Topical Sermons                                                                                                          Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  Nehemiah 13:23-27

Their Children Spoke the Language of Ashdod

Intro.

1.  Almost 100 yrs. after the remnant returned from Babylonian exile, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (444 BC).

  a.  A separation between Israel & foreigners acknowledged – Neh. 9:2; 10:28-30.

  b.  About 12 yrs. passed (Neh. 5:14; 13:6) – Mingled with foreigners:  Growing carelessness toward religious duty, purity & separation from the evil around them:

2.  Their evil influence upon Judah was great: 

  a.  Temple forsaken (13:10-11; 10:37-39).

  b.  Sabbath profaned (13:15-18).

  c.  Married foreign (pagan) women (13:23-27).

  d.  Nehemiah cleansed Israel of everything pagan (foreign) – 13:30.

3.  Neh. 13:23-24 – Their children spoke the language of Ashdod but did not know their native tongue (language of Judah)!

4.  We are under same pressures & obligations the Jews were:

  a.  Separation is made (2 Cor. 5:17)

  b.  Influence of worldly people (Eph. 5:6-7, 11-12).

  c.  Destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

5.  1 Pet. 4:11 – Today, more & more Christians do not (cannot) speak as the oracles of God because of they have mingled with (fellowship with) those in moral/doctrinal error!!  Children will go farther than parents!

I.  FELLOWSHIP WITH ERROR SILENCES TRUTH – Neh. 13:24.

  -A Heart that Desires Unity in Doctrinal/Moral Diversity Will Not Speak the Whole Counsel of God – cf. Matt. 12:34 (Acts 20:27).

    1.  Influence/association with error silences truth – cf. Gal. 2:5, 13.

    2.  Ultimately, it causes a denial of Christ! – Matt. 26:69-70

II.  THE MODERN LANGUAGE OF ASHDOD.

  A.  “Men’s Retreats, Women’s Seminars, Youth Rallies.”

    1.  Individually & church-supported, advertised & endorsed.

    2.  Generally incl. registration fees, recreational activities, Bible study (illustrate).

    3.  Bible:  Acts 2:42-46 (Not communal living; no retreats, etc.).

      a.  Congregational worship – Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:17-20; 14:23.

      b.  Public & private Bible studies were held– Acts 18:26; 20:20.

    4.  If worship, why charge money?  (Isa. 55:1; Matt. 10:8) 

    5.  If recreation, why are churches involved?  (1 Cor. 11:22, 34)

  B.  “Fellowship Meals.”

    1.  Some define these as meals provided in a fellowship hall.

       -NT makes a separation between worship & meals – Acts 2:46; 20:7-12; 1 Cor. 11:20-22.

    2.  Some define these as the Lord’s Supper, properly eaten.

-“The Lord’s Supper is not only a fellowship meal (1 Cor. 10.16-17; 11.17-34), but is also a covenant meal not unlike the one we read about in Ex. 24.11).”  (R. Hohf, Biblical Perspectives on Fellowship Meals III)

 

-“And when I say a ‘meal,’ I mean a true meal, a supper in the fullest sense of the word.  As my daughter likes to say,  ‘It’s the Lord’s supper, not the Lord’s sample.’”  (Ibid., IV)

      a.  Communion with Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-17); Memorial (1 Cor. 11:24-25); Proclamation (1 Cor. 11:26).

      b.  Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20):  He decides what we eat & how!  When we eat the proper elements & remember His death, we satisfy His will!

      c.  When we add “celebration”; “full” meal – Adding human will.

  C.  “Fellowship Halls.”

    1.  Borrowed the social gospel from denominations.

    2.  “Fellowship” never applied to social events (meals) or places (halls)

    3.  Now, the use is commonplace!  (Gal. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:11)

  D.  “Things Have Changed Since Bible Times, You Know.”

    1.  What has changed:  Truth (1 Pet. 1:23)?  Sin (Rom. 3:23)? Need for Savior (Jer. 10:23)? Moral standards (Phil. 4:8)? Temptation (1 Jno. 2:15-16)?  God (Mal. 3:6)?  Satan (1 Pet. 5:8)?  Man (Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 1:9)?

    2.  Nothing of spiritual significance has changed!

    3.  We allow the world to change us instead of us changing the world! - Matt. 5:13-16 (salt & light)

III.  THE REMEDY FOR THE LANGUAGE OF ASHDOD?  STOP SPEAKING IT!

  A.  Examine & Conform to the Word of God – 13:1-2 (Col. 3:16).

    1.  This is really an issue of Bible authority (divine) – Col. 3:17.

    2.  God-given pattern – Heb. 8:5.

    3.  God-given pattern saves (Rom. 6:17); is in Christ (2 Tim. 1:13); to be followed (Phil. 3:17); carefully (1 Tim. 4:6).

  B.  Repent & Separate – 13:3 (9:2; 10:28; 13:27; cf. Ezra 10:10-11).

    1.  Must separate from error/sin – 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1.

      a.  Cleanse the impurities – cf. Neh. 13:30.

      b.  cf. Unscriptural remarriage (adultery) – Matt. 19:9 (Rom. 7:3).

    2.  No fellowship with error – Eph. 5:11; 2 Jno. 10-11.

    3.  Grace does not overlook/condone error! – Rom. 6:1-2 (Gal. 5:1-4)

Conclusion 

1.  Some suggest we should have more fellowship with those in error to provide an opportunity to teach & influence them for truth.

2.  Reality:  The influence of error corrupts good doctrine!  (Neh. 13:23-24; cf. 1 Cor. 15:33)

3.  Do not let the world or those in error to set the agenda for you – Be separate!