Well, this morning I'm preaching a message that I've never preached before, preaching on a subject I've never. treated before Simply because That's what's next in the Gospel of Mark. Those of you who are Regulars here know that Our approach to preaching is expositional preaching. Book by book, line by line, and that's what I'm endeavoring to do. And it struck me that if I was not committed to expositional preaching.
and walking through a book of the Bible verse by verse. I wouldn't be inclined to preach on this. The title of my message this morning There's a warning. The warning against sectarianism. And you're saying, well, what in the world is sectarianism?
Well, if you have a Bible like mine, there's a heading there. Before verse 38, it says, Jesus forbids sectarianism.
Well, sectarianism in the Bible refers to the division. and the exclusi exclusivity among religious groups or sex who promote their own beliefs. and practices as the only true way to understand and follow God. In other words, Groups, individuals can be guilty of this. sectarianism by assuming a posture I'm right.
Our group is right. We got the corner on the truth. Nobody has truth like we do. And Barriers go up. And unity.
is gone. And that is contrary to Scripture. While Scripture acknowledges that believers may differ. And do differ. and non-essential issues.
and areas It condemns the divisive spirit that arises from pride, and on biblical teaching. It violates the unity. of the spirit that believers are commended to pursue. And guard. It's interesting that Paul would preach And lay down doctrine for three chapters in the book of Ephesians.
And when he makes the transition to chapter 4 and moves into the practical application of the theology and the doctrine he laid down in the previous three chapters. That the first thing that he speaks to. is guarding the spirit of the un of unity in the bond of peace. He goes on to say that there is one body. One Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Seven times, Paul speaks and draws our attention and urges us to endeavor to keep and work at and guard against anything that would harm. hinder or disrupt. Our oneness in Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ is splintered in factions. And If we will pay attention to what Jesus has to say, there is not only the warning against it, but there is. the correction for it.
So as we Move into our Consideration here of Mark's gospel. Mark gives four verses to this treatment, verses thirty eight through forty-one. He brings an incident to our attention that easily could be overlooked or seen as not that important or significant. You know the three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew does not record this incident.
Mark gives four verses to it. And Luke gives a summary of it in two verses. And we might be inclined to say, well then, you know. Because of the brevity, it isn't all that important, and we would be wrong about that.
So How are we going to approach this this morning? I've got four headings for you to follow me as I preach. I want to explore this subject under these headings. Number one, the incident of sectarianism. Number two, the root causes of sectarianism, and I'll cite four.
Number three, a broader analysis of sectarianism, that is, a broader look at it from the pages of Scripture. And then finally, the cure for sectarianism.
So let's Focus our attention on what is told us here in verse 38. This is the incident of sectarianism.
Now John answered him, saying, Teacher We saw someone Who does not follow us, casting out demons in your name? And we forbade him. Because He does not follow us. Both Mark and Luke Records that John is the spokesman here. He is speaking to Jesus on behalf of the others.
Now John answered him, that is Jesus, saying, Teacher, we. We saw Someone.
Some unnamed man. who was casting out demons. And they Forbid him to do that. They implored him to stop doing that. But the text seems to suggest that this man was doing that, and he continued to do that, and was successful.
at doing that. Mark draws our attention to one matter about this unnamed man. that motivated The disciples' action to try and stop, hinder, and forbid him from casting out demons. in the name of Jesus. And it's mentioned twice in this one verse.
Now John answered him, saying, Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us. This man does not follow us. He's not one of us. By that he means he's not one of the twelve. He's not one of the 70 that you sent out two by two.
We don't know who he is. But he's not a part of the company. And because of that, we forbid him. And again, the verse ends, because He does not Follow us. No no no.
You don't need to turn there. I just want to draw your attention because. When Jesus commissioned his apostles to go and to minister, he equipped them to do so. And we're told in Luke chapter 9. I'm sorry, Luke chapter 10.
Verse 1: After these things, the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them two by two. before his face into every city and place where He himself was about to go. And he gave them instructions on where to go, and what to do, and what to carry, what not to carry. And then When they returned, They came and gave a report, and we find that begins at verse 17. Then the 70 returned with joy, saying, Lord.
Even the demons are subject to us. In your name. And he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this.
That the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written. in heaven. They'd been given authority. Over. demonic spirits.
Chapter 9, Luke, verse 1. Then he called his twelve together. and gave them power and authority over all demons. and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
So, this authority to exercise dominion over demons. was given to them by the Lord Jesus.
Now Lest we become too critical too early of these disciples. And in fairness to John. Discernment is required to know whether one who professes to know Christ is indeed. Genuine.
So listen to what Jesus said, This is a warning, but It's very pertinent to our consideration this morning. This is in Matthew chapter 7. And listen to what Jesus said. Not everyone Who says to me, Lord, Lord. Shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Now, listen to what Jesus said, people will boast about. Many will say, me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? Cast out demons in your name. and done many wonders in your name. They would have done this in Jesus' name: cast out demons, perform miracles.
And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me. You who practice Lawlessness. Wow. And do you remember the Account recorded in the book of Acts, Acts chapter 19.
of the sons of Skeba. We have this account there in Acts 19. I'll begin at verse 11.
Now, God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul.
So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick. and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call. The name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. Also, there were seven sons of Skiva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? Then the man in whom the evil spirit was was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Well, what's the point?
Well, the point is. That there's nothing magical about Prefacing what you're doing and saying, well, I'm doing this in Jesus' name. And that validates you as a true follower of Jesus.
Now Back to our text, Mark 9, verse thirty-eight.
Now John answered him, saying, Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us cast out demons. In your name. Now, that in and of itself does not qualify. Or identify a true follower of Jesus because I just showed you. The warning of Christ in Matthew 7.
I just showed you in Acts chapter 19, people who were using Jesus' name. but we're Frauds.
So Up to this point, All we know for certain is That John and the apostles saw a man who was casting out demons. In Jesus' name, And the disciples were forbidding him to do that because. As they said, He does not follow us. Twice. He does not follow us.
Verse thirty-nine says, but. But Jesus said, And there's a lesson here for us. You would think That The disciples would not be in a place to be constantly being corrected by Jesus. You would think. that after following Jesus for two plus years, Being in the school of Christ 24-7, that they would have things pretty much figured out.
And I think sometimes we entertain similar thoughts.
Well, I've been walking with the Lord for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, and I think I've got things pretty figured out. And therefore, I don't need corrected. Very often.
Sometimes I do, but not very often, but it seems almost at every turn. Jesus is having to Confront the disciples about their lack of faith, their misunderstanding. And here we have it again. Verse 39, But Jesus said, Do not forbid him. You are forbidding him?
Do not do that. Why? Do not forbid him. For no one who works a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me. That takes some thinking about what exactly Jesus is saying.
Because that word for is could be also translated because. Do not forbid him for or because. No one who works a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak Evil of me. I think what Jesus is saying When, in the name of Jesus, under my authority, in consistency with my will. in harmony with What I would do A person performs a mighty work, he will speak well.
He won't speak ill of the one whom he acknowledges as the real author of the miracle. The reason that he cannot speak ill of Jesus is that he does not think ill of Jesus. He's not opposed to him. And therefore With another four in verse forty, again, four, verse forty begins with four, or because. He who is not a Against us.
is on our side. Interesting language. He who is not against us. is on Our side. Notice Jesus didn't say is on my side, He says, Is not on our side.
That should have encouraged the apostles. That Jesus associates with them. He identifies with them. He sees them as part of his ministry. The danger of sectarianism.
That's the incident.
Now, let's think about root causes. What are some root causes of sectarianism? As you're reading through this. chapter, you might think and you might wonder, well How does these four verses fit into the flow of this teaching, what Jesus is saying? Why does Mark include that here.
It seems at first glance to be unconnected from what goes before. But I would suggest to you that it's not. unconnected. Because I'm convinced that the same root sin That fueled their carnal desires for greatness. Remember, just prior to that, they were.
Walking A distance, and Jesus knew that they were discussing something, and he said. What were y'all talking about? They didn't want to confess what they were talking about because, on the way, they were talking about who's the greatest in the kingdom.
Well, Jesus knew what they were talking about, and he Got them to speak of that, and he dealt with them about that. But I'm convinced that the same root sin that fueled their carnal ambitions for greatness is fueling their sectarian attitude that only those who follow Jesus as they. were could be genuine. They determined what validated a true follower of Christ. And what was that?
You've got to be a part of our group. If you're not one of us, you can't be a follower of Jesus. The logic was wrong.
So they were guilty of the pride of ambition. They had this ambition of. Having a position of greatness in the kingdom. And now they're showing evidence of the pride of attainment. We've attained this position.
We're followers of Jesus. And if you're not one of This group then And so far, in my message. I think you your mind perhaps is swirling and You're trying to make application, and you're thinking of ways in which the Church of Jesus Christ is fragmented, and you're thinking of places you've been, and maybe situations where. People in churches have said, hey. We got it figured out.
If you don't think the way we do, you don't... Understand the scriptures the way we do, if you don't worship like we do, then you can't be a part of us. And if you're not a part of us, we really wonder whether you're really. Saved or not. That's what they were saying.
So the first cause is pride. And I think a second cause is jealousy. You say, well, where are you getting that?
Well, again, think of the context. We had just. Not too far back considered The Mount of Transfiguration experience, and when they came down off the mountain, they encountered. A demon-possessed boy. And notice what we're told there in chapter 9 and verse 18.
And whenever and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.
So I spoke to your disciples. That they should cast it out, but they couldn't. Could Not.
So here's a man that they don't even know who he is. He's certainly not a part of their. group, not a part of the 12, not a part of the 70. Ah. And he's finding success in casting out Demons.
of which they were failing to do just a little bit earlier in Mark's Gospel.
So Knowing human nature I would Hint at the fact that another root cause here is perhaps jealousy. They were jealous. jealous of a man they didn't know who he was doing something that they had failed to do. What other causes? Could there be?
Well Um I'm inclined to put the best Take on this. And I think In some regards, it was I'll say misguided. Misguided loyalty to Christ. They were loyal to Jesus. They believed.
In Jesus, they were following him. But they had this misguided loyalty. Therefore, they were going to protect the boundaries. They didn't want anybody coming in that they didn't know, who didn't do things the way they did, hadn't followed Jesus, hadn't learned what they'd learned. Misguided loyalty.
And then Yeah. A fourth cause And I'll Identified this way is failing to distinguish between. Essential and non-essential issues. failing to distinguish between Essential and non-essential issues. You say, Well, I understand that, but.
Who gets to determine what's essential and what's non-essential? And that's where the rub comes, right? One of the commentators that I've enjoyed is. Dr. R.
C. Sproll, he wrote a commentary on the Gospel of Mark and At the end of the chapter. In his commentary, he makes reference to his own ministry at St. Andrew's, there in Florida. And I found this interesting, so I'll share it with you.
He says that St. Andrew's, the church where I minister, We have frequent membership classes. These classes usually include some people coming from Baptist traditions, and their big question is. Why do you baptize babies here? Manifestly, the Presbyterian tradition and the Baptist tradition cannot both be right.
Either God is pleased with the baptism of infants or he is not pleased. One tradition has it right and one has it wrong. An issue like that is important. Because both sides obviously want to please God, but they differ on what That. They differ on what does please him.
And then he says this.
However, I do not believe that this issue is of the essence of Christianity. We can come down on different sides of this issue. And both be redeemed, both be in the kingdom of God, both be justified and adopted. into the family of God. And then he says, Sadly, I know people.
who will not tolerate any deviation from their theology. If someone differs at any point, whether it's over baptism, art, justification, predestination, or a myriad of other issues, that person must not be truly saved. He says that's not just foolishness, it's sinfulness. To assume that all differences divide us ultimately is nonsense. Folks are Scores of Christians who do not worship like we do.
There are scores of Christians who do not understand the Bible the way we do. That doesn't make them unbelievers. To hold that position reveals a couple of gross misunderstandings. One is the the nature of maturing in Christ. I know a whole lot more and a whole lot more.
I have a whole lot more convictions today than I did 20 years ago. Why is that?
Well, because I've been a student of the Bible. I've been to Bible college, I've been to seminary. I've been taught a lot. And you can't just be wishy-washy about the scriptures. You have to form convictions.
I believe this is the truth, I believe this is the truth in this area, in that area. And when that happens... You know There's two things that war against each other. All right, one is discernment. We applaud discernment.
We seek discernment. But what's the enemy of discernment? What's the if If that's the If that's something that is to be admired, that's something that is to be pursued. Then What is the threat to that? The threat to that is a critical spirit.
We've got to guard against the critical spirit. That's dishonoring to the Lord. And you know what I'm talking about. There's a challenge here. about being discerning On the one hand, and not being of a critical spirit.
On the other hand, We have to grow in our appreciation. for others and other ministries. For people who haven't matured, haven't grown, haven't been in the Lord and walking with the Lord as long as we have. Other traditions, backgrounds, so many things.
Some people say, well, the only thing that shapes my theology is the Bible. You're blind to a few things. Because your theology is shaped by a lot of things other than the scriptures themselves. Your background, how you grew up. Who you s who you spend time with.
So There's point one and point two. We've looked at This example Of sectarianism. We've considered some root causes of sectarianism.
Now let's just pause and take a a broader look. Take a broader analysis of this subject of sectarianism, and I've got. Two passages, one in the new and one in the old, that I'd like to draw your attention to. And the first is in Philippians chapter 1. Verses 15 and 18.
Paul's in prison. There are those who are seeking to. undermine his reputation by denigrating him. and his ministry. And this is what he says in Philippians chapter 1.
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ. But how are they preaching Christ? He says they are preaching Christ even from envy and strife. But some also from good will The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ.
out of selfish ambition. Rather than pure motives. Does that disqualify them? Is Paul going to tell us because they're preaching the gospel from selfish ambitions, they're to be considered outsiders, to have nothing to do with them? Is that what he's going to say?
Listen to what he says. The former proclaimed Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Huh.
I rejoice. You rejoice, Paul, in the preaching of the gospel and the preaching of Christ? With those who are of Selfish ambition? Their motives aren't pure? That's what I'm saying, Paul is saying.
Some of us would struggle right there.
Some of us wouldn't align with Paul. We would say, whoa, wait a minute here. I don't like the way they do the gospel. I don't like the way they present the gospel. I think there's selfish ambition and motivation behind that.
I think we need that. Do this to them. No? Nope. Not according to Paul.
And then turn to numbers, if you would, for a minute. Numbers chapter 11. It's an interesting passage in this Subject Numbers 11. I'll begin at verse 25. God is manifesting his presence among his people.
It says, Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him. And took of the spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders. And it happened. When the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied. although they never did so again.
But two men had remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. and the Spirit rested upon them.
Now they were among those listed. but who had not gone out to the tabernacle, yet they prophesied in the camp.
So here are two men named who are part of the 70. But they did not leave the camp and go with the rest, they stayed behind. Verse 27 says, ran and told Moses and said, Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.
So this guy was a tattletale. He ran to Moses and Aaron and told them, well, it says he told Moses. In Joshua.
So verse 28 says, So Joshua, the son of Nun. Moses' assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, Moses, my Lord. Forbid them. Then Moses said to him, He said to Joshua, Are you zealous for my sake? Are you jealous for my sake?
Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets. and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them. And Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel. Leadership seemed divided. Joshua wanted to condemn these men because they were prophesying.
But Moses stepped in and said, No. No. Let him alone. I wish the Spirit would fall on everybody, and that everybody would prophesy. Interesting, isn't it?
Well, that brings us to. The fourth heading. Hmm. With looked at the incident of sectarianism, the root causes of sectarianism. A little broader look at this passage in Philippians and this passage in Numbers.
Let's think together about the cure for sectarianism. And the first that comes to my mind is humility. Humility as opposed to pride and jealousy. God opposes the proud, he gives grace to the humble. And pride is something that so easily can manifest itself.
in our lives. One of the areas that it can, if we don't understand, the spirits work in ex in Enlightening our minds that we might understand the scriptures. It's not so that we would have more knowledge because the Bible says knowledge puffs up.
So if we think the end here is to know more, know more, know more.
Well, if you come to a church like this, you're going to know more, and you're going to know more, and you're going to know more. But if you don't do with that knowledge what the Bible instructs you to do, then you become. Um A target for pride. Oh, you know this and somebody else doesn't know that and That's just dangerous. No.
God Instructs us so that we might be transformed by His Word, not simply informed. by his word.
So humility, we must pursue that. I talked about The apostles and the connection from the previous passage that they were guilty of. the pride of attainment.
Well What does the Bible say about this? 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Verses 6 and 7, you don't need to turn there. But There's a warning there about comparing yourselves with other people. And then Paul says this to the church at Corinth.
What makes you different from another? What do you have? that you did not receive.
Now, if you did indeed receive it. Why do you boast as if you had not received it? Do you see how that just cuts the legs out from underneath pride? What do you have? What do I have that I've not received?
Well What have we received? We've received this from God. We've received this from the Spirit of God. Illuminating our minds that we might understand the scriptures. Is that grounds for boasting?
How could you boast about something you've received? What do you have that you did not receive?
Now, if you did indeed receive it, he says. Why do you boast as if you didn't receive it?
So that's just a good reminder. You know, if you're very mature and you've got a lot of theological understanding, well, it's something you've received. Be thankful for it, but don't let it be a cause for pride. Cure for sectarianism. This probably goes without saying, but we need to guard against a critical, judgmental attitude toward others.
It's easy to do. Easy to do. You see, with the gospels being shallow, very shallowy. Presentation of it. Almost distorted.
And we say, well, they they do all they do is preach easy believism.
Well, be careful. I know people very, very, very, very critical. Billy Graham and his Crusades, and I wasn't a fan of them either, but. I'd be willing to bet there almost 75% of the people sitting here this morning know somebody who could trace their conversion back to. A Billy Graham Crusade.
Does that disqualify Billy Graham? Do we approve of his evangelistic approach? No. But think about Paul's attitude in Philippians chapter 1. One.
There are people that you will spend eternity with in heaven that God used Billy Graham and the Crusades. to save. No, I I'm not. I'm not. Brushing off all the concerns that are about that, Billy Graham, at the end of his life, said this.
I think probably 80% of the people who walked in all of my crusades were never truly saved. He said that.
So he wasn't oblivious to the to the faults of that approach. Let's guard against a critical judgmental attitude toward others. Let's cultivate a spirit that rejoices in what binds us together rather than focus on. are non-essential differences. Let's be men and women who are known for what we believe, not what we're against.
I know a lot of Christians.
Well, I don't agree with this, or I don't agree with that.
Well, what do you agree with? That negative spirit is poison. Let's not be more restrictive than Moses was in Numbers chapter 11. Let's not be less broad-minded than Paul was in Philippians chapter 1. Here's the challenge.
Do not Make The family of God, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Any larger than Jesus made it. But don't make it any smaller than he made it. If you were to observe some assemblies this morning. Who are convinced, they're absolutely convinced that they've got the truth.
They've got the corner on the truth. And there are eight or ten or twelve people sitting there listening to the preacher.
Well, what about all these other churches that they passed to get to that assembly, that meeting place?
Well Prostate. I'm not being facetious here. I know men who think that way. It's poison. And there are differences.
I'm not trying to minimize that. Let us, though, agree to disagree respectfully over non-essentials. And let us take more seriously the biblical demands for unity in the pursuit of it. That's the thing that kind of hit me pretty hard. As I was preparing for this message, um I was thinking, you know, My mind doesn't very often go in this direction.
My mind doesn't usually focus on the imperative in the New Testament: how we are to be men and women who are to guard, protect the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. I mean, when you get, when you look at the high priestly prayer of Jesus. I wanna Read this to you from John chapter 17. That prayer can div be divided up in three sections. Prays for himself.
First. Through verse five, verse six, through verse And 19, he prays for his disciples, and then in verse 20. This prayer includes all of us who are gathered here. Jesus is praying to the Heavenly Father, and he says in verse 20, I do not pray. For these alone.
That is his disciples, but also. for those who will believe in me through their word. That they all may be one as you, Father. Are in me and I in you, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe. that you sent me.
Don't disconnect those two desires of Jesus With the effect that the world may believe that you sent me. What? oneness, unity that Jesus prayed for.
Now, that unity has got to be grounded in truth. Listen to Paul writing to the church. Correct. First letter he wrote The first chapter must have been pretty important. He got right to it.
I appeal to you, brothers, verse 10. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind. and conviction. There was. There are options today for people that weren't available to these early Christians.
There was the church in Corinth. There was the church in Rome. But there wasn't 100 churches in Rome. There weren't 100 churches in Corinth. There was the church.
So, if you had a problem with a brother or sister, you better get it worked out because there was no other place to go. But what about today? You have a fallout with a brother? Division with a brother? Huh, I'm taking my ball.
I'm going...
Somewhere else. And what's sad? Is when they do go somewhere else. The leaders of that some other place never call the previous church and say, Hey, so-and-so is worshiping with us. Are they members in good standing?
Is there a reason that we couldn't receive them or shouldn't receive them? Those conversations rarely happen. They happen once in a while, and we're encouraged when they do, but most of the time, Come on, bring your baggage. That's not honoring to the Lord.
Well, let me. Mm. give you a summary of this message and then we'll conclude. Sectarianism Hmm. It's the development of factions and divisions.
that conflict with the biblical mandate. for oneness in Christ.
Now, while Scripture acknowledges that believers may differ in non-essential areas. It condemns the divisive spirit. that arises. From pride and jealousy, and a whole host of other carnal desires. True unity.
Rests on commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. and the authority of God's Word. That's baseline. That's what we have to have agreement on. the gospel and the authority of God's word.
By humbly following biblical directives, Christians, believers, can avoid sectarian behaviors. and instead reflect the unity, the love, and the fellowship that should characterize the family of God. That's what Jesus said. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they all may be one as you, Father, and I are. One and I in you, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
Oh my god. Use this word to help us today. Let us pray. Father, we thank you. For this Passage of scripture that you've preserved.
For our understanding and for our consideration this morning, and I pray, our Father, that you would help us. To not just hear this word and say amen to it, but to be corrected by it if that's necessary. and to yield ourselves to it and to be profited by it. Father May Beacon Baptist Church, reflect. A spirit of love.
a desire to get along with others. other churches, other people. The perhaps may not see things exactly like we do, but they have agreement with us on the gospel. and the authority of the Word of God. And Father, would you raise up more places, more churches, more men.
who are of that mind. And we'll thank you for it in Jesus' name. Amen.
