Gleans from Monday Bible Study with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
DLBC Gbagada HQ
10th June 2019
Study 14 – THE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF A DIVIDED KINGDOM
Text – Mark 3:22-35; 2 Chronicles 20:1,23; 1 Samuel 20:33
“And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:24-25). A divided kingdom destroys itself because it is fighting against itself. Instead of that kingdom fighting against a common enemy, it turns its skills and weapons against itself, and that kingdom cannot stand. “For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another” (2 Chronicles 20:23). These were nations united against their common enemy Israel, but they fought and destroyed themselves. This depicts the statement of Jesus Christ that “a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand”. A community divided against itself cannot and will not stand; there will be self-destruction. So also a tribe or a family divided against itself. This is a principle that cut across dispensations and ages. Also, a Church fighting and divided against itself, drawing the sword and using their skills to fight against each other, that household of faith, community of believers will not and cannot stand. Your house, family and our church will stand in Jesus’ name. For a family, church, house or community to stand, there must be unity; same goal, vision, destination and working hand in hand. But if you use your skills, education, talent, and power to fight one another, that family, community and church will come to an end. Will your house and family stand? Then you must be united, come together, and don’t use any skill, understanding, behavior, instrument to fight one another. “Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?” (1 Samuel 20:30). Anywhere there is anger, either from the father to the son, son to the father or mother to the daughter, in any family, that anger propels unsavoury action, and that family cannot stand; neither can the church where the pastor or ministers are against each other or members. Anger does not understand good language or good disposition; it will destroy the family and church. “And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David” (1 Samuel 20:33). Saul as a king was not courageous to use that javelin against Goliath, the nation’s enemy, but now in anger he threw it at his own son. “A house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand”. In any organization, there must be unity if there is going to be progress, because an organization divided against itself cannot and will not stand. So we need to understand that (i) A divided house knows no peace; (ii) A divided house knows no progress; (iii) A divided church knows no purity, and without purity we cannot get to heaven but will be heading for perdition. Unity is the strength of any one, family, church and community.
“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils” (Mark 3:22). They were talking about their Messiah, Lord, Saviour and the One that the Almighty God sent to save them, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This was the Saviour wanting to get them out of the way of perdition into the way to heaven. They insulted and resisted the One that can save them and grant them eternal life. Once anybody gets to that position that he is resisting the word of God and Christ the Saviour, that person cannot be saved. I pray that this kind of spirit in any heart will be cleared away in Jesus Name.
3 points:
Point 1. THE UNPREVENTABLE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF DELUDED DECEIVERS
Mark 3:22-27; John 3:1-2; 11:47-51; 12:10-11,18-19; Matthew 9:34-38; 2 Samuel 15:6-11; 1 Corinthians 1:10
“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.” (Mark 3:22). These were deceivers because they knew better. “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1-2). One of them, Nicodemus, made this profession, so they knew that it was by the power of God that Jesus worked the miracles, but they were afraid they would lose their religion and position, for all men believed on Him (John 11:47-48). They were fighting for a position here on earth, and reject a place in heaven. “And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end” (Mark 3:26). If a man is divided against himself, like members of the body rebelling against the head, the brain, it is insanity. He destroys himself and purpose for living. The same for a family, it will lose focus, open the door for the enemy to destroy, pull down the roof against itself and come to desolation. The same for a nation that is divided against itself. The nation of Israel was divided against itself in that they rejected the Messiah at His first coming, and this led to their destruction and desolation. A Church divided against itself, is on the downward road to destruction, doom and damnation.
“But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death” (John 12:10). They knew that the raising up of Lazarus from the dead was by the power of God, so they wanted to kill that evidence so that the people will not believe in Christ: But their erroneous comments did not stop some of the Jews from believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, “Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:11,19). The bad comments of anyone, on any platform or social media will not hinder you from believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus. He is my Saviour and Lord. Believe in the Lord no matter what people say, write or project. I pray that comments and writings of people wherever they put them will not lead you astray. You believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of God. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35). Jesus did not allow the insulting language of the Pharisees to stop Him from doing the work of the Father. Their bad comments will not hinder you from Evangelism, soul winning, and the work of God in your hands, in Jesus Name. I pray that the work that the Father has committed into our hands, we will do, and nothing will stop or hinder us in Jesus name.
A house, church and family divided against itself cannot stand. “And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6). There was division in the family of king David. Absalom killed his brother Amnon for defiling his sister Tamah and went into exile. On his return after being pleaded for, he determined to topple his father David’s throne. He stole the hearts of the people from the king and declared himself king. Eventually Absalom died and went to hell. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). We need to all speak the same thing, teach the same doctrines that there be no division among us because a divided family, kingdom and church will fall and destroy itself. I pray that God will grant us unity, and you will be an agent and warrior for unity in Jesus’ Name.
Point 2. THE UNPARDONABLE SIN OF DEGENERATE DESPISERS
Mark 3:28-30; Acts 13:40,41; Matthew 13:15; 23:37; John 5:40; Acts 7:51; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Romans 10:21; Hebrews 10:26-31; Ezekiel 18:30-32
They despised Him and the Holy Ghost by which He cast out devils, and Jesus told them to be careful because they were treading a dangerous path. “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:28-30). These Pharisees in their blasphemies were committing the unpardonable sin.
“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme” (Mark 3:28). All sins committed in ignorance will be forgiven as we repent and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord Saviour. I pray that if you are there and not saved, today as you come to the Lord in genuine repentance and confession, the Lord will forgive and save you in Jesus’ Name. Our God is a merciful, forgiving, loving and pardoning God. He loves everyone; and whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved; you will not be lost in Jesus’ name. “…danger of eternal damnation” (Mark 3:29). This is Hell fire, eternal damnation, and people don’t go there and come out after a hundred, thousand or million years. Hell fire is for ever and ever. If people knew the gravity of the unpardonable sin, they would change and repent. Thank God, you will not go to Hell. Everyone who comes to God through the Lord Jesus Christ in genuine repentance and confession will be saved; but sinners who do not come to God through Jesus Christ cannot be saved. He is committing the unpardonable sin in that he resists and rejects the Holy Ghost who convicts, influences and pulls us to Christ. Those who brainwash themselves, despise and will not come to Christ seal their own doom forever and ever. No brainwashing will stop or sever you from Christ. You will not go to hell in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit draws sinners to the Saviour, but blaspheming and resisting Him perpetually will hinder them from getting into Heaven. God is not willing that any should perish but those who lock themselves up in darkness, blasphemy and perdition do not have any one but themselves to blame. “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you” (Acts 13:41). “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15). They themselves closed their eyes and did not want to see the Light and the Sun of Righteousness. They died in their sickness and sin because they rejected healing and salvation through Christ, which is why they remained in the unpardonable sin. The Lord wants them saved, healed; He came to call them to repentance, want them in heaven but, “…..ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37). They shut the door of heaven against themselves; they committed the unpardonable sin. “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40). The Holy Ghost is the drawing influence, the inner still voice that draws us to Christ, but they stifle, reject and blaspheme the Holy Ghost. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51). This was why they couldn’t be saved, because they locked themselves up in the unpardonable sin. Deluded people perish because they receive not the truth that is made plain and clear (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). All such that believe error purposefully cannot saved but will be damned. They disobeyed, and contradicted the word, that is why they were not saved (Romans 10:21). “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). Jesus Christ is the Truth Personified; He committed no sin, and yet they rejected that Perfect Sacrifice, the Son of God standing and pleading before them not to die in their sins, yet they rejected Him, pushed Him down, and walked over Him to their perdition. A backslider counts the blood of Jesus as an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29). The Lord wants and calls everyone to be saved, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). If anyone will repent, God will forgive and he will live and have eternal life. God will protect you from any sin that will bar you from Heaven in Jesus Name (Ezekiel 18:32).
Point 3. THE UNPRECEDENTED STATUS AND STANDING OF DEDICATED DISCIPLES
Mark 3:31-35; Matthew 7:21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 2:15-17; 3:8-10; 4:17; Philippians 2:14-16; John 20:17; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:9-11; Matthew 12:49-50
These were devoted disciples, that even though the Pharisees were saying the wrong things and contradicting themselves, they remained decisive and dedicated unto the Lord, and Jesus mentioned their unprecedented status. “And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark 3:32-35). The Lord Jesus was in the business of the Father, and He had told His parents that He must be about His Father’s business. In the course of that business, He was interrupted that His mother and brothers were looking for Him. Let’s learn a lesson from here: when you are in the presence of the Lord praying, waiting on the Lord or preaching, you should not allow any interruptions either from the phone, social media or anyone. May our lives reflect the attitude of Christ in all areas in Jesus’ name. “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark 3:35). The Will of God are, repentance, getting converted, sanctification and holiness, living the righteous life and walking in the light (Matthew 7:21). “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). The Will of God is that you come out of sin and live a life that shows the grace of God, and cleanliness in the spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). Doing the Will of God, we become the children of God, and brothers and sisters to the Lord Jesus Christ. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). They do not reject, resist, nor blaspheme the Spirit of God, but are led by Him. As we do the Will of God we shall be glorified with Him (1 John 2:17). “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10). If there is hatred in your heart, you are not a brother or sister to Jesus. There must be love in the heart for Him, the truth, Church and the brethren. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). The Lord will perfect your love for Christ and the brethren. As Christ did the Will of the Father joyfully, cheerfully and promptly without any complaint, murmuring and disputing while on earth, so shall we. (Philippians 2:14-16). We will not labour in vain. God is your Father, Christ is your Saviour, and you do the Will of God, in Jesus’ Name. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). God wants us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Whatever remains to be done in your life so that you can be bona fide children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, He will do it even tonight in Jesus Name. He wants to bring you to glory, grace and godliness that you ought to have. “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10). Christ has power and grace to sanctify every one of us (Hebrews 2:11). “And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50). The Lord is looking at you from Heaven with His outstretched hand and wants you to come to do the fullness of His Will. As you pray, God will answer your prayers as He answered the prayers of Jesus while on earth. Make up your mind that whatever the challenge, you will do and abide in the centre of the Will of God, and when the trumpet sounds and the saints go marching in, thank God, you will be there. The Lord will take us to heaven in His own time. All the grace, strength, abiding godliness and virtues, the Lord will give to every one of us in Jesus’ Name.
Ponder on this! A divided kingdom destroys itself because it is fighting against itself. Instead of that kingdom fighting against a common enemy, it turns its skills and weapons against itself, and that kingdom cannot stand. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! God is not willing that any should perish but those who lock themselves up in darkness, blasphemy and perdition do not have anyone but themselves to blame. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! As Christ did the Will of the Father joyfully, cheerfully and promptly without any complaint, murmuring and disputing while on earth, so shall we. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Hard Sayings – Those who brainwash themselves, despise and will not come to Christ, seal their own doom forever and ever. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Reflection – For a family, church, house or community to stand, there must be unity; same goal, vision, destination and working hand in hand. But if you use your skills, education, talent, and power to fight one another, that family, community and church will come to an end. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Words on the Marble – If anyone will repent, God will forgive. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Key Words – Everyone who comes to God through the Lord Jesus Christ in genuine repentance and confession will be saved. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
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