When Sorrow Comes

When Sorrow Comes

Book of 2 Corinthians 7

What is sorrow? To begin with, we should know that sorrow is the exact opposite of joy!

Sorrow can actually be bad for your health. It will contract your heart, sink your spirit, and it will cause injury to good health!

If there was a theme for our lesson today it would come from verse 10.

2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: "but the sorrow of the world worketh death".

We must be aware that sorrow becomes sin when it causes us to blame God or we shirk from our duty to serve God!

Sorrow is also sinful when we are oppressed so much it threatens our lives!

When we reach a point that we have no hope, it means we have forsaken the Lord and abandoned our "faith"!

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, "even as others which have no hope".

We must never act like we simply have no hope because we already know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!

AND God will never forsake us even in our times of sorrow!

Let's begin:

*****2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

This verse may should have been included in the previous lesson but here it is.

Since we have these great promises of God which are tokens of God's favor toward us.

Since we have them as proof of God's purchase of us with the "Blood of Jesus".

Since these are declarations of God's good-will towards His adopted children.

Since these are just part of God's "Covenant of Grace".

Since God's promises are the foundation of our "Faith" and the object of our "Hope".

Then on these things let's build all our expectations of God!

God has given us sure directions!

God has provided our means of encouragement!

God has promised to listen to and to answer our prayers!

Since God has already done these things and promises even greater things than these, why can we not do the very little that He ask of us!

Isa 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, "what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him". 

Then Paul adds, make room for us in your journey for the Lord and make room in your hearts!

*****2Co 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

Paul says "receive us" because the greatest desire of the Apostle Paul was for the "spiritual" developement of his flock.

This should be the greatest desire of every Pastor! We need to be growing toward the Lord Jesus at all times!

It would seem that no church has ever experienced more problems that this church at Corinth but in the end, they remained united in the cause of Christ and were a solid force against the evil of Corinth.

The Apostle Paul and those with him had been accused of many things and Paul again addresses some of these things.

Just as the Lord Jesus was innocent of all charges, Paul, though no way a perfect man at all, he and those with him were innocent of these charges by some in this church.

It was a simple matter of justice!

Paul had not wronged any one in this church body! Paul had not treated anyone "unjustly" which is the meaning of "wronged".

Paul did not offer any proof, for they were his proof if they would look into their hearts they would know the truth.

Paul had not corrupted anyone in this church. Paul had not destroyed anyone in "doctrine" or even "morally". In fact Paul had been a true example how we should all live for Christ. Paul had only preached the whole counsel of God which was his command of the Lord.

Paul had not defrauded anyone. Paul had not taken advantage of anyone in this church, friend or foe. Paul had not even taken advantage of any financial help, preferring to work by his own hands to support himself.

And Paul continued:

*****2Co 7:3  I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. 

We must remember the Apostle Paul had certainly been wronged by this Church but he also remembered the Words of Jesus Christ.

Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

Paul was certainly not trying to condemn anyone but he sincerely wanted to gain a brother!

Paul had a great love for this church and this church had a great need for revival.

All these things at this church needed to be settled before Paul would ever return to this church.

Again a church that does take a stand on the Word of God, "does not deserve a Pastor that does"!

And a faithful Pastor must always confront error and corruption with boldness!

A revival can only begin with the truth of God without any compromise!

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

When Paul wrote these words to Timothy we can be sure he had learned many of the these things at Corinth and these lessons are valuable for every young Pastor.

*****2Co 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 

Again we see that Paul had an understanding of people that most do not have.

Obviously this is because Paul and Paul's words were being led by the Holy Spirit.

Paul could only be so bold because Paul was confident in the results!

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Remember Paul was writing to saved people. Paul was pointing out errors at the same time he was boasting to people who loved the Lord.

1Th 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1Th 2:20  For ye are our glory and joy. 

A Pastor has every reason to rejoice when his message is received by people who love the Lord and who crave for the truth of the Word of God!

            

To a true Pastor confidence, hope, and belief are essential.

To a Pastor, a church that not only has great love for the Lord and for all people, must be willing to repent if they have strayed in error of the Word.

Repent means returning to the truth and by the way this is the only means for revival in any church body. They must repent and return wholly to the Word of God!

The Holy Spirit will never work in any church body "that refuses to return to the Word of God"!

The truth is it is hard enough to be a Pastor, a Missionary, or Evangelist but if the "Body of Christ" will not follow the whole counsel of God, then that effort is not worth the risk.

For this cause many good Pastors have left the ministry even though they are wrong in doing so!

*****2Co 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 

We can just imagine the stress mentally and physically on the Apostle Paul.

Paul had been beaten to a point near death more than once.

Paul had stayed in Ephesus for 2 years teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul had traveled to Troas expecting to meet Titus there but when that did not happen, Paul had answered the Macedonian call by the Holy Spirit and still he had not heard from this church at Corinth.

In fact it could be said, that Paul could have been close to breaking down himself. He certainly was under great distress mentally and physically!

His flesh had no rest. There was great opposition to the Word of God.

He suffered from the enemies of Christ. There was great persecution of the messengers of God.

All this time Paul was thinking that even the Church in Corinth could be failing to survive.

You see that God knows all things, all the time, and God knew Paul needed some relief!

All these things began to effect the health of the Apostle Paul and God was not ready to take Paul home yet!

*****2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

2Co 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. 

The truth is God will always meet the needs of His faithful servants! This means so much more than financial means.

It was Titus who had carried the letter now named 1Corinthians to this church and he had certainly stayed to make known the truth of what the Holy Spirit had given to Paul. In fact he may have delivered this message, this epistle to more than this one church as much time had passed.

It was the return of Titus that had brought much comfort to Paul but even more was the message Titus had when he returned.

Paul gave the glory to God who had known the need of Paul.

Finding that the church at Corinth had repented and returned to their first love, the Lord Jesus Christ was certainly good news and a great comfort to Paul.

God had met Paul's need at this time in a way that only God can do!

What had Jesus said?

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

You see Paul was cast down, which in reality is depression and that's all God needed to know.

We should clearly see that Paul had to endure these heavy trials for a great period of time before God moved.

Just like Christ Jesus, Paul had to learn obedience by the things that he suffered and this we all do but maybe not at the extent of Paul and surely not that of Christ or He would not be our example.

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

The Lord could never be the "Author" if He had not suffered the most!

There are a great many things that can cast us down as we serve the Lord.

We see the wicked prosper and the Christian suffer.

We see corruption in trade, in politics, in science, and literature including filth and open lies.

We see more and more rejection of the Word of God.

But God never changes His command.

God will just comfort us through all these things!

The thing we see is that God used another Christian, Titus, as His messenger of comfort and God will do this most of the time and work through the Holy Spirit that abides within us.

And now we can understand why Paul, by the Holy Spirit, has put these great words into this epistle we now know as 2 Corinthians.

The message Titus brought was that the church at Corinth had repented (earnest desire and mourning) and had a great desire for the return of Paul. (they had a fervent mind)

This had to take place or Paul could have never returned to Corinth!

Again we see that a church that does not follow the Word of God does not deserve a Pastor that preaches the whole counsel of God in truth!

*****2Co 7:8  For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 

2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 

2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

When a Pastor preaches the truth, he has no reason to repent just because the church body does not like the message!

Paul had no reason to repent and the Holy Spirit decided that the world wide body of Christ needed to remember these things through this period we call "Grace".

The church has no Holy Ghost power today simply because the Church will not cleanse itself of sin and continues to allow the world to dictate Bible Doctrine.

God said what He meant and God means what He says and He does need some Pope or some church leader, or some false pastor, or some government to try to interpret another meaning.

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

When the Word of God gives us the truth, we certainly are never to change it just because we do not like it!

Paul never rejoiced because of any pain his letter caused, Paul rejoiced because that pain had brought repentance!

Godly sorrow should bring an eagerness to correct any sin.

Godly sorrow should bring repentance. To acknowledge sin is not enough, we must repent!

Godly sorrow should increase our hatred for sin but not the sinner.

Godly sorrow should make us keenly aware of the wrath of God.

Godly sorrow should create a great desire to eliminate the problem and get back to the work of God as soon as possible.

Godly sorrow should bring us to the knowledge of Church discipline, correctly applied.

Godly sorrow should bring us to a point of innocence again in the eyes of God.

We should all be very clear, though we sometimes wonder how any church could be like this church at Corinth, we should know that God gave us these Scriptures for a reason.

A genuine Church must demand a true man of God and then that church must care for that man of God.

That man of God must preach and teach the whole counsel of God and be unyielding to any change in the Word of God.

The Church must discipline according to the truth of the Word of God immediately and not allow things to spread and cause a loss in the work of the Church, the work of the Lord.

Together all parties must care for the righteousness of the Lord's cause!

We should remember clearly that worldly sorrow only produces death!

Worldly sorrow can only cause guilt and remorse leading to depression which can lead to natural death.

Worldly sorrow can only turn someone against the truth of God and then lead them to spiritual death.

Godly sorrow is brought on by Holy Ghost conviction.

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. 

Paul said he rejoiced because this church had proved themselves clear in this entire manner.

If we are to remember this church at Corinth, then remember this church for what they had accomplished where so many are failing today!

This church had witnessed its own revival by adhering to the complete truth of God.

So Paul says "wherefore", for which reason:

*****2Co 7:12  Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 

Many had considered the letter known as 1 Corinthians was too harsh for the church.

Paul explains that though church discipline is a required thing at all times in most every church, and those that were wrong should be vindicated according to the Word of God, the main object of his letter was to get this church back into the work of the Lord as quickly as possible.

A church that does not have a zeal for the work of the Lord has failed in its purpose to exist!

We all know that one unhealthy branch on a tree can harm the whole tree. That branch needs to be removed for the tree to grow properly.

So Paul then says "therefore", for this reason, for this cause:

*****2Co 7:13  Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 

The goal that the Holy Ghost had set for the previous letter to these Corinthians had been achieved and Paul could readily see it in the face of Titus.

Isa_55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It amazes me that the comfort of one will most everytime rub off to comfort someone else.

God designed His church in this manner. If someone is going through a particular trouble, in almost every case someone else in that church body has made it through a similar problem and they can then help that person. I have witnessed this many times in the church I attend.

*****2Co 7:14  For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 

2Co 7:15  And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 

2Co 7:16  I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things

Titus was a young disciple of Paul at this time and had not yet gone to Crete where he would spend most all his remaining years. These were valuable lessons for a young preacher boy.

When we can see the handy work of God it certainly increases our faith but when we realize that we have been used as an instrument in the hand of God it certainly can grow our confidence in the thing that God has called us to do!

It is always a profit to believers to see God's "Grace" applied when we can witness the results.

Titus was so over joyed to witness these things and Paul was caught up in the joy of Titus.

When the truth of God is observed in action, then it proves the truth of Scriptures.

The church at Corinth had been revived!

In other words we can pray for revival until we are blue in the face but revival will never come unless as individuals we judge any evil that is in our own lives!

**Revival cannot come unless we as individuals put away all filthiness of the flesh and our own spirit!

Revival is about the church going back to work more than it is about evangelism.

Fruit will come to a revived church!

God is waiting on His people individually to get right with Him and then God will provide the tools that are needed!

We spend to much time praying for the lost world to get right with God and not enough time praying for God to point out the sin in our own lives so we can be better servants!

Paul had boasted to Titus that the people at Corinth would repent and follow the Word of God because they knew the Word of God was true.

Titus had found these things to be true and his overwhelming joy had increased the joy Paul felt for this church.

There cannot be revival unless the pastor of that church shows confidence in his people!

**Revival can only come when people hear and understand the truth!

Love for God and God's people is a key to revival in every church!

When people understand that they stand before a holy and righteous God who only seeks the best for His people, who is more a Father than a God, then they will yield to His truth.

**A church can only have revival when it understands that God demands repentance or else the facing of His judgment.

**Revival can only come when our fear of failure to do what God's love demands is greater than our own demands!

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. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

**We have also seen that when we allow doctrinal error into the church we are binding the hand of God and doomed to failure!

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Every man called of God is commanded to be ready to preach the truth at all times!

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

For there is coming a time when the world will close its ears to the Word of God and we may be there now.

2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

The strength of every Pastor comes from the Holy Spirit but it certainly does not hurt for the Pastor to have confidence in that church to understand the truth!

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!