The Practice of Holiness "Separation from false teachers"

INTRODUCTION:

Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” 

The theme in this chapter is the purity of the Christian ministry. The Apostle Paul sets down to defend his ministry and also his personal calling and character which were called into question by the unbelieving Jews. 

I.    WHAT IS BIBLICAL SEPARATION?

The phrase "unequally yoked together" is the translation of just one Greek word, heterozugeo, which is a compound word that means, “to yoke up differently; to associate discordantly; unequally yoke together.” 

There are basically 2 kinds of separation:

1.   Personal (2 Cor. 7:1)

2.   Ecclesiastical separation (2 Cor. 6:14-16) 

Old Testament Teachings on Separation:

·         Leviticus 19:19 – Do not mingle and mix 2 different animals and   materials

      (cf. Deuteronomy 22:9-11).

·         2 Chron. 19:2 – Do not help those who hate the LORD.

·         Psa. 1:1 – Do not have any part with the enemies of God.

·         Amos 3:3 – Do not have fellowship with those who cannot agree with the Truth. 

 

II.  WHY MUST WE SEPARATE?

The apostle answers the question with five rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is one that needs no answer; the answer is obvious. 

·         We differ in Fellowship – “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?”

·         We differ in Partnership – “What communion hath light with darkness?”

·         We differ in Headship – “What concord hath Christ with Belial?”

·         We differ in Friendship – “What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

·         We differ in Worship – “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 
 

III. WHO ARE WE TO SEPARATE FROM?

The Bible does speak of cooperation and of united effort especially in evangelism (Jn. 17:14; 1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 4:3). However, it must be based on TRUTH. 

Our Church’s constitution in Article 6:8, 9 says “In loyalty to the revealed Word we, as an organized portion of the people of God, are obliged to oppose all forms of modernism, cultism, Romanism, and false religions…We opposed to all efforts to obscure or wipe out the clear line of separation between these absolutes.” 

IV. HOW SHOULD WE SEPARATE FROM FALSE TEACHERS?

i.    Trying them (1 Jn. 4:1-6)

ii.    Withdrawing from them (2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15)

iii.   Marking and avoiding them (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 3:1, 2, 5)

iv.   Coming out of them (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

v.   Rejecting them (Titus 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:22; 2 John 10, 11)

GOD’S curse is upon them! (Gal. 1:8,9) “Let him be accursed!” 

V.   WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF BEING SEPARATED?

i.    Our Proprietorship to GOD (2 Cor. 6:16)

·                     We are the property of God for we belong to Him. 

ii.    Our Fellowship of GOD (2 Cor. 6:17)

·                     We are accepted by God into His sweet presence daily. 

iii.   Our Relationship with GOD (2 Cor. 6:18)

·                     We have a very special and personal relationship with Him. 

 

CONCLUSION:

·                     Remembering that we are living in the end times and there are abundance of false teachers and false teachings;

·                     We are to be forewarned so that we can be forearmed to defend the truths of the Word of God;

·                     We are to maintain personal and ecclesiastical purity at all costs till the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rev Tan