Schism

Introduction

The Butter Battle Book

A lot in this book, but where does it start? With a schism over something small.

These two groups experience division and it just worsens. A dangerous schism.

Churches are not exempt from this, are they. Maybe you were a part of a church that experienced a schism.

Those are schisms that are painful and unnecessary.

Sometimes, however, there is a schism that is necessary. Between the world and Christians.

John is encouraging the church to continue on the path of sanctification, which is a different path than the world.

And as the believer walks further and further down this path, the schism becomes more distinct between them and the world.

Schism In Origin

vv. 15-17

We all start from the same place, a posture of rebellion towards God.

Your origin determines your impulses, motivations, and spiritual identity, It is powerful!

For the first group, there is a love of the world. It consumes a person: Power, Possessions, and Pleasure.

This old origin consumes people away from God. And the warning: all of that is passing away. All of it.

All that you can amass is temporary. Fleeting. Ecclesiastes: Vanity! Chasing after the wind!

There is the possibility of a new origin.

A whole new start. New identity, New lifestyle. New end.

This is the origin that ends in abiding forever.

Schism In Life

vv. 18-25

The antichrist… Even though we usually think of Revelation, not used there. 1 & 2 John only.

Anti can mean against, but can also mean “instead of.” And that’s how John is using it.

These are those who are following something instead of Jesus! v. 22.

This group has broken away from the church (v. 19). Why??

This helps us to understand when we see someone who looks like a Christian and they walk away.

1 John 2:19 ESV

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Once saved always saved.

Hebrews 6:4–6 ESV

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

They’ve tasted, but not consumed. They’ve been blessed by believers, but are not themselves believers.

However, John knows the condition of the true believers.

v. 20 - “But you have been anointed by the Holy One!”

This is the church. The church has Jesus and has the truth.

Anointed = Saturated

Completely soaked. Marinated.

So, rather than going out, they abide. Remain. Live.

This is the new origin! Those who confess Christ.

Confess means to make a public proclamation.

Faith in Jesus leads to eternal life.

Schism In Truth

vv. 26-27

John gives his warning that there are those seeking to divide the church, the antichrists, by denying Jesus as the Christ.

But, believers know! This anointing teaches (v. 27). Saturation of the Holy Spirit.

You know who Jesus is.

This is what John is talking about in v. 27: “You have no need that anyone should teach you.”

Context: You know the truth! You don’t need anyone to tell you again!

Hebrews 6:1–2 ESV

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

You can move beyond the elementary teachings onto deeper things.

You have the abiding Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit lives in you.

Listen to Him.

Be quiet and listen to the Word.

Schism In Life

vv. 28-29

This is the natural consequence of living in Jesus!

Rather than ending in destruction, it is eternal life!

However, the quality of our life depends upon how we live it out.

It takes a conscious effort to abide in Jesus.

You must be intentional about it. Because we naturally drift.

Verse 4 of Come Thou Fount:

We are prone to wander!

Have a plan.

Have a community.

And as we get further down that path of sanctification, we are better able to represent Jesus to the world.

The world desperately needs Christians to show how they are different.

The peace and hope and love that is to define the life of a Christ follower.

Conclusion

Dr. Clyde Cain - died with his Bible in his hand.

Because of his new beginning, he lived a life of purpose, and he entered his eternity of blessing.

What a powerful legacy.

The legacy we should strive to leave behind.

As we abide in Jesus, we point people to the Christ.