Defining Our Spiritual Association I. Introduction A. We live in a confusing religious landscape 1. We live in a country full of people professing Christianity! 2. We agree with most such persons on many issues 3. We may even feel many times that together we stand against various problems in the world B. Because of this reality, we must ask ourselves: how do we relate to such persons? 1. Do we consider them "fellow Christians"? 2. Do we maintain spiritual association with them? 3. Do we need to convert them? C. They also may ask similar questions of us 1. Do we think that they are Christians? 2. Do we think that they are saved? D. Let us spend some time considering these matters II. Understanding Association in the New Testament A. We cannot answer our questions without first understanding the nature of association in the New Testament B. Association: Greek koinonia, "fellowship, association, joint participation, community" C. In the New Testament, the term is used to describe the relationship among Christians (Acts 2:42) D. It is important to realize, however, the origin of this association E. We must have association with Christ and cleansing in His blood to have proper association with one another! 1. 1 Corinthians 1:9 2. 1 John 1:3, 6-7 3. If we walk in the light as Christ is the light, then and only then do we have association with one another F. Association, then, is not something we choose on the basis of our own desires, wants, or beliefs: our association is based upon a joint walk with the Lord 1. Road illustration 2. We walk together not because we made a previous arrangement... 3. ...we walk together because we come to Christ and then see others who are in Christ who share that same goal G. It is Christ, then, and walking in His footsteps that establishes our association H. How can this help us establish our spiritual association? III. Establishing Spiritual Association A. It is manifest, then, that we must walk with Christ if we are going to have association B. But what is the definition of "walking with Christ"? C. Some claim that "walking with Christ" only represents the "essentials" of the faith 1. Such is prevalent in the ecumenical movement that is popular amongst denominations today 2. As long as certain tenets, mostly of belief, are observed, it is believed that all are part of Christ's church D. What does the Bible teach? E. 1 John 2:3-6 1. It is not based on profession alone, but the way in which one walks 2. One is to walk according to His commandments 3. One can only know Jesus (or have association with Him) if he or she obeys God's commands F. The definition of "walking with God" is to be an "obedient servant" G. Our association, then, must be with obedient servants of God IV. Obedient Servants of God A. What, then, constitutes an obedient servant of God? B. It is not perfection 1. Romans 3:23: all continually fall short of God's glory 2. 1 John 1:8: we all still have sin C. Cleansing from sin 1. Isaiah 59:1-2: sin separates from God-- separation is against the idea of association 2. Sin, then, must be purged 3. According to the NT, immersion in water for the remission of sin is the only way to receive this cleansing (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-7, 1 Peter 3:21) 4. If one is not immersed in water for the remission of sin, where in the New Testament do we get the idea that such a one is clean? 5. Baptism, however, is not enough: one must continually confess and repent of sin that is committed afterward if one desires to maintain one's relationship with God and the continual cleansing in Christ's blood (1 John 1:6-9) 6. We know that the church will be entirely clean (Ephesians 5:25-27); if we are part of that church, we must be clean! D. Avoiding immorality / doing righteousness 1. Galatians 5:19-24 2. Those who have association with God do His will, and part of that is not doing that which is wrong and doing that which is right 3. Romans 12:9 4. We may stumble in this, but we will persevere and continue to strive if we are of Him E. These are some of the many attributes that comprise obedient servants of God V. Collections of Obedient Servants of God A. From what we have already established, we logically flow into the next aspect: the collections of obedient servants of God B. Those who have been cleansed by Christ's blood, who are striving to avoid sin and trying to do that which is right will seek persons who do the same C. Hence God's plan for the church, both universal and local D. An obedient servant of God, part of God's universal Church, will seek to assemble with fellow obedient servants as part of a local congregation to build one another up (Hebrews 10:24-25) E. This will only be possible where there is unity (1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2) 1. There is but one faith, as there is one Lord (Ephesians 4:4-5) 2. If there is not agreement about the faith, there cannot be the encouragement desired by God in the local church! F. From what we have seen so far, then, we can establish spiritual association 1. Those who come to faith in Christ strive to be His obedient servants 2. Those obedient servants will seek out fellow obedient servants with whom they share Christ's walk 3. Such is to represent the local church G. Let us now return, then, to how we relate to others VI. Defining Our Spiritual Association A. It is critical for us to properly define our spiritual association B. We do not save or condemn anyone 1. James 4:12, Romans 14:4, 10-12 2. We will all individually stand or fall before our Master 3. Therefore, that kind of judgment is not ours to make C. It is manifest, however, that discernment must exist within our association! 1. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 2. Romans 16:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 3. We are called upon to purge leaven from the church and to avoid those who teach that which is wrong or act improperly D. We will not stand in judgment based on the actions of others; we will, however, be judged in regards to those with whom we have spiritual association E. Therefore, what have we seen? F. If any are not baptized believers, we cannot maintain spiritual association with them 1. We have seen that such persons have not been cleansed from sin and therefore are separated from God (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Isaiah 59:1) 2. Baptism is no idle concept, nor some minor ritual: it is the only means by which our former sins can be purged! 3. Since such persons are not walking with Christ, how can we have association with them? 4. Sure, we may associate with them in the world, but we cannot give the impression that we think that they are fine with God and that we are all on the same side! G. If any are baptized believers, but walk disorderly, we cannot maintain spiritual association with them 1. 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 2. As we established, baptism is not the end of cleansing-- we must continue to strive to be obedient servants and do that which is right, confessing sin and repenting of it 3. Those who continue in sin are liable to Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc. 4. Since such persons are manifestly not walking with God, having their sins cleansed by the blood of Jesus, how can we maintain association with them? 5. Paul urges us to not even eat with such ones (1 Corinthians 5:11)! 6. Such persons must learn that there is no godly approval for how they are living, and there must be a clear division between them and those who are obedient servants of God! H. If any are baptized believers, but teach different doctrines and do not agree with the sound words of God, we cannot maintain spiritual association with them 1. Romans 16:17, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2. False teachings have the same effect as immorality (Galatians 5:9, 10-12; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7) 3. If such people make it clear that they do not know God because they teach things contrary to the commandments of God, how can it be that they are walking with Him? 4. And if they are not walking with Him, how can we have association with them? 5. Such ones must be avoided! I. We must have spiritual association with those who are baptized believers and who strive to obey God, following His commandments, confessing and repenting of sin 1. This is the exact message of 1 John 1:5-10 2. Such persons are the ones who truly represent Christ's Church 3. Consider 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 4. If we are not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers, why would we yoke ourselves in association with people who are not obedient servants of God? 5. Yes, this takes discernment, but it is the discernment commanded of us in 1 Corinthians 5 J. We have answers to our questions 1. If one is not cleansed of sin through baptism, they are in no true way Christians 2. If they do not walk with God, we cannot have spiritual association with them 3. If one has been cleansed of sin through baptism, one is a Christian, but must continue to strive to be an obedient servant; with such persons we are to have spiritual association 4. If one was cleansed of sin through baptism, but continually walks disorderly, or teaches things contrary to God's truth, any association must be severed with him K. Let us be considerate of our spiritual association and strive to please God in our own lives and by those with whom we labor together in the Lord L. Songbook/invitation