TEXT: 2 Cor. 6:1

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SALVATION INVOLVES A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD.

B.      IF BOTH PARTNERS ARE WORKING IT CANNOT FAIL.

C.      PAUL'S EFFORT TO PREACH IS DESCRIBED AS A PART OF THIS EFFORT.

D.      THREE PRINCIPLES ARE SUGGESTED BY THIS PHRASE.

I.      THERE IS WORK WE SHOULD BE DOING.

A.      SALVATION IS NOT PASSIVE( James 2:14, 24;  Phil. 2:12 ).

B.      MUST HAVE A "MIND TO WORK"( Neh. 4:6;  Titus 3:1 ).

C.      THE LORD'S WORK IS URGENT( Matt. 9:36-38;  John 9:4 ).

D.      WE MUST USE OUR TALENTS( Rom. 12:4-8 ).

E.      WE MUST GIVE IT OUR ALL( Ecc. 9:10 ).

II.     WE SHOULD WORK WITH GOD, NOT AGAINST HIM.

A.      WE ARE AT WAR( Eph. 6:12 ).

B.      NO NEUTRALITY( Matt. 12:30 ).

C.      THE WORLD IS AT VARIANCE WITH GOD( 1 John 2:15-17 ).

D.      GOD'S TRUTH WILL NOT ACCEPT COMPETITION( Col. 2:8 ).

          1.       Human doctrines destroy worship( Matt. 15:9 )

          2.       They destroy our relation to God( 2 John 9 ).

          3.       The truth will win in the end( Matt. 15:13-14 ).

Whose side are you on?

III.    WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER( 2 Cor. 6:1 ).

A.      PAUL USES HIMSELF AND APOLLOS( 1 Cor. 3:5-9 ).

B.      IN OUR WORK, WE WORK WITH THEM( 1 Cor. 3:10;  2 Tim. 2:2 ).

C.      A DIVIDED WORK FORCE FAILS( Matt. 12:25 ).

          1.       Joined together in mind( 1 Cor. 1:10 ).

          2.       Striving together in the same purpose and spirit( Phil. 1:27 ).

          3.       Functioning as one body( Rom. 12:4-5 ).

D.      WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN US TO HOLD US TOGETHER( Heb. 8:5 ).

          1.       The importance of a blueprint in building a house.

          2.       And in God's house?( 2 John 9;  Gal. 1:6-9 ).

To leave the pattern is to leave God!

CONCLUSION:

A.      ARE YOU WORKING WITH THE LORD OR AGAINST HIM?

B.      WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?  MASTER HERE AM I.