man
All right, we're in 1st Corinthians chapter number 9 look down at your Bibles at verse number 26
It says I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight
I'd not as one that beat at the air
But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection less by any means when I have preached to others
I myself should be a castaway and what I want to preach on this morning is the difference between the castaway and the
reprobate the difference between the castaway and
The reprobate you say well, I already know the difference
I know what what a reprobate is I could understand by this
Scripture what a castaway is why do we need to know the difference between the two?
well simply because of the fact that there's people out there who are opponents of
The reprobate doctrine and they typically would try to use 1st Corinthians chapter 9 verse 27 to try to prove
their belief or their doctrine and
They're trying to their opposition to this doctrine here and I'm explaining what I mean in just a bit now before we get into the
definition of what a reprobate is and what a castaway is
Let's just look at the scripture here and get some context of what the Apostle Paul is actually referring to now
He says in verse 27 that he keeps under his body. He brings it into subjection
Less by any means when he is preached to others. He himself should be a castaway. What is he referring to there?
Well, go back up to verse number 18 in chapter 9. Look what it says here
Just remember that the majority of this chapter here is dealing with the Apostle Paul's
Responsibility to preach the gospel to go sowing that's what he's referring to there verse 18 says for what what is my reward then?
Barely that when I preach the gospel
I may make the gospel of Christ without charge that I abused not my power in the gospel
For though I be free from all men yet
Have I made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more and unto the Jews I became as a Jew that
I might gain the Jews to them that are under the law as under the law that I might gain them that are under the
Law to them that are without law as without law being not without law to God
But under the law to Christ that I may gain them that are without law
To the week became I as weak that I may gain the weak
I am made all things to all men that I might by all means
Save some and this I do for the gospel sake that I may be partaketh of with you
So when he's talking about in verse 27 when I have preached to others
I myself should be a castaway
What he's referring to there is this as I'm preaching the gospel as I'm seeing people saved
I got to make sure that I'm temperate that I am disciplined that I'm taking care of myself
That I'm making sure that I'm abstaining from sin
Why let's when I preach to others I myself should be a castaway in other words
It's like a person a Christian who is shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
He knows how to go soul winning, but he doesn't have the breastplate of righteousness
It's like a person who preaches the gospel he knows the Romans Road he has all the verses memorized
But he's living a worldly life
He's into sin he or she is into sin
They have other things in the closet that they don't want people to know about they're not living a holy life
What is that person eventually they'll become a castaway?
Because the Apostle Paul said here you can't just be a preacher of the gospel and not keep under your body
You can't just go out and go soul-winning and not bring it into subjection
Why because the Bible tells us that when you have preached to others you eventually will become a castaway
Yourself he goes on to say know you not that they would run in a race run all
But one receive at the prize so run that you may be saved is that what it says no see
This is something that comes after salvation
Which is preaching the gospel and when you work for God when you preach the gospel, what do you get?
You don't get salvation. Salvation is something you get when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
What you actually obtain is what the reward you see? Why are you here today? Why do we go so many on a weekly basis?
It's not to be saved. What is it for to obtain the reward that comes when we work for God?
It says in every man that striver for the mastery is temperate in all things now
They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. So what is he stating here?
He's basically comparing this to like a runner and he said just as a runner, you know disciplines themselves they eat healthy
They have a exercise regime. They make sure that they their entire life is basically influenced by their race
They do it. They they're tempered in all things. They do it to obtain a corruptible crown
That's referred to that little wreath
You know what?
I mean an ancient Greece for the Olympics they would get this little wreath that they would put around their heads for bragging rights
Basically, right and they do it for that stupid little crown
That little crown that eventually will dissipate it'll just deteriorate and it's no longer gonna be in existence, right?
Well in like manner the Christian
Brings himself under the subjection keeps under his body what to obtain an incorruptible crown
So we do it not for a corruptible crown. We do it for a crown that fades not away
For example, the Apostle Paul said in 2nd Timothy 4 verse 6 for I'm now ready to be offered in the time of my departures
At hand I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith henceforth
there is later for me a crown of
Righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them
Also that love his appearing you see there is a reward
Waiting for the Christian on the other side of eternity now
Obviously there's rewards that we get here the Bible explicitly tells us that we will be rewarded a hundredfold even in this lifetime
But you know what there's also rewards that we're gonna get sometime in the future an incorruptible crown
You know, we can lay up treasures not on earth
But in heaven where moth and thieves do not break through and steal moth and rust that's not corrupt
Neither the thieves break through and steal. What is that called an incorruptible crown?
And that's what we should be striving to get right? He goes on to say look look down to Bible verse 26. I
Therefore so run
Not as uncertainly so is he doubting when he's running like man. Am I really gonna get something out of this?
Am I really gonna get like a reward?
Am I really gonna get something? No, he's like I'm fully confident
Why because without faith it is impossible to please him
For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
So we understand that even though now we see through a glass darkly through the promises of God
We're not gonna stagger because we know we're gonna get a reward at the end, right?
We should run not as uncertainly so fired I'd not as one that beat at the air
So what is someone who's beating the air? What are they doing?
Shadowboxing, right? So the Apostle Paul is not just shadowboxing in other words, right? Don't we see him in 1st Corinthians?
Fighting with the Beast at Ephesus. He's actually going toe-to-toe
With the Beast and false prophets and you know the devil and his own flesh, right?
He's making sure that he's bringing into subjection and look let me say this is bringing our flesh into subjection is a fight
Is it not I mean, you don't surrender your life to God when you first get saved and then everything's hunky-dory batteries included
Right, you need to purposely walk in the spirit that you may not fulfill the lust of the flesh
You have to constantly go to war with your flesh and bring it into subjection
The Bible says to mortify therefore the members of your body
He
Says they're not as one that beat at the air
But I keep under my body and bringing into subjection less by any means when I preach to others
I myself should be a castaway. So this could be likened to like a runner
You know who?
He trains he runs, you know X amount of miles each week, but then the the day of the run
What does he do? He eats a double-double?
Not a good idea
Right or he drinks wine
Whether strong drink or just grape juice for that matter not a good idea or let's just take it further
He takes some mind-altering drug. He just starts smoking pot
snorts crack
You would be like you just your entire training was just wasted
What's gonna happen to that person? He's gonna begin to run and he's gonna get disqualified
Because less than halfway through the race what's gonna happen he's gonna gas out
He's gonna tire out and he's gonna have to sit down and shut up and not do anything because of the fact that he is
Now a castaway
He can no longer run the race that is set before him. Does that make sense?
That would disqualify him and that's exactly what castaway means it means someone who is disqualified
Not from salvation, but from the race
That is set before him
Okay, it's like this in Matthew chapter 5 verse 13 says ye are the salt of the earth
But if the salt hath lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted it is henceforth good for nothing
But to be cast out and to be trotted under the foot of men the Bible says you know
What the Bible is telling us is that there are Christians out there that are just good for nothing. Oh
Man, I can't believe you said that sounds a little rude. Yeah, it is. I mean, that's what the Bible says though
It says you're that's what henceforth good for nothing. Oh, but I'm accepted in the beloved. Yeah it for salvation
But you know what? You could be a worthless worker for the Lord
Not do anything. You can have the label you can look like a Christian, but you know what if you're not salty
You can be a castaway. In fact, that's what it says to be cast out and to be trodden under the foot of men
What does that mean? You're worthless?
That's what that's talking about here now look why do we want to be worthless Christians? I don't want to be worthless Christian
I want to make sure that I'm worth something in God's army that I'm doing something for God that I'm not just wasting my life
I want to be as salty as I possibly can
I want to make sure that I'm running not as
Uncertainly not as one that beateth the air
I want to make sure that I stay in the race and I stay salty for God because I don't want to be worthless
And look many Christians many Christians are worthless
Hey, I'll go as far as to say the vast majority of Christians are worthless. Oh
Man, but God loves everyone. First of all, we're not even talking about that
Obviously God loves Christians, but we're not talking about that
We're talking about laboring for the master
and you know what a master requires a
Person who is fit for the kingdom of God
Someone who is laboring someone who is not worthless now
So we see here in 1st Corinthians chapter 9 the Apostle Paul. He's stating he himself. Look. I got to make sure that I discipline myself
I got to make sure that I'm temperate
I got to make sure that if I'm striving for masters that I'm tempered in all things because I don't want to be a
Castaway and more specifically. What is he referring to? Well, look at chapter 10
Because he finishes off chapter 9 and verse 27 about being a castaway look at chapter 10 verse number 1
He says moreover. What does that word mean? It means in addition to what has just been said, right?
Moreover brethren, I would not that he should be ignorant
how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea and we're all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and
In the sea and they'd all eat the same spiritual meat and they'd all drink the same spiritual drink for they drink of that
spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ but
With many of them God was not well pleased
For they were overthrown in the wilderness. So because he wasn't pleased with them. What did he do?
Well, the Bible says he overthrew them. That means he killed them
He overthrew them, oh man, I thought God like love those people. Yeah, but maybe there is just worthless
So doesn't
Overthrow sound like castaway
right
So he's just like you guys aren't obeying
I'm done with you guys
Read the Bible
I'm putting it lightly
Okay
But it says there he was not well pleased with them
He overthrew them in the wilderness verse 6 now these things were our examples to the intent that we should not look what it says
Lusts after evil things as they also
Lusted goes on to say neither be idolaters as were some of them as it has written the people sat down to eat and drink
And rose up to play neither. Let us commit fornication
As some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand now
Let me explain when it says they fell it doesn't mean they tripped and just hit the ground
When it says fellow means they died
God killed them. God overthrew them. What do you do? He cast them away. That's what he did. Okay
Now look, there's a reason why he starts chapter 10 talking about that
They followed Christ that rock which was Christ
They were all baptized unto Moses and he goes on and on about how they all experienced the same thing
However, when it came to them being worthy not worthless what happened God overthrew them
God caused them to fall God destroyed them and we see here why because of the sin of idolatry, but also the sin of fornication
Why because if someone does not know how to possess their vessel and sanctification and in honor they're defiling the temple
Therefore they become a castaway
What's another word for now?
What's another way to put not being giving yourself to fornication or not possessing your vessel and sanctification and honor?
They're not keeping under their body. They're not bringing it into subjection
Okay
Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents
Well, that's Old Testament. Well, hold on a second says Christ right there
Okay, obviously we understand that Christ is the eternal Son of God
But we see here that first Corinthians 10 is making mention of Christ in the Old Testament
As being the one who is allowing them to be destroyed
So
Being a castaway is largely based upon the temperance or the lack thereof of our body
Okay, you know if you ever seen anybody, you know throughout the years, for example
I've known of people who were going forward for God. There were winning souls
They were faithful to church and what happened they got involved in fornication
And you know what happened to get out of church and they become a castaway
That's what happens. You know, you said well, can they come back for that? Well, we'll talk about that in just a bit
They need to be temperate
So this kind of gold works in conjunction with Ephesians chapter 6 in the armor of God because of the fact that yeah
We need to wield the sword of the Spirit
We need to make sure that our feet are shot with the preparation of the gospel of peace
But we also need to make sure that we have the breastplate of righteousness
You know that we're living holy lives that we don't touch the unclean thing, you know
That we make sure that we're living a life that's pleasing unto the Lord be holy for I am holy say it the Lord, right?
Now, let's let's further prove that this is what this is referring to go to chapter number six if you would chapter number six
Chapter number six of 1st Corinthians
So that's what Paul the Apostles referring to he's like I got to make sure that I keep myself in check
I keep under my body. I bring it into subjection because I'm winning a bunch of people to Christ and
If I don't do these things what's gonna happen? I'm gonna become a castaway. I'm gonna be disqualified
From the race, I'm gonna be disqualified from the reward. Okay. Look at chapter 6 and verse 15
Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ
Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of in harlot?
God forbid what know you not that he which is joined to in harlot is one body for to sayeth
He shall be one flesh, but he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit flee fornication
Every sin that a man do it is without the body, but he that committed fornication
Sin it against his own body
What know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which he have of God and you?
Are not your own for you're about with the price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit
Which are God's go to chapter number five if you would chapter number five, we're gonna work work our way backwards here
So to keep under your body is to glorify God in your body
Right because the Bible tells us for this is the will of God even your sanctification that you should abstain from fornication
You know a lot of people like man. I just want to know the will of God for my life. Well start right there
Right your sanctification. Well, I'm not in involved in fornication
All right, then your job you're the will of God for your life is to be holy then
Sanctification look at chapter 5 verse number of 1st Corinthians chapter 5 verse number 4
Now we obviously understand 1st Corinthians 5 is dealing with the man who?
Was involved with fornication in the church and the leadership there was there were not excommunicating this person out of the church
Although they should have right
He was basically involved in a grievous sin that would qualify him to be booted out of the church
That's what this chapter is talking about here
And look what the apostle paul says in verse number four in the name of our lord
Jesus christ when you are gathered together and my spirit with the power of our lord
Jesus christ to deliver one and one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh
That the spirit may be saved in the day of our lord. Jesus. So what does it mean when someone is cast away?
They're given over to satan
for the destruction of the flesh
That's what that means
So someone you think of people who have been in our church
Who have left because they're involved in fornication or drunkenness or whatever it may be mark it down
They were delivered unto satan for their destruction
of their flesh
Oh, how can you say something? Don't you love the word? Yes, but you know what god says here that that's exactly the purpose of church discipline
When they get churched, you know what that means? It's for their destruction
In hopes that they would repent
That they would get right
They would come back and clean up their lives and live a life that's pleasing unto the lord
Now some would say that this person was not safe
Okay, they would say this person is not saved because it says that the spirit may be saved in the day of our lord
Jesus
But I don't necessarily believe that simply because of the fact that chapter five the latter end says that they shouldn't have no fellowship
With a fornicator who was called the brother
And who's the one who's getting excommunicated is this guy right here?
Okay. Now, thankfully, what do we see with this man in second corinthians? He repents he gets right and comes back to church
Then the apostle has to rebuke the church at corn to let him back in
right
But it says here for the destruction of the flesh. That's that's what you do when they're cast away
Go to chapter three if you would chapter three
Look at chapter three verse 15 chapter three of first corinthians deals with the judgment seat of christ primarily
And it says here in verse 15 if any man's work shall be burned
He shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved yet
By the way, this is not the sermon but verse 15 is strong proof that guess what you can be saved and not work
Right
You can be saved and not do any works whatsoever and you're still saved
Because it says there if any man's work shall be burned he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved
Yet so as by fire, what does that mean with loss?
of the rewards
No, you're not
The ye are the temple of god and the spirit of god dwelleth in you
Look what it says if any man defile the temple of god
him shall god
destroy
For the temple of god is holy which temple ye are so what do we see here?
God is telling him if you mess up that temple i'm gonna mess you up
I'm gonna destroy you
Why because that body belongs to me?
How does that look like being cast away?
How do we avoid that?
Being under subjection right bringing our bodies into subjection keeping under our body bringing it into subjection
Let's by any means when we're doing the work of god
When we're succeeding when we're seeing people save or baptizing people we're doing great things for god
Let's by any means when we do those things we ourselves can become passed away where god says i'm done with you. You're going home
You know, you ever have to do that to your children when they're playing they just can't play
They get a little rough and then they start whining and throwing a fit and it's just like all right
You're going home a perfect illustration right here. No, i'm just kidding
So this is like you're going home. You gotta go take a nap kind of thing, right?
Well, that's what god does
When you are involved in sin and you're allowing sin into your life and it goes unconfessed and you're not repenting of it
What's gonna happen? God will destroy you
Well, can you give me a timetable? I don't know
Yeah
That's the scary thing. Is it not?
Because he could do it immediately
Or he can do it a month after a week after a year after but guess what? I don't want to know
I rather just keep under my body
You know
And this is what this is referring to go to first thessalonians chapter number four first thessalonians chapter number four
By the way, this also goes to show us that god has satan on a short leash
Because of the fact that he gives him over to satan for the destruction of the flesh
This is likened into what happened to job right where job literally
basically destroyed
job
Destroyed his finances destroyed even his health
But it was at the permission of god that he allowed him to do that how much more a person who's actually willfully sinning, right?
They become a castaway look at first thessalonians chapter 4 verse 3 for this is the will of god even your sanctification
That you should abstain from fornication that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification
And honor not in the lust of concupiscence even as the gentiles which know not god
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter
Because that the lord is the avenger of all such as we also have forewarned you and testified
For god hath not called us unto uncleanness
But unto holiness he therefore that despises despiseth not man
But god who hath also given us his holy spirit
So we see here that that is the call of god in our lives to live a holy life
If not, we will become castaways brother marcos. Can you bring me some water, please?
Now look
Not just today
But don't we see
In the bible people being cast away
What about solomon?
He's cast away
He didn't keep under his body he married a bunch of women he had a bunch of concubines, right?
Or how about this samson?
Was supposed to be used greatly of god as the judge of israel
He's one of the most notable characters in the old testament the book of judges
We're going to be talking about him in just a couple of weeks
but yet because of his lust because of his relationship with ungodly women and
And the things that he that he did he became a castaway and guess what to this day?
He is a byword and a proverb in the mouths of god's people
We use them constantly as an example of what not to do
We say hey, you don't want to be a castaway. Don't be like samson. How about saul?
Perfect example of a castaway
I mean the first king of israel
Already starting off on the wrong foot
right going to witches
For counsel trying to kill david a man after god's own heart
You know
Doing the sacrifices saying that he forced himself to just disobedience after disobedience
Rebellion after rebellion and what happened? He was cast away
In fact, god told him that the kingdom of god shall be taken from you and give it to a man better than you
Better than now
How would you like to hear those words?
I'm going to take your privileges away and i'm going to give it to someone else who's actually better than you
What does that mean? It means
You're done. You're disqualified. You're cast away. I'm not going to use you anymore
Now did he go to heaven? Yeah, of course
Even though he fell upon his own sword, even though he died a dishonorable death
Even though he's also used as a byword and a proverb he's still in heaven
Amen, and thank god for that, but you know what he was cast away
He was cast away now you say why bring all this up
You say what does this have to do with the reprobate and and you know what the bible teaches about reprobate?
Now, let me give you a brief definition of what a reprobate is. Okay, and this isn't even in the bible
Okay. Now the concept is found in the bible, but if you're to look it up on a dictionary
The literal definition of a reprobate is someone who is beyond the hope of salvation
That's what that means
That rubs people the wrong way
People get offended at that. They just don't like that. But you know what that dictionary is actually pretty good
That definition is actually very biblical
Okay, and i'm explaining to you why now?
here's the thing the reason i'm bringing this up is because
People who oppose the reprobate doctrine will often use first corinthians 9 27 as their proof text to show that reprobates are
Can still be saved or reprobates are still christians or even christians can become reprobate
Because of the fact that who's the one stating all this in first corinthians 9 the apostle paul
And you know the apostle paul in verse 29 basically leaves room
To say I can become a castaway, which is true, right?
But people will take that and say well
You know because they're you know, because they're greek scholars
And they know they know all the greek and the homeric greek and addic greek classical greek
They know modern greek. They know uh kini greek. They know all this greek and they'll say well
You don't understand and by the way people have told me this so I know what i'm talking about. They'll say
Well, you know
in the greek
Castaway is actually reprobate
adokimos
Right, they'll say, you know adokimos means reprobate, but it also means castaway
And so yeah, yeah paul can be a reprobate right there
You know, that's what the greek says even though they don't understand a lick of greek
I'm, sorry adokimos is the proper way adokimos
You know
Adok it says adokimos
or whatever
And they'll say castaway in the greek is the same word for reprobate. Therefore reprobates can be saved christians can become reprobate
Whatever, but here's the thing. This is what happens when you look at the greek language as some mystical language with
powers beyond our understanding
They feel like each individual word of greek
I don't mean to offend our greek person here, you know, brother police, but he knows what's up
He knows he knows what i'm talking about
You know, they'll say all right now i'm really gonna bring it
You know, they don't understand that words
have synonyms
And words are used differently in different contexts, right?
So they think that any time reprobate is used even in the bible. It's only
It only has one definition
So it can't be someone who's beyond the hope of salvation and someone who's cast away. It could only be one
One
This is such stupid logic when it when when it comes to languages
Let me give you an example because even in the english language we have
Words that are specifically associated with something but also could be used for other contexts
Just like this, you know reprobate when we think of a reparate we think of someone who's beyond the hope of salvation
Why because that is the association that the bible gives?
However, it is used in different ways in the bible. That doesn't mean that
But the vast majority of the times that it's used it is in reference to a person who is beyond the hope of salvation
In english, for example the word dead means without life
Right no longer living
But here's the thing if you come home
And let's say your mom told or your mom comes home your dad comes home
And you're supposed to do the chores and you didn't do them and you're like, oh man i'm dead
does it really mean like
You're gonna cease to live your spirit shall be removed from your body to be absent from the bodies to be present with the lord
What does that mean?
Means he's in what?
trouble
Right, or how about this the word beats means to palpitate means to hit something, right?
But if you come home from work and you say man i'm beat does that mean like someone just whooped you at work?
And just put a smack down on you or something
No, see we understand the definitions of these words and how they're used in the context that they're in
You understand that it's raining, you know, uh cats and dogs
Is it really raining feline animals and canines?
We understand this is a figure of speech and it's used in a different way
Well in like manner the same thing is with this word here now, by the way the greek word. Yeah, it is the same word
And it's the other the other crowd was like checkmate, you know
Yeah, now what huh?
Okay, well here's the thing okay and let me explain this is why I think this is important to teach about
Go with me if you would to second corinthians chapter 13
All you have to do to understand which one is being spoken about is just read the context
The bible says this of the reprobate who is beyond the hope of salvation that they're ever learning
And never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
Now as janice and jambres withstood moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds
reprobate concerning the faith
What is faith? It means to believe
So who are we talking about there? We're talking about the person who's beyond the hope of salvation
Because they are reprobate concerning the faith now that word reprobate if you were to use the bible's built-in dictionary
You would see that according to jeremiah chapter 6 that it means rejected
Reprobate silver shall men call them for the lord has rejected them. He uses it in tandem
It goes to show you that rejection is defining the word reprobate. That's exactly what it means
Reprobate silver and here it says in second timothy 3 that they're reprobate concerning the faith. They're rejected the ability to believe
I don't know. I think anybody can get saved at any time. Well, it says here that they're ever learning
And never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
So explain that away why don't you use the greek there
Go get your lexicon and throw it in the trash, you know, just
Recognize it says that they can't come to the knowledge of the truth
This is like a person who memorizes the quran
Right
They're just learning all this
Quran truth or whatever muslim islamic truth, but they never come to the knowledge of the truth
Right
Or how about the atheist that just knows everything about science and they know everything about the big bang theory and everything about evolution
Yeah, they're ever learning, but they're never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And who's the truth? It's jesus
the way the truth and the life
So if he says that they're ever learning never able when does never end never
It's never
Did you guys agree in the english class today
Grammar class
This is someone who is rejected concerning the faith
Okay
now second corinthians 13
Is like the coup de gras in my opinion for the reprobate doctrine
This thing puts this entire thing to bed and those who oppose the doctrine the reprobate doctrine have never been able
to refute
What this is plainly saying?
Or even to try to explain it away. And by the way, I encourage you go back to the greek if you want
You'll get your adokimos there, too
Now let me just give you let me preface this by explaining what this chapter is talking about
So in chapter 13, this is the second book that the apostle paul wrote to the church at corinth
And if you read both books, you understand that this church has a lot of issues. Okay a lot of problems
And we begin to realize that throughout those two books
We start seeing that the people at corinth are actually rejecting the authority of the apostle paul
Okay, they're they're just kind of like, you know
They're downplaying his authority. They're not respecting him, even though he's the one that started the church. They're just behaving in a way
That's unseemly
And so he tells him this right?
And by the way, he basically questions their salvation
Now those of you all right, you can't quit how can you question the apostle paul questions salvation
Right here. Look what it says in verse five
Examine yourselves. Let's read it slowly
examine yourselves
whether ye be in the faith
Prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves how that jesus christ is in you
Except ye be reprobates
Hey paul, you can't say that man
That's that's wrong
No, that's right
I mean, I don't I don't even think we need to explain that verse
He basically says
You have christ in you
The only different don't the only reason you it would not be in you is if you're a reprobate
Because christ can't be in
reprobates
Mic drop is what we call that right now look
When we go soul winning
All these people don't have christ in them
But you know what?
Not all of them are reprobates either
Why is he telling them this?
Because there's a big difference between people who are hearing the word of god on a weekly basis
hearing truth on a continual basis
And reject the truth. You know what we call that person ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
That's a person who is a reprobate
They have a calloused heart. They have a calloused mind. They
Took the word of god in when they knew god they glorified them not as god neither were thankful
But their foolish heart was dark in the bible says
Now we don't know if these people are reprobates or not
But he puts this scripture here to show us that christ is in a person a christian unless they are a reprobate, okay?
Now look what he goes on to say verse six, but I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates
Look at verse seven now. I pray to god that you do no evil not that we should appear approved
But that you should do
That which is honest though we be as reprobates
Now hold on a second. Is he contradicting himself here?
No, it does sound almost like a contradiction if you don't know the definitions of
reprobate
Because he says in verse six. I trust that you that ye shall know that we are not reprobates
So he's like we're not reprobates. We have christ in us, right?
But then he says though we be as reprobates. Well, remember, what is the definition of reprobate?
Rejected
Who is rejecting the apostle paul the church at corinth?
so
Although he wants them to do right he says that you do no evil
Not that we should appear approved but that ye should do that which is honest though. We're rejected of you is basically what he's saying
So it's like if you're going to reject me, okay, make sure you do no evil
live right
Not because i'm trying to prove myself not because i'm trying to make sure that my fruit is doing good
Even though we're being rejected of you
That's what he's saying there for we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth
this is
the e hud dagger in the belly
It's it's it's a finisher
second corinthians 13 christ is in you except ye be reprobates
How do you even explain that
You don't you just say, okay, I believe it now
That's what you do. You're like, okay, it makes sense now, right?
So we see here that this is the a good definition of what a reprobate is so let me explain something
How does a person become a reprobate?
Well, we understand that a person becomes a river when they reject christ
And i'm not even talking about like a full presentation of the gospel either. Sometimes people just reject god period
Without even getting a clear presentation and they actually hate god
And what happens is they actually become a reprobate god says, all right, if you don't want me
If you don't want to retain me in your knowledge then i'll just give you over to a reprobate mind
This is the foolishness of people who say this they'll say well, you know, how can you say what if they what if the reprobate?
You know the sodomite wants to get saved. It's like they don't even want to retain god in their knowledge
They don't even want to think about have you ever just
Despise someone so much that you just don't want to even think about them
This is how they're like
They I don't want god in my knowledge and then you have these baptists who are like
Well, we still got to give them the gospel. They don't want it
They don't want the gospel because it's attached to jesus christ and jesus christ is god
So what is the difference between the two because they'll say well, you know first corinthians 9 27
Is a castaway and look that puts to bed this anderson doctrine of
Reprobation and all this stuff because paul the apostle could become a reprobate that's in the greek adokimos
All right. Well, let's talk about the difference between the two then even though we basically showed right then and there what it was the difference
What is the difference between the castaway and the reprobate? Well, let's look at who they are. Okay
So the castaway is a christian or believer, right?
Go to john chapter 15 if you would
We believe according to the bible that the castaway is the believer
Is a christian and yes, he can be cast away
And look, let me just chase a little rabbit here
Just to prove that reprobate
Is a word that can be used differently if you read the spanish version of the bible
For example, the reign of lara gomez or even versions prior to that, okay
When you read the account in acts chapter number four talk about the lord
Jesus christ how he was, uh, the person who who israel basically rejected
Okay, the stone which the builders disallowed the same has become the head of the corner in the spanish bible. It says
Because that's what he was he was rejected of israel
You understand so it's used multiple times like that. We just got to figure out what the context is
Now look at john 15 verse 5
It says here. I am the vine
Ye are the branches who's jesus referring to he's referring to christians
He that abideth in me and I am him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me he can do nothing
Now it doesn't say for without me you're not saved in a sense, right? Because if they're already saved
Jesus christ is never going to cast them out. He's never going to forsake them. He's talking about the work that they're going to do
Okay, if we abide in christ we abide in the word of god we abide in prayer guess what we can do something for god
Verse six if a man if a man abide not in me
He is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire
And they are burned now a lot of false religion will try to use
John 15 as proof text that you can lose your salvation
Okay
What they don't understand is the way parables work
Are we literal branches?
No
Do men, you know when when people get out of church do men literally, you know
Gather them together and throw them into a fire or furnace. No
This is basically showing us that when a tree
When a branch is disattached from a tree, it's worthless. It could no longer bear fruit
So what do men do they clean it up? They take it and they throw into a fire into the fire because it's worthless
Just as a christian when it's when he or she is not abiding in christ and they're not bearing fruit what happens
They're cast forth as a branch and they're burned
Because they're worthless. Okay
If if you abide in me and my words abide in you you shall ask what you will and it shall be done
Unto you so the castaway is verse number six. It's the christian who chooses not to abide in christ
Now who's the reprobate the reprobate is the christ rejecting hater of god
Go to romans chapter number one if you would
romans chapter number one
Let me turn to myself
Look at verse number
21 because that when they knew god they glorified him not as god neither were thankful
But became bane in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened
Professing themselves to be wise, you know because they're ever learning
They became fools
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible god into an image made like to corruptible man
And to birds into four-footed beasts and creeping things. So what do we see here? We see idolatry
You know, that's why we believe we don't believe that you have to repent of your sins to be saved
But you know what if you are trusting in the virgin mary to be saved you have to repent of that
Right
Because you're changing the image of the incorruptible god into a corruptible
mexican
image
Guadalupe
It says wherefore so because of these things wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves
Who changed the truth of god into a lie?
And worshiped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever. Amen
This is as the bible would also say in second timothy chapter three that they shall be lovers of their own selves
Because when the bible talks about creatures not always in reference to animals. Sometimes it's in reference to us as a creation
You know man, for example, right?
For this cause god gave them up to vile affections for even their women to change the natural use into that which is against nature
You know like the lesbians likewise
Also the men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in her lust one toward another men with men working now
Which is unseemly and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error, which was meat, you know, like diseases aids
Verse 28 and even as they did not like to retain god in their knowledge. God gave them over to a reprobate mind
To do those things which are not convenient. So look
God cast them away. He rejected them, but he rejected their mind
He gave them a reprobate mind now, why is that important?
Well, because of the fact that the bible talks about having a seared conscience
And often the mind is associated with the heart
And the bible tells us that the peace to be saved that you have to believe on the lord
Jesus christ, right
The bible says that if thou should confess with all thy heart the lord jesus and believe in that heart that god had raised him
From the dead thou shalt be saved
So, how are you saved by believing?
Yes, well, how do you do that if your conscience is here
Right, how do you do that if you can't even believe
So we see here
These are who this is who the bible is talking about
The reprobate is the christ-rejected hater of god that cast away is the christian who is not attached to the vine
Okay
now look
If you're saved here today, you will never become
You'll never god will never give you over to a reprobate mind
Never
It'll never happen
Why because the bible tells us that at salvation that the holy spirit of god comes to dwell within the believer
And they're sealed until the day of redemption
He's there forever
right
We have the inward man, but can you be cast away? Absolutely
God can shelf you
And say you're worthless. You're not doing anything. Let me just take you and put you up here
Okay, because you're worthless
Now how did they get there? Well the castaway often by moral impurity fornication adultery
idolatry sin
Defiling the temple the reprobate gets there by rejecting the lord
The bible says even as they did not like to retain god in their knowledge
God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient. Now. Look here's the thing
Let's talk about sodomites for example, okay
Because there's reprobates out there that are not sodomites
But you know, every sodomite is a reprobate
every single one of them
Because of the fact that a sodomite is the fruit pun intended
Of being a reprobate
That's the byproduct
Right
We see a tree
And it has no fruit
When it starts bearing fruits, we would say okay, that is an apple tree
It was an apple tree before I even bear fruit, right?
When we see a homo acting like a homo
We say okay that tree was
a reprobate all along
Right, who knows when they got planted or who knows when they they sow that seed who knows when he rejected the lord
But we know that that person is a reprobate
Because it says there that aside from the fact see when they give are given over to a reprobate mind
They're not only not able to believe
Because they have a seared conscience their moral compass is removed
What is the moral compass? It's the governor that tells you that certain things are just disgusting
That is completely removed
That's why the bible tells us that they're given over to a reprobate reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient
being filled with all
unrighteousness
So the person who has a reprobate mind is capable of the most heinous crimes
the most disgusting
filthy acts known to man
Why because they have a seer conscience?
Right
The castaway does not have that ability
Now are they able to fornicate? Absolutely
adultery, yes
Drug abuse. Absolutely. But you know what the moral compass is still there
And before they even get to a certain point god just basically takes them home
Or let's just use the bible's word. He overthrows them
He destroys them
loving god
That is a loving god by the way
He said why would that be loving for god to kill a christian when they're involved in such wicked sin?
Basically to save them from shame at the judgment seat of christ
So they don't destroy their lives even further
But look, why don't we just stay far far away from that?
And then you know
At the judgment seat of christ we get honored
right
for the things that we do
Now what are they being rejected from well the castaway is being rejected from obtaining the reward go to
Uh, go to colossians chapter number three
obtaining a reward
And look don't just be the christian who just comes to church that's a start amen be the christian who starts to work
Who wants to obtain a reward?
Who runs not as uncertainly?
Who who fights but not as one that beats the air?
Who's actually working preaching the gospel doing something for god make your life count for the lord
Look at the bible says in colossians 3 verse 24 knowing that of the lord
Ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the lord christ
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons
The bible says so what is that talking about? Well?
It's not saying you're going to receive the wrong at the judgment seat of christ
Because at the judgment seat of christ your work shall be burned you shall be saved yet. So as by fire
The wrong that you're going to receive is here
You know, we often when we go preach the gospel
You know, we'll often tell him you don't have to work for salvation
You don't have to like go to church or do keep god's commandments and and he sometimes people will say well
Are you saying that we can just like do whatever we want?
And this is like well for salvation
All you have to do is believe on the lord jesus christ and if you choose to live a sinful life afterwards
Yes, you can do that and still be saved
But no if you do that guess what god is going to judge you
on this earth
Vengeance is mine say the lord. I will repay and that is in context of the christian
You can be cast away so you will receive the wrong
That you have done, but it will be on this earth
And most of sometimes it's just death
And guess what at the time of death no more work
No more winning souls
No more preaching the word of god. No more discipling no more helping your children grow in the lord
No more laboring in the things of god no more missions. No more sowing events. No more any of that. You're done
Go to hebrew chapter 12 hebrew chapter number 12
So the sermon is not only to show you the difference between these two
The difference between these two it's also it's also to encourage the believers here. Hey, don't be a castaway
And look throughout the lifespan of our church. We will have many castaways
Because that's just the nature of the beast
People will come and go come and go people will get into sin
Leave for years some may come back some may not some will just be a permanent castaway
Okay, look at hebrews 12 verse 1 wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us lay aside every weight
And the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us
See in order for us to be an effective christian. We not only have to know the gospel presentation. We got to live holy lives
Not be worldly
but be holy
be effective
Looking unto jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross
Despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of god for consider him that endorsed such contradiction of sinners
Against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds
Ye have not resisted unto blood striving against sin
So what happens when you don't lay aside every weight?
When you don't lay aside the sin that does so easily beset us or it compasses us what happens? Well you faint in your mind
That's why the bible tells us
that
when we're when we're to not grow weary and well-doing for in due season ye shall reap if
you faint not
So you just got to put up with you got to endure the hardships of life in the times that you're that you're struggling
Go to john chapter 12 if you would
So the castaway
The christian is being rejected from the reward. Well, you said I don't care about that
You know, whatever, okay
That's not what you're going to be seeing and saying in eternity and by the way you not only get shamed
There because the bible says that some will wake up to everlasting shame and everlasting contempt. You'll also get shamed here
You know, it's shameful to get thrown out of the church
It's a shame
to get thrown out of the church
And look this isn't there's no carpet here
I mean you see it, but there's you can't peel the carpet back for us to sweep under all the garbage under the carpet
So when you get thrown out for something
Wicked as what we see in first corinthians chapter five we bring it before the church
You know if you get thrown out for some reason if you don't want to repent you're railing
You're being contentious you're involved in fornication. You're involved in drunkenness. You're smoking weed
You're doing all these things. Guess what pastor bruce me. He is going to do
He's not going to sweep it under the carpet. I'm going to bring it up and show everyone and then throw it out
Amen
Oh, that's not right, but you know what it'll keep you right and by the way it is right
They that sin rebuke before all that others may fear
You need to serve god because you love jesus obviously, right?
But jesus did say if you love me keep my commandments
And these things keeps us on track
And by the way, it keeps your kids on track
Okay
and
You know
We want to make sure the bible tells us to preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort
With all long suffering and doctrine so we do we are patient with people
We're patient. We try to be long suffering
We try to be forbearing but you know
If people continue to willfully sin and be involved in things that they're not supposed to be involved in
And we keep correcting we keep correcting them. They're out
And they will get shamed
You will be cast away. How does god cast away with the church?
We use the authority that god has given to us as a church institution to cast people away
Yeah, absolutely
Okay
Now
That's what the castle so the castaway is rejected from the reward
They're rejected from having fellowship
with other christians
All right, because if you get booted out of the church, guess what you have no fellowship
We we're not to have any fellowship with you
That's cultish. No cultures would be like lock the doors. You can't leave
I'm your daddy
You know i'm divine
No, no, no
The opposite of cultish is get out
And if you want to join a church that's liberal and weak and limp-wristed where they don't
You know, they don't practice any church discipline. They tolerate the most heinous of sins then go join that liberal baptist church
That weakling limp-wristed baptist church
You know, but here but here's the thing before you criticize what we do
I want you to come with bible in hand and prove to me that what i'm doing is wrong
Prove to me that what you believe is right and don't use while I feel
Because I don't care what you feel
Unless you feel i'm right. Just kidding
I'm, just kidding
So that's the castaway
And look the reason i'm preaching like this is because I don't want no one to be I don't want anybody to be
Castaway in our church
Let's go forward. Amen. Let's bear fruit. Let's go soul winning. Let's enjoy fellowship
Let's just live for the lord and and and work in such a way that the lord would delight in us
To bless us. Amen
But the reprobate so what is he rejected from from believing on the lord for salvation?
So the bible tells us that they're given over to a reprobate mind and it says that they're reprobate concerning the faith
Now I know I said second corinthians 13 is like the coup de gras i'm gonna show you another coup de gras
And this one's for sure
For sure for sure for sure for sure
Okay, because sometimes people will be like, I don't think god will do that to someone and you know
I just don't believe god, you know, how can god a loving god and all this?
This liberal rhetoric
Okay
Okay, let's go to the most loving book
In the bible
Don't we all love the book of john?
Isn't that where we find john 316?
For god so loved the world
you know
Beautiful beautiful verses the whole bible is beautiful, obviously, you know, but we give people I mean when someone first gets saved
We tell them to start reading the bible. Where did they start reading the book of john, right?
Look at john 12 verse 38
Verse 38 says that the saying of his eyes the prophet might be fulfilled with she spake lord who hath believed our report
To whom hath the arm of the lord been revealed
therefore
They could not what's that next word?
Say it louder
Because that his eyes said again
He who's he?
god
hath blinded their
eyes
Now just step back for a second here
Did I read that correctly?
They could not believe
Why because he had blinded their eyes now
He's not literally blinding their eyes, right
That term is used in regards to salvation. That's why you know
Amazing grace, you know I once was blind but now I see that's in regards to salvation
That's what we're talking about. Right because now we see the truth
Right, we see that jesus christ is the way the truth and the life. We know the truth. We're awake, right?
Therefore they could not believe because it is I said again he god hath blinded their eyes
And hardened their heart that they should not see with their eyes. Hey, that's mean god
You blind so they should not see. Yep
Nor understand with their heart, how does someone get saved they have to understand the gospel
They have to put a and b and connect them together and say okay not by works of righteousness
Which I have done but according to his mercy he saved us
Oh for by grace are you safe through faith and then out of yourselves?
It is a gift of god not of works. Let any man should boast
Oh, I get it. I understand
But this person can't understand
Was it the soul winner that came to him and just kind of give a very complicated
You know, uh apologetic type of uh sermon that did just they're just like I don't know what this guy's saying. No god
Caused them to not understand god caused them to not be able to see because god doesn't want them to be saved
And look what it says and be converted
And I should heal them. These are very tough words
But it's true
Now look, this is not for everyone though
But I will say this if you are in a bible believing church and you're not saved
And you've heard the truth over and over again. This will apply to you soon enough if you don't get saved
That's the way it works
Because you're giving the truth constantly
And you're like, I don't want it. I don't want it. I don't want it and god says okay, then I don't want you
You
I mean is that wrong for god to do that? No, the judge of all the earth will do right
And he's like, I don't want you. I don't want you. I don't want you. God says okay. I don't want you either
He's just agreeing with you
Is what he's doing
So they're reprobate from believing for salvation now
Go to hebrew chapter 10. This will be the last portion of scripture we go to
Now here's my last point is god finished with them
Well the castaway is he is he done with the castaway?
Well, let me say this he can be
He can be
Not for salvation
But from life on this earth
So people who've been thrown out for sin or whatever it may be and they're out there
They're just like yeah, I think i'm good, you know, all right
You could actually be permanently cast away
And god could just destroy you and you're done
The reason I say that is because
If we're ever in the position that we're cast away because of sin
You better come back quick
You better get right with god fast
You know, you better recognize that the goodness and forbearance of god leadeth us unto repentance
Amen
and not play
with god's wrath
Don't play with his judgment
Don't play with you know, the uh, the fact that he is a god who is merciful and kind and gracious
Don't turn the grace of god into lasciviousness
Just get right with god
Repent and get right look at hebrews 10 verse 26
Why?
Because it says in verse 26 for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth
There remain is no more sacrifice for sins
You see in the old testament the sacrifices of the animals were done for the sins of the flesh
Because obviously we understand that their sins just totality as far as their spirit is concerned
Was paid by jesus christ before the foundation of the world
Right the lamb of god who was slain before the foundation of the world the bible says this was done for the sins of the flesh
Well, it says here if we sin willfully after that we receive the knowledge of the truth. There were made no more sacrifices for sins
Why because that's already done away with?
So guess what? You're gonna have to pay for your sins
How are you gonna pay for it by god judging you?
or
You know if we confess our sins
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I'd rather do first john 1 9
Look at verse 27
So there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain
Fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries who's a certain the person who's willfully sinning
So what's the only thing that remains the person who's in sin who's just like man god's gonna judge me at any moment
God's wrath is gonna come upon me at any moment
Verse 28 he that despised moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Good night
So it wasn't like hey, man
I'm, sorry. I gotta do this man. I know we grew up together and stuff. No, it was like
Stone them with stones
I don't agree with that rendition
It's all over the old testament
In fact the person even if it was in your own family
If your family member caused you to sin and to depart from the lord
The bible says thine eyes shall not pity
He
Says in verse 29 of how much sore punishment suppose he
Shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under the foot of the son of god and hath counted the blood of the covenant?
Wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace for we know him
That hath said vengeance belongeth unto me. Hey, by the way, we know him too. Amen
We know the one who says vengeance belongeth unto me
But we typically quote that for those who hate us, right?
It actually says here vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompensate the lord and again the lord shall judge his people
So who's god taking vengeance on his people
I like verse 31
It is a fearful thing
To fall into the hands of the living god
Know what that means? Let me let me render to you in in modern english. This is scary
This is very scary
So let's not willfully sin. Let's not let's not be a castaway in other words, right?
Let's stay attached to the vine. Let's bear fruit. Let's get a reward
You say well, what about the reprobate is he done? Yes
Done
done
The bible says that they're twice dead plucked up by the roots
A tree that is twice that it's plucked up by the roots. It means it's not going to be planted anymore
It's they're done
Now what is the message today? Well one if you're not saved you better get saved amen
You better get saved because there could come a point where you actually cross the line and become a reprobate and you're rejected concerning the
faith
And and you know what the bible says that you'll be a twofold more a child of hell
In fact just as we when we believe on christ the bible says the word the bible says that but as many as receive them
To them give you power to become the sons of god
Even unto them to believe in his name in like manner the person who rejects christ and becomes a reprobate
The bible says they're sons of the devil
Ye are of your father the devil the lust of a father what you do?
He was a murderer from the beginning of bow down the truth for there is no truth in him
He's referring to people there
The same people he was referring to in john chapter 12
So the message today is this hey don't get these two mixed up and you probably
I don't know if you've even heard anything like that, but I have i've had multiple people tell me oh
They're both the same thing. No, they're not the same thing
And all you have to do is look at the context of those two
That's the first thing I want you to know second thing is this hey, don't be a castaway
Stay attached and look step number one get in a good church
Getting in a good church will help you stay attached during the times that you don't want to stay attached
The times you struggle so you can get that reward amen
Inspire heads and have a word of prayer father. We thank you so much for your word
And god, I pray that you'd help us help us to keep under our bodies bring it into subjection
And um, let's by any means when we have preached to others. We ourselves can be castaways. We can be rejected from from the crown
The incorruptible crown we could be rejected from the reward
And I pray god that you'd help us
to
Abide in the vine
To make sure that we're reading our bibles. We're staying in church where we're working at
Just being holy and living a life that's pleasing unto you help us to stay far away from sin
And help us as a church continually be a congregation
That helps those who come back and restores them
But also those who refuse to be restored that we may be used of you to cast them out because we don't want god's judgment
On our congregation here either and I pray god that you bless us as we go on our way
In jesus name we pray. Amen