Series: Action [#111]
DON’T QUIT- BE EQUALLY YOKED
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Introduction:
It has been over 10 years since we have had a Children’s Dedication Service. Our text today gives us some things to consider. Summer is over and 1 of my Student Workers is going back to College. The other Student Worker is a High School Senior that only works in the afternoons now. It has been a good Summer- Both young men have worked really hard and accomplished a lot. My goal has been to teach them things beyond air conditioners and reports. I want them to have some life lessons that they can take with them throughout their lives. These 2 boys are complete opposites and there was 1 thing that kept them from battling everyday- Jesus. They both strive to apply God’s Word to their lives and honor God in what they do. That is how I want each and every person here today to live- Live for Jesus.
2 Corinthians 6:14
While the NIV says to not be yoked together with unbelievers, the KJV says to not be unequally yoked. What does it mean to be unequally yoked? Paul is making an analogy from Deuteronomy 22:10.
Deuteronomy 22:10
There are practical reasons for this command- The 2 animals are completely different. They walk differently, their strength is different, etc… It would be almost impossible for the 2 animals to plow together effectively. Paul is using this illustration to show that Christians and unbelievers should not be yoked together- They are 2 completely different people.
Christians love and honor God- Unbelievers do not. Christians have godly values and principles- Unbelievers do not. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit- Unbelievers are not. Most of the time, when you hear about not being unequally yoked; we are thinking about marriage. Our text today is not about that; but about false teachers in Corinth who were infiltrating the Church. They wanted to mix in pagan worship and worship of God. The devil does not want to fight the Church, he wants to join the Church. There was much evil in Corinth and Paul did not want that in the Church.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15
Being unequally yoked…
1. Makes no sense.
Paul asked them several questions to make his point.
* What does righteousness have in common with wickedness?
Righteousness is obedience to God- Lawlessness is rebellion against God. Christians have the righteousness of Jesus, while unbelievers have the lawlessness of the enemy.
* What fellowship can light have with darkness?
This is similar to the 1st question.
* Is there harmony between Christ and the devil?
* What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:16
Being unequally yoked…
2. Is opposite to the Gospel of Jesus.
* What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
Christianity and false religions cannot make it together. Each time the Israelites started worshipping idols and not God, it always ended in disaster. Paul reminded them that we are the temple of the living God.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Being unequally yoked…
3. Is contrary to God’s Word.
Christians are to be separate from the world. When it says to not touch unclean things, it is telling us to avoid evil. Christians we are the sons and daughters of God.
Conclusion:
Who do you follow? Are you going to follow God’s instructions or do things your way?
