Sermon Tone Analysis

THE JOY OF LIVING A SEPARATED LIFE

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

INTRODUCTION

Little girl sat at breakfast table with parents 1 morn.

Dad read paper.

Mom make waffles.

Little girl sat, wide-eyed, staring at orange juice.

Thot for minute-then ask, “Daddy?” “Yes, sweetie.”

“Jesus is God, right?” “Yes.”

“Then God lives in my heart, right?” “Yes, sweetie, God lives in your heart.”

“Ok,” she said, & then sat quietly for while, & took sip of juice.

Another quest, “Daddy?” “Yes, sweetie.”

“How big is God?” “Well, God is big.

Remember song we like to sing, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands?” “Yeah.”

He-“God is big enough to hold the world in his hands.

That’s big, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s really big.” Seem content answer, & again sat quietly & another sip juice.

“Daddy, if God is that big, & he lives in my heart, wouldn’t He stick out?”

Only one way God  stick out-if live differently than world around us. 2 Cor Paul warn Corinths about false teachers-try distract worship true God.

Therefore-no get involve those who have no relation-Christ.

PROPOSITION: Christians must live a separated life.

ORGANIZATIONAL SENTENCE: Paul gives us two reasons why Xians must live a separated life.

Also a joy-benefit

I. OUR IDENTITY IS CLEAR 6:14-16a.

A. Believers are distinct.

Mt19:6 So they are no longer two, but one.

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

Here-twist-what God has separated, let man not join together.

Yoked together-one word=unequally yoked=*another of a different sort*-with unbelievers=*pull the yoke in a different direction than one’s fellow*.

Lev, Deut texts-warn against yoke 2 differ kinds animals together-plough.

De 22:10 Do not plow with an ox & a donkey yoked together.

No work:   \\ •different species.

Ox much bigger, stronger than donkey.

Differ in temperament & speed.

Apparently oxen can’t even stand breath of donkeys & will pull away from them instead of going in direction supposed to.

\\ •different spiritually.

according to OT law, ox consider clean while donkey-unclean.

Jews very careful about not mixing-clean with that which wasn’t.

Just as yoking together animals of 2 unequal species will result in incongruous mismatch, so close attachments, intimate associat tween believers, unbelievers will produce ill-matched union & total discord.

If as context suggest partnership in pagan practices, how more NB-intimate setting-dating, marr relationships.

Pastors, parents used to warn, instruct young people on dating habits & then as things get more serious, warn about marr relation-bring believer, unbeliever. 1 Cor Paul wrote-probls Xian, non-Xian marr.

Not say-Xians have no contacts whatever with unbelievers.

But unbelievers might lead believers astray from “sincere & pure devotion to Christ” & fact concern Paul greatly.* *Personal-seen time, again Xians pulled into lifestyle of unbeliever & soon fall away from faith, or pick up lifestyle world.

Certainly need-contact with unbelievers in order-witness.

But as *Wiersbe*: The attitude of too many Xians today is that the church should court & please the world in order to try to win it.

Nothing could be further from truth!

There must be separaton from sin.

This does not mean isolation, retreating from the world; it does mean keeping ourselves from the defilement of the world.

It is fine for the ship to be in the water, but when water gets into the ship, look out!

B. The reason for command is given in a series of questions.

No statemnt of tolerance.

Contrast:

1.

What do righteousness and wickedness have in common?

Common=*sharing in, partaking of*.

Righteous-right relation  with God; wickedness=all oppose to God.

Expect-“Nothing!” Thinking person-can’t bring 2 together in anything but hostile set.

Deerfield HS’s “Strait-Gay Alliance Network”.

Attempt to commun agreement, but homosex agenda=hostile to Xianity.

2. What fellowship can light have with darkness?

Child-darkness=no light; light chases darkness away.

The 2 opposites no co-exist.

Fellowship=*koinwnia*-*have fellowship with, partnership, sharing*.

Light=fos-phosphorus=*light-bearing*.

Col 1:12-14 believers rescued from dominion darkness-brot into kingdom of Christ.

3. What harmony is there between Christ & Belial?

Essenes-members of ascetic Jewish sect of 1st cent BC, 1st cent AD.

Most lived-western shore of Dead Sea.

IDfied by many scholars with Qumran community-wrote Dead Sea Scrolls.

Name Belial appears as the name of the evil spirit in the writings of Essenes.

He is angel of malevolence, who lives in hearts of his followers, “sons of darkness”, & rules in the preacher of apostasy.

Paul use name Belial when think contrast with Christ.

Quest of authority in life.

Harmony= *Sumfwnhsis*=*a sounding together, harmony, symphony*.

4.

What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Assume=noth!

Man-DLMoody, “Now that I am converted, must I give up world?” “No,” evangelist, “you need not give up world; if you give a ringing testimony for the Son of God the world will give you up pretty quick.

Will not want you around.”

Worldview=total differ.

Believers, unbelievers differ-values, goals in life, ethics, integrity in business, how spend $ & if true, then believer not be connect with unbeliever.

Crucial in marr relation but also business.

1 Cor 14:6-9 Now, brothers, if I come to U & speak in tongues, what good will I be to U, unless I bring U some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?

Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

5. What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

Reaches climax argument-temple of living God.

About worship-who worship?

History-Israel=see-temple, idols don’t mix! Agreement=*putting together or joint deposit (of votes), hence approval, assent, agreement*.

God was & is adamant in hatred toward anything that takes away from his glory.

At begin-nation Israel’s existence God clear-be no other gods before him, no idols to distract Israelites from worship true God heaven.

Ex20:3ff You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

*John Stott*: it is doubtful that Paul would agree with Xians today attending inter-faith services with Muslims or Hindus, for example, since that would mean being mismated with unbelievers.

Temple motif central-forms ultimate basis for Paul’s appeal for holiness.

Lead-Paul’s 2nd reasont-separated life.

II.

OUR BODIES ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD 6:16b-7:1.

A. God indwells us 6:16b.

For-refer back to v14. 4 promises:

1.

I will live with them-*to dwell in*.