Thesis: To impress upon the hearers that God has made all of the critical decisions for His people in matters of fellowship, we simply have to hear, believe, and obey, from the heart.
Text: Amos 3:1-3
Amo 3:1 Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:
Amo 3:2 "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Amo 3:3 "Do (Shall) two walk together, unless they have agreed (to meet)?
Introduction,
Amos was a prophet of Jehovah that prophesied in the Northern kingdom in about the year 755 BC (about 30 years before the 10 tribes went into Assyrian captivity; 722 BC), his name means “Burden Bearer,” and that he was, in the first 2 chapters alone, the LORD through him, prophesied against 8 nations for the evils which they have committed, and the resulting judgments that would take place, ending with judgments against Judah and Israel.
It was a time of great prosperity in the Northern Kingdom, and as one might expect, when physical wealth abounds, oftentimes moral and religious corruption are also heightened, it seems that riches tend to lead man away from God instead of towards Him, looking more towards money and other physical things for the answers to most problems instead of the Most High, this helps us better to understand such statements as seen in Luke 6:20 and Ja 2:5. . .
Luk 6:20b Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Jam 2:5b did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
This can be clearly seen in our nation today, physical wealth abounds (compared to most of the world), yet spiritual wealth, moral and religious righteousness are at an all-time low in this so called “one nation under God.”
When we enter the text here in Amos 3:1, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) is still under consideration, but the statements that are now being made are widened to include the Southern Kingdom (Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites) also, that is seen by the phrase “the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt.”
In verse 2 it states that God “only” has “known” them (all of the children of Israel), with the fact of God’s omniscience (all knowingness) in view (Pro 15:3; Heb 4:13), we must consider this to be in the sense of “relationship,” as that of a Father to His children, therefore with their sins in view, He as their Father will chasten them, as any father could and should who truly loves his children (Pro 13:24; Heb 12:6).
Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
a. Under the Old Covenant the Gentiles for the most part turned away from the truth of God, so God gave them up to their own ungodly desires (Rom 1:24, 26, 28), he still brought judgments against them when their sins reached a certain level, but He did not consider them His children any more, He did not show the special attention to them as a parent would guiding them step by step through the learning process (which oftentimes includes chastening), and that is where this statement is made contextually.
b. Now one may think that it would be good to not be under the constant scrutiny of God, but we need to understand that the Father that spanks you is also the Father that takes care of you, He protects you with the hedge that He builds around His children; but when the protection from God’s holy angels are gone, and your new father, Satan cares for you, he leads you down his path and his ways and his ultimate end, as it is written in Mt 25:41 . . .
Mat 25:41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
In verse 3 we read the statement, “Shall two walk together unless they have agreed (to meet; ESV)?” What does it mean to walk with God? In the scriptures a person’s “walk” is their “life”, thus it would be to “continually live a life with God in view”, Gen chapter 6 affirms this where this phraseology is applied to Noah (Gen 6:9, 22) . . .
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and perfect (or blameless) in his generations: Noah walked with God . . .
Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Now in our verse (Amos 3:3) this is an axiomatic statement, a general truth, likened unto a proverb, and many commentators consider this to be the LORD stating to the Children of Israel “seeing that they walk no longer in His Law, His Ways, therefore they cannot and do not walk together, because they are not agreed.”
While others (Kiel; Hailey) consider this statement to be speaking of the Jehovah and the prophet walking together, because Amos by proclaiming God’s will was carrying out His divine appointment.
But for this lesson we will consider this statement in its general sense, and apply it thusly . . .
1) “Shall two walk together except they have agreed?” When the two are Christians and unbelievers.
2) “Shall two walk together except they have agreed?” When the two are faithful and erring Christians.
3) “Shall two walk together except they have agreed?” When the two are God and all classes of people.
I. SHALL TWO WALK TOGETHER EXCEPT THEY HAVE AGREED? (CHRISTIANS AND UNBELIEVERS) turn to 2 Cor 6:14-18 . . .
2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
A. (v 14a)
2Co 6:14a Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
This first statement “Do not be” is in the imperative mood, in other words, “it is imperative that one follow this injunction. “Unequally yoked” here is a “present active participle” and is more correctly translated by the ISV as . . .
2Co 6:14 Stop becoming unevenly yoked with unbelievers.
1. It seems that the Corinthian Christians thought that their conversion to Christ was not to affect their relationships with unbelievers, they were even continuing to establish new uneven relationships, they were wrong, and that is why this section of scripture is here. This is an allusion to Lev 19:19 and Deut 22:9-11, where the basic command was to not mingle diverse kinds together, specifically Deut 22:10 . . .
Deu 22:10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.
a. “Unequally” concerning the ox and the donkey would be obvious, one is big, the other small, one is strong, the other not so much so, one is slow and lumbering, the other fairly quick and sure-footed, generally speaking these two don’t work well together, it would make more trouble than help by this yoking, it would be better just to use one or the other by themselves, because they are so different.
b. Therefore “unequally” in our NT text would refer any given situation where the Christian may be pressured by an unbelieving partner, whether it be a business partner, a close friend, or a spouse, to walk not in the light of God’s commands.
c. Some would say that this forbids marrying a non-Christian, while others would state that this is not the case, that this is not an absolute prohibition concerning the marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever, and both would site 1 Cor 7:12-15 as proof text.
d. Remember that we all have to stand before God and give account of ourselves before Him (Rom 14:12), therefore this is a situation that should be studied very carefully before any lasting moves (as in the life-long marriage bond) are made.
e. But I will state this, whether it be a prospective business partner, friend, or spouse, common sense only dictates that these associations ought to be with Christians, realizing that others are children of Satan, for cause of sin, and there is no middle ground, Jesus plainly said (Mt 12:30) . . .
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
e. And it could just be a matter of time before one will be desiring the same worldly things as their associates do, but the word of God says (1 John 2:15-16) . . .
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the (lust) desires of the flesh and the (lust) desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its (lust) desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
f. We need to understand that when a Christian loves the things of the world they are not aligned with the will God, in fact in doing this they make themselves an enemy of God (Ja 4:4) . . .
Jas 4:4 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.
g. And the flip-side is also true (Heb 11:15-16) . . .
Heb 11:15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
Heb 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
h. If we love the world, we are God’s enemies, but if we love Heaven, and long to be there, we are the kind of people God wants us to be.
i. And in the case of marriage (if one marries an unbeliever), it is likely that before long you may be following the will of your father in-law (Satan) instead of your heavenly Father.
j. What is more natural than to love the things your spouse loves, or what your unbelieving friend loves, of course it could go the other way, but most instances that I am aware of, this is generally not the case, that is why it is written (1 Cor 15:33) . . .
1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
k. It seems like the Bible teaches that if we become a Christian while married to an unbeliever, we need to try to convert them, but if we are already a Christian before being married, we ought to marry a Christian.
B. (v 14b -16a)
2Co 6:14b For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16a What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
The Christian and the unbeliever just do not want the same things, one is a giver, the other is a getter, they do not have the same goals, one wants to please the Lord, the other wants to please themselves, and they certainly do not have the same end, as our Lord stated in (Mt 25:46) . . .
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
1. We are in the world, yet not of the world, but we cannot be isolationists, as 1 Cor 5:10 clearly implies, (look at 1 Cor 5:9-11) . . .
1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
1Co 5:10 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.
1Co 5:11 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.
a. Therefore we must be in this realm, to preserve as salt, shine as lights in this sin darkened world, so that our heavenly Father might be glorified (Mt 5:13-16).
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
b. Often times in our shining in this world we may be shining as stop lights, such as attempting to do our best to obey the traffic laws of the land (obeying the speed limit, coming to complete stops, etc.), such as obeying the tax laws (as in two party sales, etc.), and so on, often seeming to hinder others by our diligence to adhere to said laws in our walk of righteousness, because as Christians we understand that we are to obey the laws of our government, for it is God’s servant for our good (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17), and if we go against the government, we go against God, of course that only applies where the laws of the land don’t conflict with God’s laws (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
c. Today we can rightly apply this principle to marriage/divorce/remarriage, sodomy, lesbianism and abortion, these are all lawful according to our government, but not according to God, therefore in these instances and others like them, we must rather obey God than man (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
d. But most importantly we are to be seen as lights in the world holding forth the word of life, speaking the Truth in love everyone to his neighbor (Eph 4:15, 25) in order that some may hear, believe, and obey unto the life eternal (Phili 2:15-16; ASV),
Phi 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Phi 2:16 holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain. (ASV)
e. In doing these things we are the salt of the earth, preserving it as we bring individuals to God through the gospel, thereby postponing the destruction of this material universe (2 Pet 3:8-10),
2Pe 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed (burned up).
f. Jesus teaches the importance of this preserving action by stating (Mt 5:13) . . .
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for (nothing) anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
g. Again, only two options are seen here; “preserving salt” or “good for nothings”, our Lord always hits the nail on the head.
C. (v 16b)
2Co 6:16b For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
We need to understand that God no longer dwells in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48), but in His people (1 Cor 3:9; 16), buildings specifically for the worship assembly are a part of Judaism (synagogues), not the once for all time delivered Faith (Jude 3), NT Christians are God’s building and we meet in our own homes according to the New Covenant pattern (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2)
1. This (2 Cor 6:16b) is a combination of Ex 29:45 and Lev 26:12 being quoted here, the principle is the same in the OT as in the NT, God figuratively walks and thereby dwells in His people, when? When they do His will, Jesus said (John 14:23) . . .
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
a. And on the flip-side, those that do not abide in the doctrine of Christ are not privileged to this fellowship (1 Jn 9) . . .
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
b. Only those that walk (live a life; i.e. practice a life of living) in the light of God’s word (Ps 119:105) have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:7; 3:4-10).
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed (Lk 8:15) abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
a. Today we would have to put a big part of the denominational world in this class of unbelievers, for they do not believe as truth, what God plainly states in His word concerning many essential matters; marriage/divorce/remarriage, marital relations out of wedlock, lesbianism/sodomy, abortion, and most importantly “the plan of salvation.”
b. When we “believe” we enter into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) as it is written (Jn 5:24) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
c. Believing naturally in time would lead to repenting, confessing Jesus as Christ, being baptized, and living holy lives unto God, because the sum of God’s word is truth on any given matter (Ps 119:160), and that would include salvation.
d. Many in denominations deny these basic truths, they are likened to the Jews of Paul’s day, who cannot be saved by their own methods (faith only salvation, sprinkling or pouring unbelieving babies unto salvation, praying to Jesus unto salvation, Holy Spirit baptism unto salvation, etc.), here is what Paul said about such (Rom 10:1-3) . . .
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For being ignorant (self imposed ignorance) of God's righteousness (appropriating it through the gospel; Rom 1:17; 2 Cor 5:21), and seeking to establish their own (by their doctrines of men), they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (the gospel; Rom 1:17).
e. My heart’s desire is that these today be saved also, so let us pray and speak, teach and preach, shine and preserve, as God gives the increase, that it may come about, for (Mt 7:21) . . .
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
D. (v 17)
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst (among them), and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will (receive) welcome you,
Again this does not speak of physically coming out of the world (as per 1 Cor 5:10), but rather this refers to coming out of the “ways” of the world (2 John 2:16; Heb 13:5) . . .
1Jo 2:16 the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory (boastful pride) of life,
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Instead (Mt 22:37-39) . . .
Mat 22:37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the great and first commandment.
Mat 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
1. This would also include not committing sins of omission (Ja 4:17), sins of commission (1 Jn 3:4), and sins against one conscience (Rom 14:23), knowing and walking in the light of God’s divine guidance from the heart, to the very bests of one’s God given abilities.
a. This would likewise include the contextual command not to so closely associate with those who were possibly formerly our friends, as to be partakers of their world following ways, but rather (1 Pet 1:14) . . .
1Pe 1:14 as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:
b. Saying things to them like . . . “well I used to do this and that but God has stated in His holy word that this and that is not approved in His sight and because of such things the wrath of God is going to come on people, and I want to go to Heaven not Hell.”
c. Maybe this will make some of them think and turn to the Lord.
d. But it might bring reproach upon us from them as seen in (1 Pet 4:2-4) . . .
1Pe 4:2 That way you won't be guided by sinful human desires as you live the rest of your lives on earth. Instead, you will be guided by what God wants you to do.
1Pe 4:3 You spent enough time in the past doing what unbelievers like to do. You were promiscuous, had sinful desires, got drunk, went to wild parties, and took part in the forbidden worship of false gods.
1Pe 4:4 Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living.
1Pe 4:5 They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (GW)
1Pe 4:2 So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh, not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God.
1Pe 4:3 Because for long enough, in times past, we have been living after the way of the Gentiles, given up to the desires of the flesh, to drinking and feasting and loose behaviour and unclean worship of images;
1Pe 4:4 And they are wondering that you no longer go with them in this violent wasting of life, and are saying evil things of you:
1Pe 4:5 But they will have to give an account of themselves to him who is ready to be the judge of the living and the dead. (BBE)
e. But that is a basic truth that all faithful Christians have to learn to accept (2 Tim 3:12).
2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
f. Why? Because of the Cain and Able syndrome (1 John 3:12b)
1Jo 3:12b Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
g. Jesus says (John 15:19) . . .
Joh 15:19 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.
h. Again why? For the same reason it hates Him (Jn 7:7) . . .
Joh 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.
i. When we imitate Jesus (1 Cor 11:1) and say the works of the world are evil it will hate us also.
E. (v 18)
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
But here is the reward for coming “out” of the ways of the world and “into” the Way of God, fellowship with our new eternal family, freedom from the love of sin, freedom from the practice and consequence of sin, freedom from the fear of death, and the hope of eternal life with God, Who, cannot lie, and promised about before the world began (Tit 1:2).
1. But this will only take place, if we are “agreed” with God, we cannot concoct our own doctrine, which only results in vain worship (Mt 15:9) and no salvation, for it is God that justifies (Rom 8:33), and He does so only through the pure and undefiled gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16).
2. But rather we need to be walking together, with God, in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42), in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), in the Way, the Faith, the Gospel, then God will walk with us, and be our God, and we will be His people, this section is summed up in the next verse, which belongs with this section (look at 2 Cor 7:1) . . .
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
a. And what is the fear of God? Lk 12:4-5 gives us the answer (turn there). . .
Luk 12:4 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
Luk 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority (power) to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
II. SHALL TWO WALK TOGETHER EXCEPT THEY HAVE AGREED? (FAITHFUL AND ERRING CHRISTIANS) turn to 1 Cor 5:9-13 . . .
1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people (fornicators)—
1Co 5:10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral (fornicators) of this world, or the greedy and swindlers (thieves), or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 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 (fornication) or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler (thief)—not even to eat with such a one.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
1Co 5:13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."
A. (v 9-10)
1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people (fornicators)—
1Co 5:10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral (fornicators) of this world, or the greedy and swindlers (thieves), or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
Verse 9 teaches us that Paul wrote a prior letter concerning the situation of fornicating (sexually immoral) Christians, but verse 10 implies that they misunderstood his meaning,
1. He did not mean all the sexually immoral (fornicators), just those that were Christians, for to have no company with any fornicators would mean that one would have to be an isolationist, we could not bring the Mary Magdalenes to Christ, we couldn’t remain in society in order to seek and save that which is lost (Lk 19:10), to shine as lights, preserve as salt the world, through the spreading of the gospel of Christ, we would be good for nothings in the sight of our Lord (Mt 5:13-16).
a. Let us note that in v 10 the sins qualifying for disfellowship are widened beyond just that of fornicators (sexually immoral) which is the context (v 1); the covetous (greedy), extortioners (robbers, thieves) and idolaters are added to the list.
B. (v 11)
1Co 5:11 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 (fornication) or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler (thief)—not even to eat with such a one.
Note that in this verse the list of sins are widened even more, revilers (those who abuse others with insults; ERV; violent language; BBE; curse others; CEV; i.e. those who use profanity) and drunkards are added to this list, Christians that are active in such sins are not to be kept company, they are not to be shared with a common meal wherein praying (giving thanks) talking, interacting and thus fellowship takes place. Some believe this speaks of the fellowship we partake of when we observe the Lord’s Supper, this could be true, but we would have to force that meaning into the context, seeing that it wasn’t specifically mentioned as of yet in this letter until chapter 11.
1. Look at this list of sins and think about what is seen in the church today,
a. Fornicators; what is fornication, sexual immorality (v 1)?
Porneia; por-ni'-ah
Thayer Definition:
1) illicit sexual intercourse
1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mar_10:11,Mar_10:12
b. What about the unscriptural marriages, the lesbians, the homosexuals; that are accepted in the churches of men. Here is what God says (1 Cor 6:9-10) . . .
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
2. Drunkards; what is a drunkard?
Methusos; meth'-oo-sos
Thayer Definition:
1) drunken, intoxicated
Strongs:
From G3184; tipsy, that is, (as noun) a sot: - drunkard.
a. What about the social drinking that is OK’d, which makes people tipsy and talkative? The beer drinking Bible studies used for spreading the gospel these days? Again here is what God says (1 Cor 6:9-10) . . .
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
3. The covetous; the greedy; what is the Bible definition of this?
pleonektēs; pleh-on-ek'-tace
Thayer Definition:
1) one eager to have more, especially what belongs to others
2) greedy of gain, covetous
Strongs:
From G4119 and G2192; holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder): - covetous.
a. What about those that spend most of their lives in order to gain possessions at the cost of their own families and God (the covetous; the greedy), who charge their credit card to the limit knowing they can never pay it off, who take out loans that press their families into poverty for bigger houses, bigger vehicles, expensive toys ($20,000 bass boats, ATV’s and snowmobiles that cost thousands while saints across the world struggle to eat)? God says in Heb 13:5 . . .
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
b. Again, here is what God says (1 Cor 6:9-10) . . .
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
4. What about the reviler; the railer; the slanderer; what is the definition?
loidoros; loy'-dor-os
Thayer Definition:
1) a railer, reviler
Strongs:
From λοιδός loidos (mischief); abusive, that is, a black guard: - railer, reviler.
Barnes:
A reproachful man; a man of coarse, harsh, and bitter words; a man whose characteristic it was to abuse others; to vilify their character, and wound their feelings. It is needless to say how much this is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, and to the example of the Master, “who when he was reviled, reviled not again.”
Those who “abuse others with insults”; ERV; “in the way of using violent language”; BBE; “curse others”; CEV; i.e. those who use profanity)
5. What those that are constantly spewing out profanity, speaking evil of others (the reviler; the slanderer), who cannot control their own mouths? Are we to fellowship them and not apply church discipline as commanded? Thus says the Lord (Tit 3:2; Mt 12:36-37) . . .
Tit 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Mat 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
Mat 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
a. Again, here is what God says (1 Cor 6:9-10) . . .
1Co 6:9 Have you not knowledge that evil-doers will have no part in the kingdom of God? Have no false ideas about this: no one who goes after the desires of the flesh, or gives worship to images, or is untrue when married, or is less than a man, or makes a wrong use of men,
1Co 6:10 Or is a thief, or the worse for drink, or makes use of strong language, or takes by force what is not his, will have any part in the kingdom of God. (BBE)
b. Here is what God says in 1 Cor 6:9 . . .
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
c. People are letting themselves be deceived by grievous wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt 7:15-23), God’s word is settled forever in Heaven (Ps 119:89), the scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35), God has set the standard for His people, and He expects individuals to believe and change, looking to Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, let God be found true but every person who teaches contrary to His revealed will a liar.
C. (v 12)
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
But as far as the unbelievers are concerned in these matters, we surely are to oppose sin and uphold righteousness as the situation dictates concerning non-Christians, but we are not to judge them with a view towards exercising church discipline against them as with the Christian, for they are not part of the church, the ekklesia, the “called out ones”.
1. There is a large and growing movement to withhold discipline for the sake of love, this certainly is not talking about the Biblical definition of love (Heb 12:6).
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
a. And one way that the Lord chastens His children is through church discipline, groups that attempt to do this are often evil spoken of by the religions of men, here are some more scriptures concerning biblical love (John 14:15; 1 John 2:5; 2 John 6).
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
b. We cannot bind where God has not bound, nor loosen where God has not loosened (1 Cor 4:6), this is an area where many congregations are “not” obeying the Lord, Who rules over “all things to His church” (Eph 1:22), therefore let us strive to be the Jesus’ church, and not merely another concoction of men.
D. (v 13a)
1Co 5:13a God judges those outside.
God will judge those that are outside of the body of Christ (Acts 17:31; 2 Thess 1:7b-8).
Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
2Th 1:7b at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
1. Yet we must “discern” (judge) if individuals are spiritual dogs or swine (Mt 7:6), and we must always “sum up” (judge) individuals according to God’s revealed standards (John 7:24; Ps 119:172), and we are to spiritually “discern” (judge) all things (1 Cor 2:15), but we are not to “judge” with a view towards exercising disciplinary measures against those that are not Christians, not members of the church, that is God’s job.
E. (v 13b)
1Co 5:13b "Purge (put away) the evil person from among you."
1. But those that are of the body of Christ, in the case of the sins mentioned here (and this is not an exhaustive list) we are to put them away from the congregation, in order that they may come to repentance, and not infect the rest of the body with their sinful ways, but our motives are always to be undergirded by love, the love of God, and the love of those in the clutches of these sins.
2. Also keep these other passages in mind concerning this matter of discipline (turn to 2 Thess 3:6, 14-15) . . .
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us . . .
2Th 3:14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
a. We need always keep in mind, that we are to love all, the brethren and those of the world, the enemies of God, yet we are to hate their sins (as did Christ; Heb 1:9), discipline is to be used to restore, not destroy.
F. Now consider the matter of a sin between Christians (Look at Mt 18:15-17) . . .
Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Mat 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
1. This is systematic and simple, but the end result is basically the same, he is to be treated as an unbeliever.
a. Let us keep in mind that the unbeliever is to be taught, to be shown the light of the gospel, and occasionally we have non-Christians in our assemblies (1 Cor 14:23-25), this is not being unequally yoked with them, unless we let them lead prayer, teach, etc.
b. But the erring Christian in sin, as the unbeliever, is separated from God until God’s terms for forgiveness are met (repentance, Acts 8:22; and prayer of confession to God, 1 John 1:9), therefore this person cannot take a leading role within the congregational setting, as is seen many in many assemblies today (1 Tim 2:8).
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
G. Now let us take a brief look at false teachers and this matter of discipline (turn to Acts 18:24-28) . . .
Act 18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
Act 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Act 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Act 18:27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
Act 18:28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
1. If Apollos would not have accepted the truth, certain necessary measures would have had to been taken.
a. He would not have had a letter of commendation, rather he would have to be marked as a spreader of another a different gospel (Gal 1:6-9), for there is but one Faith (Eph 4:5), and he would have to be turned from (Rom 16:17), cut off from fellowship . . .
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for (mark; note) those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; (turn away from) avoid them.
b. For he is the heretic or factious man as seen in Tit 3:10-11.
Tit 3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, (reject) have nothing more to do with him,
Tit 3:11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
c. He would have to be rejected, refused any assistance that would enable him to promote his false gospel (as per 2 John 9-11).
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house (church) or give him any greeting,
2Jn 1:11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
d. And lastly and most importantly, he is to be prayed for (Ja 5:16b),
Jas 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
e. And taught whenever possible, without doing damage to babes (new converts) in Christ
f. So after looking at these groups of erring brethren, we cannot treat them as nothing is wrong, we are commanded in each circumstance how they are to be treated, but it, as always, is in the hope of bringing them to repentance, therefore we cannot walk together for “we are not agreed,” we cannot fellowship those who God does not fellowship (1 John 1:5-7) . . .
1Jn 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
III. SHALL TWO WALK TOGETHER EXCEPT THEY HAVE AGREED? (GOD AND ALL CLASSES OF PEOPLE) (turn to Isa 59:1-2).
A. (Isa 59:1-2)
Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
Isa 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
This passage is talking about the physical nation of Israel, who was in a covenantal relationship with the Most High, but this general principle applies to all classes of people, sin separates one from a holy God Who cannot fellowship sin (Hab 1:13a; 2 Cor 6:14b-16a) . . .
Hab 1:13a You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,
2Co 6:14b For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16a What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
The only difference between the two (alien sinners and erring children of God) is the conditions that have to be met for forgiveness are differing.
1. Yet we need to extend this part of our lesson to one more class, for there are 3 classes . . .
1) Those being saved.
2) Those who are perishing, the lost.
3) The safe.
a. The “safe” would be the unaccountable, whether they be that way from a mental deficiency, or the young whose minds are not yet developed enough to recognize the seriousness of sin, nor could effectively walk in the light of the gospel.
b. The child does not inherit sin from anyone, neither from their own fathers, or from Adam the father (ancestor) of all humanity (turn to Ezek 18:20; Rom 14:12).
Eze 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not (bear) suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father (bear) suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
c. Also the young are not capable of properly discerning the severity of their actions, whether it concerns being righteous or sinful (look at Deut 1:39; Num 14:29, 31)
Deu 1:39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.
Num 14:29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have (murmured) grumbled against me,
Num 14:31 But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.
d. There are two groups under consideration in these passages, “your little ones” who are infants, and “your children” which refers to kids 19 years old and under.
e. It is a proven fact that the brain continues to grow until a person is 21 years of age, therefore it is not fully developed thus not functioning properly before that point, God the Maker of all things is aware of these truths and applies them appropriately, for He is a just God.
f. Does that mean that everyone that dies 19 and under is safe?
g. I don’t know for sure, but I do know that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; 1 Pet 1:17), and also, that He does not change (Mal 3:6; Ja 1:17).
h. And I certainly would not hinder anyone, younger or not, from believing and obeying the gospel, yet our all merciful, and all gracious, and all loving, and all powerful God, is making much good out of the many evils in this world (Gen 50:20).
i. Consider the catastrophes of recent history and throughout the ages, and also abortion, thousands/millions dead, real tragedies, and that is true, yet, many of these who were children may have grown up in idolatry, or unbelief, but are now in comfort in Hades awaiting the Last Day, these are the marvelous ways of God (Isa 55:8-9).
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
j. Therefore the “safe” by default, “agree and are walking with God.”
2. Those “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) are those that have believed and are in the process of obeying the gospel of Christ, “as it is written,” by hearing (or reading; Rom 10:17), believing (Jn 5:24), repenting of their sins (Lk 13:3, 5), confessing Jesus as the Christ (Rom 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27) for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), and are being renewed by the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5) bringing holiness to completion (2 Cor 7:1).
a. When one from this class errs (sins), they must come to their Father in repentance (Acts 8:22) and confession to Him, of said sins (1 John 1:9).
b. This is the “only” prayer that God will hear from them (1 Pet 3:12), and “only” they are privileged as sons of God (Gal 3:26-28), priests of God (1 Pet 2:5, 9), who are able to go through their Intercessor (Heb 7:22; Rom 8:34) their High Priest (Heb 3:1), their one Mediator (1 Tim 2:5), and their only way to the Father (John 14:6), Christ Jesus the Lord.
c. This avenue is not available to the lost (John 9:31; Pro 15:8; 29; 28:9), those perishing (1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15), God has no illegitimate children, He is no adulterer, all are born from above the same way (John 3:5; Mk 16:16; Tit 3:5).
d. But when one of this class complies with the perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), which was made for an imperfect man, “God and he again agree, and they walk together,” by the grace and mercy of He Who created and sustains all.
3. The last class we will look at is the “lost,” those who are currently perishing (1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15), for all accountable have sinned as to separate themselves from God, it doesn’t have to be the sin of murder, it could be the sin of lying, or faithlessness, or cowardess/fearfulness (Rev 21:8),
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless (unbelieving), the detestable (abominable), as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
a. It could be the sin of an evil thought (Mt 5:28-29)
Mat 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mat 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
b. All sin, no matter what the severity, separates a person from God (Rom 3:23; Isa 59:2),
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
Isa 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
c. All from this class, and those being saved also, deserve the wages of sin (Rom 6:23),
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death (spiritual and physical); but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
d. But the grace of God appeared, Jesus Christ and His gospel (Tit 2:11-12; John 3:16)
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
e. (Gal 4:4)
Gal 4:4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman (only), born under the law,
Gal 4:5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
f. (Rom 1:16)
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
g. It has the power to take away sins from them that were formerly under nothing more than a temporary appeasement [the Law of Moses] (Acts 13:38-39; Heb 10:4; Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15).
h. It has the power to change one who once followed after the lusts of the flesh, to one who thirsts for the living God and all His ways, through the renewal (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Tit 3:5).
i. And it was preached by the apostles and 1st century prophets by the power of the Holy Spirit, sent down from heaven (1 Pet 1:12).
j. And it’s the same message we preach today, and when believed and obeyed from the heart, the result is restored fellowship with God in this life and the next, and the living hope of the resurrection to the life eternal, spending that one eternal Day with all the saints and Jehovah our God forever and ever.
k. Then not only will we walk together by agreement, but “God Himself will be with them (us), and be their (our) God” in eternity (Rev 21:3b), “if” we remain “faithful” while upon this earth (Mt 7:21), we don’t need to be perfect, Jesus was perfect for us (2 Cor 5:21), but we do need to repent of our sins when we commit them (Acts 8:22), and confess them to our heavenly Father (1 Jn 1:9) and continue to walk in the light (1 Jn 1:7), that is to continue living a life in accordance with the gospel of Christ.
l. But what’s the message for those that are perishing, the lost?
One is to . . .
Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word (command) of Christ.
This is that seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), it must be implanted deeply within the good ground, the honest and good heart (Lk 8:15)
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (John 8:24; 20:31); this is the major purpose of the gospel accounts . . .
Joh 20:31 . . . these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name.
This is where the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) begins, Jesus said in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
But salvation doesn’t stop there, one is not saved by “faith only” (Ja 2:24), that would be demon like faith (Ja 2:19-20), one is to continue in the process of “being saved” . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Paul stated on mars hill . . .
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life, one in alignment with the gospel of Christ.
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before people (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9; 1 Tim 6:12), as it is written . . .
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
One is to also . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which also doth now save us (1 Pet 3:21), immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27,) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16), this is the point where one is to die to self and live unto God (Rom 6:3-11).
And finally one is to . . .
Live a “holy” life unto God, being holy as He is holy in every aspect of our lives (1 Pet 1:15-16), bringing
holiness to completion (Mt 5:48; 2 Cor 7:1; Heb 12:14), being transformed into the likeness of God (Rom 12:2;
Eph 4:24; Col 3:10), being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), putting off that old man, and putting on the new,
being constantly in a state of spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18),
“Walking together with God and thereby agreeing with Him unto eternal life.”