Separation

Romans 16:17-18 (NIV) I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

1 Cor 5:11 (NIV) But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV) In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

2 Tim 3:5 (NIV) having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

2 John 1:10-11 (NIV) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. 

HOWEVER.…. consider “The Great Commission“….

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

As Christians, we are not to isolate ourselves away from all peoples.  We are called to go forth to all peoples and spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.  However, who we associate with, our close companions, like Jesus who had the twelve disciples…. we are to associate with “like minded believers.”

Two Truths in Tension:

1. Be Separate from the World (in Character, Not in Presence)

• 2 Corinthians 6:17 – “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”

• James 4:4 – “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.”

• Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

 These verses teach that:

• We’re not to adopt the world’s values: pride, selfishness, greed, impurity.

• We’re to live holy lives—distinct in love, humility, and purity.

• Separation doesn’t mean isolation—it means sanctification (being set apart for God).

2. Go Into the World (in Mission, Not in Compromise)

• Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

• John 17:15-18 – Jesus prayed: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

• Mark 2:17 – “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 These verses teach that:

• We are sent to the very people who are lost in darkness.

• Jesus didn’t avoid sinners—He ate with them, healed them, loved them—but He never became like them.

• The church is not a fortress to hide in, but a launchpad to go from.

 How Do We Live Both? (Summary)

 1. Be in the world, but not of the world.

• Like a boat in water—it only sinks when the water gets in.

• We live among people, but we don’t let the world’s values define us.

 2. Live a holy life that shines.

• “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

• Holiness attracts, not repels, when it’s lived with love and humility.

3. Engage, don’t escape.

• Jesus went to the tax collectors, lepers, and sinners.

• Paul quoted pagan poets and spoke in marketplaces (Acts 17).

• We are called to build relationships.

 4. Guard your heart while reaching others.

• Jesus often withdrew to pray—His strength came from His connection to the Father.

• Accountability, prayer, and Scripture keep us grounded as we go out.

Final Thought:

We are called to be a holy presence in an unholy world, drawing people to Jesus not by being just like them, but by loving them while living differently.

Last edited 04.27.2025

Success: What is it?

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

Isaiah 45:7 (NIV) I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.

Gen 33:11 (NIV) Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Gen 49:24-26 (NIV) But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
25 because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.
26 Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

Joshua 1:7 (NIV) Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

 Gen 39:2-3 (NIV) The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did,

Prov 2:7-8 (NIV) He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Prov 16:20 (NIV) Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Job 22:23 (NIV) If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent

Deut 8:10-18 (NIV) When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,
13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,
14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.
16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Hosea 13:6 (NIV) When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.

Hosea 4:7 (NIV) The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.

• Who do you consider successful?  Why are they successful in your eyes?
• How does the world measure success?
• How does the way that the world measures success differ from how the Christian measures success?
• Recall names from the bible that were successful.
  • What led these people to success?
  • Were these people perfect?
  • Did they ever do anything wrong?
  • Would they have been successful in another role? Why?

Bible Verses on True Success

1. Joshua 1:8
   “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
   → Success comes from knowing and obeying God’s Word.

2. Matthew 6:33
   “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
   → Put God first, and He will take care of your needs.

3. Colossians 3:23-24
   “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… You are serving the Lord Christ.”
   → Work with excellence, not for applause, but for God’s glory.

4. Psalm 1:1-3
   “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord… Whatever they do prospers.”
   → Rooting yourself in God leads to a fruitful, enduring life.

5. Proverbs 3:5-6
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
   → Success comes from trusting God’s direction.

6. Mark 8:36
   “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
   → Earthly success means nothing without spiritual life.

7. Galatians 6:9
   “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
   → Perseverance in goodness leads to lasting reward.

8. 2 Timothy 4:7
   “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
   → The true measure of success is staying faithful to the end.

9. Micah 6:8
   “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good… To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
   → God defines success through justice, mercy, and humility.

10. Romans 12:2
    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
    → A renewed, godly mind helps us discern what is truly good and successful.