Romans 1:1 ESV Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
Separation is both positive and negative. We are to be separated unto the Gospel of God. This is positive. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 ESV (17) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, (18) and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." We are to come out from anything that is contrary to the perfect will of God. This seems to be negative but is not. To be separated means to be sanctified, set apart, called holy for salvation and service. 1. The Word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin. (See John 17:17; Psalm 119:11). 2. God the Father has the power to separate the believer unto the “coming of the Lord Jesus Christ”. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 3. God the Son has the power to separate the believer unto righteousness, “not having spot, or wrinkle”. (See Ephesians 5:24-27). 4. God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Without being separated, we can have RELATIONSHIP with God, but we cannot have FELLOWSHIP with Him. We may be united to Him in Calvary, but can also separated FROM Him in sin. (See Isaiah 59:1-2). Without separation from the world, we can have... Prestige without God's power, Activity without achievement; We may try, but not trust; Service without success; War, but not win. Without separation unto God, our whole Christian life will be “wood, hay, and stubble.” The abundant life is made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and made a reality by being separated unto Him.
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Typically mankind endeavors to work their way into a right-standing with God, but God’s way is through faith by grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s righteousness is a free gift. We cannot work our way into the right standing with God, therefore we have no bases for boasting about the position. The Righteousness of God cannot be obtained through what we have done or what family we were born into.
OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE FILTHY RAGS: Isaiah 64:6 ESV We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Luke 18:9-14 ESV He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: (10) "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (11) The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' (13) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." However, we as believers have been robed with the righteousness of Christ. Titus 3:5 ESV he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Philippians 3:9-11 ESV and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (10) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (11) that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Ephesians 4:24 ESV and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. When someone is being drawn by the Holy Spirit to the Father's heart, it is not dictated by the circumstances and events going on around that person. Why? Because when the Holy Spirit is working on a heart He creates His own atmosphere. The Person of the Holy Spirit is an atmosphere changer.
Moses went from shepherding sheep to standing in fearful awe before a burning bush. He had to flee Egypt, he has been in the wilderness for 40 years and now he stood before God in fear. God showed up in the wilderness and changed the atmosphere from a dry desert to the challenging presence of the Most High. Daniel was at peace in the lion's den. Facing death for praying and taking a stand for the Most High God he went from being a respected prophet to being fed with to the lions. However, God showed up and changed the atmosphere. The three Hebrew men walked around in a fiery furnace and the fourth man showed up. The Hebrew men would not BOW to the king. The three Hebrew men would not BEND to the demands of the king nor compromise. Therefore, the three Hebrew men would not BURN because the Son showed up and changed the atmosphere within the fire. It was so changed that even their clothes were smoke free. Jonah had his mandate, his marching orders. However he decided to flee the opposite way trying to run from his destiny and from God. Jonah went DOWN to Tarshish, DOWN in the bottom of the boat, DOWN in the sea, DOWN in the belly of the great fish, and still fulfilled the will of God. This was because of each journey DOWN God's presence changed the atmosphere to bring Jonah to his rightful place. Stephen preached the Gospel and was stoned to death. John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus was nailed to a cruel cross. Now Stephen was the current problem to the religious leaders. The stones hurled in the air and found their mark against the body of Stephen. He knew death in the physical was moments away. However, while facing certain death in the physical when Stephen should have been crying out in pain God changed the atmosphere. Instead of being focused on his murderers Stephen saw the glory of God and our Lord Jesus standing in heaven. This glorious event was not while he was peacefully in his prayer closet in the safety of his house, but out in the street as he was being stoned to death. Why do I send out this type of Bible study? The answer is found in one verse of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." SEPARATING OURSELVES FROM THE LOST AS NOT HAVING FRIENDSHIP: In part six we will address those who are lost, unsaved, children of wrath, children of the enemy or any other name which the Bible identifies them. I have had people try to convince me that we are to have lost friends because our Lord Jesus did. However, our Lord Jesus Christ did not have lost friends, He had lost associates whereby He only spent time around in order to preach the Gospel. He did not have lost friends. Let us be mindful of the fact that the people in the Gospels were under the same condition as those in the Old Testament. This means that people really were not saved like us until our Lord rose from the dead, glorified, and breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in John 20:22. That was when the believers first had the indwelling of the Person of the Holy Spirit. Up until that time people believed God and it was counted unto them or imputed to them righteousness. The New Testament makes it clear that we have enemies and we are to love our enemies. What defines an enemy? We typically what to identify an enemy as someone who has harmed or wronged us in someway or is a national enemy to our way of freedom. But how does the Word of God define who our enemies are? Anyone who is an enemy to God, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to the cross is also to be our enemies. Well who are they? We know that Satan and the demons are our enemies. We know that the world and the world system is our enemy and hates us. We also know from Scriptures that lost people are our enemies and our Lord tells us that woe if they speak well of us. Loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us does not classify being friends, it is obeying the Word. You cannot have someone who is classified as an enemy to God, an enemy to Jesus and an enemy to the cross as a friend. 1. We are to love our enemies: Luke 6:26-27 ESV "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. (27) "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Luke 6:34-35 ESV And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (35) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Matthew 5:44 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 2. We are to recognize who our enemies are: Matthew 10:35-36 ESV For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Acts 13:10 ESV and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? John 15:23 ESV Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 3. We need to know if we love the world and have friendship with the lost that it makes us an enemy to God: James 4:4 ESV You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 1 Peter 4:3-5 ESV For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (4) With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (5) but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 4. We need to know that the lost hate us: Live passionately for God and you will see it manifested. John 15:19 ESV If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 17:14 ESV I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 2 Timothy 3:12 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Why do I send out this type of Bible study? The answer is found in one verse of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." In part one of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21) In part two of the "Come Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17) In part three of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18) In part four of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who walk in a lifestyle of sin. (See 1 Cor.5:9-12). In part five we will address those who walk in the lifestyle of sins listed in chapter 6 of 1 Timothy. It is unsure from the passage if Paul was warning young Timothy of Christians operating in these sins or if he was warning Timothy of both the saved and lost who walked in these sins. The major thrust of the teaching is those who claimed, disputed, and argued, that religion was suppose to make you rich, and your personal gain of riches was a sign of godliness. This is a major issue among a large part of the church today in what has become known as the "prosperity doctrine." I know this seems hard but remember the Scripture warning from Paul to the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." Two of the most "messed up" churches listed in the New Testament were the church at Corinth and the church at Laodicea. Well how do we think they got that way? The Scriptures tell us how this came about. The first is having bad outside influence of sin and corrupt doctrines coming into the church that corrupted the whole flock. The second was when Christians operated in sin and established their own doctrines of man. Having these freely taught within the church and not dealt with according to Biblical discipline and right Biblical doctrine caused a corruption of the people. The same is happening all across the world today in the church especially in America and Europe. Many believers within the church are living in the sin of man made doctrines that allow them to do what is right in their own eyes. Because they are not being Biblically disciplined this has corrupted the modern church. Add to this the cultural immorality and the love for riches which has been allowed to come in for the sake of numbers, false unity, and false evangelism and the church has begun to look like the world in word, deed, and thought. 4. SEPARATING FROM ANYONE WHO OPERATES IN THE TRAITS OF 1 TIM.6:3-5: 1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, (4) he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, (5) and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:9-11 ESV But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (11) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 ESV O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," (21) for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. The word avoid is 1 Tim.6:20 in the Greek is the word "ektrepo" and means to deflect, turn away from, or to turn aside out of the way. Trials are never pleasant within themselves and sometimes difficult to process. Each trial carries its on degree of mental, emotional, financial, physical and relational pain, whether it's a personal sickness, the death of a loved one or some other personal trial. In facing trials we should do so like anything else, and that is we should begin with the end in mind. What should we expect to be changed in us on the other side of the trial?
The end result of trials should be that they produce faith, purity, Christ-likeness, and steadfastness within us. The path of trails is never easy to follow. This is the path that our Lord Jesus Christ calls all of His DISCIPLES to follow. This is the path of true OVERCOMERS. First I want to say that there are no shortcuts. We all have faced the same things, are facing the same things, or will face the same things. There is nothing new under the sun. However, some will fall away from the faith because of the trials, tribulations, and persecutions. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ESV (12) Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (13) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 ESV (9) What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (10) Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. We live in a society that tells us to get rid of pain and discomfort as soon as possible. We have a pill for almost anything that can attack the body, the mind, or the emotions. It is only “natural” to want to escape discomfort. But in life there is no real way of escape discomfort. Many have fooled themselves by wrapping their pain and discomfort up in a package of drugs, alcohol, sex, work, entertainment, family, or anything else that can used to “MEDICATE” the body, emotions, and thoughts. Trials will come to the saved and to the lost person. Trials come to those who are Children of the Most High God and trials come to those who are children of the enemy. Our Lord Jesus said that God causes the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. With that I can only leave us with this thought. ANYONE CAN COMPLAIN, IT DOES NOT TAKE TALENT TO COMPLAIN: we are called to REJOICE in and through our trials. We need to trust God that we stand through the trials so that we grow in faith, instead of seeking temporary relief as we seek to escape the trials. My new book "FAITHFUL?" addresses how to stand fast in the coming trials. Jesus was about to leave the disciples to go to a cruel cross to die. He spent a lot of time, which is recorded in John 16, preparing the disciples for His departure. The two areas that He keyed in on with the disciples were; (1) That they would not fall away from the faith and (2) That they would not be overcome with a sorrowful heart. Click link to order your copy and learn how to walk as an overcomer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1650184034/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 James 1:2-3 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV (16) Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Romans 5:3 ESV Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, Read these Scriptures carefully and see the order of events of the end of the end-times. You will be able to check many off as having already begun. These will only increase in intensity. Hold on and stay in the faith, for sorrowful times are coming fast. Persecution will happen. My new book "FAITHFUL?" How To Be A Righteous Leader In Unrighteous Times is now available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1650184034/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
1. DECEPTIONS: (MATT.24:4-5, 11, 24) 2. FALSE CHRISTS: (MATT.24:5, 23-26) 3. WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS: (MATT.24:6-7) 4. FAMINES: (MATT.24:7; REV.6:5-6) 5. PESTILENCES: (MATT.24:7; REV.6:8 6. EARTHQUAKES: (MATT.24:7; REV.6:12-17) 7, ANTI-SEMITISM: (MATT.24:9; 13:9, 13) 8. OFFENCES: (MATT.24:10; 18:1-10) 9. BETRAYALS: (MATT.24:9; MATT.13:12) 10. HATRED: (MATT.24:10; 2 TIM.3:1-9) 11. FALSE PROPHETS: (MATT.24:11, 24; REV.13) 12. LAWLESSNESS ABOUNDING: (MATT.24:12) 13. LOVE DECREASING: (MATT.24:12-13; 2 TIM.3) 14. INCREASED MISSIONARY WORK: (MATT.24:14) 15. ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION: (MATT.24:15; DAN.9:27; 2 THESS.2:4; REV.13) 16. NEW JEWISH NATION IN JUDEA: (MATT.24:9; 15-26; EZEK.37; DAN.9:27) 17. NEW JERUSALEM TEMPLE: (MATT.24:15, 26: REV.11:1-2; DAN.8:9-13; 9:27; 11:45; 2 THESS.2:4) 18. GREAT 31/2 YEAR TRIBULATION: (MATT.24:21; DAN.12:1; REV.12:1-19:21) 19. MARTYRDOMS: (MATT.24:9, 22; DAN.8:24; REV.7:9-17; 11:7; 15:2-4; 20:4-6) 20. FLIGHT OF JEWS FROM JUDEA: (MATT.24:16-21; REV.12:6, 14; IS.16:1-5; PS.60:4-8; DAN.11:40-45; EZEK.20:33-38; HOS.2:14-16) 21. INCREASED SATANIC POWERS: (MATT.24:24; 2 THESS.2:8-12; REV.13; 16:14; 19:20) In part one of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)
In part two of the "Come Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17) In part three of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18) In part four we will address the "Christians" or who walk in a lifestyle of sin. I know that there is a drive to fill our church buildings on Sunday morning. We fill them with anything and anyone under the spiritual reasoning of outreach. However, the very name of "church" means something more than filling a building. The word "church" by its best definition is "the called out ones." It is a call to be separate and holy unto the Lord. Evangelism within the Word of God is always displayed as a "ya'll go" command and not a "ya'll come" command. We invite everyone and anyone in our services and then expect God to move in His glory. Don't get me wrong, God honors His Word and the Holy Spirit can still draw people to the heart of the Father in a church service, however God's plan of the holy corporate body coming together cannot be disregarded under the guise of evangelism. 3. SEPARATING FROM A PROFESSING CHRISTIAN BROTHER WHO IS IN SEXUAL SINS, COVETOUS SINS, IDOLATRY SINS, FIGHTERS OR QUARRELERS, DRUNKS, OR EXTORTION, (GREEDY, ESPECIALLY FOR MONEY, AND SOMETIMES WILLING TO USE UNSCRUPULOUS MEANS TO OBTAIN WHAT IS DESIRED. DESTRUCTIVE AND VICIOUS: ENGAGING IN VIOLENT PILLAGING AND LIKELY TO HARM OR DESTROY THINGS): I know this list is long and would eliminate many in our Sunday services, however any grievances of this needs to be addressed to the Father because it is written in His Word. I also know that many Pastors do not want to offend people. However, we by practice find ourselves offending God and grieving the Holy Spirit so that we can be in a false unity with sinful believers. The Word says to not even sit down and eat with this Christian brother. 1 Corinthians 5:9-12 ESV (9) I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— (10) not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. (11) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (12) For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? |
AuthorCharles Morris. Founder and Senior Pastor of RSI Ministry, RSI School of Ministry, and RSI Publishing L.L.C.. Archives
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