On your message guide, I noted last night that I put the wrong chapter. We're not going back in 2 Thessalonians. We are still moving forward, so I apologize for that. We are going to be in chapter 3, verses 10-15, not chapter 2, verses 10-15. So if you'll turn your Bibles with me to chapter 3. And as you see, we're getting closer and closer to the end of this book, and we really have one more message after this one, going through this particular epistle that Paul and Silas and Timothy combined, sent to this young but struggling church in Thessalonica. And I hope it's been an encouragement and a challenge to you, as it has been to me. And we'll see where the Lord takes us from here. There is a call that we find in these verses, and that call is for commitment as Christians to the cause of Christ. Commitment is not something that is very popular today. We see a lack of commitment in lives, in families, and in churches all across the United States and even the world. Commitment is not very popular at work today. In fact, I was looking up some statistics about work turnover. Now most of you, a lot of you, have been in a job for a long period of time, and that is commendable. That shows a loyalty to your company, but also a loyalty from the company to you as an employee as well. But do you realize that if you are loyal to your company and your employer, and you've been there more than four years, that you are an anomaly in the workforce today. In 2006, the turnover rate for employers was 24%. That means one out of four people in that year changed jobs. And it happens year after year after year. It has been statistically about 23, 24, 25 percent. Why? Because people are not as committed to their work and to their employer as they once were. Where they would live and work for a particular employer for 20, 30, 40, even 50 years perhaps, and get their pensions and get all these different things. It's not that way today, is it? There's a lack of commitment in workforce. We also see in families a lack of commitment. Do you realize that nearly 10% of couples that are living together today are unmarried couples? They are couples that have not taken that next step of committing themselves to each other in marriage. And then those that are married, here's the other side, those that are married, because of a lack of commitment, nearly 50% end up in divorce or separation. Why? What has happened to commitment in this day and age? We also see a lack of commitment even in churches. There are many people that grace the pews that do not become members, perhaps for whatever reason. They've been there for many years, but they've never taken that extra step of becoming and joining a particular assembly, of joining and becoming a part of that body. But then even those that do, we've all seen this, pop their membership from one church to another, to another, to another. Why? Because there's a lack of commitment today. And these are just symptoms of a greater problem, and that is a lack of commitment that is given to us by Jesus Christ. What has happened to commitment? We've seen in these verses that when God calls you to be a Christian, He calls you and me to commitment. Commitment. This is part of our faith and our love for Jesus Christ. It involves a serious commitment to the things that God has called us to. If you find areas in workplace relationships and family relationships in a church, those that have been genuinely converted, those who have a love for Jesus Christ, have the highest levels of commitment. Why? Because a call to Jesus Christ is a call to commitment. And this becomes a natural state of a Christian who loves the Lord. He wants to be committed to what God has given them to do. Of course, Jesus Christ is our first and foremost commitment. The Bible says that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength. That is where our main commitment lies. But there are other areas of commitment as well. And when we don't see commitment in these areas, it is really a symptom of a more serious condition, a lack of commitment to Jesus Christ. There's a few areas of commitment that are pointed out to us in verses 10 through 15 of 2 Thessalonians 3. We last look at verses 6-10. which basically show us that there was a major problem in this church. This was two weeks ago. Last week, of course, we enjoyed the Bob Jones drama team. But if you remember with me two weeks ago, we looked at the problem. It wasn't just a problem in doctrine. In 2 Thessalonians, it's talking about a problem in doctrine about the Lord's coming. There were some people that believed that Jesus Christ had already come or that he was just at the very verge of coming and so they just decided we're going to give up and not work. Or we're just going to give up and we're going to put our endeavors toward looking for Jesus and not toward the other responsibilities that we have. But we also find this practice, this practical everyday living issue in these verses. There were some, as we saw last time, that were walking disorderly. Look at verse 6. Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us. And then if you wonder, well, what was this problem? Look at verse 10. He says, for even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. There were people in this church that were absolutely lazy. They were so focused on things above that they were no good to anybody below. They were thinking themselves to be quite pious and quite very strong Christians, thinking that Jesus could come at any moment and looking for that. But they failed to execute the responsibilities that God had given them in their life. They failed to work. And so Paul is saying, yes, your doctrine is important, but also what you do is important. It's not just what you believe. But it's also what you do, because what you believe affects what you do. Your doctrine is the very bedrock of your practice. And so he says, the problem doesn't just lie in your doctrine, that's an issue, but it also lies in your practice. You see, it seems as if there were some people that were very committed to what was going on inside their church. It seems like they were very interested in one another, which is good. But they were so interested and so focused on the problems of other people that they failed to execute the responsibilities that God had given to them outside of the church. Let's look again at verses 10 through 15. He says again, For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Why does he say this? Verse 11, For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but instead are busybodies. Now, them that are such, those people that are not accepting the responsibility to work with their hands, but rather are interfering with other people's lives, are busybodies. Now, them that are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, referring to the faithful Christians that were not lazy in their responsibilities, but ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish or warn him as a brother." There were some within this church that became so lazy and unproductive in the world that they became a burden on the church. They failed to accomplished what God had given them by working with their hands and earning money for themselves and for their family, that they became a burden and a bunch of busybodies within the church, probably gossiping, probably meddling where they shouldn't have meddled. And yet there were major problems in their life because they were not obeying the simple instruction that Paul had given them that if you don't work, you should not eat. They became so lazy and unproductive in the world that they became a burden and a problem in the church. So, Paul reminds them of some responsibilities that they have as Christians. They had to be committed to their calling as Christians. I believe in these verses we're going to find three callings. Christians ought to be committed to. Remember, the call to being a Christian is a call to commitment to Jesus Christ and to the things that pertain to Jesus Christ. And without commitment, it shows that there's a problem with our commitment to Jesus Christ. If we are not committed to rooting out sin in our life, there's a problem. That's just a symptom of a lack of commitment to Jesus Christ. If we lack commitment in our work environment, it's a symptom of a lack of commitment to the Lord Jesus, who has called us to work and to provide things honest in the sight of all men. If we lack commitment in our families, to the people that are closest to us, it's a symptom of a lack of commitment to Jesus Christ, who wants us to have the best kind of relationship with each other. If we lack a commitment to the very church that God has placed us. It's a symptom that we are not committed to our Savior who has brought us into this place in the first place. The very first call that we find that we need to be committed to is the call to Christian fruitfulness. Look at verses 10 through 12, which is addressed basically to those that were lazy, loafing Christians. They were genuine believers. We know this because in verse 15, he says, don't count them as enemies. Don't cast them out. Don't think of them as publicans and sinners. These are genuine believers. Don't count them as an enemy, but admonish them as brothers. So these are genuine people within the church. And he says, for even when we were with you, we commanded you this very simple Very terse, very important lesson. If you're not going to work, you should not soak it up from other people. You shouldn't eat. Why? Because we hear that there are some, there are some Christians in your body which walk among you disorderly. Not working at all, but are busybodies. Now, them that are such, we command and exhort by the Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. You see, even as Christians, they and we have a calling to godly work. We should not be lazy in our life with Christ, but also in our life outside of this place. We should not be lazy in the place that God has put us to work. That means students should not be lazy in their studies. That means that adults should not be lazy in their work. That means none of us should be lazy within our families, because He says very clearly, Very simply, if any is not willing to work, neither should he eat. This is a call for you and I to be fruitful and productive in society, to be the very best Christian citizens that we can be. Why? Remember Matthew 5.16, what did Jesus say? Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. If you are a good worker, and if you are not lazy in the world, you know what? You have a testimony that people can see, and that you can point them to the Lord Jesus Christ. Laziness is not a mark of a committed Christian, but rather a commitment to hard effort and work in the world and in the workplace is an evidence of a commitment to Jesus Christ, and this is why Some of you may not be called to be a pastor or a Sunday school teacher. Some of you may be called to be a farmer or to be a store clerk. The Bible says whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. There is dignity in every form of work because every form of work that God has enabled you to do is a ministry for Jesus Christ. And if we as a church grasp a hold of this and the importance of this, we realize that ministry doesn't just take place in this building. Ministry takes place out of this building, outside in the world. wherever you might find yourself, when you're working, especially what a great place and what a great opportunity to work hard and to not be lazy and to do your best. Why? It's not as unto men, but as unto the Lord Jesus Christ. And people will see your good work and glorify your Father which is in heaven. I don't remember how many times people wondered about me. Why are you doing so much work? I remember when I was just out of college, or actually in between a summer, and was working in a restaurant, I just didn't want to really talk a whole lot with the people that were by me. I was a host in a restaurant, and the host desk, people would call me a hostess, and I didn't like that, so I was a host, okay? And they had the host desk right here if you were coming into the restaurant, but just up a couple stairs over here was the bar. And I don't remember his name, but the bartender And I would talk a lot. And the things that he said were not the best quality things in the world to say. He would cuss. He would tell dirty jokes. And so the thing that I wanted most was to avoid being at my host station. I wanted to be out, and I wanted to be working. So what I did was I tried to find anything that I could do to work. There would be times that I would bring food to a table, and I was very bad at that. They were very fortunate that I didn't spill things all over them. And after they would eat, I would go out and I'd bust these tables. And the bus people and the waitresses and the waiters would say, why are you doing this? That's not your job. Nothing else better to do. I didn't tell them because I didn't want to talk to him. But after a while, after a while, they came to know that I was a Christian. They came to know that I was a member of this particular church in New York. They came to know that I was going to Bible college. And I remember something that really meant a lot to me. He was talking to me, and we were able to have some conversation, and he stopped cussing. He stopped telling dirty jokes, because he knew I didn't want to hear it. And then he said, Steve, you know what? We would invite you to this party after work, but I know you're going to say no, because there's going to be drinking there. I said, you're right. But I appreciate the offer. Maybe we can go out sometime and not drink, and we can talk about the Lord, and we can talk about something. Why don't you come to church with me sometime? It opened up an opportunity. And this is what we ought to see in the labor that God gives us. The lesson here was this. If there is an ability, there is responsibility. If God has given you ability in the workplace, there is responsibility in the workplace. But I think we have a different problem in this church. The people here were actually so busy on the inside that they were neglecting their work on the outside. Don't we see the exact opposite problem, where we are so busy on the outside that we neglect our responsibilities on the inside? Let's look at this a little bit closer. The report was not good about these people in the church. There were some in the church that had the ability to work, They knew it was their responsibility outside of the church, but they refused to obey. It says in verse 10 and 11 that they were disorderly. That's the same exact word that we find in verse 6 when He says, "...withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly." What does that mean? It means that they were walking out of step with God's Word. I gave the illustration last time how funny it would look if we watched the Olympics in China and those military guys walking in step, taking that flag and putting the flag up the pole. How funny it would have looked if they would have walked out of step. And one person had their right foot going when the other person's left foot was going. And it would look funny, and we would laugh, and it would not put on a good show for the Chinese government, would it? No, it wouldn't. We would be laughing. Look at them. They're walking out of step. But that's the idea here, is if a Christian is walking out of step with God's Word, there is a problem in your life. There is a problem that needs to be dealt with, and that is a responsibility that you and I have to recognize in our personal lives, is I am supposed to be committed to Christian fruitfulness. Yes, outside of this wall, and not to be lazy, but the application runs deeper. Whatever responsibility God has given to me, I must be committed to. There are responsibilities that we have to our families, to our workers, and to our church. That if we're not committed to them, we are in the same exact position as these unbelievers or these believers were. They and we are walking disorderly. Now, they showed their disorderly in this way, this disorderly conduct by being idle. It says they worked not at all. They worked not at all. They were accepting church welfare, if you will. But it wasn't that they weren't completely idle. Instead, it says they were busy bodies. They were busy within the church, but they weren't doing the right thing. The word that we find here, busybodies, can also be literally translated to work around. We all know people that like to work around things, don't we? Instead of just buckling down and doing their business and working hard and getting through no matter what the obstacle is, what do they do? They work around. They try to go the easy way out. These people that were listed here, these busybodies, were good at working the crowd. They were able to interfere in this person's life and this person's life. They would meddle here. They would gossip here. They would ignore this person here. And basically, they took on a reputation. Well, these must be really spiritual people because they're always here at church and they're always talking about spiritual things. They're always trying to get me to do what's right. The fact is they were not doing the responsibilities that God had given them on the outside. They were minding everyone else's business. but their own. And they were thinking that they were doing something for the church. Now, what would be the report of us? What would the report be of us? Would it be a good report or would it be a bad report? God has given us ability. Now, are we taking the responsibility to answer that call and to be committed to that cause? What would the report be of you and of me? Are we performing the responsibilities that God has given us, not only outside, but also inside the church? Too often. We are so busy with the affairs of this world that we neglect our responsibilities inside the church. There has to be a balance. We do have responsibilities in both worlds. And the fact is, the Scripture doesn't really take those two apart. They mash them together. It says, one, You have responsibilities outside of the church as well as inside the church because all of this works together in our life and our commitment to Jesus Christ. What are you committed to? You need to be committed to both responsibilities. We find fruitfulness outside the work is your responsibility. Listen to these verses. Ecclesiastes 9.10. I alluded to them earlier. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. Whatever you do, when you're here in church and you're listening eagerly, what should you do? You should do it with your might. When you go home today, And you have some work to do around the house. You should do it with all your might. I've heard some people say, when you go home today and you watch a football game, you ought to watch it with all your might. I don't think that's what it's dealing with, but it's dealing with responsibilities that you are to be committed to that is an evidence of your commitment to Jesus Christ. What are you committed to? Are you doing things with all your might? Colossians 3.23 is another verse. And whatsoever you do, Do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Do you realize that you can do work outside of this place? You can do work, and you can do studies, and you can do all these things, not unto men, but unto God. And that's the difference between a Christian that is just making a living, and a Christian that recognizes that his work is ministry. You might work in a back room making boxes. I did that for a little while. And I got to thinking, there's really nobody I'm talking to here. How can this be a ministry? It is when you recognize you're not doing it for men, you're doing it for God. And so I tried to build the best boxes that I could for the glory of God. That's ministry. That's ministry. And that is taking responsibility for what God has given you. That's commitment. But then there's also fruitfulness inside the church that you need to be committed to. Listen to what Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4.14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee. Do you realize that when you're saved, when you're a Christian, God has given every one of you a gift? And if you are not exercising that gift within the context of our local church, you are not fulfilling your responsibility and you are not committed to this church. And that is a display of really how committed you are to the Lord Jesus Christ. What gift do you have that you're neglecting in your church? 1 Peter 4.10, Peter says, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. What's the resolution to this bad report? We see both a command and a call. Look at verse 12. Now them that are such, those people that are not walking orderly in the church, that are walking out of step with God's Word, and it could be anything, This is dealing with a sin, what we would think the minor sin, of laziness. Laziness isn't a major sin. This can be applied to anywhere that we are out of step with God's Word. And if we're out of step with God's Word in the area of our morals, or if we are out of step with God's Word in the area of our teaching, or in our relationships, or whatever it might be, We find a command and a call to change our ways. He says, now them that are such, we command. Now that is a strong word. When God gives a command, He expects it to be obeyed. Do you realize the Ten Commandments have great relevance for us today? You and I cannot keep the Ten Commandments to be saved. That's very clear. It was a schoolmaster to show us that we need Jesus Christ. Because I can't keep these commandments. But these commandments, the Ten Commandments, and the commands that we find in Scripture are still relevant for us because someone who has been saved by the grace of God wants to obey their heavenly Father. They want to obey the One who has saved them, not out of duty, but out of delight, because I love Him for what He's done for me. And so the Ten Commandments are still relevant. And this command also is relevant. We command that you change your ways, that you work quietly and you eat your own bread. You stop being lazy and you start being productive, He says here. But this command also is attached with a call. Yes, it's a harsh command, but it's also an exhortation. It is an opportunity to obey. That's where we need to get to. We need to recognize, yes, I do have a responsibility to obey the Lord, but I also have the opportunity to obey. We also see elsewhere in Scripture that apart from being a Christian, you cannot obey. You cannot please God. But thank God, now that I am a believer, I can please Him, I can obey Him, because the Holy Spirit of God dwells within me, and He is going to work these things out in my life. You and I need to be committed to the calling of fruitfulness inside the church and outside the church. Because when we let our life so shine before men, They will see our good works and glorify our Father, which is in heaven. What do we need to be committed to? We need to be committed to walking in step with God's Word, making sure that we're pure before God in our own personal lives. We are to obey God. And we can do it with delight. The second call we find in verse 13. This is a brief verse. It says, But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. After dealing with those that have been unfaithful in the church, he now talks to those that are faithful in the church. And we find a call to Christian faithfulness. He is writing here to faithful, active, committed Christians. And why is he writing? He is writing to encourage the faithful. He is writing to encourage them so that they won't become discouraged. I can imagine these people that were actually working outside, and they were doing their jobs outside the church and inside the church, and you know what that's like. You know that it sometimes can be very difficult when you've got a day job, and then you've got to come to prayer meeting, and I'm tired, and I'm weary from that, and I've got my mind all screwed up, and it's hard, and it's tired to perform your responsibilities in the workplace, and then to come to church and perform your responsibilities here. It's hard to have a long week at work, or doing whatever you're doing, and then come on Saturday night and work with young people the kids' night out. It's hard! It's hard. And so he says, but ye brethren, be not weird in well doing. Don't be discouraged at what other people say about your work. Sometimes balls are going to drop. Maybe you were awake all night last night, and you were supposed to teach a Sunday school lesson this morning, and you got the words out, and they were all jumbled together like Brother Tom's. Just kidding. And you didn't know where you started and where you finished, and you didn't know what you were saying, and you think, oh man, I just really messed up. People say, well, that person shouldn't be teaching. It's terrible. That person shouldn't work with kids. Look at how he jumped all over that kid. Don't be discouraged when you're doing the responsibilities that God has given you both outside the church and inside the church. Don't be discouraged about what others might be getting at your expense. We see that sometimes in our church. People give and give and give and give and give. And nothing's given back in return by those that are not performing their responsibilities inside the church as they do outside the church. And we give and we give and we give some more. He says, don't be weary in well-doing. That word weary, to mean spiritless, to be discouraged. It's not talking about just being tired. It's a parallel to what we find Paul saying in Galatians 6, 9. And let us not be weary in well-doing. Why? He gives a reason in Galatians. For in due season we shall reap if we faint not. There's a reward for those that are faithful. But also, look at 1 Corinthians 15, 58, or just listen. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. So don't just be not weary, but also work harder. Why? Because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. The Lord will reward you openly. And we also find an example for the faithful in Hebrews 12. These are verses that are familiar with you. If you want to turn there, go ahead. Keep your finger at 2 Thessalonians, though. Because in Hebrews 12, verses 1-3, it talks about the example that we have to be faithful. Wherefore, seeing that we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, every discouragement, and the sin that so easily besets us. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, who is 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 endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of faithfulness for any of us. And when we become weary, all we have to do is look at Jesus, who walked to the hill of Golgotha, and He kept going. He kept going. We can do that through His strength as well. Simon Kissamiker writes, Do not let a few people who neglect their duty keep you from doing your duty. Never grow tired of doing that which is right, honorable, and excellent. Be committed to the calling that you have to be faithful. Be committed to the calling that you have to be fruitful, but also, third, be committed to the call to Christian fellowship. What are we to do with those that are not faithful? He answered that in verses 14 and 15. And if any man does not obey our word, Note that man, and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." How are those who are faithful in their responsibilities supposed to deal with those who are unfaithful in their responsibilities? Well, we first must realize that Christian fellowship is to be absolutely pure. The Word of God is to be obeyed. And this is what we dealt with two weeks ago about the area of church discipline. The purpose of church discipline is not to say, well, I was right and they were wrong. The purpose of disciplining members in the church is to show that this church does not belong to any one person except for Jesus Christ. It's His church. He has called the church to be pure. And so He gives us instructions on how to maintain that purity. And if someone will not obey, in the area of laziness, or in the area of immorality, or in the area of lying. In all these areas of not walking in step with God's Word, he says something must be done. Listen to what Jesus says, or what is said of Jesus in Ephesians 5.26. He came into this world so that he might sanctify, that means to set apart, and cleanse it, referring to the church. to sanctify and cleanse the church with a washing of water by the word that he might present it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. Our church ought to be pure, and he gives us some instruction on how to maintain the purity of that church. Most of you this morning took a shower. Why? Habit? Possibly. Because most of us realize that when we get up in the morning, we're not as fresh as we were the day before. Sometimes when we have kids, we don't make them wash every single day, though they're probably the ones that should. But after a couple days of grime, you can literally see the dirt on their face or in their arms. And what do they need? They need a bar of soap. And then you scrub that dirt and that filth off their bodies. And the Lord Jesus says, that's exactly what you're to do in the church. It's to scrub with the washing of water by the word. Now, how do we do this? How do we maintain a pure fellowship as a church? Look at verse 14. He says, if any man obey not our word by this epistle. Those are the people that are being lazy, those that are people walking disorderly. It applies to any sin within the church body. What do you do? You note that man. You're to identify the unfaithful within the church. Now, this word, to note, literally means to put a tag on that person. Have you ever gone fishing and you fished and you got a fish on your line and there's a tag on that fish? Someone put that tag there. Do you realize that God calls us as a church to do some very uncomfortable things to maintain the purity in the church? When there's sin in our body, what must we do? Note that man. We are to put a mark on that person, not physically, but we are to identify that person. Why? Because we don't want them to sin anymore! And there is a process that we read earlier this morning in Matthew chapter 18. How do we mark a man? If you as a child of God and a member of this church knows that another member in this church is sinning, what is your responsibility? It's not just my responsibility. It's not just our elders responsibility. It's not just our deacons responsibility. If we want to maintain a pure church for the glory of Jesus Christ, what is your responsibility when you see a brother sin? Matthew 18 says you go to that person alone. And you tell them about their sin. And you show them from the Word of God where they're walking out of step with the Word of God. And you give them an opportunity to repent of that sin and say, you know, you're right. I'm deceiving myself and I need to get this right. But he says, you don't know what you're talking about. Get out of my face. I'm not interested in this. I'm going to live my own life because I don't see it your way. That's your opinion. What does the Bible say? Matthew 18, you go and get two or three others and then bring that notice to that person. You mark that person so that every word is established. This is our responsibility. This is your responsibility. Is this as a church to maintain the purity of this church? And then the step goes beyond that. If they ignore that for those people and they ignore that step, then you bring it before the church. And the overall goal is to restore that person from sin to purity and righteousness. But what happens if they do not respond? The next step is given to us in verse 14. After you know that man, you have no company with him. Have no company. What does that mean? It means to have no company. It means that you are not to treat them as if nothing has happened. You are not to treat them as just another brother and sister in Jesus Christ. You're supposed to treat them as someone that is not right with God. Do we like this? No, it's hard. Confrontation is difficult. But who are we to disobey what God has given to us to keep the purity in the church? This is our responsibility as families and as a church. to confront sin and to confront sinners, and we don't treat them as if nothing is wrong, as if nothing has happened. Paul goes on further in 1 Corinthians 5 when he describes about fornicators, people that are living immoral lives, people that are doing the duties of marriage outside of marriage. He calls them fornicators. He says, now I have written unto you not to keep company. That's the same word. If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or a covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner with such a one, do not even eat. Don't even have fellowship with that person. Don't even go over to their house. Don't even watch a movie with them. Don't even do any of these things. Why? Because it is wrong. And what's the purpose of this? Is it to make them feel bad? Yes! Look what it says in verse 14, have no company with him so that he may be ashamed. Has anybody ever put a guilt trip on you? God says there are times when you need to put a guilt trip on your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Why? Because the purity of the church And the righteousness of that person is so valuable to Jesus Christ. That person is so valuable to Jesus Christ, He wants them to be restored. He wants them to not sin. He wants them to be righteous. He wants them to be a full member of the church in good standing. And He wants His church to be pure. And that leads us to why we do this. The Christian fellowship must be promoted. We don't do this in the spirit of hostility. but a spirit of humility. Look also at verse 15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. We are to do this in the spirit of humility and love. Galatians 6.1 says, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you are also tempted. Not to rake them over the coals. When you see a brother or sister in Christ sinning, it's a good opportunity for you to go before God and say, God, am I sinning? Before you go and point out the speck that is in your brother's eye, you've got to ask God, is there a big old bean sitting in mine? This is an opportunity for all of us to have a pure relationship and a pure life before God through Jesus Christ. Paul says in 2nd Timothy 2 24 and the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men and patient apt to teach in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. What is the ultimate goal? Repentance. It is a warning that we find in verse 15, admonishing them, trying to bring them to a point of recognizing their sin, repenting of their sin, confessing their sin and getting right with God and getting right with the church. And then you have a pure church. What do we need to be committed to in our church? Do we need to be committed to fruitfulness, where we are actually committed to the place God has put us to work and to serve? I think we need to be committed to that. Because how we are committed to this church displays how we're committed to Jesus Christ. It's an evidence of that. Do we need to be committed to being faithful when we are faithful? And we see all this unfaithfulness around us, and we see sin, and we see all these other problems. He says, keep on doing right. But what about fellowship? Are we committed to keeping our fellowship pure or are we committed just to leaving things the way they are? I was listening to a message that Brother Tom gave me this last week that was very helpful in this area. And the person that was speaking, John MacArthur, says this. This is not a way that is popular today to grow a church. And that is so true. But it's God's way. It's God's way. A pure church is a growing church. So what are we going to do about our commitment as a Christian in these areas that we have looked at this morning? Are you going to be committed as a Christian to your fruitfulness and your labor and your work ethic outside of this church and inside of this church? Are you going to let your work abound? And are you going to be committed to being faithful when no one else is? And are you going to be committed to the purity of this church and the purity that God calls in your life? This is what our responsibilities are as Christians. And until we accept these and are committed to these, we will never see any growth in our own life, in our families, and in our church. Let us be committed to the calling that Jesus Christ has given to us. Come and be separate, he says. Come and be fruitful. Come and be faithful. And come and have real, pure fellowship with other believers. What do you need to be committed to this morning that will show your commitment to Jesus Christ?