The Devil’s Diabolical Shame Cycle Temptation & Sin Conviction & Accusation Guilt & Denial Dead Works & Despair

God’s Freeing Grace-Based Journey Temptation & Sin Conviction & Repentance Deeper in the Grace of God Ongoing Engagement

Satan Knows a United Fellowship is a Potent Threat to his Kingdom. Acts 2:42-47  42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

3 Types of People 1) You have never experienced & are never planning to experience deep, relational, & missional unity with other believers. 2)You have experienced this type of unity with other believers AND seen it come under attack. 3)You are experiencing this unity, but have not YET experienced the devil’s divisive schemes.

What is Division?  NOT primarily evidenced through the existence of different churches and denominations.  NOT vigorous, passionate debate among a church over methods & non-essentials. Acts 15:36-41  Division IS unresolved, alienating, sinful behavior that polarizes a church and distracts us from our mission. Eph. 4:26-32; 1 Cor. 1:10; Philippians 1:27

How does Division Impact a Church? 1) Division dams the flow of outreach.

How does Division Impact a Church? 1)Division dams the flow of outreach. 2)Division demoralizes all involved. “In division, Satan is able to orchestrate the best of all worlds for his side. Christians not only stop pursuing their mission of building the kingdom of God, they actually begin destroying each other. The lingering effects of division can go on for years, and those left in the church usually feel a spiritual depression that inhibits ministry efforts. Distrust and cynicism afflict leaders and workers, making it more difficult to love from the heart.” -- Dennis McCallum in Satan and His Kingdom

How does Division Impact a Church? 1)Division dams the flow of outreach. 2)Division demoralizes all involved. 3)Division hamstrings leadership. “If a significant group becomes divided from the leadership of the church, or worse if the leadership itself becomes divided, the work of the church comes to a halt. Leaders must supply clear direction for the church, and the people must trust and respond to their leadership – or we are a rabble.” -- Gary DeLashmutt

How does Division Impact a Church? 1)Division dams the flow of outreach. 2)Division demoralizes all involved. 3)Division hamstrings leadership. DIVISION DESTROYS A CHURCH!!! Ephesians 4:3  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

How Can We Defeat Division? 1)Be Proactive. Passionately love & serve one another Extend life together Get in the Word…together Monitor your soul & words Initiate the hard talk with others Follow leadership Forgive & bear with one another 2)Be Courageous Discipline & expel the divisive when necessary

A UNITED FELLOWSHIPA DIVIDED FELLOWSHIP Loves being togetherTolerates one another Informal & personalSurface formality Focused on engaging outsiders Whine, complain, & wonder why more don’t come Leadership majors on majors & minors on minors Leadership majors on minors & minors on majors Calls people beyond divisiveness Defined by divisiveness Culture of Grace Culture of Self- Righteousness