THE CLEANSED CHRISTIAN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Reading to the hearer: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

 

Marks of a Faithful Ministry

1     We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2     (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3     Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4     But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5     In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6     By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7     By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8     By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

Paul’s Diversified

9     As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10     As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11     O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

12     Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13     Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

Separation from Evil Associations Enjoined

14     Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15     And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16     And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17     Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18     And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Marks of a Faithful Ministry

  1. THE PARTNERS—vv. 1–2
  2. Reception—v. 1. Paul asks that the people receive the message he was giving.
  3. Redemption—v. 2. Now is the time of salvation! Delay may be fatal.
  4. THE PATIENCE—vv. 3–10
  5. Perfection—v. 3. Living so none can find fault with our way of living.
  6. Patience—vv. 4–5. Paul suffered so much for the gospel. Note v. 5, and his suffering.
  7. Proof—v. 6. Paul’s actions proved his testimony.
  8. Power—v. 7. Paul used God’s power to live and do God’s work.

Paul’s Diversified

  1. Persistence—vv. 8–9. Determined to live for God, regardless of the outcome.
  2. Pleasure—v. 10. Though suffering, still we have the joy of the Lord.

III.   THE PLEA—vv. 11–13

  1. Love—v. 11. Paul tells the Christians how he loves their souls. This is love from God.
  2. Lack—v. 12. If there was a lack of love, it was on the part of the Corinthians.
  3. Learning—v. 13. Learn to return your love.

 

Separation from Evil Associations Enjoined

  1. THE PROBLEM—vv. 14–18
  2. Connection—v. 14. Christians and sinners cannot have fellowship with each other.
  3. Christianity—v. 15. Christians and sinners should not marry.
  4. Closeness—v. 16. God is close to those, who live separated from the world.
  5. Cleansing—vv. 17–18. Come out from the world.

 

V.        Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:

                          

16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.

16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement.  He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.

16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.