A line of demarcation is a line of distinction, a line that separates one thing from another' To the

1
(No Transcript)
2
A line of demarcation is a line of distinction,
a line that separates one thing from another. To
the point, some among the Lord's people have
always been tempted "be like all the nations".
Today this tendency manifests itself in the
desire to be like, and associate with, the
various religious groups around us. The problem
with this is simply that the "lines" of
sanctification are drawn by God and not by man.
As we did not draw the lines neither can we move
them.
3
When religious opinions and traditions are
promoted which are not truth-based sin takes
place. However, it is just as sinful to identify
scriptural truth as merely opinion or
traditions.  
4
OPINIONS, TRADITIONS, FAITH,

• And LINES of FELLOWSHIP

5
OPINION

• A belief or conclusion held with confidence but
  not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

6
We must govern our thinking Do not conclude
beyond the evidence

• 1 Corinthians 46 Now these things, brethren, I
  have figuratively transferred to myself and
  Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us
  not to think beyond what is written, that none of
  you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the
  other.

7
Guard ourselves against presumption

• Romans 123 For I say, through the grace given to
  me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of
  himself more highly than he ought to think, but
  to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a
  measure of faith.

8
soberly - sophroneo- to be of sound mind a) to
be in one's right mind b) to exercise self
control 1) to put a moderate estimate upon
oneself, to think of oneself soberly 2) to curb
one's passions (To see things through the lens
of reality. TR)
9
TRADITIONS
10
It is sinful to make traditions of man equal to
the doctrine of Christ!
11
Matthew 151-9 151 Then the scribes and
Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus,
saying, 2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the
tradition of the elders? For they do not wash
their hands when they eat bread." 3 He answered
and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the
commandment of God because of your tradition? 4
For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and
your mother' and, 'He who curses father or
mother, let him be put to death.
12
Matthew 151-9 5 But you say, 'Whoever says to
his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might
have received from me is a gift to God"-- 6 then
he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you
have made the commandment of God of no effect by
your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah
prophesy about you, saying 8'These people draw
near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with
their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And
in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines
the commandments of men.' "
13
However, all traditions are not equal!
14
When God is the source of the tradition it is
sinful to deny it.

• 1 Corinthians 112 Now I praise you, brethren,
  that you remember me in all things and keep the
  traditions just as I delivered them to you.
• II Thessalonians 215 Therefore, brethren, stand
  fast and hold the traditions which you were
  taught, whether by word or our epistle.

15
FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP
16
When God is the source of the tradition it is
sinful to deny it.

• Ephesian 41-6 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of
  the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the
  calling with which you were called, 2 with all
  lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering,
  bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring
  to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
  peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just
  as you were called in one hope of your calling 5
  one Lord, one faith, one baptism 6 one God and
  Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
  and in you all.

17
Saving and sanctifying faith is based on the
truth

• Romans 1017 So then faith comes by hearing, and
  hearing by the word of God.

18
Only those who do His will are the Lords people!

• Matthew 721-23
• 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'
  shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
  does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many
  will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we
  not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in
  Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
  23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never
  knew you depart from Me, you who practice
  lawlessness!'

19
Our responsibility to these sincere, but lost,
religious people is not to accept them apart from
the truth but teach them the truth that they
might be saved.
20
Matthew 2818-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to
them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age."
Amen.
21
Mark 1615-16 15 And He said to them, "Go into
all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. 16 "He who believes and is baptized
will be saved but he who does not believe will
be condemned.
22
Conclusion

• There is a rapidly growing movement among some
  claiming to be the Lord's people who have decided
  that they need no scriptural authority for their
  religious practice. This movement involves not
  only the refusal to teach those involved in
  religious error the truth, but to actually unite
  with them in religious fellowship. This is
  something that the Lord's people may never do
  for"

23
II Corinthians 614-18 "Be not unequally yoked
with unbelievers for what fellowship have
righteousness and iniquity? or what communion
hath light with darkness? And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a
believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement
hath a temple of God with idols? For you are the
temple of the living God. As God has said "I
will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be
their God, and they shall be My people."
Therefore "Come out from among them and be
separate, says the Lord.
24
II Corinthians 614-18 Do not touch what is
unclean, and I will receive you." "I will be a
Father to you, and you shall be My sons and
daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Amos 33 Can two walk together, unless they are
agreed?