Factions within the church are an inevitable reality, as Paul notes in I Corinthians 11:18-19, where divisions must exist to distinguish those who are approved. Stemming from carnality, envy, and strife (I Corinthians 3:3), factions reflect human nature among God's people, listed as works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and tied to false teaching (II Peter). Paul warns against divisive individuals, urging avoidance (Romans 16:17-18) and rejection after admonition (Titus 3:10-11). While the world fosters opposition and Satan promotes disunity through a divide-and-conquer strategy, Christ exemplifies unity through humility and submission to the Father, countering factionalism with faith, even under provocation, as seen before His crucifixion.

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The Same Mind

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We must not allow ideological differences to overshadow our shared faith, far greater than the lesser issues which currently divide us.

Unity and Division (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Divisions and factions are an inevitable reality within the church, as Scripture reveals their necessity for distinguishing those who are approved. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, acknowledges the presence of divisions and states that factions must exist among the brethren so that those who are approved may be recognized (I Corinthians 11:18-19). These divisions stem from carnality, arising from envy, strife, and behaving as mere men, which reflects the human condition even among those called by God (I Corinthians 3:3). While God ultimately desires unity within His Family, He employs division as a tool in His sovereign plan, allowing separations to serve His purpose of transformation and salvation. Paul further warns against those causing division by serving their own interests, instructing the brethren to avoid such individuals due to the danger of their words (Romans 16:17-18). Similarly, to Titus, he advises rejecting a divisive person after admonitions, recognizing their warped and self-condemned state (Titus 3:10-11). Thus, while division is a product of carnality, it remains a necessary element until perfect unity is achieved in God's time.

Unity and Division: The Blessing and the Curse (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by Charles Whitaker

Division, sown by the Adversary as part of his divide-and-conquer strategy, stands in stark contrast to the unity Christ died to establish. Factions within the church, as Paul addresses in his writings to the Corinthian congregation, reveal the presence of human nature at work among Christians. Schisms, derived from the Greek word schisma, emerge where God's people are not fully committed to living His way of life, reflecting a lack of repentance proportional to the disunity in a congregation. Paul also lists divisions or sectarian thinking, termed hairesis, as one of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:20. Similarly, the apostle Peter uses hairesis to describe the consequences of heeding false teachers. Quarreling, another manifestation of unity-dissolving friction, underscores the chaos and disorder that division breeds, opposing the harmony and order of unity.

The Pursuit of Unity

CGG Weekly

The world constantly pushes us to take sides, fostering division and encouraging the formation of factions. What begins as recognition of differences, such as new and old or North and South, transforms into opposition, becoming us versus them. These calls to rally behind causes, whether innocent or not, are subtle invitations to conflict, aligning with Satan's strategy of disunity, a free-for-all wargame of survival of the fittest. In contrast, Jesus Christ, in the hours before His crucifixion, demonstrated a path of unity through faith and humility, preserving His oneness with the Father. While Satan moved with his faction of disunity, led by Judas, anticipating resistance and battle, Jesus chose a different response. Even when confronted with injustice, He refrained from retaliation, healing the servant's ear cut off by Peter and submitting to the Father's will, despite having the power to call upon heavenly armies. This example stands against Satan's tactics of provocation and division, showing us the importance of pursuing unity over factionalism.

Recovering Civility

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must ask ourselves if we have allowed fleshly works to creep into our lives. A little civility could go a long way in restoring unity among God's people.

God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's hand was definitely involved in the scattering of the church. We should respond by growing and preparing ourselves for His Kingdom.

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

For every pure thing God has created, Satan has manufactured a counterfeit, even passing himself off as an angel of light. He is the master imitator.

Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Every form of government fashioned by carnal human beings, including democracies and constitutional republics, are riddled with fatal flaws.

A Search for Identity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.

The Spirit of Antichrist

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

All of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.

Themes of I Corinthians (Part 2)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A true, godly minister does not draw people to himself, but instead to God. Not placing Christ at the forefront will lead to carnal-mindedness.

The Same Plumb Line

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

A former president was sexually immoral, lied with impunity, and misused his position. The same is true of the current one. Will we apply God's standard equally?

Us and Them

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

As society continues to divide, many are aligning tribally with one faction of the world or another, which is contrary to our heavenly citizenship.

Together We Stand - But on What?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul, using the body analogy in I Corinthians, focuses on the need for unity and inter-relatedness by concentrating upon sound doctrine.

Damnable Heresies

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many heresies have crept into the church over the past several years. Here is how Satan works to introduce heresy into the church, and what we can do about it.

The Fifth Teacher (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Belief always produces conduct, and thus, ungodly behavior signals the presence or influence of a false teacher. Who was the false teacher in Corinth?

Religion and Politics

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A survey of the New Testament on the subject of politics shows that those who stoop to politics or other devious means to get their own way are the bad guys.

Everybody's Protesting

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Americans have a high regard for free speech. God, on the other hand, shows little tolerance for incessant grumbling, complaining, murmuring, or rebellion.

How Much of the Mind of Christ Do We Have?

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Possessing the mind of Christ is a lifelong process rather than a quick transformation. True unity requires seeking Christ's mind through faith, humility, and love.

Unity

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Each member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father

Civility and Courtesy

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Societal incivility, discourtesy, and in-your-face attitudes (works of the flesh) have manifested themselves in the church of God, but contradict agape.

Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

Mark 1:14 describes Jesus' gospel as "the gospel of the kingdom of God." This statement has far-reaching implications for our beliefs and conduct.

Everything Is Politics

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Whatever a person says automatically places him on the political spectrum, accruing judgment, scorn, or rejection from those who practice identity politics.

Lessons From Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

If God's Law has not been written in our hearts, the corporate entity in which we find ourselves will not save us from the wrong side of the judgmental cut.

It Takes a Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As Christians, we need to form warm, productive, quality relationships with our brethren, actively ministering to the needs of one another.

A Christian's Greatest Trial

Sermon by John O. Reid

Daniel 7:25 reveals the strategy of the enemy: a concerted effort of the Beast to physically, mentally, and if possible, spiritually wear out the saints.