"CHURCH IN A HEADLOCK"
(Text: 2 Cor. 6:12 NKJ)
3/9/2003
By:Larry L. Schoonover)
INTRODUCTION:
(Read Text) - then repeat this partial:
"...you are restricted by your own affections."
What is a "restriction"?
[Webster:] - "to restrain within bounds; to limit" {restrain = "to hold back; to hinder"}
What do you think of when you hear the word, "restriction"? When I hear the word I think of:
* Fluids - As a Hot-Oiler Operator in the oilfield it was my job to clear the "plugs" or "blockages" in the tubing down wells or the pipelines from the well to the tank battery. The restriction that builds up in the pipe is cause by the accumulation of paraffin that is a component of crude oil.
* Blood Circulation - Only the Lord knows how many people I have known with coronary problems and how many by-pass surgeries I have attended through the years as a pastor. The surgery is necessary to correct restrictions in the arteries caused primarily by the junk we eat.
These are some of the thoughts that come quickly to my mind when I hear the word, "restriction". But, "restriction" is not a word we would normally associate with God; that is to say, we cannot conceive of the Lord Himself as having any manner of restriction upon His person.
We believe in the omnipotence of God. We believe that He is all-powerful, that He possesses full and absolute power to perform anything He thinks or desires without limitation. Therefore, the only possible limitation or "restrictions" to the power of our God are those that He might choose to impose upon Himself!
The question then becomes "Has God imposed any kind of limitations or `restrictions’ upon Himself concerning His work upon earth and His will among men?" - I believe the answer is, "Yes."
First, God has limited Himself by restricting the manner in which He performs His kingdom work on earth by assigning it exclusively unto the Church! (There is no alternative, no "Plan B" to the great commission given to the Church.)
Secondly, God has also limited Himself by restricting the manner in which He performs His will among men by choosing to work exclusively through men/women of faith and holiness.
(Heb. 11:6)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(Psa. 66:18)
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Therefore, I submit to you today that:
* A carnal, selfish, self-indulgent Church creates "restrictions" or "limitations" upon God and upon His kingdom work.
* A Christian possessing a small faith creates "restrictions" or "limitations" upon the will of God in the life of themself and in the lives of those who could be blessed through their faith.
* A Christian who is defiled by the world creates "restrictions" upon the will of God by choosing sin over sanctification.
Personally, I think this last point to be perhaps the greatest "restriction", the greatest "hindrance" to the work and will of God today! That is to say that:
* The lack of holiness among believers is the greatest "restriction" to the work and will of God today.
* As far as Southern Baptist go (which I am) - the predominance and preference of a carnal nature is just "killing us"!
This then is the reason for the odd message title. Unholiness among Christians has in effect put the "Church in a headlock"! Without question, limiting God through unholiness is the subject of our text.
{Repeat text}
If this is the problem (unholiness, carnality) then what is the remedy?
HONEST DIALOG (11; 13)
Paul pleads for an honest dialog. One of the problems with the Corinthian Church is that there were some within the body who were ready to blame others for their problems. Among the many other issues addressed in his first letter to the Church at Corinth, there were apparently some who challenged Paul’s authority and even questioned his apostleship. Paul has charged them with immaturity and carnality. The feelings of some were hurt and they seem to suggest that Paul is their problem; they suggest that he is somehow responsible for their problems.
Thus, we find his response in our selected text, (v. 12), "You are not restricted by us." In other words, he is saying to the Church, "I am not your problem." What then is their problem, what is the source of their carnality,
what is the seedbed of their immaturity? His answer is, ".you are restricted by your own affections." (v12)
But (v12) is wrapped in something very interesting, which is this: His declaration of having opened his heart to them in love (v11) and then pleads with them to respond in like-kind (v13). In other words, he pleads for an
honest dialog about the spiritual immaturity that exists in the Church at Corinth. Paul here pleads with them to engage in an open, honest dialog about the real problem so that they might begin to deal with it and walk as mature, useful vessels in the hand of God.
If you will allow me to phrase this conversation in my own words, Paul is saying here, "O, Corinthians, let’s get `real’, let’s address the facts here, let’s have an honest discussion of what’s going on here. I’m not your problem. Your problem is you affection for the things of the world. Your only restriction to being what God wants you to be is your own carnal nature - the unholy lifestyle you have chosen."
The Corinthians were not so different than the average American Church today. We too are very quick to blame others for our problems, aren’t we? As a pastor, I don’t hear:
* People whose marriage is in trouble confess, "It’s mostly my fault, pastor." No, what I normally hear is a man rage about how sorry his wife is or a wife who charges her husband with everything short of stealing the Lindbergh baby! Neither one is willing to accept any blame for the failure of their marriage. Rather, it is, "He’s my problem. Or, She’s my problem" - when in truth, it’s usually both their problem due to their own selfish, self-centered affections!
* Pastors, deacons, Sunday school teachers, or anyone in the pew stand and admit, "Our lack of growth is my problem - I’m responsible." Rather, we tend to blame one another! The truth is, we are restricted by our own affections for the world rather than having an affection for Christ!
Paul has given you and I explicit instructions on this issue in his letters to the Romans and Colossians.
(Rom. 12:2)
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.
(Col. 3:1-2)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Now, there is an important difference to be noted here between what Paul calls this Church to do and what Jesus calls you and I to do today. Paul pleads for an honest dialog between himself and this Church, a Church that he loves with all his heart. What we need to do today, however, is to commit ourselves to engage in an honest dialog with God about our problem. Paul opened his heart to this Church and asked them to open theirs unto him. Let me assure you of this one thing: Jesus has opened His heart unto us - and He desires us to open our hearts unto Him. Can you say to me today that He deserves any less?
It’s time for us to "get real"! It’s time for us to open our heart unto God in honest dialog about he things that are restricting us in our spiritual walk and restricting the Church of God today!
Besides an "honest dialog", the remedy to our problem of restriction through carnal Christianity is to engage ourselves in an:
HONEST EVALUATION (12; 14a)
If we see nothing else here it should be obvious to us that Paul helps this Church to see themself as they really are. (v12) - To repeat myself, Paul says, "I’m not your problem. Your problem is your own affections." He then backs this up with the plea found in (v14) - "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." There is then a call in (v17) to come out of the world, to come out of this carnal nature which restricts the will and work of God in their life.
This carnal nature is something they did not see and would not acknowledge about themselves. Some were hurling accusations at Paul but could not see the problem within their own heart. Doesn’t this sound like a problem with the typical American Christian today? We would do well to remember our Lord’s warning as found in:
(Mat. 7:3-5 Weymouth)
3 And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye?
4 Or how say to your brother, `Allow me to take the splinter out of your eye,’ while the beam is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.
[Illustration:]
I do not know the artist or even remember the publication that it was in, but I remember seeing a few years ago a cartoon that made this point very, very well. It depicted a man standing in front of his pastor who was seated at his desk. The man says to his pastor, "I’m here to confess my neighbor’s sin."
It’s easy to see the sin in the other person’s life, isn’t it? It’s easy to sigh and to shake our head in disbelief when we take notice of the failures in another person’s life. We often think, "How could they be so blind? How could a
Christian do such a thing? How long will they go on with this sin in their life?" - And yet, we allow things equal or even worse to be a part of our own life without even giving it a second thought!
It’s time, don’t you think, for us to engage in an "honest evaluation" - not of others, but of self? This is illustrated in a story I recently read:
[Illustration:]
A woman named Ruth Knowlton told how she came to see this truth. The building across the alley was only a few feet away, and she could easily look into her neighbor’s apartment. Ruth had never met the woman who lived there, but she could see her as she sewed and read each afternoon. After several months, she noticed that the figure by the window had become indistinct. She couldn’t understand why the woman didn’t wash her windows.
One sunny day Ruth decided to do some housecleaning, including washing her own windows. Later that day, she sat down to rest by the window. To her amazement, she could clearly and distinctly see her neighbor sitting by her window. Ruth said to herself, "Well, finally she washed her windows!" By now you’ve guessed what really happened: Ruth’s own windows were the ones that needed washing. [From: Parson’s Bible Illustrator for Windows]
Now, let me tell you that self-evaluation is possibly one of the most difficult things in the world! First, it is difficult because it hurts so bad, but secondly, it is difficult because we tend to be very generous in our opinion of self! The way your neighbor sees you is probably radically different from your own estimation of self!
If this is true, then how can we ever come to accurately recognize, and thus begin to correct, the "restrictions" - the "problems" within our life?
* It begins with our entering into an honest dialog with God, and as we open our heart unto Him.
* Ask Him what He sees in us that is "restricting" His will and work. This is what I mean about engaging in an honest evaluation.
If we were willing to do such a thing - what do you think would happen? Nothing you’ll enjoy, to be sure! What will happen is that God will show you what you need to see. The key here is coming to a place where you are willing to let God do the evaluation rather than doing it yourself. Let the Holy Spirit of God Speak to your heart as you pray, read the scripture, and listen to the counsel of others.
In addition, it would also be a good "starting point" for us to consider what A. W. Tozer calls the "Rules For Self-Discovery".
[Illustration:]
1. What we want most;
2. What we think about most;
3. How we use our money;
4. What we do with our leisure time;
5. The company we enjoy;
6. Who and what we admire;
7. What we laugh at.
- A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)
Are you willing, right now, to pray, "Lord, speak to my heart today. Show me what I need to know - let me hear what I need to hear on these 7 issues of life."
{Repeat List}
[Illustration:]
I have a very good friend who recently shared with me that on one occasion she, out of sincere concern over sin and desire to be what God wanted her to be, she prayed, "God, show me the sin in my life. Show me what I really am."
She said that in a couple of weeks she began to pray, "Lord, I’ve seen enough! Please, Lord, don’t show me any more. I can’t stand myself!"
As difficult as it may be - this is exactly what we need to do today. If we are to have revival, if we are to remedy the problem of our unholy affections, we must pray such a prayer as she.
(Psa. 139:23-24)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Are you willing today to engage in:
* Honest Dialog (with God), and engage in:
* Honest Evaluation (allowing God to do the evaluation)?
Well, there’s one more important step to consider as part of the "remedy" to the restrictions we place upon God through our own carnal affections. We must also employ an:
HONEST EFFORT (7:1; 9-10)
Is just "knowing" enough? Is having a full understanding of what it is that "restricts" the will and work of God enough? No! What good is knowledge that is not utilized, not acted upon?
[Illustration:]
Did just knowing that a cancer is present in one’s body ever cure them of the deadly disease? That’s absurd, isn’t it? No, having knowledge of its presence is a crucial step in recovery, but acting upon that knowledge is most important. The cure comes not in the discovery of facts, but in the surgery, which cuts away the cancer from feeding upon and destroying the body.
This is the picture presented to us in our text. (7:1) - "Let us cleanse ourselves"
* Cleanse = "to make clean, purge, purify"
Do you remember the illustration Jesus used in (Jhn. 15)? What did He say was necessary for the growth and production of good vines? They are to be "purged" (pruned).
(John 15:2))
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (AV)
Practically speaking, how does this "purging" take place in our life? In a word, "repentance"! (9-10)
There are two words we would use today whose differences are set in contrast in these verses, particularly in (v10). These words (as I would phrase them) are repentance and remorse. These are not the same!
[Illustration:]
A Sunday School teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word "repentance." A little boy put up his hand and said, "It is being sorry for your sins." A little girl also raised her hand and said, "It is being sorry
enough to quit."
- Donald Grey Barnhouse
You may engage in an honest dialog with God by opening you heart unto Him with all sincerity; if you do He will surely, out of love, respond by giving to you His honest evaluation of your heart and what you need to do to please and honor Him. But if gaining of such knowledge is all you do - then you are worse off than before, for now, having such revelation of God you are standing on the precipice of decision!
If you are to break the chains that you, yourself, have place upon the will and work of God through your own worldly affections you must immediately make an honest effort at breaking affection with the world through confession and repentance of your sin!
Remorse is not enough! Judas was remorseful but he went out and hanged himself, died and went to hell! In contrast, Peter was repentant and found forgiveness, restored fellowship, and power with God. Repentance is the only hope for your wretched, miserable condition! Follow the advice of Peter on this point:
(Acts 3:19)
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (AV)
{Deal with the phrase, "Times of Refreshing" - What a wonderful, encouraging phrase this is!}
Now, one might object here with, "But preacher, you are asking too much of me!" - Am I really?
An "honest effort" is not burdensome!
(Matt. 11:28-30)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (AV)
But in contrast - remorse, guilt, and endless works will wear you out and it will all be for naught! Remorse is no "honest effort" at breaking off the affections of this world. Nothing but repentance will do!
What is the consequence of remaining just like we are? Concerned - but unrepentant. Remorseful - but unrepentant. Informed - but unrepentant. The affect is that you will "drown" in your affections for the world, and worse yet, your sin places "restrictions" on the will and work of God.
[Illustration:]
Falling into sin doesn’t condemn anybody, but staying in it does. A visitor at a fishing dock asked an old fisherman who was sitting there, "If I were to fall into this water, would I drown?"
It was a queer way of asking how deep the water was, but the fisherman had a good answer. "Naw," he said. "Fallin’ into the water doesn’t drown anybody. It’s staying under it that does." [From: Parson’s Bible Illustrator for Windows]
You have fallen into the deep waters of worldly affections. Will you paddle around in the world until you finally go under - or will you take hold of the life-ring of repentance and pull yourself free? Will you allow the currents of
pride to suck you under - or will you swim free from the current by the repentance of sin?
Life or death - bondage or freedom - carnal or holy. The decision is entirely your own.
Conclusion:
"Church In A Headlock" - it’s a pretty graphic image, isn’t it? Is it really possible?
Paul said, in effect, "I’m not your problem, your problem is your own affection for the world."
What’s the remedy for such an awful condition as this?
1. Honest Dialog (with God)
2. Honest Evaluation (allowing God to unveil the `real you’)
3. Honest Effort (cut it out - repent!)
Copyright (c) Larry Schoonover, 2003, All Rights Reserved
