Rookie Mistakes Series: #3 Purity Before Peace (Part B)

And people that are afflicted and corrected by all the recipients of grace. What a stiff neck must be humble in order to be saved or they suffer judgment. Truth hurts conviction hurts that the were to convict your guilty hurts. What is the solution Romans chapter 8 for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick 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 today. Pastor Rick continues his message called peace before purity in James chapter 3 poles, pulling skies up with them and they didn't even know if force them to rethink everything.

That's what the preacher does you come to church. He brings out the word of God, and he forces by sharing truth is truth demands a decision truth confronts us and and Paul, of course, the master at doing that simply because he kept purity ahead of peace.

All of his ministry, so hypocrisy for the sake of peace, amateur amateur rookie mistake. Don't do it.

And yet I know in this church. There have been many over the years that have made this very mistake when you reach them. Pastor and we don't compromise. Hopefully I'll get to some of that moment. Our Lord, our Christ in you, not just incidentally, I never really comfortable with referring to him as just Jesus. He is the Lord Jesus is the Christ mean I'm not playing that on you that you have to do it my way by just notice that over the years. He's more than just Jesus help anyway when he dined with a tax collector and outcast, even it did not compromise with him, nor did he slam him. He just remained pure in his presence. So much so that over dinner. The K is converted submitted to the Christ repented and conform to the Lord reshaping his own life. He kept our Lord did purity in the forefront entire life of our Lord is characterized by purity. That's we love them so you read them in the gospel is yes. This is one person that has it together. You know we've we find heroes as people go in our lives people.

We look up to and admire.

And that's good. We need them younger Christians. You should have such people in your life that you can look up to as I want to be like Batman or I want to be like that woman righteous man a virtuous woman is no substitute for, and we all the saints, we should be working and it ain't easy as we still have a carnal nature will working so that others can just say that very thing I'm I don't want to be a cranky old man unless it served my purpose, holiness, purity is very attractive is attractive to to all of us.

Not a single born-again believer. I believe does not treat holiness is something that's unimportant. We love it.

We have outside the sanctuary holiness to the Lord. It's in the Scripture description of Moses and Joshua knows moments in our life when when they're told by the Lord, take the samples off your feet. The ground to stand upon his holy we are attracted to that would want to I want some of that Peter and Paul and John. When John falls down before the Lord in Revelation as though you had died in the Lord puts his hands on them and encourages him and strengthens him.

We are attracted to this.

All of those men and women in Scripture who loved forward a love holiness went forward to serve gallantly. That's why their stories are retold to us and preserved in writing in God's word to keep purity before peace. We have to accept holiness.

We have to understand enough of it, its value, how essential it is. Even though we are not now again you see Joshua and Moses, standing before the Lord taking their sandals off their feet in his presence, our feet must remain shod in the presence of unholiness.

We do not take our sandals off we bear the armor of Christ as Paul talked about an Ephesian six we have to guard against lawlessness. Scripture says that because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Make sure this not you and me. We have no excuse to be loveless.

That is a natural reaction Scripture saying lawlessness is coming on such a level can be almost impossible to love anybody. How can you love someone would so was so evil, evil, evil is this not only human. There is a contributor an unseen sponsor of evil. It is the underworld.

Human beings are sinful. Yes, and they can do evil things. But that evil the capacity for humans to hold evil is supersized by hell.

Demonic activity is the one of the lessons with the did with the pigs running off the cliff. One man can hold more demon good a good old want more demons and 2000 pigs.

We have the capacity for evil, but we have the capacity for righteousness and truth and endurance. I don't like the word endurance like the more before became a Christian before I became a Christian word endurance belonged on the marathon something. Always a forced march, but as a Christian it's to be everywhere in our lives to endure to take the pain and continue to be obedient in the process as best we can.

So we keep our feet shod with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of faith and the shield of faith. The best respite of righteousness sword. We we we retain these things and if we don't we begin reading the wrong materials listening to the wrong sermons posting the wrong things and we begin to put chumming this with each other ahead of purity, holiness is active. It reminds us that God, if not we has it together all the time that God is not fumbling through anything that he is self existent, self glorious, and worthy of it.

We are attracted to that.

So, anything less.

When we begin to compromise and turn our back on the value of holiness.

We introduce 11 or there's a better word that might strike a little bit closer to the damaged 11 will cause on the spiritual plane rocked. It's okay and bread is not okay in theology. It's not okay in the Christian walk give you an example of corruption over that which is good.

Your Edda a party celebrating on my sermons. It happens I just find that the stupidest thing in the world. That's why keep doing.

I can't help it. Anyway, and over the punch bowl. Someone sees a giant aerobics knees could be a little sneeze. I'm not drinking any of that punch. Goldwater found in all just be parched but I'm not going to have any of that punch because something is been added to it. I'm really not fond of. That's the kind of sensory perception. We need spiritual sensors need to go off alarms in the blog. This is an impurity that cannot be sidestep times we have to be flexible and understand that an environment that will working in the apostles did that. Remember, remember the gal that went before him and Phillippi Paul. These are the ones that bring us the gospel.

Everything she said was saying was true but the source was corrupted at the source gets to be a credible witness. You got a big problem if they're not a credible witness. Paul put the boss on that we realize what was going on this. This person is leavening our message she's cheapening our message. I guess you could say that with when you have unauthorized distributors to manufacture the original manufacturing doesn't appreciate on authorized distributors distributing his product, even if he is making money because of a problem is committed of integrity and breaks down so it is with Christ. It's okay to compromise over dinner, not doctrine.

Again Jesus our Lord, help the sick.

He ministered to those who are ignorant, sinful, and he did it successfully without ever appeasing anyone without ever sacrificing. You know I've said this, I get that a few weeks ago I make that statement so you don't think I'm getting senile yet, but the church is often better off without. Some people God filters them.

That's why the book of acts tells us he adds to the church.

Such a daily such as those being sick. I don't know who belongs in the church and doesn't until he make that clear at his word, just like in heaven. You know, heaven is better off without Satan that's an easy one now doesn't mean those people that the church is better off without all problematic doom going to help, but it is a timing issue, and God reigns over that ecumenical system marks Jesus words narrow is the way and there are few who find they scoff at that they think they know better. They want peace to be first purity to be somewhere else. There is no such thing as fees for the Christian, without purity, you say will how we save them. That is a rookie question that goes along with the rookie mistake reveals that you think you know better. You think that you can edit, redact God's word looks gospel chapter 6 verse 26 wrote to you and all men speak well of you. So did their fathers to the false prophets. Now, after speaking harshly against you, and it is because you are wrong. Once doing what is needs to be rebuked the that's one thing but if you're not doing what is right and people don't like at all. That's just the way it is. Look at our nation. This nations the wildfire of corruption of corruption of morality indecency. The dis-honor that the injustices that are taking place this because people were appeasing earlier on, instead of stepping up churches should've been saying no is no secret of Hillary Clinton were elected. I'd probably be in jail by now because this is where it what they want.

Someone's got to have the timing and courage.

Of course the discernment the appointment of the Lord to say these things and it is not just the pastor.

If it is not going on in the trenches. What good is it coming from the pulpit. What good is it of its brief in the pulpit. It is right sound and holy and it never makes it outside church doors is useless. It dies on the vine.

It's gotta make it into the fight and that is why you get verse by verse teaching in a topical every now and then.

It is the Lord system on scripted encounters will encounter us, but their only unscripted to a point because our foundation allows us to confront those things that we are faced with in a biblical way as the saying goes, hell or high water.

People that are afflicted and corrected by truth are the recipients of grace for the stiffnecked people must be humbled in order to be saved or they suffer judgment.

Truth hurts conviction hurts that the were to convict your guilty it hurts but here's the solution Romans chapter 8 for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Peace of being spiritually minded the Bible. The Bible is very clear on this throughout Hosea chapter 4 verse 17 E from his joint idols. Let them alone. Their drink is rebellion.

The commit harlotry continually. Her rulers dearly love dishonor the wind has wrapped her up in his wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices now again were not hosted rudely and abrasive leave go jam the gospel would cover that in rookie mistake number one customer probe for swine. Do not give what is holy to the dogs.

Then we also covered again. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden without the hideout Christianity should be no secret that we serve the Lord. It was not my intention to keep these in line with evangelical ministry, but that's where the Holy Spirit is put ISA pattern has emerged from the first three studies concerning sharing the faith. Let me also point out if you been sharing the faith with someone and they'd not given their life to Christ. Be careful.

Number one, that as Jim Elliott said you do not yank it green fruit you have to wait. Otherwise, you commit a rookie mistake.

There by pulling on something is not ready to be pulled. Also don't think that the person you are ministering to anything. Christ is calling you to do is your pet project belongs to him. He is all Paul said this way one waters one put one class I waters God causes the increases the process they way you are in the process find it, be it and let the Lord have his way.

But if you begin to become possessive and it becomes again the hill to die on your outline careful what you listen to. If you going to listen to other preachers then your pastor understand their core doctrines.

The core wants disinterest that will tell you with it coming from authors. The same thing problem. If you're a voracious reader is after a while you run out of good stuff to read, start reading John and you taking into your body. These impurities these additives that don't belong there and then you become defensive over it when someone pointed out the one is pointing out his look of purity before peace. What will your response be don't make it rookie mistakes get easier once you commit it. It's a basic and you violated the next time. If you are confronted with and you can do it again. It gets easier and easier until you begin to say you know what about had it with this, obviously, but I'm weak in the struggle. Okay that's better than being ignorant again. Hosea chapter 7. His whole ministry was dealing with the nation making rookie mistake when it came to their own Scripture says Abram has mixed himself among the peoples eve from is a cake unturned there half-baked in their theology and their faith in their lives before God. Therefore there are no good, but James does say here.

A gentle is wisdom that comes from above this this knowledge. This God participating with us imparting to us that comes from above, that's that knowledge from God's divine wisdom. It is first pure, it looks to make peace, but it is gentle, I must as a Christian, be polite, but I must also be obedient at the same time I must be polite, not disobedient, and this is doable being right is not grounds to be harsh or rude. It is not impolite to disagree with someone, even if they think it is. That's actually an opportunity for you to tell them you know it's not impolite of me to disagree with you. It would be impolite of me to my God, to sit here and hear this nonsense spewing out of your mouth, loving, if if the opportunity arises. Reader say like that go for it. You know the more you share your faith more in tune, more sensitive, you become to the Holy Spirit.

I'm not talking about the sharing of faithful people in your family who will you or your loved ones or people you're comfortable with me sharing a faith in the Lord opens the door Christianity has a repelling and an attractive power at the same time we have to understand that it's okay to repel those who will not receive it.

When Demetrius was incensed at Paul casting out a demon at that last that was preaching the gospel before them in an unauthorized way.

He was repelled, he doubled down against the apostle and the preaching of the gospel, you will have that you have those that will be just that this just no way to deal with them.

Well, there's more. There are more people there are other people out there don't get sidetracked with that. Don't get caught up on that but because some of our brothers and sisters are afraid to hurt the harmful teachings of those in their circles with the truth. They withhold the truth and try to make up for it under the guise of keeping the peace while blessed are the peacemakers, Abigail the great peacemaker.

One of the greatest peacemakers in the Bible, but at no point was Abigail leavened in her approach.

Some churchgoers again rather offend God than visitors or fellow attendees. Anyone the rather offend than standby the truth. John's gospel chapter 7 Jesus speaking the world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify of it that his works are evil. Remember that time when the apostles asked the Lord to tone it down. He was offending the Pharisees. What did the Lord do. He ramped it up warns you Pharisees warned you described is let him up because that is what was caught what was called for.

The gospel is not a discussion. It is not a debate.

It is an announcement that's what the gospel is to make that announcement, you have to have messengers. That's us and we have to become skilled at delivering the message by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit having discernment being able to articulate the fundamentals of our faith.

That's all it takes a witness tells what they have seen, were not called to no fence. The lawyers of the gospel.

Witnesses is a time to to recover field field called apologetics to give a defense to everyone who has to reason for the hope that is in you, but our defense is an assault. His it is an offensive. We are counter striking when we are on defense as Simon quoted Richard Juan Brent last session. In these are on these rookie mistakes. You can't win a war on defense. It is a fundamental of life.

There are laws or other laws, and these are laws of the rookies that we want to make sure they don't miss so what alternative is there to peace based on holiness. What is the alternative, if you don't have peace based on holiness than you have a piece based on unholiness to ever think of it that way. I think we should. We must not let our view of God's love blind us to his holiness. We must not let our understanding of his grace make us lawless, where lawlessness abounds the love of many will grow cold. Talking about second Thessalonians, the lawless one will come Antichrist was a name for him is the lawless one that's not us not to be awesome. Almost done, will settle down to a peace at any price, because there's no such thing as I believe it was Shakespeare the coward dies a thousand deaths. Because of this verse in the comment Philippians 48 worthy of memory or memorization. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just let me back that up whatever things are true, that you first first step, whatever things are noble that is honorable that is higher than dis-honor, whatever things are just as oppose to unjust, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue is if there is anything praiseworthy. Meditate on these things. This is not that contemplative meditation will you repeat a word to tap into some spiritual state of med that is anathema to meditate for the Christian is to put some thought into it.

That's what meditation is of wrong encouragement go to bed at night thinking about righteous thing.

If you can some of you have the gift of no pillow to head sleep may mom really sleeping by about the 450 rollover whatever things and according to the Scriptures. James says in chapter 2 verse eight of his own letter that we read this morning, according to which shall be encouraged.

God wants us pursuing purity and when you feel that you lack courage and discernment. Ask God for don't take it upon yourselves, don't try to fake it. That would not be good move. 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. Next time I cross reference radio ministry of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville, Virginia like to listen to more teachings from Pastor Rick. Or if you'd like more information about this program invite you to visit our website cross reference radio.com also encourage you to subscribe to our podcast so you'll never have to miss a program. Just search for cross reference radio iTunes Google play music or your favorite podcast.

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As Pastor Rick continue studying through the Scriptures right here on cross reference radio