Chastisement - Part 2

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-30-2025

1 Corinthians 10:1-15; Hebrews 12:5-13

 

Introduction:  The key verse of this portion of Scripture is found in verse 1:  “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant.” 

 

A.  I am spending a little more time on this subject because of its misunderstanding and importance.

 

1.  The Chastening of the Lord is put in a wrong perspective by both the world and the worldly believer.  It is treated as a bad thing!  It is treated as a punishment rather than a clarion call to wake up from your sleep in sin, a warning of impending danger.  The fire whistle downtown at the fire station warns of a possible tornado.  Blowing your horn at the driver ahead who is asleep at the wheel.

 

Romans 13:11-14  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  (12)  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

2.  The World despises chastening because they are humanistic (the “god” of self) and unrepenting.  The world view is “If it feels good, do it, and it is nobody else’s business” what I do.

 

3.  The Worldly believer despises chastening because they do not understand the why and how of true love.  We live in the “darkness of this world,” and our eyes become accustomed to it.

 

B.  Before we get into the text, we need to set a biblical precedent that establishes a biblical principle.  To do so, we need to look at the first mention of “chasteneth” found in the Bible.  The word is found two times in this Old Testament text: 1) to draw a comparison and 2) to establish an action. 

 

Deuteronomy 8:1-6  All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.  (2)  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.  (3)  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.  (4)  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.  (5)  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.  (6)  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

 

C.  The First Mention of “Chasteneth” appears in both Deuteronomy chapter 8 and is personalized in 1 Corinthians chapter 10.  Here we see chastening tied to Israel’s day, the Corinthians’ day, and to our day.

 

D.  In our text, we find the Lord faithfully exercising chastening to one and all.

 

1.  Israel was a nation of great privilege.  1 Corinthians 10:1-4 speaks of the blessings of salvation (salvation through sacrifice on Passover), deliverance from Egypt (a type of the world), deliverance from Pharaoh (a type of Satan), divine guidance, divine protection, and provision.

 

2.  Israel was a nation of great failure.  1 Corinthians 10:5-6 speaks of their failure in faith to go into Canaan and their rejection of the blessedness of God’s provision during the 40 years of wandering.

 

3.  Paul warns the Corinthian Church not to fall into the same trap of ingratitude and faithlessness as Israel.  1 Corinthians 10:7-10 warns the people of Corinth that the same God who chastened Israel was the same God who would chasten them.

 

4.  Paul prophetically warns us who live in these last days. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:11-12  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  (12)  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

 

E.  In the First Mention of chastening, God gives an analogy so that His people understand the why and how of chastening.  He likes His chastening of Israel for their disobedience, as with the chastening of a disobedient child.

 

F.  I believe that every parent who loves their children chastens them “betimes.” 

 

Proverbs 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 

 

(Betimes – early at the task or at dawn.)

 

G.  We older people often speak of the love and respect that we had for our parents because they loved us enough to chasten us. 

 

H.  Great Privilege – Great Sin – Great Chastisement - Luke 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

 

1.  It can cost you a loved one – 2 Samuel 12:14  Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

 

2.  It can cost you your temporal blessings - John 21:3  Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

 

3.  It can cost you your health - Psalms 51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

 

4.  It can cost you your joy - Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

5.  It can cost you your life - 1 John 5:16  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

 

J.  As a norm, chastening is preached as a negative thing.  When we correct our children, it is not only to punish, but to bring about fruits of righteousness in them.  God desires that His children grow up to love and serve Him.

 

K.  Hebrews 12:6-13 is a Full Mention Principle.

 

1.  The Exhortation Of Chastening – vs. 5

          2.  The Exercising Of Chastening – vs. 6

          3.  The Encouragement Of Chastening – vs. 6-8

          4.  The Example Of Chastening – vs. 9-10

          5.  The Effects Of Chastening – vs. 11-13

 

1.  Chastening Is A Sign Of God’s Love – “whom the Lord loveth” – It Is Positive Because It Is Done In Love And Not Hate!

 

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

2.  Chastening Is A Guarantee Of Son-ship – “every son whom he receiveth” – It Is Positive Because Is A Product Of Eternal Life!

 

2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

 

3.  Chastening Is A Purposed Process – “if ye endure chastening”  “corrected” – It Is Positive In That It Removes Sin’s Penalty And Restores Spiritual Fellowship!

 

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

4.  Chastening Is A Progressive Process – “chasteneth…scourgeth” – It Is Positive In That You Can Turn Around At Any Time And Do Not Have To Continue In Chastening!

 

a.  The Valley Of Chastisement is a valley of our own making.  It is chastisement for sin. - James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

Numbers 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

 

b.  The Valley Of Chastisement is a valley whose depth is up to us.  It is according to our sin. - 1 Corinthians 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

 

1 Corinthians 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 

c.  The Valley Of Chastisement is a valley whose length is up to us.  It is according to our hard headedness. - Hebrews 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (Chastening turns into scourging.)

 

d.  The Valley Of Chastisement is a valley whose darkness is up to us.  In other valleys you find God’s blessing while in this valley you find God’s displeasure. - Hebrews 10:30-31  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

Hebrews 12:28-29  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  For our God is a consuming fire.

 

e.  The Valley Of Chastisement is a valley whose results are up to us. 

 

                    1) There can be continued and progressive punishment for sin.

                    2) There can be the restoration of the believer to a place of fellowship.

5.  Chastening Is A Blessing – “it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” – It Is Positive In That It Produces Righteousness And Testimony In The Believer!

 

Job 5:17  Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

 

Psalms 94:12  Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

 

a.  Chastening Removes Sin’s Penalty – (The wages of sin is still death!)

 

b.  Chastening Restores God’s Power – (Sin causes a loss of power with God!)

 

c.  Chastening Regains The God’s Victory – 1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (Sin brings about spiritual defeat!)

 

d.  Chastening Renews God’s Favor – (Favor is better than wrath any day!)

 

e.  Chastening Revives God’s Peace – (Isaiah 57:21  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.)

 

f.  Chastening Re-establishes Worship – (Sin removes the worship of spirit and truth!)

 

g.  Chastening Re-affirms God’s Word – (What God promises God delivers!)

Getting to Know the God Who Knows You

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-28-2025

Psalm 139

 

Introduction: 

A.  This Psalm was written by David, a man after God’s own heart.  Psalm 139 invites us to consider the depth of God's understanding and involvement in our lives.

 

B.  Psalm 139 is an invitation given to every believer to reflect upon and understand the all-knowing, ever-present, and purposeful nature of God.

 

C.  Psalm 139 elaborates on the reality that God knows every detail about us: our actions, thoughts, faults, failures, trials, tribulations, and words which we speak.  His presence surrounds us wherever we go.

 

D.  Through its poetic verses, Psalm 139 reassures us of God's intimate care and challenges us to respond in humility and reverence to the One who created us with intention and love.

 

E.  Psalm 139 stands as one of the most intimate and probing passages in all of Scripture. In this psalm, David is not debating theology; he is bowing before it with reverence and humility.

 

F.  His words are not the musings of speculation, but the confessions of a man who knows God by personal experience. Here, we encounter a God who knows us perfectly, remains with us continually, and has formed us purposefully. This psalm both confronts the sinner, comforts the saint, and humbles every heart that reads it honestly.

 

G.  David teaches us that no life is hidden from God, no place is devoid of His presence, and no person is beyond His sovereign purpose. The proper response to these truths is not fear alone, but a reverent submission and heartfelt surrender before God.

 

H.  Now, let us look at this Psalm through the eyes of faith to comprehend the incomprehensible One.  Here we find the four attributes of God that are beyond our ability to understand: 

 

1.  His omniscience, as He knows all things.

 

2.  His omnipresence, as He is always with us to protect and provide for us.

 

3.  His omnipotence, as He has made all things and by Him all things consist.

 

4.  His lovingkindness for His own as He guides us in the way of everlasting.  

 

1. Omniscience:  God Knows Us Completely (Verses 1-6)  “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.”  With this declaration, David begins by proclaiming the divine omniscience of God. God does not merely observe us from a distance; He has searched us thoroughly. Nothing about our lives is either superficial to or hidden from Him.

 

a.  God knows our actions: “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising.” Even the ordinary moments of daily life—our sitting down and standing up—are fully known to God. Nothing is too insignificant to escape His notice.

 

b.  God knows our thoughts: “Thou understandest my thought afar off.” Before a thought is even fully formed in our minds, God already understands it. Our hidden thoughts are laid open before Him.

 

c.  God knows our words: “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” God knows what we will say before the words ever leave our lips. This reality should shape both our speech and our silence.

 

d.  Our knowledge of God humbles us. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” This profound truth humbles us, reminding us that we are fully known and yet fully loved by God.

 

2.  Omnipresence:  God’s Presence Is With Us Continually (Verses 7-12)  “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”

 

a.  With these questions, David moves from what God knows to where God is. The answer is unmistakable: God is everywhere.

 

b.  No place is beyond His presence.  “whither shall I flee from thy presence?”  Whether in heaven or hell, in the heights or the depths, God is there. There is no escaping His presence, no matter if one wishes to flee in rebellion or hide in despair.  “You can run, but you can’t hide!”

 

c.  No darkness hides from God: “The darkness hideth not from thee.” While darkness may conceal us from the eyes of men, it cannot hide us from God. To Him, night and day are alike.

 

d.  For the believer, this truth brings comfort: we are never alone. For the lost, it serves as a warning: no sin is committed in secret.

 

3.  Omnipotence:  God Formed Us Purposefully (Verses 13–18)  “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.”

 

a.  Life is God’s work. God is both Creator and Designer of life.  “From the womb and conception until death and the grave!  Conception and birth are in God’s time.  Death and the grave also belong to Him.  I am glad that He holds our lives in His hands!

 

b.  Our bodies are the work of God’s hands as He is active in the womb.  “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  (16)  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”  Our DNA is the work of God that makes every individual different!  At conception, our structure was designed to be fashioned in continuance.  The color of our flesh, eyes, and hair was determined, the hairs of our head (or the lack thereof) were numbered.  What a God we serve.

 

c.  David testifies that he is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Life is not the result of accident or randomness; it is the product of God’s intentional design.

 

d.  Our days are appointed: “In thy book all my members were written… when as yet there was none of them.” God knows the length, purpose, and direction of our lives before we ever draw breath.

 

e.  God’s thoughts toward us are precious: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!” The believer finds rest in the truth that God’s purposes are always good, wise, and loving.

 

4. Lovingkindness:  God Searches Us Righteously (Verses 19–24)  “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”

 

a.  David’s prayer.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”  David surrenders his life to the knowledge and will of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God!  God knows best and His will and guidance are our best!

 

b.  David’s desire.  Here, we find a hatred for sin: David aligns himself with God’s holiness and actively rejects wickedness, expressing a deep longing to walk in God’s way.

 

c.  David’s plea.  A prayer for cleansing and guidance: “And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This is the appropriate response to a God who knows all, sees all, and is always present: humble repentance and yielded obedience.

 

Conclusion:  What a beautiful, enlightening Psalm!  It leaves us without excuse and without fear in this world. We cannot hide from God, and we do not need to. The same God who knows us completely, remains with us continually, and has formed us purposefully, invites us to walk with Him in the way everlasting.  May our prayer echo that of David: “Search me… and lead me.”

I Want to Finish Right

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-28-2025

2 Timothy 4:6-8

 

Introduction:  A Charge Left!  “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

“I (Paul-our predecessors), charge (passing the torch to the next generation), thee (those who remain faithful to God), therefore (because Paul’s race has been run and ours has begun), before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (A debt owed to God, the Gospel, and the world).”

 

A.  Christmas is over, and a New Year is at hand. 

 

1.  2025 has been a year of uncertainty, along with blessings and challenges that have almost become history. 

 

2.  God was good to us last year; God protected us; God fed us.  God has been SO good to us!

 

B.  The new year is on the horizon now.  We see it quickly approaching, and next week, 2026 will be here, the birth of a new year, a time of future history.  A tale to be written; a tale to be told.

 

1.  Some of us are getting old; all of us are getting older; the time of His appearing or our departure is nearing.  One way or the other, we will be leaving for home soon. 

 

2.  I want to finish right!  Paul finished right through all of life’s toils and snares.  What an example he left for all of us to follow.

 

a)  Every life moves steadily toward an appointed end.

b)  Every journey has a final step.

c)  Every race has a finish line.

 

C.  The question is not whether we will finish, but how will we finish.

 

1.  Second Timothy 4:6–8 brings us to one of the most sacred moments in all of Scripture—the closing testimony of the Apostle Paul. One day, I will stand where Paul stood.  One day, you will stand where Paul stood.

 

2.  These are not hurried words, nor are they spoken in fear. They are measured, deliberate, and Spirit-guided. Paul stands at the edge of eternity, looking back over a life marked by suffering, sacrifice, and service to Christ.

 

3.  He has been beaten, imprisoned, rejected, and misunderstood. Yet now, with death approaching, Paul does not speak of what he has lost—he speaks of what he has kept. He does not mourn what he endured, he rejoices in what he has finished. He does not dread what lies ahead—he anticipates the crown awaiting him.

 

D.  This passage shows us that a faithful Christian life is not defined by comfort, applause, or longevity, but is marked by faithfulness to Christ from his salvation until the end.  Paul was martyred in app. 65 AD.

 

E.  As we near the close of another year—and as each of us draws closer to the close of our own earthly course—these verses call us to sober self-examination. They remind us that the Christian life is not a sprint, but a lifelong race that must be run to completion.

 

F.  Paul finished right.  And by the grace of God, so must we.  In these verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us how a believer can face the end of life:

 

1.  Not with fear, but with confidence,

 

2.  Not with regret, but with assurance.

 

3.  Not with uncertainty, but with hope.

 

G.  Let us now hear the testimony of a man who could say, by God’s grace, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

 

H.  As I read 2 Timothy, chapter 4, I see the end of a great life, a life spent for Christ.  The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest Christians who ever lived.  He fought a good fight; he finished his course; he kept the faith.

 

1.  The apostle Paul writes these words from a Roman prison, knowing that his execution is near. This is not the language of despair, but of settled confidence.

 

2.  Paul looks back without regret, looks within without fear, and looks ahead with assurance. These verses teach us how a believer is to finish well.

 

3.  In an age that emphasizes starting strong, Scripture emphasizes ending faithfully. The Christian life is not measured merely by enthusiasm at conversion, but by endurance unto the end.

 

J.  That is what I desire.  That is what you should desire.  The world’s problems and America’s problems stem from one thing—a rejection of God, His Son, Christ Jesus, and salvation.

 

K.  How to finish right?  I believe that Paul gave us several things in these verses to help us answer that question in the affirmative.

 

1. A Life Willingly Offered – Verse 6.  “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

 

a.  Paul views his death as an offering. The word carries the idea of a drink offering poured out upon the sacrifice.  Paul illustrates this well in the Philippian Epistle.

 

Philippians 2:16-17  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  (17)  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

b.  The Lord compared His life’s end to “drinking the cup.”

 

Matthew 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

 

c.  Libation – Drink Offering poured out for the Lord.  His life has been steadily poured out for Christ, and now the cup is nearly empty. Best illustrated in the Old Testament.

2 Samuel 23:15-16  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!  (16)  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. 

 

d.  In verse six, we see:

 

1)  Paul’s readiness – “I am now ready.” Paul is not surprised by death, nor afraid of it. A life lived for Christ prepares a man to die in peace.

 

2)  Paul’s resignation — “the time of my departure is at hand.” The word “departure” was used of loosening the moorings of a ship or striking a tent. Death for the believer is not destruction, but transition to the next world which is eternal.

 

3)  Paul’s resolve — Paul does not speak of escape, but of offering. His concern is not self-preservation, but faithfulness. 

 

2. A Battle Faithfully Fought – (Verse 7a) – “I have fought a good fight…”  The Christian life is a conflict. Paul never portrays it as easy, but he does call it good. Paul does not say he fought a famous fight or a successful fight, but a good one — fought according to God’s rules, for God’s cause.

 

a.  It is a necessary fight — against sin, false doctrine, the world, and the flesh.

 

b.  It is a noble fight — fought for truth, righteousness, and the glory of God.

 

c.  It is a personal fight — “I have fought.” Paul did not borrow another man’s convictions.

 

3. A Race Faithfully Finished – (Verse 7b) – “…I have finished my course…”  The Christian life is not only a battle; it is a race. Each believer has a course, a God-appointed path. Many start the race, but Scripture commends those who finish it.

 

a.  The course assigned by God — Paul did not choose his own ministry; he fulfilled the one given to him.

 

b.  The course requires endurance — finishing matters more than starting.

 

c.  The course had an end — and Paul reached it without turning aside.

 

 

4. A Trust Faithfully Kept – (Verse 7c) – “…I have kept the faith.”  This speaks both of personal faithfulness and doctrinal preservation. Keeping the faith requires vigilance, courage, and love for the truth.

 

a.  He guarded the gospel — Paul did not alter the message to suit the times.

 

b.  He persevered in belief — trials did not shake his confidence in Christ.

 

c.  He remained loyal — when others departed, Paul stood firm.

 

5. A Crown Graciously Given – Verse 8) – “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”  Paul looks ahead, not to Caesar’s sword, but to Christ’s judgment seat.

 

a.  The certainty of the reward — “there is laid up.” It is already reserved.

 

b.  The character of the reward — “a crown of righteousness,” not self-earned merit, but reward consistent with God’s righteous judgment.

 

c.  The giver of the reward — “the Lord, the righteous judge.” Earthly courts failed Paul, but heaven’s court will not.

 

d.  The scope of the reward — “not to me only.” This promise is for all who “love his appearing.”

 

Conclusion:  Paul’s testimony is not the boast of a proud man, but the confidence of a faithful servant. He was offered, he fought, he finished, he kept, and he will be crowned. May God grant us grace to say at the end of our days what Paul said at the end of his:  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

The People That Walked in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-23-2025

Isaiah 9:1-2

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  At the time of the birth of Christ, Israel’s Messiah and our Lord and Saviour, Israel walked in dark times.

 

1.  Spiritual Darkness: The Darkness of Religion.  In the 400 Silent Years preceding the birth of Christ, we find the rise of Pharisees and Sadducees.  Feared by man and not respected by God.

 

Matthew 3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

Matthew 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

2.  Physical Darkness: The Darkness of the Rule of Rome.  Rome was the seventh and last of the World Powers.  It is Rome that will be revived at the end times.

 

a)  Rome began as a kingdom around 753 BC and became a republic in 509 BC, governed by a Senate, magistrates, and consuls.  It transitioned into a World Empire. 

 

b)  Julius Caesar came to power in 44 BC and consolidated Rome’s power.  August Caesar became Rome’s first emperor in 27 BC. 

 

c)  It was under the rule of these two men that we find Israel, bringing us to Luke 2:1. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

 

B.  Today, in the last days, we find spiritual darkness.  Our nation is filled with denominations that have left biblical, doctrinal soundness.  From the false doctrine of Roman Catholicism and Reformed Churches, to the “no doctrine” of the Popup Churches. 

 

C.  Physical darkness permeates our nation as morality is at an all time low, integrity is a thing of the past, and common sense has died.

 

D.  The darkness that overshadowed Israel was spiritual darkness.  In the midst of Israel’s darkness, a “great light” shone.  Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us, was born.    Isaiah 9:2  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 

E.  The darkness that overshadows America and the world today is a spiritual darkness.  In the midst of the world’s darkness today,  there are three “great lights” that still point mankind to God.

 

1.  There is the Natural Light of Creation.  The World around us.  This Natural Light of Creation is observed by all. 

 

Psalms 19:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 

a.  The Light of God’s Glory is declared in Creation.  Declare – a continual proclamation, not to be silent.  The universe and our earth shout the glory of God.  Who He is, not merely what He made!

 

b.  God’s Creation is Undeniable.  It is neither random nor accidental; it is designed testimony to the Intelligence and Power of the Divine Creator.

 

c.  The Knowledge of God’s Creation is Universal.  There is no “speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”  Every man, every where sees the same glory and hears the same declaration as we see here in America. 

 

d.  The Creation of God renders mankind without excuse!  General revelation.  This is a revelation, though without words, that is yet unmistakable.

 

Romans 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

Psalms 14:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  (2)  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  (3)  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

2.  There is the Innate or Inherent Light of God.  The Witness within us. The Light of God’s Breath! 

 

a.  Life is not Spontaneous: arising from inanimate or non-living matter.  Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) definitively disproved spontaneous generation.  Life can only come from pre-existent life.  Only life can beget life, and our life came from our Creator.  This principle became known as Biogenesis: the synthesis of substances by living organisms.

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

John 1:4-9  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

 

b.  The Breath of God is the life is found in Birth.  This life is the light of men.  This truth is carefully grounded in the Bible.  I find no place on earth where men do not seek and worship the Divine.  No man or woman is born atheistic.  Atheism or Agnosticism is learned, not innate behavior.

 

c.  The Breath of God is the life found in Behavior. 

 

Romans 2:12-15  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (13)  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  (14)  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

 

d.  A light that is known. 

 

John 1:7-12  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

e.  A light that can be quenched.

 

Matthew 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

 

f.  A light that must be shown and shared.

 

Matthew 5:14-16  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

3.  The Light of God’s Word.  The Word given to us.  God gave the word and great was the company that published it.

 

a.  A Light that was Given by God.  2 Peter 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

b.  A Light that Gives us Guidance.  Psalms 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

c.  A Light that Gives us Birth: Eternal Life.  1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Conclusion:  Spiritual darkness is progressive in nature.  As man seeks light, he finds light.  If a man quenches the light, he begins to “walk in darkness.” As it was in the time of the First Advent, the birth of our Saviour—Israel's Messiah—the Christ, so it is in the end time when His Second Advent is on the horizon.  The world once again walks in darkness but, rest assured, the light of His coming will be soon.

 

"Walk in the light" so that the world may know the Christ of Christmas.