T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE C HURCH AND W ORLDLINESS

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE CHURCH AND WORLDLINESS

INTRODUCTION

• When the purity of the Church is corrupted, its identity is destroyed.

• Line of distinction must be kept clear between the Church and the world.

• By what standard can a Christian today determine what is permissible as Christian recreation and what is worldly, harmful and therefore wrong?

INTRODUCTION

• The Bible does not deal with this problem in specific “Thou shall not” statements but in principles.

• Let’s study these principles.• Application to those things that are not

wrong within themselves but are made wrong because of influence and effect.

• Apply the following principles concerning pleasure and recreation…

DOES IT DESTROY YOUR IDENTITY…

• As a Christian by causing you to be regarded as of the world?

• “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” {2 Corinthians 6:14}



• “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” {2 Corinthians 7:1}



• “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” {Romans 12:1,2}

IS THE PRACTICE QUESTIONABLE IN YOUR OWN

MIND AND CONSCIENCE?• Must have full

assurance that it is acceptable before God.

• To violate our conscience is to weaken our own resistance against sin.

• “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” {Romans 14:23}

DOES IT HAVE A WEAKENING INFLUENCE ON OTHERS AND

BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK TO THEM?

• Wrong to eat meat sacrificed to idols—when led others to stumble.

• Apart from this influence, when done in a good conscience and sanctified in prayer it was right.

• “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well -being. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake.” {1 Corinthians 10:23-25}





• “But if anyone says to you, This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for the earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness. Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?” {1 Corinthians 10:28,29}





• “However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.” {1 Corinthians 8:7,8}





• “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?” {1 Corinthians 8:9,10}





• “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” {1 Corinthians 8:11-13}



• The seriousness of wielding the wrong influence.

• “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” {Matthew 18:6,7}

IS IT DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR BODY?

• Does it weaken my body so that my service to God is cut short?

• “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” {1 Corinthians 6:19,20}

IS IT DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR BODY?

• Does it weaken my body so that my service to God is cut short?

• “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” {1 Corinthians 10:31}

DOES IT CONFLICT WITH YOUR DUTY AS A

CHRISTIAN?• Does it make me

not seek His kingdom first?

• Seeking to hang on to God and world?

• “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” {Matthew 6:33}

• “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” {2 Timothy 2:4}

DOES IT CULTIVATE AN INORDINATE FLESHLY

APPETITE?• “Therefore, if you

died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle.” {Colossians 2:20,21}

• Does it cause the flesh, and its desires, to take first place in my life?


APPETITE?• “Which all concern

things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” {Colossians 2:22,23}



APPETITE?• “Not pilfering, but

showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” {Titus 2:10-12}



APPETITE?• “Therefore put to

death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.” {Colossians 3:5,6}



APPETITE?• “But I discipline

my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” {1 Corinthians 9:27}


DOES IT BRING YOU UNDER WEAKENING ASSOCIATION AND

INFLUENCE?• “Do not be deceived:

Evil company corrupts good habits.” {1 Corinthians 15:33}

• “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” {1 Thessalonians 5:21,22}

• Will your association weaken or strengthen your Christian character?

DOES IT BRING UPON YOU AN UNEQUAL YOKE ?

• “And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” {2 Corinthians 6:15,16}

• Placing you at a disadvantage in serving the Lord?

DOES IT BRING UPON YOU AN UNEQUAL YOKE ?

• “Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” {2 Corinthians 6:17,18}

• Placing you at a disadvantage in serving the Lord?

CONCLUSION

• If any of the above questions must be answered in the affirmative, when applied to recreation or pleasure, the Gospel demands we put that thing OFF!

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T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE C HURCH AND W ORLDLINESS