Keeping Yourself Pure

1999047

Introduction

A. Americans demand purity today in many things.

1. Restaurants strive to ser food w/ pure & wholesome ingredients.

2. Bottled water the latest rage…

a) Never thought I’d live to buy water…

b) Want it b/c want chemicals/debris filtered out.

3. Belize: impure water…cause stomach cramps; worms; dirhearrea…

4. Was good to get back to US to good food/water.

B. Purity should be demanded in character…

1. what more honorable thing than to keep ourselves unstained from the pollution of the world.

2. Young people need to be thinking of the importance of keeping themselves pure in conduct.

a) many not worried a/b remaining pure in actions.

b) Cause great regrets years later.

C. We who are striving to be Christians – must strive to be pure. Don’t be content w/being just a “little pure.” Would you drink muddy water?

1. can’t be content w/being anything less than the best.

2. Would you describe yourself as being pure? How is your Christian life?

D. Text: 1 Tim. 5:22

1. notice phrase: do not share in other peoples sins…keep yourself pure.

2. Not an optional think. But a command by Paul via inspiriation of the HS.

3. Yes….Paul writing to Timothy….a young preacher/evangelist.

a) Yes….evangelists/elders/leaders in the church have a responsibility to be the best person possible.. To remain pure – to be an example.

b) But…al Christians have responsibility to remain pure.

1) no unimportant Christian

2) if you are a Christian – no matter who you are – you have this responsibility to be the best Christian you can be.

4. For the remainder of today’s lesson – we will talk about our responsibilty to remain pure….going to talk about how (in what way) we are to be pure.

I. The Christian is to keep his heart pure.

A. When we talk about the “heart” of a person in religious matters….not talking about fleshly blood pump – but the inner man – specifically our mind.

1. Mt. 5:8 – Jesus sums up importance of keeping heart pure.

2. Paul elaborates a little further on this matter in Phil. 4:8-9.

a) how much a priority this in our life?

b) How much caution used in:

1. watching TV/movies….many unfit for consumption.

2. Music we listen to

3. Novels/books we read.

c) all of the above has a direct effect on the mind of Christian.

d) How much garbage of world are you pumping in to your mind.

B. 2 Tim. 2:20-22

1. Which are you? Are you a vessel of honor or dishonor?

2. Have you cleansed yourself from the world?

a) someone: that’s impossible since we live in the world…

b) even though we live in world….we must strive to elevate ourselves above rest of the world.

c) It possible….if we want to….Jesus said it is….and we need to do it.

3. 2:22 – can YOU call on the Lord w/a pure heart?

II. The Christian is to be pure in conduct.

A. Phil. 2:12-15 – we to shine as lights in world.

1. stand out! Be different! Christians a pure peculiar people.

2. One may be blameless/harmless by keeping conduct pure.

a) takes discipline! Sometimes great effort w/various things.

b) Learning process

3. as we grow up in Christ…when we learn about things in our lives that need correction…. We MUST change behavior for better!

B. Eph. 5:3-5 – whole context: 5:1-7. Notice be followers of God…do not be partakers w/them.

1. notice….we to put that away!

2. There = a separation from the previous things in our life.

a) not flirt w/sin.

b) Not just cut back….but cut it off!

c) Alcoholic…drink a lot….not just every now n then…not acceptable.

C. Good conduct important since others are listening/wathcing.

1. nothing more damaging to Christianity than by a Christian not maintaining his conduct.

2. Nothing will turn prospective Christians off quicker than hypocritical behavior!

3. 1 Pet. 2:11-12.

4. We are at war! Are you fighting???

III. The Christian must be pure in speech.

A. Phil. 1:27 – conduct here would include how we maintain speech.

1. how many have habit of speaking b/f thinking?

2. How much damage have we done? How much damage have I done to the cause of Christ?

a) not always coarse language….cursing etc.

b) but in rude comments….or just saying things that don’t need to be said in 1^st place.

3. Euphemisms? My self guilty!

a) while…matter of judgment….as a Christian grows up in faith….he should learn to put these things away!

b) Shouldn’t be content to say such things.

B. Eph. 4:29 –

1. our speech needs to be that which edifies.

2. Notice 4:31-32. Tempted to speak evil of others? Tempted to talk them down – b/c you have a personal problem w/them?

3. Hurtful things are said for time to time – takes years to get over.

C. 2 Tim. 1:13 – hold fast pattern set before us.

1. Titus 2;8 – have sound speech that can’t be condemned.

2. Can someone claim that we have used unsound speech against them?

D. No matter how hard it is – it is something that needs to be a priority in our lives.

IV. The Christian is to be pure in dress.

A. While dress = issue that ultimately left in judgment…there are principles that Christian must be aware of.

1. fashion world cares absolutely nothing about modesty. Mosdest apparel to be something that the Christian concerned about.

2. More skin shown….more fashionable.

3. Many concerned w/keeping in line w/current fashion no matter if modest or not. What needs to be our prioirities?

B. Rom. 12:1-2 – be transformed from the world.

1. ways/cares of the world should be less of a concern for the Christian – than pleasing God. What God thinks/feels needs to be priority one.

2. 1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – principle needs to be applied in way that one dresses.

3. Applies to how we adorn ourselves…things we do to/on our body, etc.

C. While talking about dress: principles of judgment….consider how we dress for worship.

1. sandals….t-shirts….worn-out hole-ly blue jeans….

2. Would you dress this way for your wedding? Funeral?

3. Men….how do you dress when serving on Lord’s table? Lead singing?

4. Why not give the Lord the one who died for your sins your best?

5. No thou shalt… but it is a matter of showing respect & appreciation for God!

V. The Christian must remain pure in objectives.

A. objective b/h everything we do as Christians needs to be so that we may be pleasing to God & ultimately go home to heaven.

1. heed to have pure motives/objectives.

2. 1 Jhn. 3:2-3

B. Some help others for personal gain…hoping to have favor done for them in return.

1. you scratch my back….I’ll scratch yours.

2. Do it to look better in eyes of others. Not way that pleasing to God.

3. not only apply to helping others….but in everything!

C. Phil. 3:13-14

1. our objective needs ot be heaven – no matter what.

2. Not…what can I still hold onto & be pleasing…but what must I do to get right w/God?

a) what is in my life….right now…that could keep me from going to heaven.

D. Titus 1:1-2 – must strive to be as Paul….in hope of eternal life. There is NO alternative.

Conclusion

A. How pure is your life? Purity is a personal responsibility. Are you satisfied/content w/the impurities in your life?

1. How content would you be w/drinking impure water?

a) something untreated? Contaminated? Polluted?

b) Are you drinking in sin & the pollution of the world?

2. Are you striving to be pure in all areas of your life? Just as Christ?

B. Can’t be content w/failure or setbacks. Must strive to be pleasing to Him.

C. Not a Christian? B/c pure by being washed in the blood.

1 obey the gospel

D. Already a Christian? But polluted w/sin & the impurities of the world? Get your life right today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Keeping Yourself Pure 1999047 Introduction A. Americans demand purity today in many things. 1. Restaurants strive to ser food w/ pure & wholesome ingredients. 2. Bottled water the latest rage… a) Never thought I’d live to buy water… b) Want it b/c want chemicals/debris filtered out. 3. Belize: impure water…cause stomach cramps; worms; dirhearrea… 4. Was good to get back to US to good food/water. B. Purity should be demanded in character… 1. what more honorable thing than to keep ourselves unstained from the pollution of the world. 2. Young people need to be thinking of the importance of keeping themselves pure in conduct. a) many not worried a/b remaining pure in actions. b) Cause great regrets years later. C. We who are striving to be Christians – must strive to be pure. Don’t be content w/being just a “little pure.” Would you drink muddy water? 1. can’t be content w/being anything less than the best. 2. Would you describe yourself as being pure? How is your Christian life? D. Text: 1 Tim. 5:22 1. notice phrase: do not share in other peoples sins…keep yourself pure. 2. Not an optional think. But a command by Paul via inspiriation of the HS. 3. Yes….Paul writing to Timothy….a young preacher/evangelist. a) Yes….evangelists/elders/leaders in the church have a responsibility to be the best person possible.. To remain pure – to be an example. b) But…al Christians have responsibility to remain pure. 1) no unimportant Christian 2) if you are a Christian – no matter who you are – you have this responsibility to be the best Christian you can be. 4. For the remainder of today’s lesson – we will talk about our responsibilty to remain pure….going to talk about how (in what way) we are to be pure. I. The Christian is to keep his heart pure. A. When we talk about the “heart” of a person in religious matters….not talking about fleshly blood pump – but the inner man – specifically our mind. 1. Mt. 5:8 – Jesus sums up importance of keeping heart pure. 2. Paul elaborates a little further on this matter in Phil. 4:8-9. a) how much a priority this in our life? b) How much caution used in: 1. watching TV/movies….many unfit for consumption. 2. Music we listen to 3. Novels/books we read. c) all of the above has a direct effect on the mind of Christian. d) How much garbage of world are you pumping in to your mind. B. 2 Tim. 2:20-22 1. Which are you? Are you a vessel of honor or dishonor? 2. Have you cleansed yourself from the world? a) someone: that’s impossible since we live in the world… b) even though we live in world….we must strive to elevate ourselves above rest of the world. c) It possible….if we want to….Jesus said it is….and we need to do it. 3. 2:22 – can YOU call on the Lord w/a pure heart? II. The Christian is to be pure in conduct. A. Phil. 2:12-15 – we to shine as lights in world. 1. stand out! Be different! Christians a pure peculiar people. 2. One may be blameless/harmless by keeping conduct pure. a) takes discipline! Sometimes great effort w/various things. b) Learning process 3. as we grow up in Christ…when we learn about things in our lives that need correction…. We MUST change behavior for better! B. Eph. 5:3-5 – whole context: 5:1-7. Notice be followers of God…do not be partakers w/them. 1. notice….we to put that away! 2. There = a separation from the previous things in our life. a) not flirt w/sin. b) Not just cut back….but cut it off! c) Alcoholic…drink a lot….not just every now n then…not acceptable. C. Good conduct important since others are listening/wathcing. 1. nothing more damaging to Christianity than by a Christian not maintaining his conduct. 2. Nothing will turn prospective Christians off quicker than hypocritical behavior! 3. 1 Pet. 2:11-12. 4. We are at war! Are you fighting??? III. The Christian must be pure in speech. A. Phil. 1:27 – conduct here would include how we maintain speech. 1. how many have habit of speaking b/f thinking? 2. How much damage have we done? How much damage have I done to the cause of Christ? a) not always coarse language….cursing etc. b) but in rude comments….or just saying things that don’t need to be said in 1^st place. 3. Euphemisms? My self guilty! a) while…matter of judgment….as a Christian grows up in faith….he should learn to put these things away! b) Shouldn’t be content to say such things. B. Eph. 4:29 – 1. our speech needs to be that which edifies. 2. Notice 4:31-32. Tempted to speak evil of others? Tempted to talk them down – b/c you have a personal problem w/them? 3. Hurtful things are said for time to time – takes years to get over. C. 2 Tim. 1:13 – hold fast pattern set before us. 1. Titus 2;8 – have sound speech that can’t be condemned. 2. Can someone claim that we have used unsound speech against them? D. No matter how hard it is – it is something that needs to be a priority in our lives. IV. The Christian is to be pure in dress. A. While dress = issue that ultimately left in judgment…there are principles that Christian must be aware of. 1. fashion world cares absolutely nothing about modesty. Mosdest apparel to be something that the Christian concerned about. 2. More skin shown….more fashionable. 3. Many concerned w/keeping in line w/current fashion no matter if modest or not. What needs to be our prioirities? B. Rom. 12:1-2 – be transformed from the world. 1. ways/cares of the world should be less of a concern for the Christian – than pleasing God. What God thinks/feels needs to be priority one. 2. 1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – principle needs to be applied in way that one dresses. 3. Applies to how we adorn ourselves…things we do to/on our body, etc. C. While talking about dress: principles of judgment….consider how we dress for worship. 1. sandals….t-shirts….worn-out hole-ly blue jeans…. 2. Would you dress this way for your wedding? Funeral? 3. Men….how do you dress when serving on Lord’s table? Lead singing? 4. Why not give the Lord the one who died for your sins your best? 5. No thou shalt… but it is a matter of showing respect & appreciation for God! V. The Christian must remain pure in objectives. A. objective b/h everything we do as Christians needs to be so that we may be pleasing to God & ultimately go home to heaven. 1. heed to have pure motives/objectives. 2. 1 Jhn. 3:2-3 B. Some help others for personal gain…hoping to have favor done for them in return. 1. you scratch my back….I’ll scratch yours. 2. Do it to look better in eyes of others. Not way that pleasing to God. 3. not only apply to helping others….but in everything! C. Phil. 3:13-14 1. our objective needs ot be heaven – no matter what. 2. Not…what can I still hold onto & be pleasing…but what must I do to get right w/God? a) what is in my life….right now…that could keep me from going to heaven. D. Titus 1:1-2 – must strive to be as Paul….in hope of eternal life. There is NO alternative. Conclusion A. How pure is your life? Purity is a personal responsibility. Are you satisfied/content w/the impurities in your life? 1. How content would you be w/drinking impure water? a) something untreated? Contaminated? Polluted? b) Are you drinking in sin & the pollution of the world? 2. Are you striving to be pure in all areas of your life? Just as Christ? B. Can’t be content w/failure or setbacks. Must strive to be pleasing to Him. C. Not a Christian? B/c pure by being washed in the blood. 1 obey the gospel D. Already a Christian? But polluted w/sin & the impurities of the world? Get your life right today! E. I N V I T A T I O N