God's Promise To The Separated Church

Temple Baptist Church

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Introduction:

A. The past two Wednesday nights, we have seen the command of ecclesiastical separation and the reason for it. If evil communications still corrupt good manners—and they do—then the influence of evil upon the believer or church will overcome the benefit of good the lost.

B. The modern day ecumenical movement teaches just the opposite. They teach: lay aside the differences and let everyone be alike. That pertains to both individuals and denominations.

C. The Holy Spirit has used several words to both describe and contrast the saved with the lost.

1. Children vs. Unbelievers – 13-14a
2. Righteousness vs. Unrighteousness – 14b
3. Light vs. Darkness – 14c
4. Christ vs. Belial – 15a
5. Believeth vs. Infidel – 15b
6. Temple of God vs. Idols – 16

D. We are different positionally and need to remain so practically. God has made some precious promises to the believer in these verses in light of bearing the reproach of Christ.

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

E. Why is separation so important? Look at verse 17-18.

1. “I will receive you” – A Walk Of Agreement

a. We Have Been Received In Salvation
b. We Have Been Received In The Beloved
c. We Will Be Received Into Heaven
d. We Can Be Received Into Fellowship

Genesis 5:22-24 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Genesis 6:9 These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2. “And will be a Father unto you” - Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

a. “I will dwell in them” – vs. 16 - in His Spirit and grace
b. “I will walk in them” – vs. 16 - Communion and fellowship
c. “I will be their God” – vs. 16 - Not just Creator but Master and Lord, Abba Father
d. “They shall be my people” – vs. 16 - Loved with a peculiar love. God loves the world but we are a peculiar people.

3. “Ye shall be my sons and daughters”

a. Sonship Brings About Spiritual Direction - Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

b. Sonship Brings About Spiritual Heirship - Romans 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.

c. Sonship Brings About Spiritual Likeness - Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

d. Sonship Brings About Spiritual Relationship - Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

e. Sonship Brings About Spiritual Anticipation - 1 John 3:1-3 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. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.