"BE NOT PARTAKER OF OTHER MEN'S SINS" (KJV)
"DO NOT SHARE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS" (NKJV)
1 Tim. 5:22
By David J. Riggs
(Note: A portion of this sermon is from Hiram Hutto)
Intro.
A. Sin is like leaven and leprosy. It spreads and brings calamity
to all who participate.
1. Sin is blinding and deceitful in its nature. Heb. 3:13
2. Satan has many devices to deceive us. 2 Cor. 11:3; 2:11
B. Let's look at some ways in which we can share in another's
sins.
I. COMMIT A SIN TOGETHER.
A. Annanias and Sapphira agreed with each other in their sin.
Acts 5:7-9
1. Others will try to persuade us to sin. Prov. 1:10-19
B. This world is full of sinners, and we must be careful to not be
partakers with them. Eph. 5:3-7
II. COMMIT THE SAME SIN SEPARATELY.
A. Jeroboam caused Israel to sin. 1 Kings 12:28-30
1. A common expression, "they continued in the sin of
Jerobaom, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."
2. Consider the Samaritans, who, about 1,000 years later,
were still following the sin of Jeroboam. John 4:20-22
B. Acts 7:51 - "...As your fathers did, so do you."
1. In Matt. 23:29-31, Jesus showed that it was not good to
claim sonship to those who killed the prophets.
2. The "early church fathers" should be labeled, "early
church apostates."
III. DON'T ACTUALLY COMMIT THE SIN, BUT CONSENT WITH THOSE WHO DO.
A. Saul of Tarsus gave consent to Stephen's death. Acts 7:57-58;
8:1; 22:20
B. Some may not actually be engaged in a particular evil, yet
they endorse those who do it.
1. Ex. "Conservative" church recognizing "Liberal" ones. 2
John 10-11
2. Another example: some don't drink, but argue for it in
doubt. Ex. twisting 1 Tim. 5:23
a. This does much harm to those who are having a real
problem with it.
b. Grape juice works good for a nervous stomach.
IV. KNOW ANOTHER'S GUILT, BUT FAIL TO REBUKE AND EXPOSE.
A. All that is needed for evil to prosper is for good people to do
nothing.
1. Ezekial's responsibility. Ezek. 3:17-21
2. Eli's responsibility. 1 Sam. 3:13; 2:17, 22
B. Many Christians know that error is being taught, but keep
quiet. Eph. 5:11
1. They often see things that are sinful, but never rebuke. 1
Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2
C. Churches refuse to withdraw from the disorderly. 1 Cor. 5; 2
Thess. 3:6
V. BY EXAMPLE AND INFLUENCE.
A. Some people encourage the wicked. Ezek. 13:22
1. Wives sometimes encourage their husbands to do wrong.
Amos 4:1-3
B. It is very easy, because it is human nature, to defend a loved
one. However, if that loved one is guilty of sin, we dare not
condone them in it.
1. It is easy to assume that my son or daughter has been
falsely accused.
C. My association with one may cause him to continue in his sin.
1. If I associate with one after he has been withdrawn from,
I condone his sin. 1 Cor. 5:11
VI. BY ENDORSING THE WRONG KIND OF LEADERS. Jer.
23:14
A. There is a good possibility that the context of our text (1
Tim. 5:17-22) has specific reference to the appointment of men
to be elders who don't deserve such.
B. Many lack courage to stand up to sinful leaders.
1. What if I had sided with Diotrephes? 3 John 9-10
VII. TEACHING OR SUPPORTING THE DOCTRINES THAT COME FROM MEN.
A. If someone who lived years ago, from his own devising, taught
a false doctrine and I begin to teach it, I am partaking in
his sin.
1. It is not good to visit other churches (denominational,
liberal, etc.), unless we are teaching someone; otherwise,
we might give the impression that we condone what they
are doing.
B. It is wrong to financially support error.
1. It is wrong to give clothes to the salvation army.
2. It is wrong to become a member of the ministerial
association. Such organization requires a payment of
dues.
VIII. REMEMBER, THERE IS A FLIP SIDE TO THIS PRINCIPLE.
A. In other words, "be not partakers with the wicked," but "be
partakers with the righteous." Matt. 10:40-42; Phil. 1:3-7;
4:15-16
Concl.
A. Both those who sin, and those who are partakers with them,
will suffer damnation unless they repent.
B. Let us not be partakers of other people's sins, but rather let
us continue in the way of righteousness.