
2020 was the year of the great awaken of the church on this earth.
at first i saw it as a mass inflood of people being saved.
but that’s coming later
1st God has to awaken His Church so we are ready for what is coming.
We need to understand and implements the basics of what God intends for us to do!
satan knows what is coming, and is doing everything possible to delay it.
he is using is weapon of fear, isolation, and economic collapse to dishearten the people of God
But aren’t you glad satan is not in control over you
are you glad
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
are you glad
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
are you glad
Through God we will do valiantly,
And it is He who shall tread down our adversaries.
are you glad
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
or
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
These verses are all true
but you still have a part to play
so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
Jesus warned us that following Him would cause division in the world
“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;
for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
“They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
but that division that is so evident in the world should not be entertained in the church.
Paul warns Titus
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Paul also warns Timothy
nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
We can clearly see how the enemy has tried to bring division to the the world and his intent is that it occupies the church as well
we have seen how camps are forming on various issues
in the church
Self isolate vs Don’t isolate
Have Church gatherings vs Cancel church gatherings
broadcast a regular service vs change it up to meet the current situation
allow people back in to church vs keep the church doors closed
Sing in church vs don’t allow singing in church
serve communion vs don’t serve communion
have kids program vs don’t have kids program
Force people to wear a mask vs let people choose for themselves whether to wear a mask
in the world
Open schools vs keep schools closed
open the borders vs keep the borders closed
Defund the Police vs don’t defund the police
Riots are a good thing vs Riots are evil
Black lives Matter vs All lives matter
I’ve talked with people on both sides of every one of these topics and get a wide array of beliefs and reasons
seems like there is a lot of opportunity to disagree with people.
I came the the understanding many years ago,
As a Pastor it is not possible to please everyone.
I remember after a service many years ago I had 2 people come to me within 5 min giving the 2 polar opposite suggestions.
they was no way I could make them both happy.
Since then, I will listen to peoples suggestions but I go to God to get the final decision.
Unfortunately, many people have a difficult time in having unity while they disagree with each other.
its like there is an unwritten rule if we can’t agree we must separate!
and this is not a new thing.
Its been happening in the church for Millennia
Why do you think there are so many different denominations, and churches.
well the tradition is when we disagree on something we separate and start our own thing.
Sometimes the split may be valid
like Martin Luther’s reformation
but far more often is about trivial things like the church that split on whether or not Adam had a belly button
But think for a moment if that’s how we ran our families
wife you disagree with we should get a divorce!
Son you think that way....you’re no longer my son
daughter you believe that....you’re longer my child
families would very quickly cease to exist.
So how do we disagree but still stay united?
Some may say we focus on the things we do agree with and forget the things we don’t
but I have a better option.
Honour one another
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Honour does not mean you have to agree with what they believe, but rather you value who they are above what they believe
Honour does not mean you have to agree with what they believe, but rather you value who they are above what they believe
We rarely hear the word honor today.
Honor, however, is prominent in Scripture.
The Bible commands us to “honor” certain people.
Most importantly, we are to honor God
Most importantly, we are to honor God
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
In addition, we are to honor our father and mother
In addition, we are to honor our father and mother
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
the elderly
the elderly
‘You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
rulers
rulers
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
church leaders
church leaders
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
and others who serve Christ faithfully
and others who serve Christ faithfully
Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
We are also to honor certain God-ordained institutions,
the Sabbath day
the Sabbath day
“If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot
From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,
And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,
And honor it, desisting from your own ways,
From seeking your own pleasure
And speaking your own word,
and marriage
and marriage
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
The Bible commands Christians to “honor everyone”
The Bible commands Christians to “honor everyone”
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Give preference
Give preference
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
So what does it mean to honor someone?
to honor means to esteem and treat another with respect because of who they are or what they have done.
to honor means to esteem and treat another with respect because of who they are or what they have done.
Honor has the sense of value, price, or quality. That which is valued and esteemed is “honored.”
Honor has the sense of value, price, or quality. That which is valued and esteemed is “honored.”
We see in Scripture that honor is treating people the way they ought to be treated and esteeming them appropriately. For example, we honor God because He is God. He created the heavens and the earth, and He is robed in splendor
It’s really recognizing their value
its kinda like how Grandpa can get away with something that if the grandchild did the exact same thing they would get in trouble
He can get away with it because the honor he has as a grandpa
Honor is in direct conflict with our world. because our world is all about look out for #1
honor says it’s ok to be #2
You honor God by making Him 1st place in your life
You honor your spouse by putting their needs and desires above your own
You honor another by loving one another even if you disagree
You honor you Pastor by supporting the vision God has given them for the church
Let me be clear Honor does not excuse sin
I’m not saying you put up with someones sin and that’s honoring them
it’s actually dishonoring them to know the truth.
But what i’m referring to is matters of preference
You may not like the music style, but the honor the worship leader for the songs they select
The big rationale of honor is giving preference to one another.
What’s the benefit?
The Bible says that honor brings blessing.
Blessing, in the Bible, is related to well-being in all of life.
For example, honoring our fathers and mothers is explicitly tied to living long and having things go well with us
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
In the Psalms, the Lord’s favor is associated with honor
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
In Proverbs, honor is associated with riches, life, and wisdom
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Honor is a blessing, and it brings blessing.
We can see this in our daily lives. If we treat people well and esteem them appropriately, we will have a healthier family life. We will be quicker to receive a promotion in our workplace.
Yes, sometimes we honor others, and we are not rewarded for it—at least, not in this life.
But nevertheless, ultimately, honor brings blessing, whether in this life or in the life to come.
Conclusion
Imagine a society in which everyone honored each other well.
I imagine that in such a place, we would all feel treated with dignity and respect.
None of us would seek more honor for ourselves than was right, and everyone would treat each other as they ought.
There would be no need for locks on our car doors or on our houses, for no one would steal anything from one another.
There would be no bickering in our families and no power struggles in the workplace.
that place does not exist on the earth
But let’s create it in this Church