Podcasts about pursue christ

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Best podcasts about pursue christ

Latest podcast episodes about pursue christ

Wilkesboro Baptist Church
Worry About Yourself | 7.6.25

Wilkesboro Baptist Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 37:54


Title: Worry About YourselfText: Psalm 37Tad Craig7 Investments for Your Heavenly Inheritance1. Make a home in the LORD's presence2. Share your desires with the LORD3. Commit your plans in the LORD4. Find rest in the LORD5. Maintain a Christlike attitude6. Pursue Christ's idea of goodness7. Look to Jesus as the Prince of Peace

2nd Timothy 2 | Guard & Guide: Minutemen of Faith

"Christmas is DYNOMITE"

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 56:44


In this powerful sermon, Pastor Karl draws a vivid parallel between the Revolutionary War's militiamen and minutemen and the life of a Christ follower, urging us to live as dedicated “minutemen” of faith. Reflecting on his recent trip to Boston, Karl connects the historic battles of Lexington and Concord to the call in 2 Timothy 2 to be strong in God's grace, not our own strength. He challenges us to flee from what dishonors God and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with unwavering commitment. Using Paul's metaphors of a soldier, athlete, and farmer, Karl emphasizes enduring suffering, staying focused on God's mission, and avoiding distractions that entangle us. This message inspires us to embody authentic faith, rely on God's unmerited favor, and live purposefully for Christ's kingdom, ensuring our lives align with His calling.Watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

Manna Bible Lessons
"Pursue Christ Daily" Colossians EP 8

Manna Bible Lessons

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 54:12


Thank you for joining the Manna Bible Class Podcast as we study the book of Colossians. The Manna Podcast Team would appreciate you joining us in prayer that God would expand this ministry. https://www.mannapodcast.com/lessons

The Church at Woodbine Podcast
Pursue Christ At Home | Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Hunter Melton

The Church at Woodbine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 38:16


The Church at Station Hill Podcast
Pursue Christ At Home | Colossians 3:18-21 | John Joseph

The Church at Station Hill Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 39:36


Our mission is to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere, anytime, with anybody.To give to the ministry at The Church at Station Hill, click here: https://www.stationhillchurch.com/stewardship/.STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.stationhillchurch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stationhillchurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stationhillchurch#church #sermon #bible #tennessee #nashville #love #thechurchatstationhill #jesus

The Church at Avenue South Podcast
Pursue Christ at Home | Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Aaron Bryant

The Church at Avenue South Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 39:48


The Church at Harpeth Heights
Pursue Christ at Home | Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Brandon Hays

The Church at Harpeth Heights

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 43:09


The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast
Pursue Christ at Home | Colossians 3:18-4:1 | David Hannah

The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 40:27


The Church at Station Hill Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put On The New | Colossians 3:5-17 | John Joseph

The Church at Station Hill Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 37:31


Our mission is to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere, anytime, with anybody.To give to the ministry at The Church at Station Hill, click here: https://www.stationhillchurch.com/stewardship/.STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.stationhillchurch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stationhillchurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stationhillchurch#church #sermon #bible #tennessee #nashville #love #thechurchatstationhill #jesus

The Church at Avenue South Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put on the New | Colossians 3:12-17 | Aaron Bryant

The Church at Avenue South Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 33:14


The Church at West Franklin Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put on the New | Colossians 3:5-17 | Dr. Matt Pearson | Sermon

The Church at West Franklin Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 35:03


The Church at Harpeth Heights
Pursue Christ: Put on the New | Colossians 3:12-17 | Steve Wilkinson

The Church at Harpeth Heights

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 41:00


The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put on the New | Colossians 3:12-17 | David Hannah

The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 41:51


The Church at Station Hill Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put Sin to Death | Colossians 3:1-4 | John Joseph

The Church at Station Hill Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 45:07


Our mission is to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere, anytime, with anybody.To give to the ministry at The Church at Station Hill, click here: https://www.stationhillchurch.com/stewardship/.STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.stationhillchurch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stationhillchurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stationhillchurch#church #sermon #bible #tennessee #nashville #love #thechurchatstationhill #jesus

The Church at Avenue South Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put Sin to Death | Colossians 3:1-11 | Aaron Bryant

The Church at Avenue South Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 36:01


The Church at West Franklin Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put Sin to Death | Colossians 3:1-11 | Dr. Matt Pearson | Sermon

The Church at West Franklin Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 32:38


The Church at Harpeth Heights
Pursue Christ: Put Sin to Death | Colossians 3:1-11 | Steve Wilkinson

The Church at Harpeth Heights

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 42:21


The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast
Pursue Christ: Put Sin to Death | Colossians 3:1-11 | David Hannah

The Church at Lockeland Springs Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 37:25


Farragut Christian Church Podcast

Sermon Recording from Sunday, March 16th, 2025.A study of Colossians 1:15-20.Guest Speaker: Daniel Overdorf.Thesis: Pursue Christ.=

Podcast - SHE PROVES FAITHFUL
SPF 281: How to Enjoy Life & Pursue Christ (Is it really an issue of balance?)

Podcast - SHE PROVES FAITHFUL

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 26:46


Send me a Text Message! (I can't directly respond, but I can answer questions and share comments in upcoming episodes! How are we enjoy the temporal joys of life? Are they really all a vanity, or chasing after the wind? Today I am sharing how we can faithfully enjoy the good gifts God gives while also heading the wisdom of finding our purpose and delight in Christ alone.Let's talk about the enjoyment of temporary pleasures and pursuing the eternal. Are they at odds with each other? Is there a balance to strike between the two? And what's the bigger picture?Scripture References:James 1:16-181 Timothy 6:17-19Ecclesiastes 9:7Ecclesiastes 2"So when we consider the good things, the temporal blessings on earth, here is the wisdom - these things are gifts from God to be enjoyed by us and be a blessing, to fill us with thankfulness and to be shared, and used in godly ways." - SPF"The wisdom is to not make our focus and the meaning of our life the pursuit of pleasure - while good gifts from God are to be for our enjoyment, they are not what we chase down. It's not where we get our meaning, it's not how we solve our problems." - SPF""If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." C.S. LewisResourcesGap Cleaning Brushes: https://a.co/d/bdRXaGIRead the Bible with Me!: sheprovesfaithful.com/bibleSupport the showLove wellness products for your whole family? Shop Earthley and support SPF!Get 10% off your first order with code FIRSTSPF : https://earthley.com/?affiliateId=lauren-hlushakSupport SPF $5 a month: patreon.com/sheprovesfaithfulSign Up for the SPF newsletter: sheprovesfaithful.com/newsletterIf you're enjoying the SPF Podcast, please leave a review on your favorite podcast player! Thank you!

Southside Bible Church - Centennial, Colorado
Pursue Christ (Philippians 3:12-16)

Southside Bible Church - Centennial, Colorado

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 48:00


tcbchurch
Philippians 2:19-30 Jesus Followers Pursue Christ's Interests Above Their Own.

tcbchurch

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 41:00


Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast
September 1 The Pursuit

Alice Drive Baptist Church Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 33:47


-      Happiness, Money (Security), Freedom (debt, find true purpose), Peace, Joy, Balance, Fulfillment, Confidence, Stability, Passion -       “Some treasures aren't bad until they take your focus from the true, fulfilling treasure. When we let treasures lead us away from Christ, that treasure turns to waste." -Michael Grubbs -        What would it look like if we shifted our pursuit to the true treasure that provides all of these? -        Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. -       Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -       The moment you believe, your pursuit SHOULD shift… -        It starts with the heart. -         Does your heart pursue the same things that Jesus did? -        Col 2:2-3 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. -        Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' -       “…Christians should not determine eternal truths according to “earthly things”; we must interpret the world around us according to the heavenly reality “above” us.” -R. Scott Pace -        Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. -         In ALL things, pursue Christ LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter Question: Matt opened with an adventure of pursuing a great treasure.  Who did you find yourself relating to in that story?  1.      Read Colossians 3:1-4 2.     What are some things that keep you from pursuing Christ? 3.      What are some ways that you “keep seeking” the things that are above? 4.      Read Colossians 3:5-17 5.      Where do you struggle in putting on the new self as Paul lays out? 6.      In what ways do you challenge your thinking?  Where is your thinking focused on what is temporary instead of eternal? 7.      If you were John Chrysostom, would you have stood as boldly hidden in Christ? Why or why not? 8.      In all things, Pursue Christ.  Where God has you in your career, or life in general, how well are you pursuing him?

Podcast
Dress for Success - PDF

Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024


All the things Paul instructed the Colossians to clothe themselves with are still in style for us today.

Podcast
Dress for Success - Audio

Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 29:16


All the things Paul instructed the Colossians to clothe themselves with are still in style for us today.

Elevate Student Ministry
Flee youthful passions: Pursue Christ | Elevate Initiation 2024

Elevate Student Ministry

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 7:19


Community of Grace
Pursue Christ-Like Conflict Resolution

Community of Grace

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 29:25


Philippians 4:2-3We learn how to practice conflict resolution in the church by looking at the Apostle Paul's instructions to two women in conflict with each other.

WHOA That’s Life Podcast
S9 EP.13: Pursue Christ into Us

WHOA That’s Life Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 3:32


2 Chronicles 7:14-18; Reconcile us to your heart and shout out our blessings, let Christ come into us and give opportunity to partake in His songs

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Paolo Punzalan | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 54:00


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Daniel Trinidad | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 57:44


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Rev Araneta | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 49:36


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Patrick Mercado | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 52:31


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Paolo Punzalan | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 54:00


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Daniel Trinidad | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 57:44


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Jojit Fernandez | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 62:11


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Rev Araneta | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 49:36


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Patrick Mercado | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 52:31


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

Victory Fort Bonifacio
Pursue Christ: Jojit Fernandez | Pursue Christ

Victory Fort Bonifacio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 62:11


A life in pursuit of Christ involves forsaking our former ways, and purposefully living in a manner that delights God, all while keeping our focus on the eternal goal. 

HARDHEADED
Mainstream Media is Entertainment, Not NEWS! Plus #Top3 Restaurants of All-Time!

HARDHEADED

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 41:18


Matt gets national recognition with his Tailgating Gumbo! Chet and Matt discuss the "secrets" behind the recipe. Matt then turns his attention to how he has unplugged from the news but tuned back in since the conflict with Israel and Hamas and has been let down again!   The guys turn to the #Top3 Restaurants we've eaten. It is fun taking a stroll down memory lane for many of us!  Top 3 Restaurants at which you have Eaten Superior - Skirt Steak Fajita, Chicken Fajitas,  - Shreveport, LA Napoleon House - Muffuletta - New Orleans, LA Little Saigon - Vermicelli Noodle dish with Shrimp and Egg-roll Matt - Jordan in Chicago restaurant, Tony Roma's in Peru, Mortons in San Diego chet's  Mickey Mantles Steakhouse, OKC BBQ City Ruston Louisiana Cafe Del Tasso 1476, Bergamo Italy Chet's Good word - Galatians chapter 5 - How do you get more peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control? Pursue Christ! Don't pursue those things! He provides those fruits of the spirit to you as you pursue Him! 

Run With Horses
Stop Going To Church! -Ep.261 -Run With Horses Podcast

Run With Horses

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 28:00


Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Today we are looking at some reasons why people don't go to church. And can I start by saying that this is part of the problem. We “go” to church, something that was impossible in the NT.   Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a disciple of Jesus. God is working to grow you into the image of Christ and HE will complete that work. What a joy to know that it all doesn't depend on us!   Let's go to church! Ok, we already have a problem. . . Church is not a place. The church is a group of people called out by God, gloriously saved by His Son and united through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You cannot GO to church. If you are genuinely saved by Faith through Grace you can choose not to use your Spirit given gifts to strengthen and build up the Family of God, the Bride of Jesus, His glorious Church. Avoiding time with God's family will keep you from serving His Church. Let's call that what it is, disobedience. But you cannot GO to church.   The church is not a building that can be taken away or a service that can be scheduled. The church can meet in a building or under a tree. The church can meet in a large group with thousands or in a coffee shop with three. But you cannot GO to church. And if that is what you have been doing, you are part of the problem. Because if you can go to church, you can NOT GO to church.   If your life, your family, your community and yes, even your church, are to change, we have to stop going to church and start BEING the church. Every day in every house, on every street, in every town, in every nation. We ARE the Church of the True and Living God.   So why don't people go to church?   Reference - https://churchhelper.net/why-people-dont-go-to-church/   1. They deem the church irrelevant. The church is a group of people who are bought and paid for with the blood of Jesus. As such, He has placed us into His family. The church is instantly relevant if you understand the mission of Jesus in the world. Sermons that are theology without application. Although some can take a sermon and run with it, most people need or at least will benefit from discussions about the passage/ topic that allows them to see how it works out in their life. 2. They cite the hypocrisy and moral failures of church leaders. This is straight up bad news. It points to the need to emphasize character as we train and prepare leaders in the church. Dealing with sin in the lives of leaders. Confession, repentance, humility. Side rant. We cannot allow the training and preparation of pastors and church leaders to be left to bible colleges and seminaries. They are great supplements to churches discipling and preparing leaders but they cannot replace the churches role. 3. They feel God is missing in the church. Spectator churches can easily be focused on the audience and felt needs, not God. God IS and that matters. He is Holy and that matters. The church has to be focused on God. When we are, it changes us. Biblical doctrine matters. We need to see God in His Word. Hearts prepared to follow Him are hearts prepared to worship Him. If God is missing in your life the rest of the week, God will likely be missing in your time with His Family or at least, you won't see Him. 4. They feel that legitimate doubt is prohibited. God is big enough to handle our questions. The pastors pride might not be. Spurgeon - “Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best 'apology' for the gospel is to let the gospel out.” As the church we need to be inviting people to ask questions. God can handle it. You don't need to answer everyone's questions, point them to the Word and encourage them to ask God for answers to their doubts. He is amazingly good at it. 5. They don't learn about God or Jesus. I don't know what church this is true in but it is shameful if it is true! 6. They don't gain any significant or new insights about faith. There is a need to be growing and making efforts yourself. Pursue Christ. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 - 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Practical obedience is part of our growth. Without it we will stop learning. Our spiritual life is more than head knowledge, we have to live it or we will struggle in our faith. 7. They have trouble finding a community. If you don't find community, you build it. There are others who want that unity that the NT talks about and are willing to fihgt for it. Look for them and build a small community.   Thanks for joining me today. If you have thoughts or questions about your spiritual life, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net I would love to hear from you.

Resources – Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters
Be Strong | Discipline & Dominion

Resources – Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 50:59


Men's Conference | Zach Mabry | BreakoutAs men, we have been called to fight. We are to fight against sin, fight for our holiness, and fight for our families. The calling of a Christian life is a lofty one. Are you making provision for your flesh or are you disciplining yourself for godliness? In this breakout, Zach walks through how we are to live disciplined lives as godly men.Men, our time on earth is fleeting. God has given each of us an area of responsibility. We are to make every effort in our faith to lead those around us well. You will not become a godly man by accident. Pursue Christ today.Resources: Genesis 1Genesis 22 PeterThe Toxic War Against Masculinity - Nancy PearcyIt's Good To Be a Man - Michael FosterSnowbird Wilderness Outfitters exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the exposition of Scripture and personal relationships in order to equip the Church to impact this generation.Learn more about our student and adult conferences at https://www.swoutfitters.com/Please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

Impact Church with Travis Hearn
Episode 61: Stack Your Team

Impact Church with Travis Hearn

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023 60:05


Join Pastor Travis Hearn of Impact Church as he delivers an empowering sermon titled 'Stack Your Team.' Discover the profound wisdom of Proverbs as we explore the art of intentional friendship selection. Learn to: Choose Companions who Pursue Christ's Path Align with Those Running the Same Faith Race Surround Yourself with Friends that Sharpen Your Character Unearth the secret to building a supportive inner circle that elevates your life's purpose. Don't miss this transformative message. Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay tuned!"

Messages from Pleasant City Church
Choose Joy - Pursue Christ

Messages from Pleasant City Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023


The pursuit of Christ is the one thing that will bring joy like nothing else.

Messages from Pleasant City Church
Choose Joy - Pursue Christ

Messages from Pleasant City Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023


The pursuit of Christ is the one thing that will bring joy like nothing else.

Little Falls Christian Centre
Heart to Heart - To pursue Christ.

Little Falls Christian Centre

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 4:40


Heart to Heart - Download and listen to a powerful morning devotion from Pastor Harold as he shares a devotion on your walk with Christ. Our walk with Jesus will be seen by others, and instead of pursuing things we have to pursue Jesus. It's all about Christ. 01 August 2023

Christ Church (Moscow, ID)
Abandoning the Sons of Belial

Christ Church (Moscow, ID)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2022 40:22


INTRODUCTION Remember that the point of this epistle is for Paul to defend the authenticity of his ministry. There are three groups involved. There were the false teachers, the agitators that stirred up the trouble. They had initially swayed the whole church, but after Paul's severe letter, the bulk of the church had come back into their loyalty to Paul. That is the second group. The third group was made of saints in the church who were still rattled, who still had the wobbles. These were the ones that Paul beseeched to “enlarge their hearts.” And in this passage, we get to Paul's basic “call to action.” We have come to the thing which they must do. THE TEXT “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 6:14–7:1). DEBRIS CLEANING Before summarizing the text, there is an important misunderstanding to get out of the way. In this section, Paul famously says that we are not to be “unequally yoked with unbelievers.” This is regularly applied to marriages and/or business partnership, and while this is a legitimate application, it is not what the text is talking about—and we have to be careful not to lose the original meaning. When Paul tells Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Tim. 5:23), he was not trying to refute teetotalism. That is a legitimate application (by extension), but not what Paul was talking about. It is the same here. The original meaning was the summons that Paul was delivering, urging the remaining wobbly Corinthians to make a complete break from the false teachers (whom we will get to know much better in later chapters). For now it will serve to distinguish the wolves from the sheep who have been mauled by wolves. Paul is appealing here to the latter. SUMMARY OF THE TEXT Paul starts with the principle. Do not be in harness together with unbelievers (v. 14). The reason is then given in a series of contrasts. Is there fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness (v. 14)? Communion between light and darkness (v. 14)? Concord between Christ and Belial (v. 15)? Faith and infidelity (v. 15)? The temple of God with idols (v. 16)? These destructive false teachers want to set up their idols in the Corinthians, saints who were the Temple of God (v. 16). What looks like a solitary quotation from the Old Testament starting in v. 16 is actually a complicated mashup of quotations from about six different places in the Old Testament. The first two are promises of close and intimate fellowship (Lev. 26:11-12; Eze. 37:27). Then came the promise of adoption, and this is taken from four distinct places (2 Sam. 7:14; Is. 52:11; Eze. 20:34; Is. 43:6). Overwhelmingly, the six cited passages are talking about Israel's restoration to the land, brought out of exile. The Corinthians were the heirs of these spectacular promises and, as such, had an obligation to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of spirit and flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (7:1). That is the call—to break with these sons of Belial. SONS OF BELIAL We can tell that this is the import of this passage from the overall flow of the argument. Dealing with these false teachers is, after all, the theme of the entire letter. But we can also see it in his use of a word like Belial. The word probably means worthlessness, and is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to covenant losers. In other words, we are talking about covenant members who were wicked louts. See, for example, the following: Dt. 13:13; Judg. 19:22; 20:13; 1 Sam. 1:16; 2:12; 10:27; 25:17,25; 30:22; 2 Sam. 20:1; 1 Kings 21:10,13; 2Chron. 13:7. This is precisely what Paul was dealing with at Corinth, and so he asks the rhetorical question—what possible fellowship can there be between Christ and Belial? THE PRESSING NEED FOR MORE CHURCH SPLITS The “unbelievers” Paul is talking about are his adversaries within the church. These are false brothers. Do not be “yoked with” means do not pal around with, enable, encourage, or otherwise link to these people. The driver of all such splits, however, needs to be holiness. If they pursue holiness in the fear of God, a lot of the separating will take care of itself. Paul is reminding the Corinthians of their identity in Christ. Now, in Christ, what are they? They are the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). They have been made light (2 Cor. 4:6). In Christ, they are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). By direct implication, Paul includes them as being among those who believe (2 Cor. 4:4). They are the Temple of God (2 Cor. 6:16). So the Corinthians are or have each of the characteristics that have no fellowship, communion, concord, part, or agreement with the corruptions offered by the sons of Belial. Those corruptions would unrighteousness, darkness, worthlessness, infidelity, and idolatry. And it is holiness of life that drives all such things away. DISEASED EVANGELICALISM Satan has two basic strategies for attacking the church. He attacks it by persecutions from without, and he attacks it by introducing corruptions from within. The latter has been his tactic of choice in the American church, and it has worked very well for him. The bottom line of all such corruptions is unholiness, and usually with a sexual component. This is why vast swaths of the evangelical church collapsed almost overnight when the challenges of the last two years first appeared. And so the application today should be obvious. Separate from—do not have anything to do with, do not follow, do not fellowship with—the ministries of anyone who is woke, or semi-woke, or is effeminate, or who compromises on theistic evolution, or who makes room for homosexuality as an identity, or who ordains women to be pastors, or who advances any form of critical theory, or who would otherwise invite this generation's Clown Car Review into the church. Tragically, this list is not limited to mainline liberal churches. Because we did not heed the warnings of the apostle, the evangelical movement is shot through with the cancers of unbelief. But do not just turn away. That is insufficient. Pursue holiness. Pursue righteousness. Pursue Christ.

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