The Book of Romans: Snakes In The Sanctuary

The Book of Romans 

Welcome:

Good morning, church family! What a joy it is to gather together in the house of the Lord. Whether you are worshiping with us in person or joining us online, thank you for being here. If you are a guest today, we are especially grateful that you chose to worship with us at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. 

Before we continue, let me remind you that if you have a prayer request, a praise, or a burden on your heart, we would love to pray with you. Simply text your prayer request to our Prayer Line at (251) 378-4200. Our staff and prayer team consider it a privilege to pray for you and your family.

Introduction To Today’s Message:

The year was 1981. Raiders of the Lost Ark introduced audiences to Indiana Jones. I was too young to see it in theaters, but I remember watching it as a kid. Indiana Jones was brave, adventurous, and one of the most popular movie heroes of the decade.

One of the most memorable scenes takes place at the beginning of the movie. Indiana enters a temple in Peru searching for a golden idol. He carefully replaces the idol with a bag of sand, hoping to avoid a trap. The plan fails. The temple begins to collapse around him. A giant boulder chases him through the passageways. His rival, Belloq, confronts him outside. Indiana escapes and eventually reaches a waiting seaplane.

Relief quickly turns to panic. A snake is lying in the airplane. Indiana immediately recoils and says, “I hate snakes, Jock! I hate ‘em!” Moviegoers soon discover that snakes are one of Indiana Jones’ greatest fears.

The theme returns later in the film. Indiana locates the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant only to discover it is surrounded by thousands of snakes. Looking into the pit, he utters the famous line, “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”

Most people understand his reaction. Our first introduction to a snake comes in Genesis 3. Satan appeared in the form of a serpent and deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Since that moment, snakes have often represented deception, danger, and destruction. Even today, we describe dishonest and manipulative people as snakes.

Nobody wants snakes in an airplane. Nobody wants snakes in a temple. Nobody wants snakes in a sanctuary.

Paul certainly didn’t.

Much of Paul’s ministry involved confronting spiritual snakes. False teachers twisted the truth. Divisive people stirred conflict. Deceivers used smooth words to lead believers astray. Romans 16 contains one of Paul’s final warnings to the church in Rome. He urges believers to recognize those dangers before they damage the fellowship and weaken the witness of the church.

In fact, friends, that’s the title of my message today: “Snakes in the Sanctuary.” I sure hope we don’t have any in ours.

Today’s Message:

“Snakes In The Sanctuary”

Introduction To Today’s Thought:

Friends, let’s fill in the blanks under Today’s Thought:

“Christian, Pursue Peace And Refuse The Poison of Division.”

That raises an important question. What does a snake look like in a church setting?

Snakes can be difficult to identify because snakes are deceptive by nature. Every church I have ever been a part of has had a snake or two. That does not necessarily mean the person was intentionally trying to harm the church. The reality is that every one of us battles a sinful nature. Pride, selfishness, jealousy, and ambition can surface if we are not careful. A snake often reveals itself through certain patterns of behavior.

Let me tell you what 26 years of full time ministry has taught me about snakes….snakes lie. 

A snake is dishonest. 

A snake twists facts, spreads rumors, and tells half-truths. Truth builds trust. Lies destroy it. Healthy churches are built on honesty and integrity.

Snakes push selfish agendas. 

Church members should certainly have opinions and ideas. Nothing is wrong with that. Problems begin when people stop seeking God’s will and start promoting their own will. 

A snake is often more interested in getting his way than finding God’s way.

Snakes prefer secrecy over transparency. 

Healthy church ministry happens in the light. 

Snakes prefer shadows. 

Conversations take place in parking lots, hallways, living rooms, and private meetings. Questions are whispered rather than asked openly. Concerns are shared with everyone except the people who can actually address them.

Snakes care more about power than people. 

A snake is not primarily concerned with reaching the lost, discipling believers, or strengthening the church. Personal influence becomes the goal. Control becomes the goal. Recognition becomes the goal. The mission of the church takes a back seat to personal ambition.

Church, please hear me carefully. Paul is not warning us about people outside the church. Paul is warning us about dangers that can arise within the church. Division rarely begins with a public announcement. Division usually begins with a conversation, a complaint, a rumor, or a selfish desire that is left unchecked.

Christian people should be known for making peace, not creating problems. Christian people should be known for building bridges, not burning them. Christian people should be known for protecting unity, not poisoning it.

So again…fill in the blanks under”Today’s Thought”. 

Today’s Thought:

Christian, Pursue Peace And Refuse The Poison of Division!

Introduction To Today’s Quote:

Right there on your outline is a quote from Ray Ortlund’s book, The Ministry of Reconciliation. I think it captures the heart of what Paul is teaching in Romans 16. Let’s read it together.

Today’s Quote:

“The gospel being what it is and always will be, ‘the message of reconciliation’ (2 Corinthians 5:19), our churches should be the most reconciling, peaceable, relaxed, happy places in town. We are so open to enemies, so meek in the face of insults and injuries, so forgiving toward the undeserving, if we do make people angry, let this be the reason. We refuse to join in their selfish battles. We’re following a higher call. We are the peacemakers, the true sons of God (Matthew 5:9).” 

Ray Ortlund’s “The Ministry of Reconciliation”

That’s a powerful reminder. The church ought to be the most peaceful place in town because we serve the Prince of Peace. The Gospel reconciles sinners to God and reconciles us one to another. Unity does not mean we compromise truth. Unity means we pursue Christ, give grace, forgive, and refuse to participate in needless conflict. 

Notice that I said needless conflict. Conflict itself is not always bad. Every family experiences conflict. Every church experiences conflict. Healthy people can disagree. God often uses conflict to expose problems, clarify priorities, and help people grow. Conflict handled in a Biblical, Christ-like way can actually strengthen a church rather than weaken it.

Paul’s warning in Romans 16 is not designed to make us suspicious of one another. Paul’s warning is designed to protect the peace and unity that the gospel creates. Churches flourish when truth is cherished, grace is practiced, and division is refused.

Introduction To Today’s Scripture:

Take your Bible and turn with me to Romans 16:17-18.

Some of you may have noticed that we have skipped over a large section of Romans to arrive at today’s passage. In fact, we have not spent much time in Romans 15, and we have moved rather quickly through most of Romans 16. The reason is not that those chapters are unimportant. Quite the opposite. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit and profitable for our growth.

Romans 15 contains many of Paul’s personal travel plans, ministry updates, and requests for prayer. Romans 16 contains a long list of greetings and acknowledgments. Paul takes time to recognize faithful men and women who had served Christ and supported his ministry. Names like Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Epaenetus, Andronicus, Junia, and many others fill the chapter. Those verses matter because they remind us that ministry is a team effort and that faithful service never goes unnoticed by God.

The challenge for a preacher is that these sections are often more difficult to preach expositionally than the doctrinal sections of Romans. Romans contains some of the greatest theological truths in all of Scripture. Romans 16 contains many personal greetings, commendations, and farewells. Those verses are valuable, but they do not always lend themselves to a full sermon series in the same way that Romans 1 through 14 do.

Then, almost unexpectedly, Paul pauses his greetings and delivers one final warning.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans to believers in the city of Rome around A.D. 57. He wrote to explain the gospel, strengthen the church, and unite Jewish and Gentile believers around the truth of Christ. For sixteen chapters Paul has been teaching doctrine, encouraging believers, and explaining how the gospel transforms every area of life.

Now, as he prepares to close the letter, Paul addresses a danger that threatens every church. False teaching. Division. Deception. Paul knew that healthy churches do not drift away from the truth overnight. Problems often begin with divisive people, selfish agendas, and smooth words that slowly pull believers away from sound doctrine.

Nothing has changed.

Churches still face those same dangers today. False teaching still exists. Divisive people still exist. Satan still seeks to undermine the work of God. Paul’s warning to the church in Rome remains just as relevant to the church in Daphne, Alabama, as it was to the church in Rome nearly two thousand years ago.

Friends, I want to remind you that…

Statement of Belief:

“We are opening the living and powerful Word of God…truth without error, breathed out by Him, and fully sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. It is our authority, our guide, and our hope. In honor of the God who gave us His perfect Word, I invite you to stand with me as we read it together.”

Today’s Scripture:

Romans 16:17-18 CSB

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, [18] because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His name. Praise His Holy name.”

Paul Is Encouraging Us To…

I. Watch Out For Divisive People vs. 17

Friends, we have finally arrived at the heart of today’s message. There on your outline you can see three Roman numerals. Paul is encouraging us to do three things.

Let’s fill in the blanks under Roman Numeral I.

I. Watch Out For Divisive People

Romans 16:17 says:

“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them.”

There on your outline is a brief explanation of the point:

“Paul warns believers to be alert to those who create division and obstacles to the truth.”

Church, please hear me carefully. A divisive person can do tremendous damage to a church. Life at church, even Eastern Shore Baptist can be explosive when divisive people infiltrate and infect the body of Christ. 

Relationships suffer. 

Fellowship breaks. 

Trust erodes. 

The mission is sidelined. 

Energy that should be spent reaching people for Jesus gets redirected toward solving unnecessary conflicts.

That is why Paul tells us to be alert. A church that recognizes divisiveness and addresses it Biblically can remain healthy, and united, and effective in sharing the Gospel. A church that ignores divisiveness often discovers the damage after it is too late.

January 28, 1986, began as a day of excitement across America. The Space Shuttle Challenger sat on the launch pad ready for liftoff. Millions of Americans were dialed in. Schools rolled televisions into classrooms. Students gathered in cafeterias. One reason the launch captured so much attention was because a teacher was on board.

Yall remember Christa McAuliffe? Mrs. McAuliffe had been selected from thousands of teachers across the country to become the first teacher in space. Students everywhere were watching history unfold.

I remember watching that launch myself. I was a third grader sitting in the lunchroom at Banks Elementary School. Like millions of other kids, I watched as Challenger lifted off.

Seventy-three seconds later, disaster struck.

The shuttle broke apart before the eyes of a shocked nation. Seven astronauts vaporized in an explosive mess. It was as viral a moment as 1983 could have ever seen. 

The tragedy became even more heartbreaking when investigators discovered that warning signs had been present before the launch. Engineers had concerns about the unusually cold temperatures and the performance of the O-ring seals. They raised questions. They sounded alarms. They warned decision makers that a serious problem could exist.

The warnings were there.

The danger was identified.

The concerns were voiced.

The launch proceeded anyway.

The result was catastrophic.

Paul is doing the same thing in Romans 16, except the danger is not mechanical. The danger is spiritual.

Paul sees a threat approaching the church. He sounds the alarm. He raises the warning flag. He tells believers to watch out for divisive people before they damage the fellowship, weaken the witness, and distract the church from its mission.

The language Paul uses here is very interesting. The word translated “divisions” is dichostasias (dee-koh-stah-SEE-ahs). It refers to dissension, discord, or people being pulled into opposing camps. Have you ever seen that in a church? I sure have 

The word translated “obstacles” is skandala (SKAN-duh-lah), the word from which we get our English word “scandal.” It originally referred to the trigger of a trap, something that causes a person to stumble or fall. 

Paul is warning the church about people who divide God’s people and things that derail God’s people. A division might be a person who creates factions, spreads rumors, or pits members against one another. 

Obstacles might be false teaching, gossip, manipulation, or anything that pulls believers away from Biblical truth. Paul sees these dangers approaching and sounds the alarm before the damage is done.

Friends..wise churches do not wait until the explosion occurs. Wise churches pay attention to the warning signs.

Look at what Paul says in Titus…

Titus 3:10-11 NIV

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”

Paul Is Encouraging Us To…

I. Watch Out For Divisive People vs. 17

II. Look Into Good Doctrine vs. 17

Friends, let’s look back at our outline. Let’s fill in Roman Numeral II. 

Paul is encouraging us to first watch out for divisive people. 

Number two, Paul is encouraging us to… Look Into Good Doctrine.

Romans 16:17 says: 

“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them.” 

“Friends, before confronting error, measure everything against the doctrine you have received.”

Paul talks about people creating divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching the church had received…well…he is not speaking hypothetically. 

Paul spent much of his ministry confronting false teachers and false  doctrines that threatened the health of the church. Two of the most prominent were Gnosticism and antinomianism. 

Gnosticism taught that salvation came through a secret knowledge available only to a select group of enlightened people. Gnostics often denied key truths about Jesus and elevated human wisdom above God’s revealed truth. The result was a distorted Gospel built on human speculation rather than Biblical revelation. 

Antinomianism went in the opposite direction. Antinomians twisted the doctrine of grace and concluded that obedience to God no longer mattered. Their attitude was simple: if God forgives sin, then sin is no longer a serious concern. 

Believe it or not, anti-Nominism is making a comeback in our culture today. We see this theology prominently featured in liberal corners of “Christianity”. We don't call it anti-Nominism any more. We call it progressive theology, and it is held by many in the LGBTQ community. 

They will say, "We know that the Bible calls homosexuality, lesbianism, and sodomy a sin, but God is filled with grace and love. This means that His judgment is set aside." Paul strongly rejected that idea in Romans 6. The Gospel does not give believers permission to sin. The Gospel transforms believers so that they desire to obey Christ. Both of these false teachings attacked the truth from different directions, and both led people away from sound doctrine and away from the life God intended for His people.

Friends, false doctrine did not disappear when the New Testament was completed. False doctrine simply changes clothes from one generation to the next.

In my estimation, one of the most dangerous false teachings in Christianity today is the Word of Faith movement, sometimes called the health-and-wealth gospel or prosperity theology. Teachers such as Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Benny Hinn, Paula White, Bill Winston, Creflo Dollar, and others have built ministries around the idea that faith can be used as a mechanism to secure health, wealth, success, and prosperity. 

The problem is that this message is not the Biblical Gospel. 

Jesus did not promise His followers a life free from suffering. 

The Apostles did not preach prosperity. 

Paul endured imprisonment, beatings, hardship, persecution, and eventually martyrdom. 

The Word of Faith movement often elevates personal experience above Scripture, personal prosperity above holiness, and human desires above God’s glory. 

I bet I’ve made some folks upset this morning but God has called me to be your shepherds and these “pastors” are wolves. I know some people may disagree with me, but I believe these men are dangerous teachers.

Another growing danger is progressive theology. Progressive Christianity often begins by questioning the authority, sufficiency, and inerrancy of Scripture. Once the authority of God’s Word is weakened, nearly every doctrine becomes negotiable. 

Progressive teachers frequently redefine sin, they minimize repentance, they reshape Biblical teaching on sexuality and marriage, and present a version of Jesus that looks far more like modern culture than the Christ revealed in Scripture. Teachers such as Brandon Robertson openly reject historic Christian doctrine while claiming to represent Christianity.

Where do you see progressive theology today? Primarily, it is pushed upon young viewers on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat. It's hard to understand, but this theology is capturing the minds of young people across the country. It's leading droves of youth and college-age students out of the church. The result is not a more loving Gospel. The result is a different gospel altogether.

Church, please hear me carefully. The issue is not whether a teacher is popular, or charismatic, or entertaining, or influential. The issue is whether their teaching agrees with the Word of God. Every teacher, every preacher, every author, every podcast, every social media influencer, and yes, every pastor should be measured against Scripture.

That is exactly what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11.

“The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Notice that the Bereans did not even take Paul’s word for it. They opened their Bibles and examined the Scriptures for themselves. If the Bereans tested the teaching of an Apostle, then certainly we should test the teaching of every modern preacher and teacher.

Paul Is Encouraging Us To…

I. Watch Out For Divisive People vs. 17

II. Look Into Good Doctrine vs. 17

III. Walk Away From Liars and Deceivers vs. 18

Friends, we’ve made it to our final point. You can fill in the blanks under Roman Numeral III.

Paul is encouraging us to…

III. Walk Away From Liars and Deceivers

We should watch out for divisive people.

We should look into good doctrine.

We should walk away from liars and deceivers.

We see this in verse 18.

“Because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.”

There on your outline is a brief explanation of the point:

“The proper response to persistent divisiveness is not participation, but separation.”

Paul now reveals the true motive behind divisive people and false teachers. They may claim to serve Christ, but Paul says they are actually serving themselves. Their concern is not the glory of God. Their concern is not the health of the church. Their concern is not the advancement of the Gospel. Their concern is their own desires, ambitions, influence, and agendas.

Paul also exposes their method. They use “smooth talk and flattering words.” They are often persuasive. They are often charming. They know how to say what people want to hear. They appeal to emotions. They stroke egos. They make promises they cannot keep. They tell people what is comfortable rather than what is true.

Notice who is most vulnerable. Paul says they deceive “the hearts of the unsuspecting.” The word carries the idea of someone who is innocent, naïve, or unaware of the danger. False teachers rarely announce themselves as false teachers. Divisive people rarely introduce themselves as troublemakers. They gain influence gradually. They build trust. They present themselves as helpful and concerned. Eventually their true motives become evident.

Paul’s response is remarkably direct. He does not tell believers to join them. He does not tell believers to entertain their divisive behavior. He does not tell believers to tolerate persistent deception for the sake of peace. Paul says to avoid them.

Christian love does not require us to embrace false teaching.

Christian kindness does not require us to participate in divisiveness.

Christian unity does not require us to ignore deception.

There comes a point when the most Biblical response is to walk away from those who continually reject the truth and continue sowing division among God’s people.

Church history provides us with a powerful example. Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher of London, found himself surrounded by leaders who were abandoning Biblical truth. He preached and pleaded for reform. 

The problems continued. 

Eventually, Spurgeon concluded that fellowship without truth was not Biblical fellowship. He separated from the Baptist Union because he believed the truth of God’s Word was worth protecting. Spurgeon understood what Paul understood. There comes a point when participation becomes compromise.

You know what..I get it. 

During the fifteen and a half years that I have served as your pastor, there have been a handful of occasions when individuals were asked to leave our fellowship because they were sowing division and spreading discontent within the church. Those decisions broke my heart. They were never motivated by anger or malice. The goal was always repentance, restoration, and reconciliation.

Please understand what I am saying. I am not talking about normal disagreements, personality differences, or conflict between imperfect people. 

Every church experiences those things. 

I am talking about someone who knows God’s Word, professes to follow Christ, and yet actively works to damage the unity and mission of the church. Scripture teaches that there comes a point when that behavior can no longer be tolerated.

That is why John writes in 2 John 10-11:

“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.”

The proper response to persistent divisiveness is not participation, but separation.

Remember, Where Truth Is Cherished, Unity Flourishes!

Closing Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for Your Word and for the warning Paul gives us in Romans 16. Give us wisdom to recognize division before it takes root.

Protect the unity of our church. Guard our hearts from pride, selfish ambition, gossip, and conflict. Help us to be peacemakers who love one another, encourage one another, and serve one another for the glory of Christ.

Lord, if there is anyone here today who has never trusted Jesus as Savior, draw them to Yourself. Give them the courage to repent of their sin and place their faith in Christ. If there is anyone who is guilty of divisive behavior, spreading discontent, or guilty of trying to purposefully break relationships within this church, may they ask your forgiveness and seek the grace of those who they've hurt. If there are believers who need to pray, join the church, seek restoration, or follow You in baptism, give them the boldness to respond today.

We ask all of this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and King.

Amen.