Brethren in Darkness

Introduction:
Those who walk in the light have fellowship with God. By fellowship we mean partnership, sharing in, a joining together. These things all will take place if we walk in the light. What is the light? Obedience to God’s word. We must walk in obedience just as Christ did—Heb. 58-9. We must be prepared to serve God with a good conscience and a sincere faith.

I. Putting ____’s ________ ______ brings us to _______ and _____________.
    A. Eph. 4:1-3—we will begin to realize our oneness w/God & brethren.
        1. We must work to preserve the _________ of the __________.
    B. Phil. 2:1-2—we will being to ______ _______ ___________.
        1. Note: same ________; same ________; ________ in spirit and in purpose.
    C. 1 Cor. 1:10—we will have ______________; no ____________.
    D. Rom. 14—we’ll be _________________ in matters of opinion.

II. What of Brethren who ____________ to __________ in the __________?
    A. Not speaking of the world—2 different standards here—1 Cor. 5:9-13
    B. There is a ____________ of ______________ _______________.
        1. 1 Cor. 5:11—not to ________________ with—Immoral.
        2. Rom. 16:17—to ________; turn away from—dissension, etc.
        3. Mt. 18:15-17—to treat as an ___________. Impenitent.
        4. Titus 3:10—to _________ a factious man.
        5. 2 Thess. 3:6—_______ ________ from those who refuse apostles doctrine.
        6. 2 Thess. 3:14—mark, do not associate, ____________ the disobedient.

III. This action is NOT:
    A. ___________________.
        1. Can’t kick persons out of Lord’s body! But can cease association.
    B. ______________. Can’t treat as an enemy—2 Thess. 3:15
    C. ______________. This is ______’s job! See Heb. 10:30
    D. ____________. 1 Tim. 5:21—not to “weed out” “undesirable” ones.
    E. ____________. By one’s leaving/changing churches/withdrawing membership.
        1. We have responsibility to “mark” or “identify” them & their actions.

IV. God has a _____________ in this:
    A. 2 Thess. 3:14—to _____________ them.
    B. 1 Cor. 5:5—to bring them to a __________ of their condition before God.
    C. 1 Cor. 5:6 – to preserve the ___________ of the Lord’s body.
    D. Lk. 6:46; Eph. 1:22—to ____________ Christ’s authority.
    E. 1 Tim. 5:20—to ______________ ____________ in the body.
    F. Acts 5:13—to __________ ____________ in the world. See also 2 Pet. 2:2.

V. Even with a Purpose—Discipline is _______ ___________. Heb. 12:11
A. Which picture do your prefer? That of 2 Pet. 2:20-22 or Phil. 2:1-2?



Brethren in Darkness Introduction: Those who walk in the light have fellowship with God. By fellowship we mean partnership, sharing in, a joining together. These things all will take place if we walk in the light. What is the light? Obedience to God’s word. We must walk in obedience just as Christ did—Heb. 58-9. We must be prepared to serve God with a good conscience and a sincere faith. I. Putting ____’s ________ ______ brings us to _______ and _____________. A. Eph. 4:1-3—we will begin to realize our oneness w/God & brethren. 1. We must work to preserve the _________ of the __________. B. Phil. 2:1-2—we will being to ______ _______ ___________. 1. Note: same ________; same ________; ________ in spirit and in purpose. C. 1 Cor. 1:10—we will have ______________; no ____________. D. Rom. 14—we’ll be _________________ in matters of opinion. II. What of Brethren who ____________ to __________ in the __________? A. Not speaking of the world—2 different standards here—1 Cor. 5:9-13 B. There is a ____________ of ______________ _______________. 1. 1 Cor. 5:11—not to ________________ with—Immoral. 2. Rom. 16:17—to ________; turn away from—dissension, etc. 3. Mt. 18:15-17—to treat as an ___________. Impenitent. 4. Titus 3:10—to _________ a factious man. 5. 2 Thess. 3:6—_______ ________ from those who refuse apostles doctrine. 6. 2 Thess. 3:14—mark, do not associate, ____________ the disobedient. III. This action is NOT: A. ___________________. 1. Can’t kick persons out of Lord’s body! But can cease association. B. ______________. Can’t treat as an enemy—2 Thess. 3:15 C. ______________. This is ______’s job! See Heb. 10:30 D. ____________. 1 Tim. 5:21—not to “weed out” “undesirable” ones. E. ____________. By one’s leaving/changing churches/withdrawing membership. 1. We have responsibility to “mark” or “identify” them & their actions. IV. God has a _____________ in this: A. 2 Thess. 3:14—to _____________ them. B. 1 Cor. 5:5—to bring them to a __________ of their condition before God. C. 1 Cor. 5:6 – to preserve the ___________ of the Lord’s body. D. Lk. 6:46; Eph. 1:22—to ____________ Christ’s authority. E. 1 Tim. 5:20—to ______________ ____________ in the body. F. Acts 5:13—to __________ ____________ in the world. See also 2 Pet. 2:2. V. Even with a Purpose—Discipline is _______ ___________. Heb. 12:11 A. Which picture do your prefer? That of 2 Pet. 2:20-22 or Phil. 2:1-2?