SERMON TEXT - 2 Corinthians 7:1–8

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.

SERMON SUMMARY - In our previous passage, Paul instructed the Corinthians on who we should not spend our time with. Christians should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers whether they are inside or outside the church. While avoiding worldly relationships will protect us from all types of troubles, if we can’t be yoked to the world, who are we supposed to be yoked to? In chapter 7, the Apostle provides the answer to this question. Christians are not to simply avoid sin and worldliness; we are to pursue righteousness alongside true believers. Today we will learn how to identify these saints and how they will help us in our journey to become more Christ-like.