Ecclesiastical Separation - Part II

Temple Baptist Church - 4-2-2008

2 Corinthians 6:11-18

Introduction:

A. I began last week with ecclesiastical separation and want to finish the subject tonight. We saw that it a subject of great controversy. With the world rapidly moving into a one world worship that denies the clear doctrinal teaching of the bible, denominational lines—which were once clearly defined—are not either blurred or missing. The teaching of “Doctrine divides and love unifies” in an unbiblical sense has vilified the true Bible believer.

B. We also saw that ecclesiastical separation is a command of God. The Corinthian Church had a mixed multitude within its fellowship and, according to the Apostle Paul, it was even evident who they were. Paul did not have to name them, he just gave their characteristics.

C. We, many times, used these verses to teach the pitfalls of unequal yokes such as who you marry; who your friends are; who you are in business with; secret societies, etc.. The the context is who you worship with and who you do the work of the Lord with.

D. Let’s look again tonight at the subject in light of “Why Practice Biblical Separation?”

1. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Obedience To God.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

2. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Spiritual.

Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. (In this verse we see the attitude of the godly Psalmist toward the Word of God and toward every false doctrine and practice. This is the attitude of all truly spiritual people.)

3. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Fidelity To Truth And Our Lord.

1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. (1 Timothy 6:14-15; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2; 2 Peter. 3:1-2. Sound doctrine was a solemn trust from God and to betray a trust is to be a traitor.)

4. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Christ Honoring.

Hebrews 13:12-13 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (This passage teaches that since the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified outside of the apostate religion of that day, and since He remains apart from such, we are to honor Him by doing the same.)

5. Ecclesiastical Separation Manifests A Love For Jesus Christ.

John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

6. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Pleasing To Jesus Christ

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. (Here we see Christ's attitude toward those who practice discernment and separation and toward those who do not. He commended the church at Ephesus for practicing this ministry; He rebuked the church at Pergamos for not doing so.)

7. Ecclesiastical Separation Brings About Protection.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

8. Ecclesiastical Separation Is Essential For A Full Reward

2 John 8-11 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 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. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

9. Ecclesiastical Separation Is The Way Of Blessing And Happiness.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.