Against Corruptors (Part A)

The second reason I praise you because I know I need to pray this. I know what happens when I harden up against God, who has prospered it hard who has hardened himself and prospered. Who has hardened himself against the Lord and prospered and perhaps the strongest vital no bedroom what's happening with the third reason that I pray this because God commands meet.

That means duty.

I pray from desire. I pray from need and I pray from duty. This is cross-referenced with our pastor and teacher. Rick asked Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of first John, please stay with us after today's message here. More information about cross-referenced specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, but for now let's join Pastor Rick in the book of first John chapter 5 as he begins his message against corrupters first John chapter 5, beginning in verse 14. Now this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us and if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death. He will ask and he will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death.

I do not say that he should pray about that all unrighteousness is sin and there is sin not leading to death. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin, but he who has been born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God in the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one, and we know that the son of God has come and has given us understanding that we may know him who is true we are in him who is true in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life, little children, keep yourselves from idols. A man against corrupters that's the title for this consideration.

This is a very difficult letter to teach from.

It is hard to read but it's harder to teach from.

And this is a particularly challenging section of Scripture and the only way to get through it is to be reminded that John is dealing with the gnostic heresy. His audience understands that this was something and they had the apostles and the disciples had been preaching against and we have this one letter addressing it, and he is going against these corrupters in this last section he will. He speaks of prayer of sin and salvation of Satan of the world and its idolatry and these of the things that the destructive heresies of the Gnostics as a vehicle of Satan were attacking in the churches in the society and John is counterattacking and he's not letting up. He's been attacking them all the way through and as a just mentioned these Gnostics and their heresy. Some of them came out of the churches in the were targeting the Christians that were still in the churches. Why do people do that when they leave the church in a trust to go after those who still believe in John saw them as demonically energized antichrist. That's how he saw them the dampers of souls, and he's not playing around with we ought to keep that in mind as he is going against corrupters so we do to the next time you see the Jehovah's Witnesses going through your neighborhood. You understand what John is dealing with his writing is an emphasis center for that false goddess Diana. They were fanatical about her. They did not appreciate the Christians coming along, telling them that this was idolatry that was useless. We look now in verse 14. Now this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us and what he says now this is the confidence that we have in him, that go that's attached to the previous verse, verse 13 where he says these things I've written to you that you could be assured of your salvation. Christians are not supposed to be tossed to and fro. And I say no and I say this is true is that true, we are supposed to understand the fundamentals of our faith are not complicated supposed to lock onto them and never let them go. John is saying that you not assured because these Gnostics been messing with your head but you are in Christ and the confidence we have in him this Wheaties good just continuing to roll roll along the network confident players translated elsewhere as boldness and accurately solve. This is the boldness that we have were not timid about our salvation. We boldly and reverently go into the presence of Christ and pray and speak to him. We asked for the spirit and is leading his power to do the work of the king for ministry. The work of ministry. That's what we're here for, primarily the other other things too but that is the one. A lot of Christians bury their talents because they don't want to suffer what it takes to use those talents by God.

The apostles did not bury their talents spiritual truth is exclusive to believers of Jesus Christ.

Scoffers insisted God has no right to set those terms.

Scoffers insisted on all the religions are fine at Satan speaking to the methods antichrist position prices know I am the way, I am the truth I am the life that is no other way into heaven, he continues in verse 14 that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us will cost of according to his will is crucial.

Foundational. You cannot expect to before God to answer a prayer that is contrary to his will or you cannot ask God to help you rob a bank.

You can ask just unexpected to be God who helps you to get help, didn't come from heaven to very plain statement that speaks of the omniscience of God.

The God knows everything he has everybody spread everybody praying at the same time you pick out each one. He singled out he can separate them. He can do that call being God. The laughable when the New Age is that they are evolving into the state of divinity exhibits a choke. Psalmist writes in Psalm 60 50 you who hear prayer God hears it all.

God is too big to not tear. He cares just that we of course we're in the hot seat of life.

We think that care means that we should be insulated. We should be wrapped in bubble wrap so nothing can harm us.

Let's open that up a little bit because John knew this very well. He never forgot that his brother, his beloved brother was the first of the apostles to be slaughtered the hands of this vicious world.

The name of religion. Prayer is regulated by God's perfect knowledge. There are boundaries put on it and I just asked for anything and expect to get it. You cannot just demand that God gives you what you want because you think it's what is needed, we can ask is can't demand. Matthew 26 verse 30 90. My father this is of course the Lord. Praying right before they arrested him. If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will see prayer is regulated by God, who would know who else would you want to have regulate prayer but God we trust him, praying along the line of God's will can mean your death is what it meant for Christ. They give gifts that many, this cup can pass them. Okay then, let me have it. That is what happened.

I spent my life and I think all Christians are supposed to. The ideal is to get what I want to be lined up with what God wants.

Not getting him to line up with me but me to line up with him.

I think this is the quest of the spiritual man to be in Christ minded like-minded with Christ Christlike soul versus the on Christ like life and that is where the war is it is hand-to-hand combat is spiritual man to carnal man combat within and without the half believing church and the unbelieving world outside of Christ, they are comfortable with Christ unlikeness Christ likeness kind of discourse, but so far with them.

We wanted all true believers one at all and I Lord is constantly calling us to his level. While blessing us on our level. But he doesn't let up because I know you can't be perfect.

I know that.

So don't try anything never does that keeps the bar high.

Keep going for it. Falling short is no reason to quit so reason to give up because your prayers worn and torn answers no reason to give up because what you thought was going to happen did not happen is no reason to give up what is a reason to quit. None. Because faith has seen the risen Lord and it cannot un-see him and that makes everything worth going forward with. That's why Peter according to history was still talking talk as they would killing him. I am not worthy says the historian Peter's words to be crucified like my Lord. So they flip them upside down and let them die that way. Peter never gave up that his wife was crucified with him. Verse 15 and if we know he hears us whenever we asked.

We know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him. We know that we asked for salvation. If we come to Christ, and we say Lord I give my life to you. I want you to be my Lord and Savior. There is zero doubt of that is a genuine confession you are going to receive the answer that prayer. Real one checked off the box that's one we know is God's will and that's one we know that we can ask him in the authority of his promises and receive it. This assurance is granted to those within his will we. So how do I know what God's will is the precise will so many times asked for good things.

It does happen spirit, the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit will come along and say I know you asked for. That does not what I'm doing right now you have to be born again to get to that place, that is sin itself reassuring God commits himself and confirms himself in his way and we have to be careful that we do not lay out terms for God okay for not going to answer my will then do this you we taught Gideon Hancock before the Holy Spirit was given on behalf of the preaching Christ as Messiah.

Gideon was okay if you with me on this if you would me on that. He still struggled so I know it's not a perfect approach because of the flesh. Unanswered prayer is no reason to stop following and it is no reason to stop flowing in prayer towards God. Greater reasons to persevere, then ants unanswered prayer. Prayer is not granted is that undo the crucifixion and resurrection creation of Christ, of course not. Otherwise, our faith would be conditioned upon being granted. I will follow you if you grant these prayers. So we enjoy answered prayer, but we have to face on granted prayer to that is maturity that is being faithful as one who needs faith that you get everything you want. I pray for primarily three reasons.

One, I want to since I been Christ. I want to pray it will and I am big states of dejection.

I want to pray and even when I am solo of courage and heart just annoyed and disgusted. I still value prayer. I know that in an instant matter how bad I feel I can prate instantly to the throne of God. That is, to God himself.

The second reason I praise you because I know I need to pray. I know this. I know what happens when I harden up against God who is prospered and hard.

Who has hardened himself and prospered. Who has hardened himself against the Lord and prospered and perhaps the strongest final no pendulum. What's happening with the third reason that I pray is because God commands me to.

That means duty.

I pray from desire. I pray from need and I pray from duty duty is doing what you know you're supposed to do regardless of how you feel, regardless of the outcome you pray. It is your duty to do so. It mocks Hell you the hell is exciting you think this 3G is he's a jolly good fellow for you.

When you praying anything there intensifying their attack you like, you know, of the machine gun if you let it be taken out and caused too much damage. Chuck Yeager, one of America's greatest pilots he's talking about when he was flying in World War II. All these fighter missions how they's he would make. They would make no friends with each other. The other pilots because they would die would just be too painful. So they didn't get close. They stay professional and that's about it and he says you can't let your emotions affect what you're doing whatsoever. Duty enters into the picture. More than anything else. You know you have to do the job and you don't worry about the outcome. Okay so this is a principal of the most dramatic experience amongst humans which is war combat. If this is a principal for victory which it is and he was a fighter.

Racy shutdown is ace and one that shot down five enemy planes in one day be so intimidated.

One that it flew into another one took out two just like that of firing a shot right opponent as he understands this principle doesn't belong to him. It is a principal that is in creation. We are supposed to grant these kind of principles and apply them as Christians was that's right that's in the Scripture, not in those words but the fact is part throughout the Job say he slays me trust him, though he slay this my duty. I will be at my post and we must not dismiss such gallant ambitions. Regardless of how far short, we may fall. Verse 16 he says if anyone sees his brother sinning the sin which does not lead to death. He will ask and he will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.

There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. If anyone beginning of verse 16 sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death will say that three times that speed drive that point home is again to deal with these gnostics come along with all this junk about sin doesn't exist doesn't matter and stuff like that and just.

It is the Holy Spirit really is justice esoteric experience is the sins committed by believer. If you see her brother sinning refers to general sin from which Christian should repent, we commit an act of sin is approved as a Christian we repent we hate that we've done that. Lord, I'm sorry. I don't want to do that.

Romans five but where sin abounded, grace did much more. That's what John saying here. Galatians 61 brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass overtaken you're trying to get away your horsey running what the other guys horses faster and he's coming upon you need a lance pointed at your back and even overtake you, if a man is overtaken. Galatians 61 in any trespass, any trespass, Christian fines and so we doesn't belong you who are spiritual pulses, restore such a one in spirit of gentleness, considering his selfless you also be tempted. What a profound speech for each and every Christian you want to be a part of the solution and restoring individually. It was okay. God's forgiven you miserable disgusting fool. Could you been. But to do that by your forgiven test of spirit, gentleness, brethren, if any man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tripped up, maybe not with the identical single one just as potent or worse with the moral doctrinal some kind of fall is envisioned here by John and he says you brothers in Christ is not stumbled, you help the one that has stumbled you pray for him. You know God's hearing your prayer. He continues to says in verse 16 he will ask and he will give him life of those who commit sin not leading to death will ask on behalf of the other will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. Your prayers will be effective, not the other person is struggling with the sin is done care if their will as I I'm I'm not going to fix this. I don't care about it than these debts in the becomes apostate, backside upon apostate is impenitent.

That's in your present will help but like I want to break this to prayers for the other believers. Restoration to help others overcome sin in their lives struggles in the flesh versus rejection of Christ as the sender that the rejection of Christ not to slant the sin to stumble. You know I belied I cheated.

I stole something, those can be forgiven and so he says there is sin leading to death that that sin if you finalize this life. That way you're done and that we need open up a little bit, though some see this as a judgment on believers who are sinning and you don't get it fixed and eventually God lets them die like us afire and Ananias were those in Corinth who were not taking the communion tape table seriously and is a judgment fall on them for that.

I don't agree with that position. I don't think that's right. I mean if that were the case we'd see a lot of Christians dropping dead so I am not again if you if you like that that that's your thing, I'm not going to jam on jam my interpretation and understanding of this verse down your throat and lungs. You don't do it to me would be will get along well, but the practice of Gnosticism again is what he's dealing with and that is a sin unto death. They had left the church. Many of them John Dell. They were all of us.

They got out here with that, Joachim. I eventually God is not our stuff, and then again they were trying to influence believers in anybody else in his John is saying that sin leads to death is only one sin that leads to death, maternal death.

He's been talking about eternal life in 513 and then again he goes on, we know that he hears us. You know Roa rose arbor 414 we have this confidence is eternal life quality of eternity that is glorious versus eternal damnation, which is equality of continued existence without peace without joy.

So he's dealing with eternal matters. And so when he says there is a sin leading to death. There's only one that leads to death, eternal death, and that is the rejection of the gospel that Christ's death is meaningless to me.

Somebody else can still get to heaven around that when Jesus said if it is possible that this cup should pass.

He was say there's another will have salvation. Let's go that route. There is no other way of salvation. Nevertheless, not my will but your will. It was a sermon to us. That's why those words are preserved up on.

The only reason why there is a big reason why it's not possible to get to the father. For this reason he can't. He came to be crucified for sinners.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Final rejection of Christ as a Savior is sins final deathblow, Matthew chapter 12 verse 32.

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age of the age to come. So if you have not. If you rejected Christ in this life you not forgiven.

They just said that in this age of the women come and if you go to your grave that way selling allow you know you are a good person come in your done. The severity of the gospel was waitresses died for there was any other way will go to the stake would be burned alive for Jesus Christ. If there was some other way, how is the spirit blasphemed. Listen to this is words of Jesus concerning the Holy Spirit, whose work is to bring us to Christ, not his only work John 16 eight and when he has come that is the Holy Spirit, he will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they do not believe in me. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference cross reference is a ministry pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia. If you'd like to learn more about this ministry, we invite you to visit our website cross reference.com find a number of teachings from Pastor Rick available there. We also encourage you to subscribe to our podcast you subscribe will be notified of new editions of cross reference. Just search for cross reference iTunes Google play music or your favorite podcast apps.

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