The Old Path Of Separation

Temple Baptist Church - 6-6-2010

Hebrews 13:13-16

Introduction: Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

A. Before we can move on to the “Old Path Of Separation,” we must have the “Old Path Of Scripture” settled. Here is the reason why: with no final authority to rely upon, every man will do that which is “right in his own eyes.” It is simply human nature! As a pastor, I have found that when you have no strict Bible standard (King James) separation begins to deteriorate. When you get off on the Bible, you get off on everything else over a period of time. With the controversy over which line of texts is right and over which bible is right, lack of separation came. No Bible equals no holiness!

B. God’s people have always been separate from this present evil world. Enoch was separate as He walked with God. Noah was separate as he was upright in his generations while the sons of God intermarried. Abraham was a pilgrim in the land of Canaan. Israel was to be a separate nation. They were to neither intermingle nor intermarry with the nations around them. The New Testament Church is no different. God has never changed His mind and neither should we. Separation is for several reasons:

1. Lack of separation destroys our holiness.

2. Lack of separation destroys our families.

3. Lack of separation destroys our testimony.

4. Lack of separation destroys our usefulness.

C. We that are saved are in the world but are not to be of the world. We have no choice concerning living here but we do have a choice about how we live here. I want to look at three areas of separation that the Bible makes mention of:

1. Separate In Our Walk

a. In Our Walk - Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

b. In Our Companionship - 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: (10) Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. (11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2. Separate In Our Worship

a. Ecclesiastically - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (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. (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, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

b. Doctrinally – 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. (18) 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.

Conclusion: What is the results of a lack of biblical separation?

a. Agreement with the World - Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

b. Disagreement with the Lord - James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.