The Role of the Church In A Divided Nation
Ponder this assessment from Timothy
Dalrymple, President and CEO of Christianity Today: “One group within American
evangelicalism (90 million) believes our religious liberties have never been
more firmly established; another that they have never been at greater risk. One
group believes racism is still systemic in American society; another that the “systemic
racism” push is a progressive program to redistribute wealth and power to angry
radicals.
One is more concerned with the
insurrection at the Capitol, another with the riots that followed the killing
of George Floyd. One believes the Trump presidency was generationally damaging
to Christian witness; another, it was enormously beneficial. One believes the
former president attempted a coup; another that the Democrats stole the
election. One believes masks and vaccines are marks of Christian love; another
that rejecting the same is a mark of Christian courage.” It is, of course, an
apt description of what he calls “the splintering of the evangelical soul.”[1] Why is the Church in the U.S.
so divided? Why is it so pronounced now?
Once every four years, these
differences impact us more acutely than other times. Is this the highly divided
and polarized Church Jesus envisioned when he prayed to the Father, saying, “that
all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they
also be in us so that the World may believe that you have sent me.”? John
17:21. Is this the kind of broken Church, the Bride of Christ, that Christ is
returning for?
What causes division among
church-going Christians? How could we overcome the issues that seem to separate
us and unite over the concerns that can bring us together? What message can the
Church of Christ share with a hurting World? What is the role of the Church in
a Divided Nation? Paul’s letter to the Ephesians might answer some of these
questions.
I.
What Causes Quarrels and Divisions Among Christians?
Before exploring ways to overcome quarrels
and divisions in the Church, we will find out what causes them among us in the
first place. This sermon aims to make us aware of the pervasive and divisive
culture that affects countries and churches. It will also help us showcase our
Christian Faith in a country that is so divided to promote unity and harmony
where possible.
Our passage in Ephesians 4:1-6 doesn’t
address the causes of quarrels and divisions, but Paul addressed it in his
letter to the Corinthian Church. Paul appealed to the Corinthian believers in
Christ’s name they would agree with one another so that there would be no
divisions among them, but they would be perfectly united in mind and thought.
(I Cor 1:10-11).
To his disappointment, there was
jealousy and quarrels among them, which was reported to Paul, so he wrote them
and said, “I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as
people who are still worldly mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid
food, for you were not yet ready for it.” I Cor 3:1-2. This says it all! We all
need to grow Up!
The main reasons for quarrels and
divisions are spiritual immaturity and not living by the Spirit. We begin our
physical lives as infants, and as we grow, we will become physically, mentally,
and emotionally mature. In God’s family, we start as spiritual infants. As milk
is essential for physical growth, consuming the milk of the scriptures or God’s
word is vital for Spiritual and Emotional maturity. I Peter 2:2, “Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
Spiritual milk refers to the essential Christian
teachings. Therefore, I cannot over emphasize the need for us to feed on God’s
word every day. As you apply the teachings on Worship, Prayer, Forgiveness,
Love, Grace, Giving, Gratefulness, and showcasing your Faith, you will grow,
become Spiritually and Emotionally mature, and avoid quarrels and divisions.
II.
Be United In The Essential Christian Doctrines.
Vs. 4-5, “There is one body
and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were
called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God
and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Globally, more than 2 billion Christians are separated
into thousands of denominations. Estimations show there are more than 200
Christian denominations in the U.S. and 45,000 globally, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.[2] Someone looking at these numbers may
think the Church is hugely divided. People are divided because they don’t
always agree with each other, not the Church. Even during the Apostle Paul’s
time, believers were divided. In a small house church in Corinth, there were quarrels
among believers. One would say, “I follow Paul,” another, “I follow Apollos,”
another, “I follow Cephas,” and still another, “I follow Christ.” Paul
challenged people who were divided over people and personalities by pointing
them to the person of Christ. I Cor 1:10.
No matter what
denomination you may belong to, all believers in Christ must be united in these
seven Essential Christian doctrines. 1. One Body (One Church of
Jesus Christ).2. One Spirit (The Holy Spirit). 3. One
Hope (we will reign with Christ forever). 4. One Lord
(Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Rev 17:14, 19:16) 5. One Faith,
“For it is by grace you
have been saved, through Faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God. Eph 2:8. 6. One
Baptism Believers baptism through immersion in waters by which
believers are identified with Christ and become members of God’s family. ( Acts
2:38, Ro 6:4). 7. One God (the Triune God, God the Father, God
the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). Matt 28:19. These seven essential Christian
doctrines transcend all denominations as they point us to Jesus Christ.
III.
What is the Role of the Church In A Divided Nation?
Let’s examine the Church’s role in
a divided nation like ours and the World. Vs. 3, “Make every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of Peace.” Rom 12:18, If it is possible, as far as it depends on
you, live at Peace with everyone. When we refer to the Church here, we are
talking about you and me, the followers of Christ worldwide.
I
believe we, as Christians, have a crucial role to play in our nation that has
never been so divided. We are to make every effort to keep the Unity of the
Spirit through the bond of Peace. Where do we start making a difference? We
need to humble ourselves and pray to God for unity. Jesus prayed that we would
be one so the World would believe that God sent Jesus.
Can
you imagine 90 million Evangelicals in over 200 denominations being united to
glorify God by finishing the Great Commission? What would that look like if our
country’s two prominent party leaders, a Presbyterian and a Catholic, were
united? Is there anything they could not do with God’s help? When that happens,
our country and the World will be much better.
Imagine
the wealthy Christians and BIG churches in our country with considerable
budgets practicing their Faith, not just in words but through actions; what
would that do? How many hungry people in our country and around the World will
be fed? How many widows and orphans will be taken care of? If we want to walk
like Jesus in this World, we will make every effort to maintain the unity of
the Spirit and live in Peace with everyone as much as possible.
Here
is a follower of Christ, a former and living president, Jimmy Carter, who said,
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for
something... My Faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever
I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”
We have one life to live and one chance to make it count for something. Let us
ask God for opportunities to make a difference in this divided nation and a
hurting World.
