Temple Baptist Church - 8-30-2026
Matthew 12:22-30
Introduction: When dealing with the enemies of the local church, we need to understand that Satan has certain devices, or ways, that have worked efficiently throughout history. In Genesis, chapter, the serpent isolated Eve in order to deceive, causing the fall of mankind. The device pf division has been and will be one of his most deadly devices. Though we are not ignorant of his devices, we allow them to continually work.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices..
A. This morning, I want to look at the greatest enemy of the local church: Division, the Pastor’s Nightmare! We have read two texts that can be in direct contrast with each other.
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
1. The “EVERY kingdom … city … or house” is doomed to fall when division permeates their existence! This attack is being made nationally, locally, and in the home. That is not the subject of my message, just an observation of the days in which we live.
2. The most important unit on the face of the earth other than the family is the local church. It is the vehicle through which God works to evangelize the world, teach the convert, and to edify and encourage the believer. Satan hates the local assembly because it is the foundation of the entire work of God, inward and outward!
3. I know this message is about the local church, but, as goes the home, so goes the local church. So, GUARD your home! This is the work of both husband and wife! Your home is:
a) The man’s castle. As king, you are to rule the home and defend it in a godly way and in every way. You are and will give an account for your family and home.
b) The woman’s domain. As queen, you are to guide, conduct its operation and guard its direction.
c) The children’s nest. As children, respect and obey your children. Otherwise, you may become a liability instead of a blessing!
B. What or who is the greatest enemy of the local church:
1. The greatest enemy of the church is not Satan, though he is a great enemy!
2. The greatest enemy of the church is not finances, for God is not broke!
3. The greatest enemy of the church is not circumstances, for it rains on the just and the unjust!
4. The greatest enemy of the church stands in its pulpit and sits upon its pews! To quote Pogo, a classic newspaper comic strip by Walt Kelly, “We have met the enemy and he is us!”
a) The first worst enemy from within is the backslidden pastor! As a pastor, my heart is the local church and its welfare. Sometimes pastors get “off base” and damage greatly the church. They become selfish instead of serving. They can destroy the church faster than anyone else.
b) The second worst enemy of the church is the backslidden believer. This is the center core group of believers who make up the strength of the local church. These are the faithful people of the church who become carnal which breeds confusion and division. They can greatly damage the local church and, if left unchecked, destroy it.
c) The third worst enemy of the church is the lost religionist. Churches today are full of unregenerated people, and the natural man cannot understand the things of God. No matter how much the Word of God is preached, it does not register with them because the things of God are spiritually discerned. They tend to become very worldly or Pharisaical.
C. We are finishing the First Corinthian Epistle in our Wednesday night study. The Church at Corinth was the epitome of carnality in its birth and throughout the writing of Paul’s first letter to them. Division was mentioned three times in the epistle:
1 Corinthians 1:10 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 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
D. Now that we know who the greatest enemy is, let us see what they can do to the church.
1. Division Destroys The Fellowship Of The Church. People sit on the pews of the church with malice and unforgiveness in their hearts.
2. Division Destroys The Commission Of The Church. Mission programs have been damaged because of gaining a family and then losing a family through spiritual nonsense!
3. Division Destroys The Testimony Of The Church. Church fights and splits have been detrimental to the prosperity of the church, both physically and financially, along with their testimony in the community. (Three ways to leave a good church right: God moves you out of the area, sin in the pulpit or pews unchecked, apostasy in doctrine.)
4. Division Destroys The Posterity Of The Church. Children both see and hear the ungodliness of the parents. It affects their spirituality and, eventually, they are lost to both their pastor and church.
5. Division Destroys The Worship Of The Church. God and His Holy Spirit are grieved with this division, and worship is neither holy nor acceptable.
6. Division Destroys The Evangelism Of The Church. Instead of keeping our eyes upon the harvest and doing all that we can to win souls, our time is spent in bitterness and souls are lost.
7. Division Hinders The Prayers Of The Saints. Malice and unforgiveness are sins and when we regard iniquity in our hearts, our prayers go unheard.
Conclusion: I close with a portion of Scripture that we are all familiar with:
Ephesians 4:1-5 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring (to labor with diligence and industry-to work had at doing something) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
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