so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
3 sermons cite this verse
challenges of chapter 12 and the unfolding challenges of chapter 14. I suppose if we're going to do a series, then make sure that we keep 13 where it is, right in the middle, so as to prevent us from all kinds of lopsidedness. Father, we pray that what we don't know, you will teach us, that what we don't have, you will give us, that what we are not, that you will make us. And we ask it in Christ's name. Amen. Incidentally, in coming to these three studies in Nehemiah, I've chosen them somewhat arbitrarily, but not actually so. I've decided not to do, you know, if you like, the big passage in chapter 8, bring out the book and the Word of God, and to reinforce the place of expository preaching—not because that would not be our emphasis, but just because it's so familiar to us. And I thought I would rather take a stab at the rather naughty 13th chapter, which is before us later in the day, unless we can find a way to escape before that. But in the same way, you know, here, dealing with chapter 3 and chapter 4, we all believe together, don't we, that all Scripture is inspired by God, the perspicuity of Scripture, we believe, down to the verbs, and the adverbs, and so on. So, we believe that all Scripture is inspired, but if we're honest, we recognize that all Scripture is not equally inspiring. So, for example, you know, Chronicles ends with …
… He says, not only has God composed the body with different parts, a particular design and different functions. He says in verse 25, in order that there be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another. Now watch this. For example, as long as your bodily functions are going normal and natural, then you're healthy. You can run, skip, hop, jump, feel great, and whatever it might be, digest your food. But if some part of your body, for example, suppose your liver says, Well, I'm taking a big vacation on the 7th of February. I'm just flat not going to function. Just count me out. Everybody else can function, but I'm not going to work. Then you'd be in a hospital pretty soon. Listen, God never built the body of Christ to function at half-mast. And you see, in most churches, that is exactly what's happening because we've got a whole segment over here that's paralyzed. They've been talented by God at birth, gifted by God at the new birth, but the gift isn't being poured out into somebody else's life, and if it's not used, paralysis sets in. …
“That there might be no schism in the body.” 1. If there be any word in the English tongue as ambiguous and indeterminate in its meaning as the word Church, it is one that is nearly allied to it, — the word Schism. it has been the subject of innumerable disputes for several hundred years; and almost innumerable books have been written concerning it in every part of the Christian world. A very large share of these have been published in our country; particularly during the last century, and the beginning of the present: And persons of the strongest understanding, and the most consummate learning, have exhausted all their strength upon the question, both in conversation and writing. This has appeared to be more necessary than ever, since the grand separation of the Reformed from the Romish Church. This is a charge which the members of that Church never fail to bring against all that separate from her; and which, consequently, has employed the thought and pens of the most able disputants on both sides. And Those of each side have generally, when they entered into the field, been secured of victory; supposing the strength of their arguments was so great, that it was impossible for reasonable men to resist them. …