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Introduction: The term originated from war and combat situations in which soldiers are killed by the shelling or bombardment of their own military.

A. This has happened in WW I, WW II, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and in the recent war with Iraq.

B. Some "friendly fire" is accidental and other "friendly fire" is intentional (grenades rolled into a command tent).

A. In The Home: Husband & Wife (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5,6; Eph. 5:22-33).

1. Far more marriages are destroyed from within than are destroyed from without.

2. Abuse, lack of love, materialism, etc.

B. In The Church: We are the body of Christ (Col. 1:18). We are referred to as the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-33). We are brothers & sisters in Christ and yet, at times, we treat each other as if we were enemies. Congregational splits come from within, not without. Severe problems in the church, often caused by well-meaning individuals, but sometimes caused by those with a score to settle, have destroyed the faith of some. These become unfaithful and are lost. They are not killed by Satan’s darts, but from friendly fire.

1. Some leave a congregation because they are discouraged by internal problems.

2. Many problems are caused by well-meaning, but misinformed people, which make them a danger to unity.

A. When the Gospel is preached.

1. Pentecost (Acts 2), Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9), Cornelius and his household (Acts 10), etc.

2. The Gospel message hits us all (Rom. 3:10;23). It hits some harder than others. We may not want to hear the message that we need to hear.

B. Some killed accidentally by "friendly fire" (John 6:66ff)

1. They are offended by the Gospel (Christ & the Apostles were persecuted by the Jewish leaders).

a. Some get angry, will not listen, walk out, etc.

2. They may get offended by how it is said.

3. They may be offended by who said it (Condition of the speaker, family, in-laws, etc.).

4. Some are destroyed by those who snub them and exclude them from their fellowship.

C. Some killed intentionally by "friendly fire."

1. Statements are made publicly or privately that are intended to hurt when they are said (Prov. 15:1-3).

2. Actions or treatment intended to hurt (G.O. written up).

3. Rejection by one’s peers.

4. Rejection by the congregation.

5. Some are killed by the world and its allurements, but many are killed from within the church.

D. Who can be guilty of "friendly fire?"

1. Almost anyone and/or everyone.

2. I have been guilty by accident, but not intentionally in my teaching and preaching.

3. This lesson may offend some, but it is not intended to offend, but to make us all think and be more concerned about the feelings of others, especially those who need to obey the Gospel.

A. Take careful aim. Know where and at whom you are shooting (Prov. 25:11, 12). Make Sure your action is based on true facts and not just someone’s version or opinion.

B. Make sure it is necessary to pull the trigger. We will never regret giving proper thought to a matter. We should be "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath" (James 1:19).

C. Will this action or statement make matters better or worse?

D. Will God be pleased with me? (II Cor. 5:10)

E. Will the Church be built up?

F. Will it make me a better person? (II Peter 3:18)

Conclusion: There are some attitudes I would like to change in some members of the Lord’s church in general and in our congregation at Great Oaks. But, I will not do anything that I feel would hurt the church in order to just have my way about it. Let us all resolve to work together to build up church of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 5:13-16; 6:7-10).

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