Rookie Mistakes Series: #4 Groundwork (Part A)

No matter what is going on in my life or your life whatever new temptations old trials.

Whatever is going on whether it is death, marriage, divorce, unemployment, debt, success, career sickness, mediocrity, whatever it is we are still called to continue steadfastly in these items we must endeavor to endure biblically, not in our own strength broken do that they can endure in their own strength.

We are to do according to the word of God. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Ricky is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville.

Pastor Rick is currently teaching through a series called rookie mistakes. Please stay with us after today's message here. More information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, and now here's Pastor Rick with a brand-new message called groundwork in the book of acts chapter 2. If you have your Bibles open to the book of acts chapter 2 we will read verses 40 through 43 and with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, be saved from this perverse generation than those who gladly received his word were baptized in that day about 3000 souls were added to them and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul with and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles, but Texas verse 42 that some of the background that belongs to what is going on it. It's Luke's summary on the how the first Christians conducted business as a spirit move through the apostles as the Holy Spirit added to the church as people were being saved and being baptized.

This is this is what they did, they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and in prayer. The title of consideration is groundwork for the title to any message should have something to do with the point that's trying to be made hopefully by God through his messenger, and whoever the messenger might be groundwork is something done at an early stage in any project making the latter work possible without the groundwork you just really can't go forward groundwork for the leaning Tower of Pisa or Visa. Sorry, was substandard was what is supposed to be. That's why it's leaning with our walk as Christians we like to believe that we have taken the time to do the groundwork that would not be substandard. That God could get out of us as much as he can get out of us truth, righteous companionship, intimacy with Christ dialogue with the throne of God. That's what acts 242 Was Telling Us Taking Pl. in the lives of those churchgoers. It is fundamental. The book of acts is fundamental. It's a book that's passed by I think by a lot of folks. Unfortunately, they read the Gospels and I don't know where they go after the someone once asked me in the workplace. What happened after it was around the Resurrection Sunday with the world, called Easter, someone asked me is what happened after Jesus rose from the dead subsequently had you asked that question was what Christians would ask that question. We have an entire book that opens that up for us is called the acts of the apostles or you can say the actions of the Holy Spirit will get to the first words of that as we move through consideration. But the book is basic to our faith. It says this is what the church the first Christians did this is what the church is supposed to be here as your template. It is basic. It is the groundwork get that groundwork in place so that all that comes later. Through the epistles, the precepts of the New Testament church can be better developed. Therefore, it is a rookie mistake to miss out on the apostles steadfastly on the apostles doctrine there fellowship. The breaking of bread in their prayer as our text tells us some practice, some of that throughout Christianity, but we all need to practice all of it went were not to cherry pick the verses off. I like the doctrine part but I don't like the people part the fellowship part but I like to pray when I don't like to read the doctrine in the Scriptures you can fragment such a meaningful passage in Scripture.

The entire New Testament places high value on these features and we know that because all you have to do is read to the epistles to find out they are upheld steadfastly. That means continuing no matter what the push through regardless of was pushing against us and things are going to push against us, not question their vague in this verse and they continued. Of course the apostles of Jesus Christ to handpick men. There were 12 in the beginning, then the number was reduced to 11 and then the number was boosted back up to 12 again. It was boosted up to 12 through the apostles, but was also or it was boosted through Christ himself and the appointment of Paul the apostle what we believe about Jesus Christ comes through these men really does not come from anywhere else.

If we had just the Old Testament we would not know what we know as we know it as believers and we don't want to point that out from the Scripture. Now that does not mean that the Old Testament is obsolete or inadequate or of no use was lesser, the word of God is not mean any event, it is only the word of God, but it does not have in it the fulfillment as the New Testament does certainly has the prophecies well. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. What we know about Christ is built upon the word of the apostles.

Jesus said this about them in his prayer in John 17. I have manifested your name is speaking to the father to the men whom you have given me out of the world they were yours. You gave them to me and they have kept your word that the Old Testament is that included and they have kept your word continues right given to them the words which you have given me.

They have received them and have known Shirley that I came forth from you and they have believed that you sent me that that in contrast to so many who did not believe who had the same materials available in the same experiences available at the time the Pharisees and Sadducees and others. They saw the miracles they knew the Scriptures they just just discarded words.

These uneducated men them in comparison, not with a formal education that is they believed that's true to this day there are people with formal education and without formal education, receiving Christ Jesus continues even further in his prayer in John 17 says I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word that is magnificent. That is incredible what did they think when they first came across those words of Jesus that so many others would believe because of the work he invested in them. What strikes me about this text. They continued steadfastly will that strikes me first what would happen if they discontinued what would happen if any believer discontinues to believe you cringe at the thought of that saccade for bed failed to continue and what these men taught in the spirit through Christ ordained by Christ to do just this thing failed to continue and you will find that the devil does not fail to continue. You will find your own flesh will cannibalize you spiritually, you will find that the world will continue to tempt you and try you and attack you.

Nonetheless, our response is to continue otherwise evil goes on unchecked, we are not, then the salt of the earth. So if we stop in these continue attacking our faith then becomes useless.

No Christian wants that no Christian should tremble at that because we should be too busy focused on continuing steadfastly.

That should take up a lot of our time by itself. Now the continuing steadfastly, not just continuing in believe, but in the things he's going to let us list for the itemizes for features that are pillars of cornerstones for us. They are foundational they are. The groundwork these four words, they they encompass our faith.

Where would we be without the Scripture, where would we be if we couldn't pray to God what would happen if you got an easier divorce from heaven to shut up. Where would we be if we couldn't get together with each other. Some of those countries that are out there forcing believers to meet in the underground church because those believers find is so critical to be together, it will enrich their lives and their freedom to fellowship and yet you have Herman isolated Christians in other countries with a free to assemble at is the work of the devil. We have to be careful about that Satan is relentless in his attacks. Just when you think you've machine-gunned down all his assaults new things pop up bigger things come up. Great the day I leave the bazooka in the car.

Here he comes with a tank no matter what is going on in my life or your life whatever new temptations old trials. Whatever is going on whether it is death, marriage, divorce, unemployment, debt, success, career sickness, mediocrity, whatever it is we are still call to continue steadfastly in these items we must endeavor to endure biblically, not in our own strength broken do that they can endure in their own strength. We are to do according to the word of God. This one verse from acts sets up the entire new pace for the remainder of the New Testament church and individual believer acts chapter 1 is a beautiful beginning to this book. Acts chapter 1 the former account I made all Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do do and to teach of all that he started.

He has entrusted with his apostles to finish by entrusting other believers to continue and then he says, until the day in which he was taken up after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandment to the apostles whom he had chosen this was a commandment of the boys is a good idea that you continue the things I noticed as a commandment to. There was no way getting away from this they didn't want to get away from Matthew 28 Jesus said, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. What I'm trying to establish is a great authority of the apostles doctrine and their fellowship and their breaking of bread and prayer. This template is serious business. It is sort of the many 10 Commandments for us and it is passed by, largely because many churches I think are afraid of the emotional spirit led experiences in this book. Well, that's another lesson for another time. Let's again look at the list first doctrine time spent in truth truth about God. Of course truth from God to man the word of God that the doctrine it is almost impossible to over emphasize the importance of the apostles doctrine taken away and you have occult John in his second letter away temerity for John so weak I can quote that in the second letter whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine you could say in truth in the work of God in the theology. Whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God that's pretty serious straightforward. He continues evil abides in the doctrine of Christ as both the father and the son will move that's made that should be you. He says if anyone comes, you will does not bring this doctrine do not receive him into your house, nor greet him, for he agree some shares in his evil deeds.

John is just, you know what you think does not seek a family. Too bad, is the fact hell is not seeker friendly.

You want to be friendly to seekers you tell them the truth, thinking of lies and garbage elsewhere. You give them the truth of Jesus Christ. In the early days will get to this at the end of the session. Also in early days, churches could not meet in buildings like we meet now.

They met in whole and in John says just stop those guys at the door. They show up. Not believing what we've been preaching to you. You will let them pass the door. Nevermind that shake hands. Have a nice day stuck with them telling beget gone. Your populating hell that is pretty fierce business. What it would've here you are, you know you trying to do your yardwork in the Jehovah witnesses sure little tiny car 12 up and get out there all walking towards you to have some fun now. On one hand they lost souls in darkness. We want to reach him well. If you are equipped to deal with them do the deal with them, but if you're not you chasing away most of us are not. Most of you, I should say or not. As I mentioned before I get the wave and that bazooka around they get off my property, real quick. We want to reach them, but this is the reality it's not a game.

It's not that easy.

They are in darkness, and they do not want to come out of it and if you're not careful, they will suck you in.

So you better know what you're doing would you chase them away and don't feel obligated to grin and smile and be there buddy. I mentioned last week, the worse always supposed to be polite. What I should've put an asterisk next to that, except when were face-to-face with heretics.

We do not have to be polite and we cannot be violent, but we do not have to. And this is what John is saying you greet him you sharing you because you are you are saying you know really is not that big of a deal that they're lying to people and sending them to a in eternal hell we are saying it is a very big deal and the spirit will help us sort of that sort that out because I'm often tell what if you know you know there there there are some adjustments to this because you could be in the workplace. Working with someone like this new search features can be, you know you going to work good morning Mr. Gaston shut up you heretic you you can't do that kind of stuff and be successful. So you have to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. Well anyway I saw when I wanted want to stay on that settled you was ready for second job, but for John's epistles, our views of God, what are they formed by Scripture.

What what house I'm in there. Others experience to come to that in a minute but it does is what the Scripture says that forms our theology out doctrine. Our instruction concerning God comes from the Bible our God formed theology will act as a shield. When we are greatly perplexed.

Now I cannot go use Job as an example, when Job says I know my Redeemer lives when Joe said, though he slay me. I trust him what he was saying is I hate my experience. I don't know what's going on. I want out of this junk I don't know what God is done this. He set me up as a target for spoils my success. He breaks me in my neck. He runs at me like it's all these fires arrows into me. That's what Job said. What is theology. His understanding of who God was allowed him to not reject God and slip into blasphemy and so he says I know my Redeemer lives, and I shall see him as if I could just get face-to-face with God. Things would be different because I know he would have mercy on me.

See his theology protected him from his experience when you're perplexed. I don't know what God is doing. I don't know why he's allowing this or that. What do you do in your default to the Scripture. But I know we he is good. I know he is merciful. I know he has eternity under his control, and though I walk to the valley of the shadow and death of death, even if I die should fear no evil, for he is with me as you theology that get you through that is bad theology.

God hates you, doesn't love you want to destroy you. Well, that's not shield at the sword against you, and that is that does not belong to our faith. Paul said this when he was going through hard times is that we are hard pressed on every side is being crushed, yet not crushed us what he says is being crushed, yet not crushed. We are perplexed, not in despair, why, why you confuse the great apostle Paul. You've seen Jesus Christ face-to-face.

You've done miracles you see miracles why are you perplexed and not in despair's theology is doctrine. What he believed the truth, instructed to him through the Holy Spirit is is persecuted, but not forsaken, looking at the little pain I'm already got my finger on the forsaken button. Where are you. What if is no help if you're watching me suffer.

I need you to stop me from suffering and when you come through it, hell is defeated in you in Christ are exalted. He continues Paul does to this to the Corinthians he says persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. Satan can't finish them off, always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body that others can see that this person has picked up their cross and carried it barely that this person has said Jesus must increase when you see me, and I must decrease. When you see me that order take up a lot of your time and mine to try to get you to do it. That would be self-righteous is our time in Christ. So there there's a correlation between instruction and rest from the Lord. Most of you know, this verse and probably all of you will enjoy it when you hear the says Yahweh stand in the ways and see and asked for the old paths with a good way is and walking it and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 616. Stand in the Scriptures that go back all the way back to the days of Moses telling us the story even to the beginning stand there and says you'll find rest for your souls. They responded the audience of Jeremiah and he writes that he says for you will find rest for your souls. But they said we will not walk in it. We say we will continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, which is also the doctrine of the Old Testament. It includes develops it and includes so we agree with you but will Jeremiah. The other correlation between instruction and rest which a lot of Christians all seem to goodbye get too sadistic. They what they want that emotional experience. They never get the word and then they always just excited and making promises that are inaccurate on can be Matthew chapter 11. Take my yoke upon you learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

That's what Jeremiah just said Jeremiah as a stand in the always you'll find rest for your souls. Jesus had come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, take my yoke upon you learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. How how did Job find what is your Job going to the whole mess he still was attached to God and where is he now. The apostles doctrine goes beyond the Old Testament prophets, but never without them and it's good for us to learn that because many behave in the church as though that's not true.

The Old Testament tells them to do everything in the New Testament tells them nothing and then you left with the legalist self righteous judge mental individual that is not free and graced, and can lead no one to Christ by his love, Paul wrote to the Corinthians. He said the goodness of God leads to repentance. When God tells me you know what it is nothing about you. All your writers that I should accept I love you anyway if you will just come to me you will be mine, and I will be yours.

It will be a mutual love. Ephesians chapter 3 buses, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men talk about the days of the prophet the details concerning Christ is is as it has been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. We talked about this in Peter Peter saying they they spoke of things they look into whether they could not see the fullness of it like we did when we start first. Johnny John will start off saying the one whom we were with we touched we saw with our eyes, this is the one word of life that we want to tell you about Matthew 28. Again, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. He supersedes Moses in Isaiah. He doesn't throw them out. He just says I am overall of them what they said.

Plus what I said over what they said going to understand what Isaiah men Isaiah 53 you look at the prosecutor described nobody can explain and without that he was wounded for our transgressions, rouses chastisement for our peace was upon him by his stripes we are made whole and so many other Old Testament verses you can apply to no human being except Christ who we're glad you joined us today to learn how to avoid some rookie mistakes in the fifth. Pastor Rick will have more to share.

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