ADULT STS LESSON 101

CHRIST TEACHES AGAINST SECTARIANISM

MEMORY VERSE: “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy
name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid
him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9;49,50).

TEXT: Luke 9:46-56

The earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ was characterized by authoritative preaching, teaching,
and notable signs and wonders, which brought relief to many of His listeners. In the chapter under
consideration, the lesson is centered on Christ’s teaching against sectarianism. Sectarianism could
be seen as the tendency of excessive devotion to a particular sect, especially in religion, which often
involves conflict with others. The Church, that is the body of Christ, includes believers all over the
world. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to
the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23).
In the Old Testament, the Jews were totally separated from the Gentiles, but in the New, both Jewish
and Gentile believers are reconciled together in one body by virtue of the cross of Christ (Ephesians
2:13-16). This implies that all enmity between them was totally put away and God now considers
them – and they are to consider one another – as one in Christ Jesus. New Testament teachings must
therefore apply to the entire body of Christ. The gospel is universal; its principles are profound, non-
denominational, cross-culturally relevant and impactful. In the narrative, Christ corrected the selfish
sectarian attitude of His disciples (Luke 9:49). He rebuked John, in particular, as well as all believers
who may want to follow the same pattern of behaviour. Believers are to have compassion on the
ignorant and acknowledge sincere and noble efforts of others who are faithfully contributing to the
success and fulfilment of the mandate of the great commission. Instead of wishing the downfall of
others, we can earnestly pray and reach out to them with the truth when we perceive any
shortcomings in their lives and ministry. Christ’s messianic mission was to save, deliver, heal and
perfect people’s lives, irrespective of colour, race or church affiliation.

1. CHRIST REVEALS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Luke 9;46-48; Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33- 37; 1 Peter 5:5,6; Matthew 23:11,12; Jeremiah 45:5

“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest” (verse 46). The
disciples of Christ sounded initially uninformed about the nature and details of the ministry and
calling of Christ. Jesus had just hinted of His sacrificial suffering and death for humanity: “Let these
sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of
men” (Luke 9:44). He wanted His disciples to grasp the great spiritual truth of His suffering, but
they could not because of their strong misconception of the true nature of His kingdom. The carnality
in their minds gave rise to position-seeking, Set-exaltation and struggle for leadership positions.
However, we must note that Jesus did not disqualify them from being disciples simply because of
their lack of understanding. In the same way, we should forbear with sincere believers in our churches
though they are slow in understanding. If we do, eventually they also will “…come in the unity of
the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). In their carnal estimation, the disciples
thought sitting in positions of prominence is all that mattered and that greatness is being above
others. Contrary to their opinion, Christ rebuked them for their carnal and selfish ambition (Luke
22:25,26). True greatness is not tailored after the models obtainable in the world. In the kingdom of
God, honour and greatness are found in humility and selfless service to others. Those who crave
leadership positions should have the proper guidance and comprehension that church leadership is
for service, sacrifice, self-denial, consecration and separation from mundane things (2 Timothy 2:4).
The thrust of Christ’s correction is that believers should avoid pride and self-exaltation. He used a
little child to teach them a lesson in humility. He pointed out that the greatest in the kingdom is not
necessarily the one who occupies the highest position but the one who is humble, having a childlike
(not childish) spirit, possessing the simplicity and strength of character, and the complete emptiness
of self. “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said,
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himselIf as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4). Children of God should not
think more highly of themselves than they ought to think; but think soberly and humbly. We should
not imagine that we are rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing (Philippians 2:3-5;
Romans 12:3,16; Revelation 3:17). The plague of pride, position-seeking and sectarianism can be
done away with through the sanctification experience, which is the second work of grace, subsequent
to salvation. From the Old Testament times, sanctification experience continues to be a valid
experience for believers who would live right and please God. “And the LORD thy God will
circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Who then is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?

A Christian writer puts it this way: “not the lofty in birth
And the rich in possession. Such have no claim, on such
Grounds, for this distinction. Nor the loftiest in intellect.
Nor yet the man who works the most; or suffers the most;
Or gives the most in the service of God. But the greatest in
The kingdom of heaven is the humble man. He who is
The meekest, who is most unworldly, who is most loving
In spirit and he who cherishes a forgiving spirit”.

2. CHRIST CONDEMNS SECTARIANISM

Luke 9:49,50; Mark 9:38-40; Acts 10:15-35; John 4:9-10

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name: and we
forbad him, because he followeth not with us” (verse 49). In the context of our present study, we
saw John and his companions displaying sectarianism by vehemently forbidding a man from
ministering because he did not follow them. “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he
that is not against us is for us” (verse 50). Some believers appear unloving and unwilling to
cooperate with others because they are not in the same area of work or ministry. Others allow their
gifts, achievements, positions and normal ministerial differences to be a cause of division and
segregation in God’s household. The Lord Jesus Christ still condemns sectarianism among believers
today. Sectarians do everything in their power to oppose, hinder or stop others simply because of
differences in denominational affiliation. The effects of sectarian attitudes could be very negative to
the church’s revival and survival. The unity, fellowship and love, which form the mighty pillars for
church growth, can crumble and impair the ministry and mandate of Christ, and create room for
false doctrine. Sectarianism breeds opposition, hatred and division among the brethren. To guard
against sectarianism, believers must obey God’s and “…esteem other better than themselves”
(Philippians 2:3). We must realize that in Christ Jesus, there is neither Greek nor Jew: we are all
one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Romans 10:12 presents this perspective in a more compelling
manner: “For there is no difference between Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is
rich unto all that call upon him”. Courteous and positive attitude towards the lost will afford
believers opportunity of witnessing and winning them for Christ without compromising with them.
For clarity, it must be stated here, that believers arc strictly forbidden from supporting or identifying
with those who, while professing to be Christians, peddle false doctrines or live in such as immorality,
divorce, drunkenness, covetousness and worldliness. The Scripture is unequivocal in its prohibition
of compromise and syncretism, that is, the union or attempt to fuse different religious systems and
belief, such as the traditional religion and Christianity (1 Corinthians 5:11). Those who call the name
of Christ must depart from iniquity and if they do not, we must not give them the right hand of
fellowship, lest we become partakers of their sins.

3. CHRIST ADMONISHES BELIEVERS AGAINST RETALIATION

Luke 9:51-56; Matthew 5:43-48: Proverbs 25:2 1,22; Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 6:12-15
“As Jesus was about to enter into Samaria, the Samaritans did not receive Him into their
city …because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples
James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down
from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:53,54; 2 Kings 1:10-14). They
wanted to retaliate but the Lord restrained them “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s
lives, but to save them. And they went to another village “(verses 55,56). Retaliation was
enshrined in the Mosaic laws (Leviticus 24:19,20). But the Lord, in this dispensation of grace, said
we must forgive those who offend us as contained in the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 5:38,39; 6:12,14,15).
The precious lessons from Christ’s response to the vindictiveness of James and John include, One,
avoiding attitudes of retaliation or revenge against those who oppose the gospel and us (Romans
12:17-21): Two, being careful how we quote and apply the Scriptures. Three, the danger of having
zeal without knowledge and power without purity. Zeal without knowledge can destroy much good
(Romans 10:1-3). Four, we must be watchful lest we allow the spirit of Satan or the flesh to motivate
our thoughts and actions. Five, not listening to bad advice from others. Six, never resorting to
violence or the use of carnal weapons in dealing with opposition to the gospel (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Neither should we threaten men with death in an attempt to coerce them to accept the gospel. Christ
condemns no man, neither does He give up on sinners. Rather, He is longsuffering towards men,
expecting their speedy repentance, and reconciliation with God. “To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing unto them; and hath committed unto us the
word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). As His disciples therefore, we should love sinners
like the Saviour and spend and be spent to rescue them without going on revenge missions against
persecutors or enemies.

Questions For Review:

1. Explain what you understand by the word ‘sectarianism’.
2. What is the main cause of position seeking in the church and what is its inherent danger?
3. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?
4. Why is sanctification necessary after salvation?
5. Mention some sectarian attitudes you know among believers.
6. What caution must a believer exercise to prevent sectarianism in the church?
7. What do we learn from the presumptuous of James and John, and Christ’s response to them?