Withdrawing from the Unfaithful Rev 10:8-10 ~ Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." 9 So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. NKJV Withdrawing from the Unfaithful

1 Corinthians 5 The Situation v. 1-2a A fornicator in the church who had not repented of his sin The Instructions v. 2b-13 “taken away from among you”, v. 2b “put away from yourselves”, v. 13 “that his spirit might be saved”, v. 5 To keep the church pure, v. 6-8 Conclusions Ignoring the unfaithful is wrong. Withdrawing is an effort to save. 1 Corinthians 5

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 The Situation v. 7-13 Some had quit working and become busybodies thinking the Lord’s return was imminent “walks disorderly”, v. 6 The Instructions v. 6,14-15 “withdraw from … who walks disorderly”, v. 6 “do not keep company with him”, v. 14 “Not ..as an enemy, but … as a brother”, v.15 Conclusions A command An effort to bring them to repentance 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

“NOT the reasons” To Take Revenge on Anyone With Partiality “Throw someone out of the church”

Three Basic Reasons 2 Corinthians 2:6-11 #1 - Because of the Authority of Christ 1 Cor. 5:4,5; 2 Thess. 3:6 #2 - To bring the Unfaithful to Repentance The goal is to restore them. James 5:19,20; Gal. 6:1; Matt. 18:15 “that his spirit may be saved”, 1 Cor. 5:5 “that he may be ashamed”, 1 Thess.3:14

Three Basic Reasons #3 – To Keep the Church Pure Eph. 5:26,27 If persistent sin is not corrected, it corrupts the whole church. 1 Cor. 5:6-8 Rev. 2:20; Gal. 2:13 A need for “accountability” to one another It causes others to fear. Acts 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20

“Who”? Those who refuse to correct personal offenses with their brethren, Matt. 18:15-17 The factious or those who teach heresy, 2 Peter 2:1-3; Titus 3:9-11 Those who are guilty of sins of the flesh and refuse to repent, 1 Cor. 5 Those who walk disorderly and are unruly, 1 Thess. 3:6-15

Withdrawing from the Unfaithful is an Act of Love! Heb 12:5-13 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Withdrawing from the Unfaithful is an Act of Love!

Withdrawing from the Unfaithful is an Act of Love! 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Withdrawing from the Unfaithful is an Act of Love!

Withdrawing from the Unfaithful is an Act of Love! 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. NKJV