October 22, 2023

Do not be Unequally Yoked

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:4-7:1
Service Type:

Introduction

Another challenging passage – v14
To consider what this means ‘do not be unequally yoked’

We need to ask God to search our hearts

Heb 12:1 – to lay aside every weight and snare

Sin strangles the Christian, it can become woven around our hearts, it becomes a web of sin
Examples

Some very plain speech – do not be unequally yoked, all ungodly associations, anything that will bind and corrupt you
Paul has become concerned for the Corinthians

They have become quiet

They are not opening up with him – almost cutting him off
v11-13

Paul wants them to be open with him

Paul is being open with them

Paul says there is a paradox about he and the disciples – v8-10
Paul wants them to be separate from all worldly standards

He uses Old Testament verses

Do not be unequally yoked

Not just marriage
Pagan festivals
1 Cor 11 – too much wine (maybe at parties)
Things that seemed neutral that weren’t – but pagan

Overview:

What this does not mean
What is does mean
How it applies to us

What this does not mean

That you cannot associate or have friends with non-Christians

1 Cor 5:9-11
In the Church – to separate yourself from believers who are acting immorally or sinfully

Pray for them, call them to repent

There might be limits on friendship with non-Christians

Not just speaking about marriage but idolatry and immorality

v16

How can you go to temples and participate in pagan worship?
How can you pray with parents to idols?

7:1 – Paul commanded the Corinthians to cleanse themselves

What is does mean

Paul borrows Old Testament imagery

Deut 22:10 – A donkey should not be unequally yoked to an ox

The ox may damage the donkey

If you enter into binding situations, you can become damaged or corrupted

Examples
When you become a Christian – your lifestyle must change

It does mean choice of marriage partner – since this is the deepest tie

You become one with your spouse – joined by God
Why would a believer want to join with an unbeliever – two fundamentally different world views

People may think God will save their spouse – He may
Often the unbeliever drags the believer away from God

1 Cor 7, 1 Pet 3 – you will always have Christians married to non-Christians

Where one is saved and the other not
Not to separate but to witness to them

Fellowship, communion, accord, part, agreement – contrasted against …

Lawlessness, darkness, Belial, unbeliever

Christians are not superior – by God’s grace we are saved

Eph 5:5-11 – the Bible is very clear

1 Pet 4:3

What do you do if you see a Christian returning to this lifestyle?

Warn them
Pull them out of the fire

We are not to be conformed to the world but live a life of separation – v17

Are we separate, distinct, different?

Perfect holiness in the fear of God – 7:1

Examples
James 1:27

How it applies to us

As a church body

We are autonomous and self-governing
We have wider fellowship (with Gospel believing churches) – specifically within the AECW
We cannot have fellowship with those who deny the word of God – examples
We must be careful about those we accept into membership

As individuals

James 4:4

Example

We cannot follow two masters:

God and this world
God and money – consider how much we are spending on ourselves vs what we are giving to the Lord

Are you different?

Do you value the huge sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
What difference does that mean in reality?
1 John 2:15-16
True satisfaction, life and joy is found in Jesus
The blessings of fellowship with God – v16,18

Do not be unequally yoked