Settling Differences

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NIV)
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.[1]

I.        Introduction:

II.      Observe A Believer’s Conflict: The Irreconcilable Differences of Intolerance.

A.      Mismatched People in the Harness

B.      Mismatched Values at Work

C.      Mismatched Faith in Worship

III.   Enjoy A Believer’s Communion: The Inhabited Sanctuary of Intimacy.

A.      The Place: The Temple of God

B.      The Promise: The Presence of God

C.      The Precondition: Separation to God

D.      The Pleasure: The Welcome of God

IV.    Undergo A Believer’s Cleansing: The Inner Sanctification of Individuals.

A.      Respond To The Incentive for Cleansing: Promised Intimacy

B.      Recognize The Responsibility for Cleansing: Individual Liability

C.      Reach for The Depth of Cleansing: Complete Purity

D.      The Pursuit of Cleansing:  Zealous Passion

V.      Conclusion:

----

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.