Sermon Video: The Wisdom that comes from Heaven - Part 2: James 4:1-6

Why do people in a church fight each other?  For that matter, why do churches or denominations quarrel among themselves?  We know that these things shouldn't happen, certainly not if the one and same Spirit of Christ is in both parties to a fight, so why does it happen?  James explains that fights and quarrels erupt among God's people because of unfulfilled desires, that is people not getting what they want.  What do people want that they don't have?  The primary desires are standard human failings: power, wealth, and sex.  Far too many church disputes, even violence, has revolved around the desire for these.  Churches have been split in two over fights for power or money or because of illicit sex between members.  We need to understand that these desires are a danger if we are to avoid their destructive influence.
In addition to these, misplaced zeal for a religious belief is also a cause of disputes and divisions.  Beyond the core beliefs of the Gospel (the Virgin Birth, Resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, the authority of the Scriptures, etc.) there are innumerable other things that well meaning and God honoring Christians will not always agree upon.  What do we do then?  Do we let a desire for uniformity close our hearts to others, or do we let grace abound and let God be the judge as he has told us that he is.
In the end, the Church doesn't need uniformity of opinion, we need to be one in Spirit and one in purpose.  Our task is monumental, we cannot afford to allow fighting and quarreling to disrupt God's work, whether that be locally or in the Church as a whole.

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