Set apart for God

Set apart

1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 1:16 Since, it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Introduction.

·         Jesus has consecrated us and set us apart for a higher purpose.

·         Given a very plain and explicit commandment.

·         But Israelites failed to heed Jehovah's call to separation.

·         So, the believer's failure to heed God's call to separation is the cause of the       powerlessness and lack of blessing in the individual and the church.

 1.      Separate ourselves from every form of sin. 2 Cor. 7:1. …let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. I Jn 2:15-16 Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life.

 

2.      Separation from the methods and practices and fashions of the world. Romans 12:1-2.

o   Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—

o   Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

o   A Christian is a citizen of another world and has no right to take his pattern from this. (Philippians 3:20)

3.      Separation from worldly affiliations. 2 Cor.6:14-16.  

o   The child of God has no right to enter into any partnership with the unsaved. We have no right to enter into a matrimonial yoke with an unbeliever. Ex. Nehemiah 13:26.

4.      Separation from everything that entangles.

o   2Timothy 2:4 Ex  A Soldier,  Heb. 12:1 Sins, 2 Pet 2:20 a warning

5.      Separation from Christians who are living in known sin. 1Corinthians 5:11.

o   … you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

6.      Separation who walk disorderly in the Church, i.e., who refuse to obey the teachings of the Word. 2 Timothy 3:6,14.

 7.       The Commandment is not, "come out from the church."

o   It was coming out from unbelievers and idolaters 2 Cor. 6 14:18

o   True separation is not merely separation from but separation to.

o   Our separation is from all uncleanness UNTO CHRIST.

8.      Separation unto all those who belong to Christ, the Church.