Separated For Christ

1. Introduction

A. Young people, tonight is your night; our thoughts are turned to you

01. We have some advice for you; to make it fair, we will have some for your parents, too

B. Our world is a confusing place. Our days are filled with conflicting messages

01. Stand for our convictions, as long as we don¡¦t offend anyone

02. Evangelism is OK, as long as you keep it to yourself

03. There is no sin¡Konly ¡§means of expression¡¨; everyone does his own thing

(a) Euphemisms abound; ¡§affair¡¨, ¡§alternative lifestyle¡¨,

04. Tolerance is the order of the day; for all groups except Christians

05. It seems we are to accept everything but Gods¡¦ word

C. Those who separate themselves are subject to peer pressure

01. Loss of acceptance; alienation; ostracized

02. Often causes damage to self-esteem

D. These episodes cause us to try to please everyone; this is impossible

ILLUSTRATION:

Elderly man traveling with a boy and a donkey. Travels to four villages;

„h 1st Village: Man was leading the donkey and the boy was walking behind.

„h Townspeople said the old man was a fool for not riding,

„h To please them he climbed up on the animal’s back.

„h 2nd Village:

„h Townspeople said the old man was cruel to let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride.

„h To please them, he got off and set the boy on the animal’s back and continued on his way.

„h 3rd Village:

„h Townspeople accused the child of being lazy for making the old man walk, suggestion was made that they both ride.

„h So the man climbed on and they set off again.

„h 4th Village:

„h Townspeople were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry two people.

The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down the road.

Moral: Separate yourself from anyone that makes bad decisions for you, or you may wind up carrying a donkey!

E. Our meditation - three defenses from peer pressure

F. Read 2 Corinthians 6: 14-20

2. Choose your friends wisely (Don¡¦t be unequally yoked (14-16))

A. Never more important than it is today (Barna Research)

01. 2nd most powerful influence in lives of young people (parents #1)

(a) Generation Xers seek emotional relationships

(b) Boomers (1945-1964) seek professional relationships

(c) Builders (1925-1944) seek social relationships

(d) Seniors (pre 1925) seek secure relationships

(e) Emotional relationships are far more powerful than the other two; as a consequence, a bad influence has tremendous consequences

B. Paul asks 5 rhetorical questions of his listeners; use when choosing friends

01. What do we have in common?

02. Can we have true godly fellowship?

03. Are we in harmony with each other?

04. Are we both believers? Do we share Christ in common?

05. Do we agree that Christ is above all?

3. Be prepared to walk away (even if it costs you friends (16-17))

A. Know how far you will go before you get there

01. Develop a code of standards

02. Sacrifice it for no one

03. Temptation is a poor advisor; make your decision before it arises and stick to it!

B. God calls us to be separated from sinful behavior and those who endorse it

01. You are not held responsible for the sins of others ¡V only your own

02. When we set ourselves apart from sin, He is able to set us apart for His purpose (this is called sanctification)

03. Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you (17b)

4. As you separate, don¡¦t look back (7:1)

A. Remember Lot¡¦s wife?

01. She and Lot fled Sodom as God burned the city to the ground

02. She looked back and became a pillar of salt

(a) Unwilling to completely separate from Sodom

(b) Wanted to hold onto her old life; the way it used to be¡K

(c) Don¡¦t be caught in this trap

B. Purify yourselves from filthiness (contamination)

01. When you come out from among them, don¡¦t look back!

ILLUSTRATION:

Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures--the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo.

The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens.

Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail.

Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never back (Luke 9:62).

I promised some advice for parents; HERE IT IS

1. ¡§Need for acceptance¡¨ is most powerful driver in all decisions

A. Make sure they get it at home

B. Don¡¦t force them to look elsewhere

C. Offer it to their closest friends, too