1. I.Impacted By Grace (6:1-2) II.Godly Life & Ministry (6:3-10) III.Open Responsive Heart (6:11-13) IV.Not Unequally Yoked (6:14-7:1)

2. YOKE: stable gear that joins two draft animals at the neck so they can work together as a team

3. Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

4. Deuteronomy 22:10 (NKJV) — 10 “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. DIETARY LAWS (Deut. 14:1-8) Oxen were clean … donkeys unclean CAN’T PLOW TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY Not the same … 1.Nature 2.Length of step 3.Strength

5. Unequally Yoked Is Not … Refusing to have friendships with unbelievers Refusing to associate with immoral people (1 Cor. 5:9-10 and Jesus) Refusing to work at a business owned by unbelievers Refusing to partner with unbelievers in wholesome hobbies, activities, etc.

6. Unequally Yoked Is Not … Refusing to associate with those who do not follow a certain set of rules for living the Christian life Refusing to cooperate with those who do not agree with all the distinctives of our theology or ministry style Divorcing an unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7:12–13)

7. Unequally Yoked Refers To …. Associations and alliances with unbelievers in which we participate with them in their ungodly values, goals, pursuits, activities, etc. Any relationship, whether temporary or permanent, with unbelievers that would lead to a compromise of Christian standards or jeopardize one’s witness for Christ.

8. How were they unequally yoked? Participation with idolatry was a problem: 1 Corinthians 10:14,19-20 (NKJV) — 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. … 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

9. 1 Corinthians 10:21–22 (NKJV) — 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? Rhetorical questions and OT quotes that follow seem to indicate involvement with idolatry was still a problem …

10. How were they unequally yoked? Participating in pagan rituals/feasts Joining unbelievers in idol worship Membership in a pagan cult Attending ceremonies in pagan temples (related to trade guilds, etc.) Employment in pagan temples Visiting temple prostitutes Eating meat sacrificed to idols with unbelievers (in the temple or home)

11. Don’t Be Unequally Yoked Because … 1.Incompatibility (vv. 14b-16a) Righteousness – Lawlessness Light – Darkness Christ – Satan Believer – Unbeliever Temple of God – Idols 2.Promises/Commands (vv. 16b-18) God’s Presence Come Out - Be Separate Received As Sons & Daughters

12. Summary & Application (7:1) 1.Cleanse Ourselves From All Filthiness 2.Perfecting Holiness Specific Applications For Today? 1.Business Partnerships (if ungodly) 2.Investments (if ungodly) 3.Marriage (basis of 1 Cor. 7:39)

13. 1 Corinthians 7:39 (NKJV) — 39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

14. Summary & Application (7:1) 1.Cleanse Ourselves From All Filthiness 2.Perfecting Holiness Some Applications For Today? 1.Business Partnerships (if ungodly) 2.Investments (if ungodly) 3.Marriage (basis of 1 Cor. 7:39) 4.Secret Societies (Freemasons, etc.)

15. Freemasonry believes/teaches …. 1.That salvation can be gained by man’s good works. 2.That Jesus is just one of many equally revered prophets. 3.That they will remain silent in the Lodge and not talk of Christ. 4.Masonry teaches that its G.A.O.T.U. [Great Architect of the Universe], is representative of all gods.

16. 5.Masonry makes Christians take a universalist approach in their prayers, demanding a “generic” name be used so as not to offend non- believers who are Masonic “brothers”.

17. I.Impacted By Grace (6:1-2) II.Godly Life & Ministry (6:3-10) III.Open Responsive Heart (6:11-13) IV.Not Unequally Yoked (6:14-7:1)

18. Are you unequally yoked? Associations and alliances with unbelievers in which we participate with them in their ungodly values, goals, pursuits, activities, etc.

19. Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”