Text: Mark 3:22-27; Matthew 12:22-30

Introduction:
  I. Jesus was casting out demons. Matthew 12:22
 II. The Pharisees admitted that Jesus cast out demons, but 
     they charged that He did so by the power of Beelzebub.
III. Jesus met their charge by affirming a time principle 
     that a kingdom or house divided against itself cannot 
     stand, and if Satan has risen up against himself and 
     is divided, he cannot stand. Mark 3:24-26.
 IV. Jesus made the answer to the Pharisees, but the 
     application of “a house divided against itself cannot 
     stand” goes further than Satan’s kingdom.
  V. Jesus then affirmed that He is stronger than Satan and 
     is able to bind him and spoil his goods. Mark 3:27.
     A. Satan’s great power is conceded by all, but 
        Christ’s power is far greater.
     B. Satan’s house is the lower world.  He exercises 
        control over the hearts of evil men.
        1. The human heart is the battlefield between 
           Christ and Satan.
        2. The eternal destiny of a man’s soul depends upon 
           who controls his heart and life, whether Jesus 
           or Satan.

Body:
  I. The Devil’s Kingdom divided against itself cannot 
     stand.
     A. His kingdom stands in direct opposition to the 
        kingdom of God.
     B. His kingdom is a kingdom of anarchy, conflict, and 
        hate.
     C. Should some of the emissaries of his kingdom start 
        to promote true righteousness, his kingdom would be 
        divided, and in such a state, his kingdom could not 
        stand.

 II. The church divided against itself cannot stand.
     A. The work of the church was hindered at Corinth 
        because of division.
        1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
        2. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
        3. 1 Corinthians 11:20-21
     B. The work of any congregation is hindered when the 
        congregation is divided.
     C. The cause of Christ is hindered when sister 
        congregations divide against each other.

III. Division within the church is a sin and is strenuously 
     condemned.
     A. Christ condemned division.
        1. John 17:20-22
        2. John 10:16 (one flock)
     B. Paul condemned division.
        1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
        2. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
        3. Philippians 3:16 (NKJV)

 IV. The cause of division.
     A. Love for self. 2 Timothy 3:2
        1. Personal matters.
        2. Selfish ambitions.
     B. Love for popularity. John 12:42-43
     C. Love for false teachers. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
     D. Love for money.
        1. 2 Peter 2:1-3
        2. Romans 16:17-18
        3. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
     E. Love for strange doctrines. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

  V. The fruits of division
     A. Causes men to depart from the faith. Matthew 24:12
     B. Leaves sinners estranged from God without knowledge 
        to salvation.
     C. Divides homes and causes grief.
     D. Wastes money.

 VI. The remedy for division and the basis for unity.
     A. Have no creed but the Bible
        1. 1 Peter 4:11
        2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
     B. Have no church but the New Testament church.
        1. Matthew 16:18
        2. Acts 20:28
     C. Have no plan of salvation but the Bible plan.
        1. Matthew 28:18-20
        2. Matthew 16:15-16
        3. Acts 2:36-38
     D. Have no name but the God-given name.
     E. Have no worship but the New Testament worship.
        1. John 4:24
        2. Matthew 15:9
     F. Have no standard of living but the Bible standard. 
        Titus 2:12
     G. Be not self-willed.
     H. Above all else, resolve to follow Christ.