Ephesians 5:7 Partners in Grime
BC 3/95
7 Be ye not therefore partakers with them.
I. For Better or Worse We Become Like the People We Hang Around
Pr 13:20 He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil company corrupts good habits.
II. If We Partake in the Process, We Will Partake in the Product
Re 18:4...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
1Tim 5:22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Numbers 16 Korah's Rebellion
III. Preventative Maintenance
A. Prevention
1Tim 6:5 disputings men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth... from such withdraw thyself.
1Cor 5:9 I wrote to you...not to associate with immoral people: 10 Yet not altogether with immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then ye must needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a person no not to eat. 13 Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own body; and by good words...
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obeys not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish as a brother.
2Jn 1:10 If any one comes to you, and brings not this doctrine (see vv 9-10), receive him not into your house, neither wish him greetings: 11 For he that wishes him greetings is partaker of his evil deeds.
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from such turn away. 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
B. Maintenance
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn...unruly, encourage...fainthearted, support...weak, be patient toward all.
Heb 3:13 exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and by it many be defiled; 16 Lest there [be] any immoral, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright.
Mt 18:15...trespass against you, go and tell him his fault...alone...16 But if he will not hear take two or three witnesses 17...neglect to hear them, tell to the church...neglect to hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen and a tax collector.
1Cor 5:5 To deliver such one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 7 purge out the old leaven, that ye may be new...as ye are unleavened
Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretic (choses own way) after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing...
IV. The Company of the Wise and the Fools
Paul the Little, Priscilla the Ancient, Aquilla the Eagle {model Christlikeness, disciplers}
Barnabas the Encourager, Phoebe the Radiant, Onesiphorus the Profitable, Epaphroditus, {stimulating soldiers of the cross}
Timothy the God-fearer, Titus the Nourisher {faithful, teachable, investing in others)
Simon the Sorcerer, Eutychus the Slumberer, The Babes of Hebrews 6:12 {rice & milk Christians, what's in it for me?}
Nicodemas the Nightcrawler, Gamaliel the Hedger, The Carnal of Corinth {Claroil Christians}
Hermogenes the Changeable, Phygellus the Fugitive {fair weather Christians}
Hymenaeus the Mixer, Philetus the Likeable {common pious platitudes, profitless babblings, missing the mark)
Alexander the Belligerent, Demas the Worldly, Judas the Sell-out {present: power, pleasure, possessions}
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. Match each of your "Christian acquaintances" with the above categories. Does any pattern emerge?
2. Why do we consider it "not nice" to "not be nice" to the people described above?
3. Why do we tend to ignore the Preventative commands IIIA, and reject the Maintenance commands IIIB?
4. With which of your acquaintances do you need to do some "Prevention"? Some "Maintenance"?
5. Where would you be listed in #IV above? How could you move up in the ratings?
