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SERIES: |
Church? Who Needs It |
MESSAGE: |
Avoiding Church Splits |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Philippians 2:1-4 |
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
The early church grew by addition and multiplication. It seems the modern church prefers to grow by division: one group splintering off on its own only to replicate that cycle again and again. The Christian community at Philippi was a vibrant, growing church but it was experiencing a period of disharmony. A split between two personalities was threatening the integrity of the church’s testimony. Here we learn how such a split can be avoided.
DETAILED NOTES
I. The Basics of Getting Along
A. Two ways not to be with Others (
vv.
3)
B. Two ways to be with Others (
vv. 3b-4)
II. The Basis of Getting Along (1:27-2:2) Why should we get along?
A. Because the World Won't Provide It
B. Because You Belong to Jesus Christ
C. Because His Love is the Catalyst
D. Because We're a Spiritual Family
Questions for Home Groups:
- Why do you suppose people polarize towards personalities rather than principles? (In other words, why do so many forsake doing what's right so they can determine who's right?) See 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
- Who gets into arguments the most in your own family--children or adults? Why do you suppose? How do you resolve conflict at home?
- How can pride and ambition be disguised as righteous indignation?