Come out and be new
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Helen – Tom – Sarah, Story of the lost ladle
Helen was a wonderful Christian woman, She was a single mother raising her only son Tom as best she could to love God. Helen was very worried when Tom told her he was moving to the Big city. A year went by and all seemed well when Tom called his mother one day and told her, his friend Sarah was moving in with him. Tom told his mom not to worry they would just be room mates, it was strictly platonic. Helen knew if she could spend just a little time with them together she would know just how platonic it was. She soon got her chance as she was inviter over for dinner. All went well until about two weeks latter. Sarah came to tom and said, “Tom, I’m not saying she took it and I’m not saying she didn’t. The fact of the matter is, my silver gravy ladle has been missing every since your mother left” So Tom called his mother and left this message on her machine. “Mom I’m not saying you took it and I’m not saying you didn’t, but the fact of the matter is, every since you left two weeks ago, Sarah’s silver ladle has been missing” The next day Tom’s mother called and told Tom. “Tom I’m not saying your sleeping with Sarah and I’m not saying your not. The fact of the matter is, if she were sleeping in her own bed she would have found that gravy ladle.
Gods children are different, We are not like any other, we are not supposed to be. 1 Peter 2:9 Chosen People
• Relationships that are our choice must be chosen by rule
o Christians should seek out relationships with other Christians
• there is more danger that the bad will damage the good than there is hope that the good will influence the bad
o Christians should be concerned for protecting the standard of holiness
o We can not allow the influence of worldly people to change us
• We should be uncomfortable with worldly relationships
o Birds of a feather really do flock together
• Christians are by profession and should be in reality, the temples of the living God. Dedicated to, and employed for, the service of God
o As Gods people we should be sanctified, set aside to do Gods work
o When there is a need we should be eager to fulfill it
• There can be no agreement between the temple of God and idols – idols are rival with God for his honor, and God is a jealous God
o Exodus 20:5
o God considers idolaters to be haters of him
o An Idol is anything that robs God of our full devotion, dedication, and affection
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
o when we are in Christ we are and must be new creatures
o It needs to be our priority to be new creatures, not just in name but in heart and nature
• Old things must pass away
o Old thoughts
o Old practices
o Old principles
• All things must become new
o New principles
o New rules
o New ends
o New company
There are no half ways with God. You are ether in or you are out. You may straddle the fence for a while, but sooner or latter you will fall off. An old youth pastor I had growing up used to tell me, if you live for God hard it is easy, but if you live for God easy it is hard. So live for God with all that you have, all that you are and he will bless you beyond your imagination.
