Let Us Build With You.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of building with God while avoiding the subtle temptations of worldly partnerships that compromise our faith.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Church by rejecting the world's attempts to join in its work without true submission to Christ. He warns against the subtle temptation of accepting help from those who do not share the same faith, as their intentions may ultimately hinder God's work. Meyer highlights the necessity of being vigilant against unequal yokes, urging believers to cleanse themselves from unrighteousness and to remain steadfast in their commitment to God. The sermon calls for discernment in partnerships, reminding us that true aid comes from those who are aligned with God's purposes.
Text
Let us build with you. Ezra iv. 2.
AT first the world does its best to intimidate the Church; then it asks to be permitted to join with it. A most subtle temptation this. The child of God is greatly inclined to yield; the proposal seems so harmless, and so likely to be a means of blessing to the poor, hungry, weary world. But there is only one condition on which the world may be admitted; it must yield a true and humble submission to the cross, and be willing to give up all for Jesus ‑‑ conditions which the world will not consider for a moment; and so its heart is filled with bitterness and gall, and it sets itself to hinder where it had professed willingness to help.
There are five things of which we are expressly bidden to beware ‑‑ they are five phases of an unequal yoke: fellowship with unrighteousness; communion with darkness; concord with Belial; part with an unbeliever; agreement with idols. Let us beware of these things, and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. There may seem to be great loss and needless sacrifice in dispensing with the help of Rehum and Shimshai; but if once we accepted their help, we should discover to our cost that they were adversaries still, and that their only desire was to retard our efforts.
We sometimes shrink from some great undertaking for God, and are inclined to accept the proffered aid of wealthy but ungodly men. But their help may be purchased by the cost of all that makes our work worth doing. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?"
"Yea, with one mouth, 0 world, though thou deniest
Stand thou on that side, for on this am I."
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Introduction to the theme of building with God
- The world's initial intimidation of the Church
- The subtle temptation of the world seeking partnership
-
II
- The conditions for the world's admission
- The world's unwillingness to submit to the cross
- The consequences of accepting worldly help
-
III
- The five things to beware of in unequal yokes
- The dangers of fellowship with unrighteousness
- The importance of cleansing ourselves from filthiness
-
IV
- The temptation to accept aid from ungodly sources
- The cost of compromising our mission
- The call to stand firm in righteousness
Key Quotes
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” — F.B. Meyer
“There may seem to be great loss and needless sacrifice in dispensing with the help of Rehum and Shimshai; but if once we accepted their help, we should discover to our cost that they were adversaries still.” — F.B. Meyer
“Yea, with one mouth, 0 world, though thou deniest, Stand thou on that side, for on this am I.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Evaluate all partnerships to ensure they align with your Christian values.
- Stand firm in your mission, even if it means rejecting seemingly helpful offers from the world.
- Commit to a life of integrity by cleansing yourself from influences that lead away from righteousness.