The Blessing of Separation

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:            Genesis 12:1-3;  Genesis 13:1-18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

I.          Separation is the beginning of a life with God

            A.        Separation is holiness.

B.         I Peter 1:14-15  “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.”

C.        Hebrews 12:14  “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

D.        Many fail to experience an intimate relationship with God because they are unwilling to live an undivided life with the Lord.

E.         Separation is not isolation from sinners.  It is insulation as we reach them.  It is like the fireman’s suit as we rescue people from the fire.

F.         Separation is like marriage when a man and a woman leaves their father and mother so that they may begin a new life together.

G.        God calls us to a new life with Him.  It begins with separation.

II.        Separation is the call of God

            A.        From your worldly heritage (family, land, possessions) (Genesis 12:1-3)

1.         Matthew 10:37  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

2.         It is like a bride leaving the life of her upbringing to build a new identity and heritage with her groom.

            B.         From unbelievers

1.         2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1  “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  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?”

            a.         Fellowship involves intimate relationship

            b.         Communion involves covenant

            c.         Accord has to do with unity

            d.         Part has to do with partnership

            e.         Agreement involves having the same opinion

C.        From sinful practices

1.         2 Corinthians 6:17  “Touch not the unclean thing”

2.         Sin involves uncleanness before God

3.         Uncleanness meant separation from the worship of God

D.        From worldly-minded believers

1.         Genesis 13:10  “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.”

2.         People who have not made Christ their sole inheritance will follow a vision of their own.

3.         You cannot serve Christ and follow the pursuits of those who are pursuing the world.

4.         Lot’s decision led to captivity, the loss of all of his possessions, his wife, and his family being corrupted through incest.

II.        Separation is the condition for God’s Promise

A.        Genesis 12:1-3  “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation: I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

B.         2 Corinthians 6:17  “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch the unclean thing, and I will receive you.  I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord God Almighty.”

C.        A bride must leave what she had to embrace all that the Bridegroom possesses.  What is his does not become hers until she is willing to forsake all.

III.       Separation activates the Promise of God

A.        Genesis 13:14-16  “And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: ‘Lift up your eyes now and look from the place where you are---northward, southward, eastward, and westward:  for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendents forever.  And I will make your descendents as the dust of the earth.”

B.         Abraham’s separation took place in stages

            1.         God told Abram to leave Ur of the Chaldeees

            2.         Abram went with his father and relatives to Haran and lived there

            3.         God told him to leave all.  Abram left with Lot.

            4.         Finally Abraham and Lot separated.

C.        Abram procrastinated the separation process with Lot and wandered around still searching for God’s will.  Once he and Lot separated, God began to speak to him concerning land and descendents.

IV.       Separation is a choice

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

B.         We must choose to embrace God’s promise of blessing through separation

C.        We must choose to cleanse ourselves

D.        We must choose to perfect holiness (separation) in the fear of God