John 17:20-21 Causes of Denominationalism – audio

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Text: John 17:20-21.

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Introduction

1. “Denominate” – to name.

2. “Denomination” – a name or designation, especially one serving to classify a set of things. A recognized autonomous branch of the Christian church.

3. There are about 20-30 major denominations in existence today.

4. Among those major groupings, there are countless sub-divisions.

5. For example: Read list of Baptist Subdivision in the United States.

6. That God is displeased with this situation is beyond doubt.

7. How did we get to this current state of affairs?

8. Some would look back to the Reformation movement of the 1500’s with Martin Luther as the start of Denominationalism.

9. While it is true that most of the modern denominations had their origins in the Reformation; it is also true that the underlying causes of denominationalism were present long before even the establishment of the church.

Body

I. Jesus’ Disciples. Mark 9:33-38.

A. Even before the church was established there were certain “red flags” that warned of division to come.

B. Jesus’ disciples were concerned with who would be the greatest among them.

C. Pride is one of the major causes of denominationalism.

D. There always have been and always will be people who desire to have a following.

1. Paul warned the Ephesian elders of this. Acts 20:29-30.

2. Diotrephes is another example. 3 John 9.

E. Also we see in Mark 9:33-38, that the disciples demonstrated an elitist attitude.

1. There was a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus.

2. Thus, he was a true follower of Jesus or else he would not be able to do such.

3. Yet the disciples forbade him because he was not part of their little group.

4. This is much like the attitude that Diotrephes demonstrated.

5. This type of divisive attitude is also one of the causes of denominationalism.

F. Jesus’ answer?

1. Don’t seek to be great.

2. Seek to be a servant.

3. Greatness in the kingdom of Christ comes from serving others!

II. The church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:11-12.

A. Spiritual immaturity is another cause of denominationalism.

B. Just like there will always be certain men who want to have followers, there will always be people who are more interested in the preacher than what is being preached.

C. Sometimes these people will denominate them selves even when their leader does not desire it.

For example, Martin Luther said, “I pray you leave my name alone and not to call yourselves Lutherans, but Christians. Who is Luther? My doctrine is not mine: I have not been crucified for any one…How does it then benefit me, a miserable bag of dust and ashes, to give my name to the children of Christ? Cease, my dear friends, to cling to these party names and distinctions; away with all of them; and let us call ourselves only Christians, after Him from whom our doctrine comes.”

1. I disagree with Luther on a lot of things but he had it exactly right in this statement!

2. Yet, his followers still call themselves Lutherans.

D. What were Paul’s instructions?

1. 1 Corinthians 1:10.

2. 1 Corinthians 1:13.

3. 1 Corinthians 3:3-4.

III. The Pharisees.

A. Mark 7:1-9.

1. The Pharisees had no respect for the authority of the Scriptures.

2. They had placed the traditions of men above the Scriptures. (v.9)

3. Jesus says that those who do this are far from God. (v.6)

4. Furthermore, He says that their worship is vain. (v.7)

B. The Bible alone will make Christians only.

1. We don’t read of Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopalians, etc… in the Bible.

2. These names and different doctrines are the result of man’s lack of respect for the authority of the Scriptures.

3. Sometimes it is not a lack of respect for Biblical authority but is rather an incorrect view of it.

a) Some feel that anything not expressly forbidden by Scripture is authorized.

b) Time and time again we are shown that God’s silence does not authorize.

(1) Leviticus 10:1-2.

(2) 2 Samuel 7:1-7.

IV. The Galatians.

A. Galatians 1:6-9.

1. The Galatians were allowing their selves to be led astray by certain people who were perverting the Gospel of Christ.

2. Paul marveled (was amazed) that they were turning away so soon.

3. The Galatians, evidently, were either ignorant of the truth or simply didn’t care that the truth was being perverted.

a) How could they not know the truth? Weren’t they Christians?

b) The answer is yes, but even Christians, if they do not continue to study and grow, can forget the very fundamental truths upon which their salvation was built.

c) Hebrews 5:12.

d) Hence the reason Peter felt the need to constantly remind the brethren of basic, fundamental truths. 2 Peter 1:12-15.

B. Lack of knowledge, will all too often, lead to denominationalism.

1. Hosea 4:6.

2. It amazes me how many people do not even know the basic tenets of their denomination.

a) I have yet to meet a member of any denomination who tells me that they believe a little baby is born sinful.

b) But a common tenet of most denominations is the doctrine of Original Sin which teaches that very thing!

3. Many have never taken the time to find out what their church teaches much less what the Bible teaches on a given topic.

4. 1 John 4:1.

Conclusion

1. Denominationalism is wrong.

2. However, denominationalism is just a symptom of deeper problems which have been a constant danger to man.

a. Pride and an elitist attitude.

b. Spiritual Immaturity.

c. No respect for Biblical authority or a perverted view of such.

d. Ignorance of the truth and apathy.

3. All of these things will lead to religious division.

4. What is the answer?

5. Repent and go back to the authority – The Bible!

Delivered on: January 15, 2012. Streetsboro.