“Them that are without”

Eph.2:8-13

     This passage talks of two groups of people: those who are in Christ Jesus, saved and those who are without Christ, without hope, and without God in the world, lost. In this lesson we want to explore our responsibilities as Christians to “them that are without”. Look at verse 12, at one time “ye were without…” and in verse 13, “but now in…” We have changed from being without to being in.

That is God’s will for everyone. [1 Tim.2:4] [2 Pet.3:9] [1 Cor.5:13] The context is judging the fornication that was going on in the church at Corinth. Paul told them that they should get that guy out of the church. But look what he said about “them that are without”, “God judgeth”. Hell is real and real people go there. We should never be comfortable with that fact.

Our responsibility to “them that are without”, These are not suggestions!!!!!

1. “Walk honestly toward them that are without” [1 Thes.4:7-12]

A character trait that people really notice, honesty. He shows us some components of honesty:

Verse 11, study to be quiet, mentioned again in [2  Thes.3:12], too much talk [James 5:12], knowledge and understanding are expressed in quietness [Prov.17:27-28]

“do your own business”, [2Thes. 3:11] busybody, [1Pet.4:15] look at the company they keep.

“work with your own hands”, a honest days work. [1Thes.2:9, Acts 18:3] Paul worked. [2Thes.3:7-12] no work – no eat, [ Eph.4:28] work so you can help others.

The Result: “that ye have lack of nothing”

2. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without” [Col.4:5-6]

“redeeming the time”, it is tied to wisdom {Eph.5:15-16]

“Let your speech be always with grace”

“seasoned with salt”

They don’t care how much you know, till they know how much you care,

The Result:“That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man

”, ready always [1Pet.3:15], fools [Pov.26:4-5], heretics [Titus 3:10]

3. “…must have a good report of them that are without” [1 Tim.3:7]

This good report is your testimony. [1Thes.5:22] people are watching.

Clean up your own house first [Matt.7:1-5]

“lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” The Result of a bad testimony.

Honesty, wisdom, and a good testimony are our responsibility to “them that are without”.