Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Feb. 23, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
BIBLE-BELIEVING FUNDAMENTALISTS BELIEVE IN SEPARATION AND HOLINESS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
Text: Genesis 1:4
Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Introduction: A Bible-believing fundamentalist believes the Bible he holds in his hand is God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible word. He holds certain grand truths of that Bible to be FUNDAMENTAL and makes those truths qualifications for fellowship. One of those fundamentals is expressed in our scripture reading this evening. It is the somber truth of
SEPARATION AND HOLINESS
This doctrine is non-negotiable. It is not a secondary doctrine; it is PRIMARY. It is not INCIDENTAL; it is FUNDAMENTAL. A profession of faith without purity of life is powerless in this world. Your message will not move men if your morals are a mess. Fellowship with the Lord and filthiness in life are opposites.
Among some independent Baptists, especially many of those associated with the Baptist Bible Fellowship, there is a desire to be “progressive.” Unfortunately, nearly all of these PROGRESSIVE folks are giving up their separation and holiness. They are “progressing” toward sin and Satan! Their “progressiveness” is not PROGRESS.
Our text is probably not often used for a message about separation, but before God joined anything together, He first DIVIDED. God joins husbands and wives. He joins believers to Himself and one another. However, He is primarily a DIVIDER. God DIVIDED the LIGHT from the DARKNESS.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
I. WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM FATAL BINDINGS WITH THE LOST
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE UNEQUAL YOKES
A. Of Marriage
B. Of Money
- Employment
- Partnerships
C. Of Merriment
II. WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM FILTHY BRETHREN
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey 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 him as a brother.
A. Dirty Christians
B. Disobedient Christians
C. Disrespectful Christians
Remember Korah and the 250 gathered against Moses.
Remember the 42 children who spoke against Elisha.
III. WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM FALSE BELIEFS
2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
A. Don’t sit under them
B. Don’t stand with them
C. Don’t support them
IV. WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM FAULTY BEHAVIOR
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
A. Don’t love wickedness
B. Don’t live in wickedness
C. Don’t look wicked
V. WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED TO THE FATHER’S BUSINESS
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.