1. Walking Through II Corinthians
Todays Message
OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND REMOVE THE OBSTACLES II COR. 6:11-7:1

2. The Resistance of Reciprocation Paul’s Affection is Revealed
Jn. 7:38
“O you Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you” Spiritual truth and refreshing flowed from his mouth
“our heart is enlarged” The source of the words flowed from an expanded heart filled with truth and love

3. Paul’s Analysis is Accurate
You are not narrow in us, but you are narrow in your own bowels (seat of affections). V. 12
There was no narrow flow of tenderness and love coming from Paul and his co- workers to the Corinthians
The Corinthians did narrow their affections toward Paul and His co- workers

4. Paul’s Appeal is Fatherly
Now for a recompense in the same (Fair compensation exchange), I speak as unto my children, “you be also enlarged”. (in your hearts)

5. The Obstacle of Reconciliation What Constitutes a Yoke
Unequal yokes with unbelievers “Don’t you be unequally yoked together with unbelievers”: v. 14a (Deut. 22:10)
What Constitutes a Yoke
1. Time (sense of permanency)
2. Constraint (lack of independent action)
Any kind of relationship that does not permit a believer to follow his Lord in all things is a yoke.

6. Potentially dangerous relationships that could be classified as “Unequal Yokes”
1. Friendships with unbelievers
2. Dating unbelievers
3. Partnerships with unbelievers
4. Marrying unbelievers
5. Ecumenical alliances with unbelievers

7. Illustrations of Unequal Yokes
1. for what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness?
2. and what communion does light have with darkness?
3. And what agreement does Christ have with Belial?
4. or what part does he that believes have with an unbeliever?
5. And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols?

8. This does not mean we become “Evangelical Monks”
The Call to Separation
for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Lev. 26:12) Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you (Is 52:11), 18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty (Jer_31:1, Jer_31:9; Isa_43:6.) Vrs
This does not mean we become “Evangelical Monks”

9. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortionist, or with idolaters; for then you need to go out of the world But now I have written unto you not to keep company , if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such an one no not to eat I Cor. 5:9-11

10. 1. The Yoke should be broken.
a. Through Identification for you are the temple of the living God…I will be their God
b. Through Separation come out from among them
c. Through Sanctification touch not the unclean
d. Through Relationship I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord

11. 2. It must be our choice to break the Yoke
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 7:1
a. God can entreat, plead, urge, but He will not turn our “No” into a “Yes”
Don’t try to be holy; you are holy; But holiness is to be perfected, it is to be made visible by acting like the one you have become, someone who is himself, herself, the dwelling place of God.

12. Father, show me if my heart is narrow toward anyone
Father, show me if my heart is narrow toward anyone. Let your Living Water flow from my heart and through my mouth to speak words of truth and love.
Father, thank you for being my God. I only desire my heart to be yoked to You and the things You approve. I want a relationship with You above all else that I might allow Your holiness to reach its desired end in my life. Help me to break any yoke that prevents me from Your best.