Take Action

[0:00] I issue a call tonight, a call, a call to action.

[0:17] I could call this message, don't just sit there.! Take action, take action.

[0:32] That's the message tonight. Take action. We must take action. We dare not be careless. We are, as God's people, called to be able.

[0:42] People with biblical convictions. Biblical convictions. Convictions based on the Bible. And for us, God's revealed truth is the anchor. It anchors our convictions, our doctrine, our practice and our fellowship.

[0:58] The Word of God. We're a people of conviction. Conviction. Biblical conviction. And we're anchored in this book. This guides our convictions, our doctrine, our practice, our fellowship.

[1:10] And as a people of conviction, with biblical convictions, we want to please our Lord and grow in Him. Grow in grace. Grow in truth. Grow in His power daily.

[1:22] Daily. Day by day. As a people of biblical conviction, we want to be a people separated unto Him. Separated unto God. And living unto His glory.

[1:33] Our Lord is worthy of our faith, of our consecration, of our action. And just as you think back to the Old Testament days, we know that there was a time when there was a Holy of Holies in the Holy Temple.

[1:48] A Holy of Holies that was separated. It was sacred. It was set apart unto our Lord. And our Lord wants us too, as His people, to be such a people.

[1:59] Separated from the world and unto His glory and praise and His service. And in the Old Testament, when something was sanctified, it meant it was set apart.

[2:11] It was put in a special space. It was a special thing. It was made separated, dedicated, completely unto the Lord's work.

[2:22] And we too, as God's people, God's holy people, we're called to such a holy service. That's daunting, isn't it, really, to think of that.

[2:34] That we're called to such a thing. To God's holy service and praise. And so as the church, the church of God, we're meant to be a set apart people for our Lord and God.

[2:47] And that's why I want to encourage you today, to be such a people who will bring Him honour and praise and glory with your life. He calls you, He calls us to action.

[3:00] Action. We dare not be careless. Why? We dare not be careless. Why? Because we have a cause.

[3:13] A cause. Don't just sit there. Do something. As we see back in David's day, the life of David in 1 Samuel 17, verse 29.

[3:29] It reads, And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? Now the occasion here in 1 Samuel 17, verse 29.

[3:43] At this time, David was surprised. As he saw the careless inaction of God's people. Here was David. He was running up to the battlefront.

[3:56] As Goliath was mocking the armies of God. And as David ran up there to the battlefront, here was huge Goliath there. And the people were weak and wavering.

[4:09] Trembling in their boots. And David was shocked to see the people of God in such a state. And especially their inaction in the face of Goliath.

[4:22] In the face of the mockery of this godless Goliath. David said, Is there not a cause? David had said just earlier in verse 26, in part it says, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

[4:46] Who is this joker? You could put it in the vernacular. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? Who does he think he is? Mocking and defying the armies of the living God.

[4:59] David was saying in effect, How dare he do this? And get away with it. And we're doing nothing. How dare he? He can't get away with this.

[5:11] Who does he think he is? That he should defy the armies of the living God. What are we going to do about it?

[5:23] What are we going to do about it? David was saying it was a reproach to the people of God. It was something shameful. As the people of God were inactive.

[5:36] And we read that when the people saw Goliath, it says that all the men fled from him. They ran the other way. They were acting like a people.

[5:46] Fearful, hopeless and helpless. The armies of the living God. And when David piped up Eliah, Eliah, his elder brother, got angry with him.

[6:01] And he had a go at David. Eliah accused David of being proud and foolish. Eliah was saying that David just wanted to neglect his responsibilities back home, minding the sheep.

[6:14] That he'd just left home to come and have a gawk at the battle. He was just being nosey. He just wanted to have a look at the battle. And David, when he got there, he was bringing supplies to his brothers at the front.

[6:29] David saw that there was a reason. There was reason for God's people to take action. He said, is there not a cause? Shouldn't we do something about this man who defies the armies of the living God?

[6:45] There was a cause. A cause. Here was Goliath carrying on mocking God's people. There was reason. There was cause. There was a reason to do something. There was a reason to fight back.

[6:58] How dare he? Is there not a cause? We have a cause that matters today, tonight. We have a cause. A cause that should move us, that should motivate us.

[7:11] A cause that should engage us, activate us and occupy us. We do have a cause. And this cause of which we speak is not a cause such as joining Greenpeace.

[7:28] I wouldn't recommend that. Or joining up perhaps with some political party. I've got to be careful when I talk about political parties because some people get a bit nervous or they get a bit tender when I say, oh, I wouldn't be in that party.

[7:45] Because there's all kinds of flavours of Christians. But it's not about signing up to a political party. It's not about joining some community group. Joining the local darts club.

[7:56] Or playing in the local footy team. Or banding together and petitioning to save the whales. Or save the orange-bellied parrot.

[8:07] Oh, yeah. There's people who get very stirred up about the orange-bellied parrot. It's a cause. It's a cause. Now, I can think back to some family members of mine.

[8:21] And they just love a particular sport. And they've dedicated their lives to that. And God bless them. Their children have achieved a great status as champions in their sport.

[8:36] And three children and all three have excelled as champions in their respective sport that they love. And they practice and play.

[8:48] And they've gone the breadth of this nation. Of this continent. And there's games yet to play overseas. That this family have put their effort and energy into.

[9:02] God bless them. It's something that's commendable. But haven't we got a cause that is much more precious than that? Much more critical. Much more essential.

[9:14] It's eternal. It's substantial. It's supernatural. This cause. This cause that we have. And we should think carefully about how are we investing our lives such that this cause matters to us.

[9:27] I thank God for my mum and dad. Who, when I was at a young age, they invested in me to go to a Bible college. A place where I could study the Bible.

[9:38] And there's lots of other things I could have done with my time and with my learning at that time in my life. Fresh out of high school. But I'm glad and I thank God for my mum and dad who did that for me.

[9:49] And so help establish me and help start me and found me and prepare me. And so too. I know brothers here, sisters here too, have spent some energy, some time, some money, some devotion into a cause that matters.

[10:08] It's a cause that should motivate and master us. This cause is so precious. It should activate, engage and occupy us because it's something eternal, substantial and supernatural.

[10:23] And this cause that we have is more important than any other interest that we could engage in. Any other interest. You know, you might be a devoted stamp collector.

[10:35] I used to be. Or whatever it be. I used to collect all sorts of crazy things. But you have an interest that occupies your time, your energy, your devotion. This is more vital than that.

[10:48] It's more vital than any attraction that we could possibly ever imagine. It's much more and beyond compare with any worthy cause that this world can ever know.

[10:59] Is there not a cause? There is. There is a cause. A cause that should motivate us in such dark and difficult days as these, when more than ever we need to be a people of conviction, biblical conviction, who will rise up with a forthright, pure testimony of our Lord and Saviour.

[11:20] More than ever before, we need to steer away from a thinking that is geared to pleasing men or pandering to a worldly lifestyle or dabbling with compromise in all of its colours or the multiplied distractions of this age.

[11:36] Is there not a cause? There is. We have a cause. A cause. A cause. This is no time for fear or inaction like the people of God in David's day.

[11:52] The Bible tells us of forces that are committed contrary to this cause. There are forces at work in planet Earth today that are contrary to this cause.

[12:07] Forces. And we can read of them in the Scriptures foretold for us. And now we see the signs all around of such a thing as, for example, religious Babylon.

[12:20] In other words, the harlot church. Church. The unfaithful church. Religious Babylon. Commercial Babylon. So we see the money changes in a high level that control nations, companies that pull the streams financially.

[12:37] A commercial Babylon. Then we see a political Babylon where we see the moves in nations to come together, to join and to follow, as it were, the great leader that is to come, the Antichrist.

[12:52] We see these things coming. We see the Pope of Rome. We see these signs all around us. The judgement of God looms, people. And we dare not be careless.

[13:03] We have a cause. We have a cause. And it is time for action as the church of the living God. More than ever before. We need to have a clear testimony. And an undiminished power and influence in our world.

[13:17] We need to be a healthy, sound fellowship. Forthright in our witness. In our effectiveness for our Lord. Before the watching world around us.

[13:28] The world will be quick to pick if we miss our step. And we have a cause. A cause that is truly biblical. A local New Testament church.

[13:41] The church of God. Where our fellowship is based and founded squarely on sound doctrine. In Acts 2.42 it says, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship.

[13:54] In breaking of bread. And in prayers. It's been truly said. I quote, The reason why men do not look to the church today is that she has destroyed her own influence by compromise.

[14:11] They don't look to the church because the church is spoiled, destroyed by compromise. We see the church as the world would consider it.

[14:22] The church that labels itself a church. And the horrible things that it has been responsible for through history and through even present times. And we see the church has wrecked its reputation.

[14:33] The church as the world knows a church. As we know it's not the church of God. We have a cause, brothers and sisters today. A cause that should hold us true, firm, steadfast and steady.

[14:46] No matter what the opposition. No matter the storms that we face. We should be true. No matter what. And as individual believers too. You can be strong.

[14:56] In the Lord. He is the power of your might. His might, rather. 2 Corinthians 7 it says, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

[15:16] That's 2 Corinthians 7 verse 1. It says, Having these promises, dearly beloved, cleanse ourselves. There's a cleansing that we need.

[15:28] And the word tells us that the Bible is the washing of water by the word. There's a cleansing effect. There's a cleansing impact from the Bible. As we let it refresh us and wash us and cleanse our hearts from the filthiness of the flesh.

[15:44] So that means like worldly sins that are evident. Fleshly sins, the filthiness of the flesh. And the filthiness of the spirit. In other words, spiritual unfaithfulness. He's calling a people to himself.

[15:56] A people who will stand fast. A people that will be washed by the word of God. As we love it. As we hear it's truth. As we apply it.

[16:08] And friends, tonight we have a cause. A cause that we must not be slayed from. We have God's promises for us. Individually, these are promises that you can apply. These are promises written for you.

[16:20] It's written for you. So read these promises. Take them to heart. And let the water of the word do its cleansing work deep within us. And this cause that we have touches all aspects of our lives.

[16:33] It touches the decisions we make. About how we occupy ourselves. Our time. Our habits. Our fellowships. Our friendships that we make. We dare not be careless in these times.

[16:45] Let us determine to walk with wise men. Proverbs 13 verse 20 it says. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise. But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

[16:59] It says walk with wise men and you will be wise. Company yourself. Accompany fools. And you shall be destroyed. So friends. Choose your company carefully.

[17:10] Choose amongst the people you want to spend time with. The people who share those biblical convictions. Choose the people you want to identify with as those of like precious faith.

[17:24] Be amongst those who fear God. And follow his word. Make them your companions. And your close friends. Friends. I thank God for you here tonight. And others that I consider friends.

[17:36] Because I know you have the like precious faith. And that's what makes the difference. It says in Psalm 119 verse 63. I am a companion of them. All them that fear thee.

[17:48] And of them that keep thy precepts. The psalmist said. I'm a companion of them. That fear God. And that follow his word. His precepts.

[17:58] That keep them. And friends. So then we have a cause. A cause. A cause that should hold us steady. A cause that we should avoid what is doubtful. And make decisions that are wise about how we are to live.

[18:11] So that when we make decisions. We'll be those people with biblical convictions. We'll think. Well what does the Bible actually say. About what I'm thinking to do. Is it going to glorify God?

[18:22] Amen. Is the decision that I'm thinking. Is the choice I'm making. Going to glorify God? That's the bottom line really isn't it? Is it going to help or hurt my witness?

[18:34] When people see me doing this. And I'm saying I'm a Christian. Is it going to help me to be a witness. To be a good testimony. Or is it going to hurt my witness? Is it going to hinder a weaker brother.

[18:46] Who sees me doing it. As much as I might feel. That I'm okay doing it. Before God. Is it going to hinder a brother. A sister who sees me doing it. Is it going to please or grieve the Holy Spirit.

[19:00] That's a big question isn't it. Will it lead me into. Or out of. God's will. Glorify God. Hinder my witness. Hinder a weaker brother.

[19:11] Grieve the Holy Spirit. Or lead me into God's will. We must never compromise. Never compromise God's righteous standard. Now that's not to say we're legalistic.

[19:25] Well this is the law of the Lord. We're not legalistic in a bondage sense. But because we love our God. We want to please him don't we? That's what matters.

[19:36] There is a cause. And it's God's truth. And it should fix us. It should urge us. It should prompt us to do what is right. Let God be true and every man a liar.

[19:47] We must not be careless or toy with God's standard. This is God's standard. From cover to cover. The word of God. This is God's standard. We stand on that.

[19:59] Is there not a cause? There is a cause. And I trust you're part of it. Part of that cause. More than any we could compare it with. More than any other worthy or good cause that you could name.

[20:12] More than any sport or a hobby or an affiliation. This is God's truth. And we are in good company.

[20:22] As we follow the reformers and revivalists of old. What happened to them? Multitudes down through history stood firm. And they suffered and they died.

[20:35] So we can have the Bible in our own language. They suffered even up to death as they refused to give ground. And they would not join in the false religion of their day.

[20:45] And we too must make that same stand. No matter what the mockery we face. And whilst others may be blown off course by every wind of doctrine. And they're just blown here and blown there.

[20:57] As these things come across their way. We must hold steady and hold firm. Our cause, our resolve. Because we have a cause. Don't just sit there.

[21:10] Do something. Take action. Take action today. Resolve tonight. To take action in your life. To be an action Christian. A Christian in action.

[21:22] The acts of the apostles. It doesn't actually close. We're part of it still. In a way we are still part of the acts of the Holy Spirit. Through the apostles. Through the people of God.

[21:33] We're still part of the church of acts. And so we have a cause. Secondly we see we dare not be careless. Because we have a constraining.

[21:44] A constraining. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5.11. He says, Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord. We persuade men. It goes on.

[21:56] Verse 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us. Because we thus judge that if one died for all. Then we're all dead. The love of Christ constraineth us.

[22:10] There's a constraining here. It's about being a witness for Christ. We are constrained. And so we should not take it lightly. There's an impelling force that sends us.

[22:26] The love of Christ. Our love for him and his love in us. Through us. His compassion. This constraining love.

[22:38] Is what should propel us. His heartfelt compassion in us. His heart. In our heart. His love. His motivation. Compels us.

[22:50] We have the same pressing message. That we cannot but tell. We cannot hold it back. We dare not. A light to our precious Lord.

[23:03] As we saw him. When the zeal of God consumed him. There was a passion there. Yet all the while. The danger of carelessness.

[23:14] Creeps up on us. The danger of carelessness. Creeps up on us. It's harvest time. Harvest time. We see through the word.

[23:24] Our Lord speaks of harvest. In the sense of. A reaping of. Precious souls. Saved people. Gathered. For glory. And.

[23:36] It's harvest time today. And so we should not be sleeping. But rather working. We see. We see. In the word. It speaks of. Proverbs. Of people sleeping.

[23:47] In the time of harvest. And what a shameful thing. That is. In Proverbs 10. Verse 5. It says. He that gathereth in summer. Or in other words. Harvest time. Is a wise son.

[24:00] But. He that sleepeth in harvest. Is a son. That causeth shame. Friends. I believe. It's harvest time.

[24:12] The Lord Jesus says. You know. Look on the fields. Don't say. A few months. He says. They're ready now. Now. There's that same. Imperative. That same.

[24:23] Sense of now. And. Something. Just a little sleep. Yet. All the while. They miss out. On God's blessing. In Proverbs 6. Verse 10.

[24:33] It says. Yet a little sleep. A little slumber. A little folding of the hands. To sleep. You know. That's what I was like. This afternoon. Yes. Yes. Just a little sleep.

[24:43] Just a little slumber. Just a little folding of the hands. You know. There's time for sleep. Of course. But. In harvest time. We should be out there. With the sickle.

[24:53] With the. With the shears. With the. The equipment. With the. Our energy. Our devotion. There's a harvest. To bring in. And this message. Must be delivered.

[25:04] We must deliver it. For his glory. Each one of you and me. So. In the time. Harvest. Carelessness. Carelessness. Carelessness. Is inexcusable.

[25:17] Inexcusable. Paul tells of his separation to the gospel message. He says. That. He's got. He's been separated unto the gospel. And we too have been separated unto the gospel.

[25:30] We've been set apart to be missionaries. In our. In our. Place of living. We've been given a commission. To go.

[25:41] And preach. To go. And declare. The good news. The gospel. And the love of Christ. Constrains us to do that. There's a sense of urgency about that word.

[25:51] Isn't there? Constrains us. Is that. Wow. It's just. God's pushing me out there. He's. He's. Sending me. He's throwing me. He's.

[26:01] He's. Thrusting me. Out into that place of service. Out into that place where I can. Be used of him. To deliver his good news.

[26:14] So the love of Christ. The love of Christ. It constrains us. To be messengers of his vital message. And at the same time. Because we love the gospel. We'll hate any false gospel.

[26:26] Any false compromise gospel. Paul talks about that in Galatians 1. Verses 8 through 9. There's many things called gospels. Or good news. But we know.

[26:38] A false gospel. A compromised gospel. Is no gospel at all. It's no good news at all. It's like if you mix a bit of error. With truth. What does it become?

[26:49] Error. Better to steer wide of such things. So. Friends. There's a constraining. There's a passion. There's a divine. One charge. Given to each of us. To be in that.

[27:00] Godly unity. Striving together. With this message. That matters so much. And our world needs to hear it. And from your lips. And mine. Don't depend on.

[27:11] Them. Being. In a building to hear it. Go. And take it. Out of these four walls. As you're told to. We cannot. Miss this. We cannot redefine.

[27:22] The truth. But rather. Sacrifice. And give. That this truth. Will be declared. Put yourself out. Step out of your comfort zone. And.

[27:34] Be activated. As a Christian. So as believers together. We're to stand. On this truth. And to be.

[27:44] His messengers. In Ephesians 4.13. It says. Till we all come in the. Unity of the faith. And of the knowledge. Of the son of God. There's a growing process. As we're maturing.

[27:56] It speaks about. Unto a perfect man. And as we mature. As we reach that measure. Of the stature. Of the fullness of Christ. Meantime. We're meant to be. Working in that unity.

[28:07] Of the faith. And the faith. It means. The body of truth. The body of truth. This is the faith. The unity of the faith. The body of truth. It's not. Some man defined thing.

[28:18] It's God defined. And so we need. To uphold. The purity. Of this message. Doctrinal purity. It strengthens us. We don't want to. Alter the message.

[28:30] Or alter the doctrine. To suit. The masses. We've just got to. Faithfully declare it. And it's. The people need to. Adapt to the truth.

[28:42] We don't adapt the truth. To the people. We're meant to be. Messengers. Faithful messengers. We don't. We don't mess with the message. We faithfully deliver it. And that's for all of us. We're constrained by this message.

[28:54] It's truth. Crystal clear. And we're called to be. A people. A biblical conviction. And just to declare it. In Galatians 2.14. Paul talks about.

[29:04] Walking uprightly. According to the truth. Of the gospel. It's the truth. Of the gospel. He talks about. Walking uprightly. According to the truth. Of the gospel. That's Galatians 2.14.

[29:17] So we must not. Tone down this message. We must not. Shift this message. But hold it faithfully. And impart this message.

[29:27] Our Lord tells an account. To illustrate. His charge to us. As he speaks in Luke 19. He tells of a certain noble man.

[29:37] Who went to a far country. Leaving his servants behind. With work to do. And he delivered. This charge to them. He gives them a job to do.

[29:50] The noble man goes. Leaving his servants in charge. If you like. And he says to them. Occupy. Till I come. Luke 19. Verse 13. In part it says.

[30:00] Occupy. Till I come. So. Our Lord used this picture. Of a noble man going. Of servant staying. Of a job to be done. Of us. That he's leaving things.

[30:11] In our charge. He's leaving us. With his work to do. What is his work? To seek. And to save. That which is lost. Until he come. It's a very real picture.

[30:22] Of what we're meant to do. In the here and now. And he has delivered to you and to me. A commission. And this commission is clear. He's not redefined it.

[30:32] It's not. It's not been. Updated. Or altered. The mission is still the same mission. The message is still the same. And his constraining love. Is still that same.

[30:43] Energy. And. Power. That should propel us. To this call to action. To this constraining message. There's an urgency. We dare not be careless.

[30:54] In Luke 14. Our Lord tells another account. Where he tells of. A master. A Lord. Saying to his servant. Go out. I've got. I've got. The meals ready.

[31:06] Go out. Into the highways. And hedges. And compel them. To come in. That my house may be filled. There's a sense. Where we're meant to be. Those communicators.

[31:17] Of his invitation. To compel them. To come in. That's a. A very strong word there. Isn't it? A sense of passion. Of urgency. Of action.

[31:28] There's a compelling dimension. To this message. And for the. Work of messengers. That is our work to do. In Jude 1. 23. There's a similar picture here.

[31:39] Jude tells. Of. The. Work of witness. He says. Others save with fear. Pulling them out of the fire. Hating even the garments. Spotted by the flesh.

[31:50] It's almost a picture of a fireman. Isn't it? Breaking down the door. Of that flaming building. Barging in. And then. Pulling out.

[32:00] The man. The woman. By their leg. By the. The shreds of their burning garments. To get them out. To get them out. Get them out of the burning building. That's the picture.

[32:10] And. Jude tells us. We should be. Of some. Saving them with fear. Pulling them out of the fire. Hating even the gun. Spotted by the flesh.

[32:21] What a picture. Of that compelling. Of that constraining message. That should occupy us. So. Let's not just sit here. Let's do something.

[32:32] Amen. It's time. We dare not be careless. Why? We dare not be careless. Because we have a cause. Beyond compare.

[32:43] The church of God. The church of the living God. That's what you are. If you're a Christian here. You are a part of the church of the living God. You have a cause.

[32:55] You have a constraining. You have the constraining love of Jesus in you. That should propel you. That should compel you. That should impassion you. As a fireman.

[33:10] Risking his life. To go into that burning building. To smash down those doors. And to rescue. The perishing. We have a. Cause.

[33:22] And we have. A constraining power. And thirdly. We have a calling. A calling. You are called. We are the called out.

[33:36] The church. That's what it means. The called out. A called out. Assembly. And that's special.

[33:46] Isn't it? Who's ever been. At school. And they're picking people for the sports team. And. I pick you. That's what he's done.

[33:56] Isn't it? You're called out. You're called out. By his mercy. Called out. People called out. And we're people called out. To this body of truth.

[34:07] That once for all. Delivered unto the saints. This has been once for all. Delivered unto the saints. He's not adding to it. This is the whole package. He's called us.

[34:17] To this body of truth. Once delivered. To the saints. And he's calling his people out. Out of the world. Out of darkness. Into light. Out of error. Into his short truth.

[34:29] You're called. And the Bible says. You have a calling. I know brother Edmund. Talked about this. The last few. Sundays ago. And you could put. In a simple fashion.

[34:41] Three H's. I press towards the mark. For the prize of the. High calling. Of God. In Christ Jesus. Philippians 3. 14. It's a. High calling.

[34:54] It's the highest calling. You could ever have. You know. You see some people. And they get the. The order of Australia. Or the. The Nobel Peace Prize. Or some plaudits. And acclaim of men.

[35:04] This is the highest calling. Of all. The high calling. Of God. Grab that.

[35:16] The high calling. Of God. And Paul says. I press towards the mark. For the prize of the. High calling of God. In Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3. Verse 1. It says. Wherefore holy brethren.

[35:27] Partakers. Of the heavenly calling. Consider the apostle. And high priest. Of our profession. Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3. Verse 1. It says. You've got a. Heavenly calling.

[35:39] Heavenly calling. Heaven. Eye has not seen. Nor has the ear heard. Neither has it entered into the heart of man.

[35:49] The things that God has prepared. For those who love him. A heavenly calling. A high calling. A heavenly calling. And thirdly. A holy calling.

[36:03] A holy calling. 2 Timothy 1. Verse 9. Paul tells. How we are the called. According to his purpose. He tells of one who's called us. Who has saved us.

[36:13] And called us. With a holy calling. He saved us. And he's called us. With a holy calling. And not according to our works. None of that. But according to his own purpose.

[36:27] And grace. Which was given us in Christ Jesus. Before the world began. He's called us to a holy calling. Let me just dwell on that thought.

[36:38] For a little now. We have a holy calling. What does that mean? It means it impacts our walk. Our will. Our worship. Holiness.

[36:51] We're called out of darkness. And into his wonderful life. Out of the world. To be a people different.

[37:03] Set apart. Chosen. Called. A separation. Is spoken of here. And what is separation or holiness?

[37:14] Being set apart. It should strengthen you. Your faith. It should build your family. It should reinforce your testimony. It should make you useful for God. A holy calling.

[37:27] And you have that tonight. If you are a believer in Christ today. You are a one who has been given a holy calling. That's tremendous isn't it?

[37:38] Just to think of that. That he should call you. With a holy calling. And he calls us to holiness. His calling. His command is for us. As he calls us to join his work of harvest.

[37:52] We want to make sure we're wearing his yoke. He says come unto me. Learn with me. Take my yoke upon you. It's not a yoke of bondage.

[38:05] A yoke of blessing. It means that you are joined up with God. You are joined up with the Lord Jesus. As the master. And he will guide.

[38:17] As the yoke pictures of. For example two animals joined together. With this wooden piece. On their shoulders. That. Our Lord is carrying. The yoke.

[38:28] He's carrying that. As we're joined up with him. As we're serving him. As we're. In team with him. That's the picture of it here. Of a yoke. And we want to be careful.

[38:39] What are we yoked with? What are we yoked with? There's a yoking together that is dangerous. A yoking together. That is a compromise. Of godly fellowship.

[38:51] And so. God helping us as a church. We choose carefully. In such matters. In 2 Corinthians 6.14. It says. Be ye not unequally yoked. Together with unbelievers.

[39:03] Paul writes. Don't join up. With unbelievers. In something. But. Rather be. Joined together. Yoked together. With those. Who are faithful. In. Truth.

[39:15] And doctrine. And so. There's much we can. Take to heart here. To consider this truth. Of this calling. That we have. A holy calling. A sacred trust. That we have. Brothers.

[39:26] Sisters. Tonight. God has called you. To be a holy people. Paul goes on. In verse 14. For what fellowship. As unrighteousness. With unrighteousness.

[39:36] With unrighteousness. We can't compromise. This holy fellowship. This biblical fellowship. Wherefore come out. From among them. And be ye separate. Saith the Lord.

[39:48] And touch not. The unclean thing. That's 2 Corinthians 6.17. I was talking with some. Preacher one day. And he kind of mockingly said. Oh you're one of those. Who believe in being separate.

[39:59] As if it was kind of something. Oh you're one of those. Wacky ones. Who actually believe. The book. Oh you're one of those. Who think. Come ye apart.

[40:09] And be separate. Ha ha. That's literally. How he put it. And pretty much. Along that line. Well. If this is what it says to do. That's what we're going to do.

[40:21] Isn't it? We have to do what it says. Don't we? And that's. Not to say. We're going to be. Stupid about it. We're going to try to.

[40:34] Put it into action. In our lives. And we're going to. Earn on the side of caution. God calls us to discern truth.

[40:45] And avoid error. So test everything. By the word. We dare not be careless. We dare not. I dare not. Better.

[41:00] It were that. We were fewer in number. That the offended will leave. Than. For me. To tell you something. That's not true. Because I'll stand guilty.

[41:11] Before God. I don't want to do that. I've got someone to answer to. As we all have. So we dare not be careless. In other words. We don't want to join. With others who are heading. In an unbiblical direction.

[41:23] That would be dangerous. It's like someone described it. To illustrate it. Only a fool. Would board a ship. Which is sailing. Towards destruction. You know.

[41:34] That ship might be. Very sound. Seaworthy. It might be beautifully painted. And be. A stunning vessel.

[41:47] But it's. If it's headed in the wrong direction. Better. Better. It were. That we were not. Even to step on board. Such a ship. It doesn't matter.

[41:58] How brightly decorated it is. How popular it is. How many people are wanting to get on that ship. It would be better. That we not set on board. Such a ship. So history shows us where.

[42:09] In times past. The church has weakened. And it's become counterfeit. As it's. Fallen for apostate trends. And we. You know. There's a true saying.

[42:20] That history will repeat itself. Won't it? History is always repeating itself. What can we learn from history? As we see. In history. In times past. Church after church.

[42:32] Group after group. Has been weakened. And destroyed. As it has been. Taking in the leaven. Of error. And sin. The church has been weakened.

[42:44] Through such things. God calls his people. To be holy. He says. Be holy. For I am holy. Now how holy is God? Holy than thou.

[42:56] Holy than me. He is holy. Be ye holy. For I am holy. And so he's calling us. With our holy calling. To be a people.

[43:06] Active. Uncompromising. In Amos 5.15. It says. Hate the evil. And love the good. As the psalmist cried. In Psalm 119. 128. Therefore I esteem.

[43:17] All thy precepts. Concerning all things. To be right. And I hate. Every false way. What he's saying here. Is. I esteem. I honour. Your word.

[43:28] Your precepts. To be right. Concerning all things. And I hate. Every false way. God has always been clear.

[43:41] It doesn't matter how popular it is. It doesn't matter what the media says. It doesn't matter what the government says is right. It doesn't matter what the popular church says. Is right.

[43:53] God says that he hates. False religion. You know there's times when God says. I hate the solemn assembly. I hate church. As some people would worship.

[44:04] God says. I hate it. I hate the smell of their incense. I hate their vain oblations. Their vain sacrifices. I hate their solemn assemblies.

[44:15] Their church services. Because he knew. That they were tainted. With corruption. And the Bible says that God hates every false way. That's stirring words isn't it?

[44:26] They should make us think. It doesn't matter whether there's a new car. That might get things going in a quicker way. And everybody's dancing and jiving along. As the new car takes the Ark of the Covenant.

[44:42] In a way that God has said. Is not to be done. If God says not to do it. We're not to do it. And that's my plea tonight.

[44:52] And these are hard things to say. We know there's many good godly people in churches of all persuasions. God bless them. May they come to understand the danger of carelessness.

[45:05] God's people have always been a separate people. Separate from this present evil world. We think of Enoch. He was separate. He walked with God. And then he started to walk on air.

[45:20] Noah was separate as a preacher of righteousness. Abraham was a pilgrim. A stranger in his land. Israel was a nation separated. There was something unique and special.

[45:31] That God set it apart. For his praise. And so too we're meant to have a holy calling. You've got a calling. And it's a holy calling. And so we should avoid. We should shun.

[45:42] We should turn away from. We should come out from among. That which is compromised. Which is false. And practice that which is true. The word of God is clear.

[45:53] It doesn't say go and associate with them. It says come out and be separate from them. Of course we do want to fellowship with like-minded believers.

[46:05] With those of like precious faith. It's not saying we're an exclusive club. And everybody else is wrong. But we want to have a like-minded fellowship. To get together with those of like precious faith.

[46:18] And so this is a call to action tonight. A call to action. I pray you'd be stirred. To think of this holy calling. To contend for it. Not surrender it.

[46:29] But contend for it. There's a beauty in God's holiness. It tells us in Psalm 29 verse 2. The nature. The beauty. The awesomeness of our God. He's called us to be the saints of the Most High God.

[46:42] Made holy. He's called us in Leviticus 20 verse 26. It says. And you shall be holy unto me. For I the Lord am holy.

[46:52] And have separated you from other people. That you should be mine. You shall be holy. Set apart. Separated unto me. That's special isn't it?

[47:04] That's precious isn't it? That holy calling. For his sacred purposes. For his praise. So let us be as such as we see back in the Bible days.

[47:18] Men and women who had a resolve. Men like Daniel. He resolved himself. He determined not to defile himself. With the king's food and wine.

[47:29] What does that mean for us in the 21st century? For us it may mean that we'll decline to go. To where parties. Where alcohol is served. I know someone was asking me that lately.

[47:40] We might want to make the stand that Daniel did. I don't want to defile myself. So I'm not going to go to places where alcohol is served. Where there's such temptation.

[47:52] I want to be true to God. I want to put him first. I want to make him my prime objective. And that which everything is decided as it accords with what would please him.

[48:06] With my life. So I'm clear of such situations of compromise or temptation. So I'll abstain from all appearance of evil. I won't even go near it. God's best is a separation from evil and every false way.

[48:22] And you know separation is a sign of love. Not legalism. Some would mock those who separate. From that which is questionable or compromising. But separation is a very biblical concept.

[48:34] It's right through from cover to cover. Separation. Being sanctified. Being set apart. As the vessels in the temple. As the people of God's chosen. As we in the New Testament are sanctified.

[48:49] Set apart. For his praise. To give him glory and honour. Set apart. The Holy One. Our God. And as it says in Hebrews 13. It tells us. Wherefore Jesus.

[49:00] That he might sanctify the people with his own blood. He suffered without the camp. Let us therefore. Go out unto him without the camp. Bearing his reproach. There's a time when we've got to go with it.

[49:11] Outside of the camp. Outside of the. Of the majority. As it were. And go his way. And trust him. There's much more I could say.

[49:23] I'm conscious of that tonight. But friends. I just want to urge you. With some simple truths tonight. With this call to action. We dare not be careless. We dare not. We mustn't just sit there.

[49:36] We must do something. This is a call to action. To take action. It's a call to action. With a faith that must not be diluted. But rather defended. We have Bible doctrine.

[49:47] That's truth. The Lord says. Sanctify them. Make them holy. Through thy truth. Thy word is truth. So just to recap quickly. There's three things. Just to leave you with tonight. There's a cause.

[49:58] Well you have a cause. It's the church of God. The church of the living God. We have a cause. We have a cause. That's more precious. And vital. Than any sporting interest.

[50:09] Than any political interest. Than any club. Or worthy cause. That this world can ever know. You have a cause. The church of the living God. We have a cause tonight.

[50:20] Secondly. We have a constraining. We have a gospel message. And it's been given unto us. To impart. To our world. We are to be constrained. By the love of Christ. To deliver this message.

[50:31] As faithfully. And as fully. As he helps us to. To be constrained. By his love. To deliver it. And thirdly. We have a calling. A calling. A calling to be holy.

[50:42] A calling to be active. In God's holy service. In this present evil age. It's an age. Obsessed with idolatry. Not of word and stone. And metal.

[50:52] But it is just as godless. As the idolatrous nations. Of the past. And this idolatry. Is where other gods. Small g. Have taken God's rightful place.

[51:04] Let's not make that mistake. Let's not be careless. About this truth. There's a conspiracy. Planned. And purposeful. That threatens to detour us. There are forces.

[51:15] Venting themselves. Arrayed against you. Forces that will. Oppose this message. There are forces. That will oppose this cause. There are forces.

[51:27] That will distract you. Or seek to distract you. From this compelling. Constraining message. There are forces. That will want you. To tone it down. To replace it.

[51:37] With one that is more palatable. And acceptable. With a false gospel. Which is really no gospel at all. And meanwhile. Many sit on their hands. As we know. This world.

[51:48] Is going helter skelter. Towards its destruction. And this world. Would draw us away. And they would say. Come on board. Come on board this vessel. And the churches.

[51:59] That would come. And say. Come on board. And let's just have. A party. And some would depart. From the holy calling. That God calls us to. There's a simple. Challenge.

[52:11] In God's word. That says. Remember. Lot's wife. Remember. Lot's wife. When Sodom. Was reigned.

[52:21] With destruction. As God. Through the angels. Drew. Lot. And his family. To safety. Lot's wife. Looked back. That. She hankered still.

[52:32] For the world. And its philosophies. The fleshly. Ways of Sodom. She looked back. Remember. Lot's wife. Don't make that mistake.

[52:43] People tonight. Don't be careless. Don't be careless. Don't be careless. Don't just sit there. Do something. Do something. And I'm saying that to me too. Although I'm not sitting. This is for everybody.

[52:54] For all of us. Let's do something. Do something. It's a call to action. So just to quickly. Sum it up. A call. To live a wholly. Separated life.

[53:06] Before our Lord. In obedience to his word. Steadfastly. Holding fast. Bible doctrine. And fellowship. You have caused the church of God. You have a constraining.

[53:17] His love in you. The message. Must be delivered by you. You. You. And you have. A calling. To God's holy service. I encourage you tonight. To be encouraged.

[53:29] Be stirred. And be activated. To take this word. And make it live. In your shoes. It says. Not to just be a hearer. But to be a doer.

[53:40] And I trust you will be such. Tonight. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you.

[53:50] God bless you. God bless you.