Consistently Living For The Lord

The Blessings Of Consistent Living

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 10

The word "consistent" means "fixed"; or "firm".

"Living" means as we understand it here means "as a living principle", or "living our faith".

The truth is there were some at Corinth who had been trying to overturn Paul's authority and destroy his influence in the church. Notice Paul no longer says "we" but now he says "I" as Paul will now begin to deal with his critics.

The truth of most Christians is that we do not acknowledge our true enemy!

The Bible is specific about who the enemy of this world is and especially to the Christian.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

We already know that the root of evil is the "love of money" , "covetousness".

Our enemy is the influence of evil on God's people!

We must never be careless nor casual in our spiritual battles!

Our power is in our "consistent living" for the Lord and by wearing the armor of God at all times!

Our power in this life comes from pleasing the Lord by being His true disciples!

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 

Lets continue:

*****2Co 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 

2Co 10:2  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 

If we are to be like Christ then we need to know our Savior. Jesus Christ was known for His "meekness" and His "gentleness".

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 

Isa 42:4  He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

We should clearly understand "meekness" does not mean some sissified, limp wrist man but "meekness" is "strength under total control".

Meekness is a "grace" which Jesus alone impressed as a Mighty God presented as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and He remained that way all His days.

"Gentleness" goes with the meekness of Christ because it best represents this time period we call "Grace"!

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

Paul had followed the example of Christ Jesus in addressing the insults, the attacks, the rumors, the outright lies, and the evil that had been done to him!

There was at one time a bracelet for kids that had WWJD printed on it. It stood for "What Would Jesus Do" to remind them of what to do when confronted.

It would pay for us all to ask ourselves this question, "What would Jesus do", when we are confronted with evil!

What was Paul's goal for his ministry?

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, "that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting". 

We see that Paul had personal experience with the meekness and the gentleness of Christ and wanted to show that to the world.

Remember Jesus Christ was meek, "not because he was weak" but because He was so strong, after all Jesus had all the power of God within Himself!

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

This should be our goal, to be so strong in our faith that we can show meekness "and it be clearly understood".

For instance America is still known as a Super Power but America can show meekness because of control of that strength. For many years now we have not seen this as the truth because our strength and meekness has eroded!

God on the other hand has all power that will never erode and He can show meekness in His terrible strength!

Paul said we should all remember the absolute power of our God at all times.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".

Meekness and gentleness are directly opposed to the love of displaying that strength. No doubt if God showed just a part of His strength the churches could not hold the people who would want to get closer to the Lord.

God has no desire to show His pre-eminence at this time because our righteousness depends upon our "faith" and not our fear of Him! 

Again this is God's plan and He wants us to be a part of His plan and not have a plan of our own!

What Paul is saying if his critics would return to God then they would never seel "what the Christian says today" Paul get in the flesh. Paul had a great desire to not have to confront his critics in boldness and strength.

Again we should remember the 12 Apostles had powers that we can only imagine and those powers were to be used to build up the church, not to tear it down but Jesus would stand by any decision that they made.

Those 12 Apostles had powers that we may never understand till we get to Heaven.

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

Joh 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 

There can be no Apostles today because no other men have been trusted with such power as these men were!

Paul was just saying "compliance or non-compliance of his requests" rested entirely upon his critics.

We should understand that Paul was only a human and like as today as we all say "you do not want to see me get in the flesh".

It should be very clear that we must have patience and we should give everyone time to repent of their sin with loving kindness!

*****2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

We should all remember even after we are saved we still "walk in the flesh" because we are not yet perfect, we are not yet glorified.

As along as we are in this flesh we are subject to all the weaknesses of our flesh.

We still age, our flesh is feeble, our minds can fail(we are subject to error in judgment), we are subject to disease, and we are targets of Satan and of the unbelievers of this world. Then there is also our conduct and our temper.

The truth is if we will study the Word of God and apply it to our lives then we will not war after the flesh.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Our flesh is useless in our spiritual warfare!

Our enemy is Satan and Satan's influence on this world!

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

**What are some of Satan's strongholds?

We live in a world where it is becoming even more willful to be ignorant of God's Words:

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

The world has turned this around against us and now claims that the Christian is willful ignorant of the truth of the modern philosophy and have convinced many with their false agenda.

But this same world teaches infidelity, where revealed truth is just rejected!

This same world teaches prejudice against all the doctrines of Jesus Christ!

The same world teaches superstition and idolatry!

The biggest stronghold is that of a depraved heart and depraved mind where we find our refuge when all other things fail for us!

Spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons!

1) We must cast down imaginations!

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

2) We must cast down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God! 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

3) We must bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ Jesus!

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

**And then there is another very important thing:

We must have a readiness to revenge all disobedience!

**We must always be ready to administer church discipline!

The "grace" of God is completely in disagreement with the ways of this world we live in.

**We must deal immediately with false teachers and false preachers!

This is not just for the Pastor to do but the Church must step forward and insist on it!

"This is where the Church is failing terribly today".

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

**We must take a stand on the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

**We must also allow some time for repentance!

This is the state of "God's Grace" we are in today. God is allowing this time for repentance!

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

God is allowing a time of repentance that only He knows and we are wrong if we do not allow a time of repentance in Church discipline but even that time must end at some point.

No matter what this world says, The Lord is coming and He has already given His warning, there will not be another warning, God's patience does have a point of ending!

And Paul continues:

*****2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 

Paul is saying that if you insist on looking at things with an outward appearance and not look into your hearts then go ahead and look and they would see what Paul's ministry had accomplished.

Every Pastor has the right to be accepted if he belongs to Christ, these things are hard to hide!

A true man of God should be welcomed and the church should help him through every problem!

The trouble makers at Corinth had said that Paul just did not measure up, but Paul said look at what was accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Those trouble makers had not planted a church. They had not won souls to the Lord. They had no Apostolic powers. They were just trouble makers!

"They were just doing what trouble makers do".

Paul said if he was to judged by outward appearance then look at what lies plainly before your eyes.

1) Paul was indeed the founder of this church at Corinth.

2) Paul had refused to be maintained by this church, for his own particular purpose.

3) The way Paul lived was proof of his sincerity.

4) The Holy Ghost conviction of this church also vouched for him.

These things were certainly all true of the Apostle Paul but Paul said we still need to look much deeper than what is seen on the outside.

None of these things would be true if Paul had not belonged to Jesus Christ!

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. 

Those men who are not seeking to destroy what Jesus Christ died for but to see it grow, should be honored with the love of the church!

*****2Co 10:8  For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 

No doubt that the 12 Apostles had been given powers that no other men have been given and we are wrong if we think this is not true.

Paul had a supernatural endowment from the Lord. In this Paul was certainly superior to all who questioned his sincerity to the church. Paul felt that if he wanted to boast of these things then there was nothing wrong with that boasting.

Paul also insisted that he might use or not use this authority"because this power did not infringe on his freedom to do so".

Paul also knew that this authority, this power was given to him to edify the church and not for destructive purposes!

God had done such things with Moses, and Joshua, and Elijah and Elisha and the other 11 apostles but if we study we will see that they were free to use it or not to use it.

God has instilled in us all to be useful and not to be destructive if at all possible!

Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

The truth is the more gifts God gives to each of us the more we are exposed to the hatred of this world.

When Paul mentioned his authority given to him by the Lord, he was by no means telling a lie, these things were true!

*****2Co 10:9  That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 

2Co 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 

Paul is described as a short, thin headed man, with crooked legs, whose eyebrows met and had a hooked nose but no one knows the actual appearance of the Apostle Paul.

Paul's critics said he was a poor preacher and not an eloquent speaker.

They would recall how some would even fall asleep while Paul preached and we all know the story of Eutychus how he fell to his death while Paul was long preaching and Paul revived him.

They had said it would be a waste of time for Paul to return to Corinth.

And they made compared all these things to Paul's writings.

So we can see that Paul's critics said that these letters might be weighty and powerful but he was truly a very weak man and his speech was contemptible.

Remember Paul had said that if he returned to Corinth he would use the authority given of Christ if need be:

Refer back to verse 6 and add this one:

2Co 13:10  Therefore I write these things being absent, "lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction". 

We can see the these critics in the Corinthian Church did everything they could to discredit Paul and Paul was aware of it all!

But Paul said you need to keep this one thought.

*****2Co 10:11  Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 

Paul's critics denied his authority given to him of God.

Paul's critics ridiculed Paul's appearance.

Paul's critics said Paul was just a coward, because he would threaten at a distance but was silent and weak when he was present.

We can understand that all these things had to hurt the Apostle Paul but he did not give up on himself and he did not give up on this church.

Paul was making it very clear that all those that made these statements would see him just as he had written not in weakness, but bold with the authority of God!

Paul insisted that he did not make idle threats that he could not back up with the power of God!

*****2Co 10:12  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 

2Co 10:13  But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

The truth is when we judge ourselves using ourself as the standard we are foolish.

We can only judge ourselves using Jesus Christ as our standard to get an accurate picture of ourself!

Nor should we ever judge ourselves by the character of some other human being!

We have the owners manual for our guideline and it is called the Word of God!

When we use some one other than Christ to look up to, as our standard, then we have given that person the authority to run our lives.

Only God through the Lord Jesus Christ has that authority!

God says: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" 

Jesus said: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve"

The Bible simply says when we compare ourselves among ourselves "we are not wise"!

How can we ever boast ourselves against someone who is measureless in the eyes of God.

We already know that most every man has no limit to his high opinion of himself.

What does God say is the truth of each of us?

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

We cannot use another human as our standard of excellence, we must use the rule (or ruler or measuring device) that God has distributed to us!

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and we are to always follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

Paul had not chosen to place a church in Corinth, God had.

God had chosen Thessalonica, God had chosen Berea, God had chosen Philippi to place houses of worship!

Paul did not take it upon himself to go to other places and Paul did not go to where other missionaries were working.

Paul was the missionary to the Gentiles!

*****2Co 10:14  For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 

2Co 10:15  Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 

2Co 10:16  To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 

We must remember the command of Christ Jesus:

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

What Paul adds is, that there is no room for division or competitiveness in the church.

Jesus Christ sends His disciples throughout this world. If we go to where the Lord has called us to go and not pile on top of each other then the "Gospel message" will one day reach every human being and they will get their opportunity to accept it or to deny it.

In fact, we should not worry or wonder if the "Gospel" will reach the world because that is God's responsibility. We "must" fulfill the purpose that He has for our lives!

We are never to stretch ourselves beyond our measure!

These false men who had come to Corinth with a "different gospel" were not sent of God, because it goes against God's purpose!

All those who preach other than the "Gospel of Christ Jesus" are false men and women who serve the god of their belly or Satan!

God has His own methods of directing His servants, His missionaries, His Preachers, His Teachers!

God has His own methods to dictate when that mission is to end and move on to another place but "God does not ever change His command to go"!

The truth is, anyone that goes without the guidance of the Holy Spirit will have very little, if any good results!

We may also not ever understand that some people just love misery too much to give it up!

Psa 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

In other words, the people that hate the Lord, love misery!

We should also clearly understand that when God establishes a new Church in an area, He has a specific purpose for that place and that area, but He also still gives the commands of the Lord Jesus to all the "body of Christ" everywhere.

God does not leave any room for us to tear down each other and we are not in some competition for the same people!

It is a fact that the troubles in this Church at Corinth had actually hindered the work of God through the Apostle Paul and this is another lesson for all of us to learn.

Controversy in one house of worship can hinder the work of God in other areas!

We should also see that when the Christian community of one area has allowed the world or the government to dictate the "gospel message" then it will affect the work of missionaries to found another church in some other area chosen by the Lord!

What we do in our local church and our local area has some effect on the spreading to the "Gospel" around this world and we must always keep these things in consideration!

God has a plan and He just wants to be a part of His plan. We are never to come up with our own plan!

God says that in every way possible "the body of Christ" in every location, is to assist in the means to preach the "Gospel in the regions beyond their own location"!

**We are under no circumstances to ever be a hindrance to the spread of the "Gospel"!

**We are never to glory in our selves because we must give God the glory, after all we are already on the winning side!

*****2Co 10:17  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

2Co 10:18  For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

What does this mean?

Let God explain Himself:

Jer 9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 

In the Book of Genesis, in the creation of man, God said "let's make man in our image".

When God made Adam he took delight in loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness because this is the nature of our God.

It was sin that changed Adam!

God said if we are glory, then glory in understanding and knowing Him on a personal level and in this we would know His ways.

God says when we glory in our wisdom we will fail.

God says when we glory in our own strength we will fail.

God says when we glory in our riches we will fail.

It is these people who have already chosen their god and it is the same in the world we live in today!

Jer 9:23  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 

The world may think that success lies in the wisdom of man but the world is wrong!

There are those that think success lies in the might of man but they are wrong!

There are those who think success lies in the riches of certain men but they are also wrong!

**We can only glory in the knowledge of the Lord and His ways to succeed in this life and obtain everlasting life!

God is already our Creator we must also realize Him as our King, with absolute power (for He is)!

Psa 105:3  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 

Psa 105:4  Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 

Psa 105:5  Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 

We must stand before the Lord at the cross to be saved.

We must stand before the Lord in judgment even after salvation but not for our sin.

We must stand before the Lord in this life to have the joy of the Lord.

If we cannot do these things how can we say we love the Lord?

Joh 5:42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

Joh 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 

If you want to know the real truth, the Lord will not accept anyone recommended by some man!

The Lord Will Only Accept Those That He Recommends Himself!

Those the Lord recommends are only those who have repented and given themselves over to the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let's Pray

How To Live In An Ungodly World

Living In An Ungodly World

Book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 6

It is for certain that the Bible teaches separation as we learn very well in this same chapter:

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

If we understand this as isolation then we have not understood what God has said.

We are not to loiterers in this world, because we are to be laborers in this world.

The Bible says we are to be as husbandmen, builders, soldiers, fishermen, ambassadors!

The ministry of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ is not always easy work!

God started with One, His Son Christ Jesus but now we as believers are all in this thing together with Him!

We are never to live separate to the people of this world, but are certainly to live separate from the sin of this world!

*****2Co 6:1  We then, "as workers together with him", beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

The message of the "Gospel" can be unbelievable to those who are blinded by Satan's lies but this message sent from Heaven is a glorious message and the only message that can save a lost sinner or an unbeliever!

Our Pastor, along with every "Born Again" child of God are not only to be "Ambassadors" for Christ but we are to be "workers together with him"!

What are we to understand by the "Grace of God"?

1) The "Gospel" is free in every sense of the word free, but it was not free to God for, God paid a high price to offer this freedom to us all.

Remember Grace is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense"!

2) The "Gospel Truth", is an offer of freedom, "free, full, and everlasting salvation", to whosoever believes in the saving work of Christ Jesus.

The "Gospel" is received in vain if you accept it only as "doctrine".

The "Gospel" is received in vain if you accept it only as a "system of duty".

The "Gospel" is received in vain if you accept it in " theory only".

The "Gospel" is received in vain if you make it "inconsistent" with "God's intent for a personal relationship.

When the "Gospel" has been accepted in vain then the Lord Jesus Christ died in vain and salvation is meaningless and non-existing!

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

When the "Gospel" is not honored, then Christ Jesus is made to have died in vain!

Gal 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

If righteousness could come from anything in this world then Jesus Christ died in vain and the "Gospel" is of no importance and "God's Grace" does not exist!

Remember "Grace" is the "undeserved favor of God"!

The truth is, the reality of this world is, than the life of anyone of us could be snatched away at any moment, so the "Gospel" is more important today and at this very moment, for the past is gone!

*****2Co 6:2  (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.) 

At the day of our death and we have not accepted the "Gospel" message, then the Lord Jesus Christ died in vain for that person!

The truth is, everyone one of us have until this day of our natural death, in our future or in the very next moment, for we cannot know when death will come.

We must enter into the New Covenant with the Lord before our time expires!

Eze 16:8  Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, "and thou becamest mine".

If we cannot or if we refuse to do so, then we certainly cannot blame the "Gospel" of God, for everlasting "death" that is the reality of not responding to the "Gospel"!

ALL, ministers of the "Gospel" must remain consistent with the "Gospel" and the intent of the "Grace" of God!

*****2Co 6:3  Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 

2Co 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 

2Co 6:5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 

It can never be our duty to compromise on the "Gospel" message so that it does not offend some because the "Gospel" will always be offensive to an unbeliever!

By it's nature, the "Gospel" message will certainly offend some of those who hear it and the truth is, it is rare for God's message to be accepted the very first time it is heard.

It is a fact that in today's world there is a great attempt to silence the true Pastor because of this message from God!

BUT, no Pastor is to allow his lifestyle or inconsistency in his message to be the source of that offense!

The Pastor must avoid any and all appearance of evil!

I personally do not know how a Pastor selects the substance of his sermons but I hope they all always follow the lead of the Holy Spirit who wrote all the Scriptures and I believe that most do.

It would pay every Pastor to choose wisely the words he uses and show good judgment in his presentation!

The same goes for any teacher and also for every child of God!

In fact, the subjects of the message of each Pastor should be suited to the "spiritual welfare" of the flock he has at that time!

For instance, a Pastor needs to be on fire and preach the Hell is hot, but we must all consider that those that are lost already know how to get to Hell, "they need to know how to get to Heaven"!

Each Pastor must never offer reasons or place stumbling blocks in front of those who are seeking this truth!

The Apostle Paul said he was a failure "if he caused a poor reflection on his ministry".

A Pastor is never to show respect of persons, as this is also a reflection on the ministry of God!

We already know that a Pastor must insist that any Church discipline adhere "exactly" to the Word of God, "no ifs, no ands and no buts"!

A Pastor must always realize that he is a minister of God's message and God's ministry is of His Son Christ Jesus!

God does not send Pastors or preachers out with their own message, God sends them out with His message!

If a Pastor cannot get under the spout where the "Glory of God" runs out then he is not one of God's called men!

The message of God is serious but it must not ever be boring.

The message of God must be holy and remain morally sound.

The message of God must be instructive!

The work of the Lord can be very laborious but it is never to be considered a job but it will sometimes require a great amount of endurance.

If a Pastor cannot endure with much patience, he will never be able to be consistent!

The world we live in will always be consistent in corruption and sin, even increasing to distract those in it from the message of God.

The Pastor will have to over come all these things and remain faithful to the Word of God!

Paul mentions afflictions, we can be sure they were physical and mental. No doubt the work of a Pastor can be overwhelming at times.

That word "necessities" really means the "necessities of life" which includes so many things beyond food and shelter and clothes, to personal needs and much more.

That word "distresses" is plural and means extreme pain, anguish in body and mind, but can even include loss of near and dear friends.

Paul endured scourging at least 8 times but he also endured, beatings, lashings, whippings and many other things, just because he preached Christ Jesus.

Paul was imprisoned more than once because he preached Christ Jesus.

Paul labored in prison but Paul also labored with his own hands in attempting to meet his personal needs but most of all Paul labored in pain while he continued to suffer for Jesus' name sake.

Many others have suffered in the ministry of Christ but no one any more than the Apostle Paul!

"Watchings" would include many sleepless nights.

"Fastings" would be deliberate but sometimes Paul would miss a meal just to preach if the opportunity presented itself.

What does the Bible teach us?

Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 

Not only did Paul remain consistent through all these things but during that same period of time Paul was consistent in ever learning the Word of God!

*****2Co 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 

2Co 6:7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 

Paul was consistent in his own spiritual growth!

Paul lived his life in purity, free from the filth and pollution of this evil world.

Paul continued in his study and understanding of the Word of God.

Paul was most patient with those he preached to, in bringing them to the truth even when they so easily rebelled.

Paul was kind and good and gentle, even when he was abused and unappreciated.

Paul clearly understood that his strength came by the Holy Ghost and not of any man.

The proof of every Pastor, is the knowledge that God works in him but also through him!

Paul walked in the power of the Spirit of God or Paul would have simply fallen by the wayside!

Paul understood the love of God who sent His own Son to pay the sin debt of all mankind and Paul showed that same love as best he could to all that crossed his path.

The proof of a Pastor is his love for "all" God's people!

Paul clearly understood that the "Word of God" was also the "Words of Truth" that this world was in such great need of because this world contains very little truth because of the desires of ruthless men.

The proof of every Pastor is that he will preach the truth of God and not the thinking, the philosophies, nor the ideas of man!

So many today preach an every changing message to adapt to this world and God said never to allow this to happen.

Every Pastor must endure and be consistent in the truth of God's Word.

Paul clearly understand that only God has the power to save.

Only God has the power to make "new creatures".

Only God has the power to give eternal life.

Only God has the power to heal.

The proof of every Pastor is that he knows that God is the power in his life and this was necessary for his ministry to bear genuine fruit.

Paul clearly understood that his "armor of righteousness" was the Lord Jesus Christ!

The proof of every Pastor is that they know that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church!

The Church belongs to Jesus, bought and paid for with His own blood.

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

The Apostle Paul remained consistent no matter how this world reacted to the message of the Gospel!

*****2Co 6:8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 

Some people approved and honored the preaching of the Apostle Paul but others did not, mainly those with authority, much like today.

Some people would say wicked and evil things about Paul but some did have good reports, the believers.

Many places Paul was treated as a deceiver, yet Paul was as true to the Word of God as he could physically live.

Paul was not some impostor.

Paul was not some false teacher.

Paul was not some quack trying to start a new religion.

In all these things the message of the "Gospel" remained consistent with Paul.

*****2Co 6:9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 

Most of the world of that day just ignored Paul and dismissed his message but God had promised that His Word would not come back void, so many others loved the Gospel message and loved Paul for what he did and for what he had done for them.

No matter Paul's treatment Paul consistently preached the Gospel!

Paul was treated as a dying man with a dead message by many. Paul was looked upon as reckless and unwise man, who could only cause trouble.

They saw Paul as a doomed man, walking the way of death and enticing many to follow him into that death.

Paul was chastened, Paul's life was threatened, but no one could take his life, until God was ready for him to come home.

Paul was constantly suffering for the Gospel but Paul remained consistent in preaching the Word of God!

*****2Co 6:10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

The world looked upon Paul as sorrowful and depressed but Paul was always rejoicing.

Why is it that the world thinks to be a Christian is to give up having fun?

We certainly are not to join in with the worldly crowd and their sinful pleasures but these things never produce true joy to begin with.

There is more joy in knowing where we came from and where we are going than most people realize.

There is tremendous joy in doing the things that are pleasing to God.

Paul was looked upon as a poor man, yet in truth he had made many rich and he still is today as we share his message.

The truth is, Paul was looked upon as having no possessions.

Paul was a traveling missionary and he appeared homeless but in reality we as Christians possess true wealth, the wealth of God's presence for eternity along with all the wealth of Heaven itself!

This is the everlasting wealth that can be shared with others!

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

It is a fact that all those that have the sure promises of God are far richer than those that reject the Word of God!

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

People just do not realize what separation is all about!

Separation can only begin when we open our hearts to God!

*****2Co 6:11  O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 

2Co 6:12  Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 

2Co 6:13  Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

Paul teaches us that there is no hidden message in the Word of God and God does not have some secret agenda, just the pure and honest truth, so then the first call is for an open heart to receive God's message.

Paul was saying that he was just the messenger, all his the words came from God!

The "Gospel" in of itself has a simple message!

2Co_11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted "from the simplicity that is in Christ".

When we are struggling with God's message, it is not the message to blame, it is Satan we can blame, for he will corrupt our mind and our hearts and this is why we need to separate ourselves socially from those in the world.

Our love will certainly grow for one another, when we get to know one another better in Christ.

Paul had a deep love for the church and it shows in passages such as this and remember these words were from the Holy Spirit.

Remember Paul had been mistreated by this church so this shows us that there is nothing we can do to cause God to love us any less.

God has a pure love that does not ever change by our actions!

Remember Jesus died for our sins before any of us knew Him in a personal way!

We need to hold fast to God's love!

When this world wounds our heart, let's not become bitter, "let's just become better"!

Love increases for God and with each other, when we separate from this unclean world and devote our lives to God!

Remember an expansion of the heart is not the same as an expansion of the mind. Mankind has been growing in intelligence since the beginning but the truth is this growth in the mind has only led to a decline in morality.

There has never been one government consistent in morals and the promotion of the well being of it's people and that includes our own!

It is only Christianity that inspires these views and these feelings!

We need to always examine the present state of our hearts to be sure we remain consistent in our love for God through Jesus Christ.

What did Jesus say was the biggest problem in the church during the last days?

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, "because thou hast left thy first love". 

That first love is a love for Jesus Christ, we are to enlarge our hearts and certainly not shrink away from the love of God!

That word "straightened" has the meaning of made narrow or "restricting" or "narrowing" and the love of this church toward the Word of God and the Apostle Paul had become narrow or restrictive in it's love for God.

They needed to open their hearts to the truth!

The truth is, the Pastor of every church must be open and honest and have a loving heart for God and God's Church.

BUT, just as important The Church must be open and honest and have a loving heart toward God and the man God has called to be that Pastor.

These things must work together!

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

This separation must not only be with the Church body but it must extend to every individual, including our personal relationships and our business relationships.

*****2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

2Co 6:16  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. 

Since believers are so different from unbelievers, this is to great an obstacle to over come in a relationship..

That word "unequally" means to be disproportion or unsuitable. If God says it is unsuitable then the chances of this relationship working out well is not good!

As believers, we all stand on equal ground at the cross but when we do not stand on equal ground before God our relationship will suffer greatly!

One of the laws of the Old Testament demonstrates this principle of God.

Deu 22:10  Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. 

The principle is simple, God prohibits mixing things together that He has separated in creation.

The believer that has been "Born Again" is a "new creation" of God and is not to be mixed with those of the world!

God simply says, "What fellowship has the righteous with the unrighteous?"

How can one that follows God's law agree with one who does not follow any law?

How can those that reject God agree with those who accept the truth of God?

Jesus Christ is the light of this world, when you turn a light on, darkness disappears and hides in the shadows. "What communion has light with darkness?

Communion means how can there be a partnership between two who cannot communicate with each other?

One has rejected Christ Jesus the other has not.

One is seeking the things of this world the other seeking the things of Heaven.

One does not do things according to the Word of God, the other hungers and thirst after righteousness.

That word "Belial" is just a synonym for "Satan". As Jesus Christ has nothing in common with Satan what makes a believer think they can? It absolutely cannot be!

An "infidel" is someone who has denied the "faith", denying Christianity, an unbeliever, how can a believer associate with such a person in a close personal relationship? It cannot happen!

An idol is anything which we give our allegiance to other than God!

When we give our time, our money, and our energy primarily to things other than God, we become idol worshipers!

A true believer cannot be an idol worshiper because he or she is a living temple of God!

Paul only had the Old Testament so he quotes from it:

Eze 37:27  My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Paul wrote these words in the New Testament by the Holy Spirit.

1Co_3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

God says:

1Jn_2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The lost world walks in ignorance of Jesus Christ.

The lost world walks in ignorance of God as revealed by Jesus Christ.

The lost world walks in ignorance of the true destiny of life as shown by Jesus Christ.

Joh 12:35  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 

Those that walk in darkness will always hate the light of the "Gospel"!

Those that walk in darkness are condemned unless they repent of their evil ways!

Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

The Christian must separate themselves socially from those of the world!

*****2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

How many of us weed our gardens because we know the plants we desire will not flourish when weeds are allowed to grow with them.

That plant cannot do this itself because a plant has no conscience to know right from wrong.

The human on the other hand can make a choice to improve himself or herself.

The "Gospel" allows us to think in a moral way, the unbeliever is like the plant and his conscience does not know the difference in right or wrong.

1Ti_4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Believe me if your conscience is seared with a hot iron then it no longer exist!

When God led Israel out of captivity, He told them to leave everything behind. Nothing in that defiled land had any meaning because they were to begin a totally new life and all they needed was the Word of God to direct them!

God's wants a peculiar people:

Tit_2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

"Peculiar" in this Scripture means a people that were not like the usual people!

Now God does not ask us to leave our cities, our communities, or our work places, even though sometimes our work places also need to change.

These are the first places that we will be called to witness.

We are never to isolate ourselves from unbelievers. We are to share our thoughts and experiences and in fact always be friendly.

Pro_18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

So what does God mean?

First separation means that we have a new Master.

We must be obedient to the ways of our Lord!

We are to have a personal relationship with the Lord so then we cannot be intimately involved with those of the world!

We are never to participate in ungodly functions and events with unbelievers.

We are not to be closely bound in any sort of partnership with an unbeliever "including marriage".

We must never make a covenant with an unbeliever because their Master is Satan and Satan is a liar.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

We are especially to avoid relations with those who have rejected the truth of Jesus Christ!

And above all we are never to worship with the unbeliever in his place of worship, period!

Exo_34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

We are never to attend a worship service in a place that does not honor Jesus Christ!

God says we are never to touch the unclean thing!

The Jews were never to touch a dead animal nor a dead person and if they did they had to follow a strict cleansing.

We know that "the wages of sin is death" and every "unbeliever is condemned to this death" so we are certainly no longer to live as sinners nor participate in the sins of unbelievers!

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Each believer is to walk in the Holy Spirit:

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

There is just to much difference in the unbeliever and the believer!

And the truth is God will not receive us until we have done this thing!

Why would we not want to be approved of God?

We are to walk in this world but we are not to be a part of this world!

Being reconciled to God is the greatest reward we can obtain above all others!

In fact if we will separate ourselves from the world we will have a new Father.

God will then adopt us into His own family!

When we weigh these simple things against the sacrifices we have to make to obtain them, then they will not seem like sacrifices at all!

We will understand that God does not treat anyone lost or saved with unkindness or injustice, for Jesus Christ died for all.

But God will not ever treat the lost as His children and that is a great big difference!

Note the story of the prodigal son.

If God is willing to be as our Father from Heaven then why would we not want to act like His children?

The truth is, it is only in Christianity where it is said that God will be our Father and we can be His children.

A Father's love is far greater than any other love!

1Jn_3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

It is this love that is the reason God allows His Spirit to live within us!

Gal_4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

It is then and only then that the riches of Heaven become available to each believer!

Rom_8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

How can such a thing be rejected by this world?

These are the only means of living for God in an ungodly world.

Ungodly means anything that is not of God!

Questions?

Let's Pray!