Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church

Many people learned in history class that Abraham Lincoln uttered the famous phrase, “a house divided cannot stand.” What many people do not know is that Honest Abe was quoting Jesus of Nazareth when he spoke those immortal words. It is certainly appropriate that he quoted Jesus to express this timeless truth. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Whether that house is our nation, our community, our church, our families, and even ourselves, a house that is not united under the love of God and love of neighbor will not stand for long.

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Mark 3:20-27

1.    On the 16th of June, 1856, Abraham Lincoln launched an unsuccessful senate campaign with what is probably his second most famous speech.
A.    “He approached the dais, and spoke these immortal words. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention. If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.
B.    We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.”
C.    He then spoke these words that would echo throughout eternity.
D.    “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.”
E.    We hear these words – rightfully applaud Lincoln’s principles. It is significant to note, however, that when he spoke these words in his famous address, even those within his own party felt that his message was too radical. Some say it even contributed to his defeat against Stephen Douglas.

2.    It is not surprising, I think, that people find Lincoln’s quote of the words of Jesus too radical.
A.    His own words got Jesus in trouble plenty of times. In Mark’s gospel, we encounter Jesus at the beginning of his ministry.
B.    He has chosen his disciples and has sent them out to preach the good news of the kingdom. He has given them authority even to cast out demons.
C.    Who would do such a thing? Who would proclaim such an authority? Either an egomaniac or a messiah.
D.    Many people thought that Jesus was the latter. Thought he was crazy.
E.    In fact, Jesus own family was so embarrassed that they tried to silence him. Verse 27 – “kratësai” – “to take hold with force.” This is an intervention!
F.    The scribes’ opinion of Jesus was even more extreme – that his power over demons comes from the authority of the demonic. Serious charges!
G.    To that charge, Jesus uttered the words that would echo throughout time. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

3.    Jesus’ words have been quoted by so many different people in such different places largely because the weight of the truth that they carry.
A.    His words apply to a variety of contexts – to kingdoms (Abraham Lincoln’s usage), to households (consider the negative impact of unresolved family discord), to communities (like the church), and even to individuals.
B.    “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand”.
C.    The truth is Jesus’ words seem so obvious, that we might be tempted to simply dismiss them.
D.    Many of us are divided people, and we may not even recognize it.
E.    Malaise in our society over economy, conflict, inability of our leaders to work together.
F.    Add to that personal concerns – financial worries, family conflict, illness, etc. – our spiritual energy is “divided” among many things.
G.    The toll that this takes on us is serious and it is very real. “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

4.    The divisions within ourselves are sometimes subtle, sometimes very dramatic. Often times, however, the divisions start with our priorities.
A.    What is most important to us in this life? Where do we place our hope?
B.    Because a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
C.    So often, we approach life like the woman who took a family vacation in Hawaii. While there, the woman was blessed to see 15 rainbows in one week.
D.    She said to her daughter, as they left, “Don’t you wish we could have just one more?” The daughter responded with 17-year-old vigor and idealism: “Hello! Aren’t you a bit greedy, Mom? Don’t you think 15 are enough?”
E.    How often in life, we cause divisions within our own selves because we want more for ourselves rather than seeking first the will of God and the good of His kingdom.
F.    Communities – even communities of faith – become divided in much the same way, people pursuing their own will rather than humbly seeking God’s will.

5.    What does it mean to be united? In individuals, it means clarity of purpose.
A.    In families, groups, the church, we often mistakenly think that this means that we think the same things, agree on all issue.
B.    John Wesley – “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
C.    Charity = love.
D.    We can be divided by many things – ethnicity, ideology, theology, etc.
E.    Must be united in love – love of God, love of neighbor. The highest Christian essential, according to the bible, is love.
F.    If we have not love for one another, than we are ultimately a house divided. One that cannot stand.

6.    There is a famous Native American parable. An elder was teaching his grandchildren about life.
A.    He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
B.    The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”
C.    This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too”, he added.
D.    The Grandchildren thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
E.    The old man simply replied… “The one you feed.”

7.    What part of yourself are you feeding this morning? Are you feeding that part that gives life to the fruits of God’s spirit?
A.    If you want to know what that looks like, check out Galatians 5. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
B.    This is how we know when we are “feeding the right wolf;” anything else is a house divided.
C.    And, as Jesus says, a house divided against itself cannot stand.
D.    This is true in our lives…in our families…in our society…and even in our church. Amen.

Sermon delivered at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church Anaheim Hills  – May 31, 2009.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 8:15 am and is filed under Sermon.