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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Heart To Heart

October 27, 2013 Speaker: Series: Be Encouraged

Topic: 2 Corinthians Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:4

BE ENCOURAGED!
“Heart To Heart”
Pastor Duane Cross | 10.27.2013

Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devi? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4

I. RELATIONSHIPS with believers

“Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:49

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35
II. RELATIONSHIPS with non-believers

“Do not be yoked with unbelievers.”

1. This DOESN’T mean separating yourself physically from the world.

2. This DOESN’T mean refusing relationships with unbelievers.

“As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18

3. This DOES mean avoiding partnerships with unbelievers.

III. RELATIONSHIP with Our Father

“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

 

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week – to take a closer look at the scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used in all of our Grow Groups.

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17; 6:11-7:4; Matthew 12:46-50; John 13:31-35; John 17:13-18

Getting Started

What are your most cherished relationships? Why?

Who are you closer to, your church family or your physical family? Explain.

Should Christ followers have friends who are unbelievers? Explain why or why not.

A Closer Look

How can Christians strike a balance between being personally involved in the lives of people and not being unequally yoked with unbelievers? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Read John 13:31-35. Why are we to love other believers? What does our love for each other say to the world? Conversely, what does not loving each other say to the world?

What does it mean to you that other believers are our mother or brother or sister?
(Matthew 12:46-50)

Read 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. What are God’s promises found in these verses?

In 2 Corinthians 7:1, what does it mean to “cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit”?

Digging Deeper

Pastor Duane said, “If you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.” How does this work in your relationships with believers, unbelievers, and God?

In the sermon, Pastor Duane said that being unequally yoked means avoiding partnerships with unbelievers as well as avoiding marrying an unbeliever. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

If you have a conflict with another believer, it’s clear we are to attempt reconciliation
(2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Matthew 5:24). What steps are you going to take to “be reconciled” if you have a conflict with another believer?

 

More in Be Encouraged

November 17, 2013

Thorn in the Flesh

November 10, 2013

False Apostles

November 3, 2013

Generosity