The Blackness of Darkness Forever

Temple Baptist Church - 5-25-2016

Jude 13

Introduction:

A.  As we get toward the end of the Book of Jude, we find the pronouncement of God’s eternal judgment upon these apostate “creepers” who consistently and constantly attack the faith once delivered, our Bible. 

1.  We have no original autographs, we cannot read the manuscripts, and we have no new revelation from God.  We have the King James Bible and that is all of the revelation that we need.  Satan has attacked God’s Word from the beginning and his servants continue to do so today. 

2.  If the King James Bible is not the Word of God, then we have no Word of God.  If the King James Bible is just a translation that flawed men brought to us, then we have no Word of God.  If the King James Bible is not the final, absolute, perfect Word of God, then we have to depend upon flawed men to tell us what God has said because He will not deliver it again!

B.  These who are constantly changing the Word of God are in trouble with God!  They may not know it or they may not believe it but God has pronounced special judgments upon those who attack its inerrancy and infallibility. 

Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  (19)  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

C.  Why are these apostates not bothered by their deeds?  

1.  It takes a special kind of sinner to call God a liar and that is exactly what they do.  God said that His word that brings about our common salvation is incorruptible, living, and eternally abiding.  A good word of use for these apostates is reprobate! 

2.  God places these apostates, found in the Book of Jude, into the same classification as the angels who sinned (vs 6) ,and the sodomites of Lot’s day (vs 7).  Why?  Because none of them could be saved!  The fallen angels could not be saved.  God made no effort to save the sodomites in Genesis 19.  God gives the judgment upon these apostates before they were born!   This not Calvinism as God said that men who choose to become apostate will spend eternity in a special hell.

D.  Degrees of hell are taught in the Bible. 

1.  There are no degrees of heaven (there will be rewards or crowns to be cast at Jesus feet and cities to be judged during the Kingdom Age).  Everyone will be in heaven by the grace of God, not by their own personal merit. 

2.  But hell is different.  Men will be judged by both their deeds and the amount of light that they had received.  I want to use a verse by giving the biblical interpretation and then making a practical application.

Luke 12:46-48  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  (47)  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  (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.  (Those who knew the will of God which is revealed in the Word of God will be punished with many stripes but those who knew not will be punished with few stripes.)

E.  Notice the words “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”  These have an eternal reservation!  A special place called the blackness of darkness! 

1.  These men are special because they knew God in the beginning and then rejected Him.  I am not saying that everyone who uses another version is lost but I will say that anyone who rejects the authority of the Bible is on dangerous ground with God.   If the Bible is the final authority, you do not correct it!  This is where our contention comes in.  If they correct it or attack it in any way, I no longer walk with them period!

2 Peter 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

Romans 1:18-21  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (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:  (21)  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (These men have been made aware of the truth but held it in unrighteousness.  Both in nature and in the Bible.  They understood and rejected the Bible as God’s absolute authority.   They knew God but glorified Him not as God.  They are without excuse.)

2.  Their punishment is special.  As these men have rejected God’s light found in His Word, God will punish them with both eternal flames and eternal darkness. 

2 Peter 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  (To be covered or shrouded.)

Matthew 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (The farthest place from God!)

3.  Their punishment is eternal.  The “hell of hell” is as the torment is without measure and the duration is without end.  It is eternal, dreadful, sure, and suitable!  Eternal flames, eternal darkness, eternal weeping—wailing—gnashing of teeth, eternal regrets, and an eternity to ponder it all.

Dwelling Together According To Knowledge

Temple Baptist Church - 5-22-2016

1 Peter 3:7

Introduction: 

A.  I do not want to preach a message on the failures of the home but do want to look at one major aspect of such failures. 

1.  Last week, I preached on Being Committed to the Divine Order of the Home.  A lack of commitment will destroy a home in a heartbeat! 

2.  Another great cause for the failure of the home is a lack of knowledge of the differences between men and women.  I am not talking about the physiological differences between men and women but the psychological and sociological differences.  God made Adam both male and female because He would bring Eve out of Adam and, yet, they were polar opposites! 

3.  I guess you have noticed there is a distinct difference between men and women?  Evidently the world hasn’t!  Transgender? The problem is sexual perversion which is an abomination in the sight of God!  God loves the sinner but hates the sin.

4.  For those who read these sermons, I will give you a few verses to explain where God stands on the issue of homosexuality, transgender, gays, and lesbians.  Now, do not get mad at me, just get it right with God!

Leviticus 20:13  If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Romans 1:26-27  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

B.  Because “they twain shall be one flesh,” and men and women are entirely different, there must be a mutual respect for each other and an understanding of “what makes the other tick.” 

1.  There is a vast difference between male and female.  These differences need to be understood because they are God given and make up the weakness of both man and wife.  A good marriage is one based upon understanding certain principles and adhering to them. 

2.  Getting to know your wife or husband is vital for an enduring relationship.  They should be the best human friend that you have in the world.  If this is not the case, you are already in trouble.

C.  Here are a few things that we need to understand:

1.  Some Funny Differences

Nicknames

If Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Suzanne, Debra and Rose.

But if Mike, Charlie, Bob and John go out for a coffee, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Useless.

Eating Out

When the bill arrives, Mike, Charlie, Bob and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $22.50. None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back.

When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

Money

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he wants.

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't want.

Bathrooms

A man has six items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Holiday Inn.

The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.

Arguments

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

Cats

Women love cats.

Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.

Future

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

Success

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

Marriage

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change and she does.

Dressing Up

A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, get the mail.

A man will dress up for weddings, funerals.

Natural

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.

Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

Offspring

Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends and favorite foods and secret fears and hopes and dreams.

A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

Mistakes

Any married man should forget his mistakes.

There's no use in him and his wife both remembering the same thing.

2.  Some Physical Differences.  There Are Physical Differences (I am not talking about the obvious, but about basic differences in DNA)

a.  The woman is born with two "X" chromosomes while the man is born with both "X" and "Y" chromosomes.  This makes her stronger at birth and has a stronger immune system to fight off disease.  The man only has one "X" chromosome, which makes him more susceptible to early childhood sickness.  The woman as two "X" chromosomes, so if one is faulty, the good one will keep her from getting illnesses to some degree.  The man only has one, so if it is defective, he gets sick more.  The sex of a child is determined by the "Y" chromosome of the male.

b.  The man has one million more red blood cells than a woman which means that blood is pumping to his muscles more than a woman.  He can out work a woman longer and harder.  The man is 40% muscle and the woman is only 20% muscle.

c.  The woman has an extra layer of cells all over her body that insulate that a man does not have.  It makes it easier for her to gain weight and harder to lose weight.

2.  There Are Mental Differences (I am not talking about I.Q, because women can be as smart, or smarter than men.)

a.  The woman is a Bi-lateral thinker.  This simply means that she thinks with both sides of her brain.  The right side of the brain is where we find the emotions and the left side is where logic is founds.  This is where poems are written and songs are sung.  Because she is a bi-lateral thinker, she is more alert, perceptive, and notices things a lot quicker than a man.  Mostly, she thinks with her right side or the side of emotion.  She thinks with both logic and emotion--which sometimes distorts the logic.  Women are, by nature, more emotional than the men.  (This causes men problems because of their thinking is more logical than emotional.)

b.  The man thinks predominantly with the left side of the brain where the logic is found.  Here we find logic, numbers, factual information, conquering something, and being cold towards things.  Therefore, he is normally more logical than emotional though he sometimes uses the right side also. What this means is, for a man to come in and tell you that he loves you should mean more to you because chemically speaking he is not able to do that without great effort.  A man must think, plan, and then say he loves. For a man to tell you and show you that he loves you is incredible.  It is easier for a woman to love.  (This causes the women problems because of their emotional thinking.)

The woman expects "I love you:" on a regular basis.  This is a normal dialogue between a woman and a man.  The woman says, "You never tell me that you love me!"  The man says, "I have told you that I loved you, you just don't remember!"  The woman says, "That was over forty years ago!".  The man says, "I told you I loved you then and, if it ever changes, I will let you know!"

3.  There Are Psychological Differences (I am not talking about sanity because if may be you going to the "Funny Farm" instead of your spouse)

            a.  Women need more "attachment and touch".

            b.  Men, seemingly, are more detached.

            c.  Women tend to be moodier than men.

            d.  Men tend to be more self-centered and distant.

            e.  Women tend to rely on feelings and emotion.

            f.  Men tend to discover and rely on facts.

            g.  The woman says an average of 25, 000 words per day.

            h.  The man says an average of 12,000 words per day.

4.  There Are Reaction Differences (Women tend to let their emotions get higher while me tend to downplay situations)

            a.  Women get upset slower and stay upset longer.

            b.  Men tend to get upset faster and get over it quicker.

            c.  Women tend to take things more personally and get offended quicker.

            d.  Men tend to take things less personally and get offended less often.

5.  There Are Security Differences

            a.  Women need security in their position (she should never be made jealous)

Women have more trouble with relationships with other women - jealousy and envy are a real problem

b.  Women need security in their possessions (A man can live in a car with no inside plumbing.)

c.  Women need security in their protection (that’s why they jump in your arms and holler “get the gun!” when they hear noises)

d.  Women need security in their praise (they need to be complimented – (“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.)

6.  There Are Special Need Differences (This will deal with the intimate relationship)

            a.  Women need to be reassured of the man's love.

            b.  Men need to be needed and to feel important.

            c.  Women need more of an emotional relationship.

            d.  Men need more of a physical relationship.

7.  There Are Spiritual Differences (I am not talking about spirituality, because some of the most spiritual people that I have ever met have been women)

            a.  God placed the man as the spiritual head of the family.

            b.  God placed the woman in submission spiritually in the family.

            c.  Women have more of a possibility of spiritual deception.

            d.  Men have more spiritual discernment and perception.

8.  There Are Role Differences (The unisex movement is rapidly removing these divinely set boundaries)

            a.  The woman is to guide the home.

            b.  The man is to rule the home.

            c.  The woman is to care for the children.

            d.  The man is to provide for the home. (Physically and spiritually)

The Commitment to the Divine Order of the Home

Temple Baptist Church - 5-15-2016

Genesis 3:9-20

Introduction:

A.  We have looked at the Establishment of the home, the Attack upon the home, and the Foundation of the home.  This morning, I want to look at the Divine Order of the home.  Here is where most preachers get into trouble!  J  People do not like God’s order in the home because times have so changed in our day.  Things certainly are not as they once were but we need to realize that the Bible has not changed with the times.

B.  A question was fielded to me not long ago: What is wrong with a man or woman remaining unmarried?  The answer is: NOTHING! 

1 Corinthians 7:7-9  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  (8)  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.  (9)  But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.  (It is much better to remain single than to end up in a Christ less marriage.)

C.  I am not going to spend much time on the divine order of the home as the Bible is very clear and God will not change either His mind or His Word.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  (This divine order is for the Christian household and, if anyone is not perfectly clear on this verse, I will gladly read it again.)

D.  The problem in today’s homes is not the divine order, it is a lack of commitment to divine order. 

1.  One of the major changes that has come about in my short lifetime is from commitment to a lack of commitment.  Thus we find one of the most destructive forces that is dividing homes.  One of the most important aspects of a successful home is that of commitment. 

2.  We live in days where commitment is not a common virtue.  Commitment means to dedicate yourself to something or someone.  Today’s slogan is “To thine own self be true.”  In a way, that is a great slogan because we have to be true to our values but, in a negative way, it means self above others.

3.  Marriage vows based upon the divine order of the home are exchanged and forgotten in almost the same breath.

E.  What does a successful home require?  It takes the commitment of both the man and woman to the Biblical vows that were exchanged at the wedding!  A home where only one or neither is committed to the vows is a disaster looking for somewhere or sometime to happen.  You cannot force commitment!

1.  A successful home requires commitment to divine order. 

a.  Once again, I find great help in the First Mention.  God established the order in the home after the fall and not in the beginning.  Though this point may be argued by some, Genesis 3:16 (a verse much quoted when dealing with divine order) came after creation, the fall, the restoration, and the first sacrifice. 

b.  The need for a helpmeet exposed a need or weakness in Adam.  If Adam had no need for Eve, she would not have been made for him. 

1)  He needed her because of loneliness.  Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  (Someone once said that “A sunset shared is twice the sunset.”)

2)  He needed her in order to populate the earth.  Genesis 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.  (Sorry but sodomites must recruit because they cannot reproduce.)

3)  He needed her as a helpmeet.  Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  (A counterpart.  The opposite with which to make a whole.  The “other half” or, as some love to say, the “better half.”)

4)  Heirs together of the grace of this life.  1 Peter 3:6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  (As we are joint-heirs with Christ, so the man and wife are to equally share the blessings of this life.  It is not “mine” nor is it “hers,” it is “ours.”)

c.  The fall exposed a need or weakness in Eve.

1)  Women are “heart creatures” by nature.  1 Timothy 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Women are very intelligent.  (Over the years, I have noted that most of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians were women.  They are equally smart with them man but so very different in their natures.  Satan did not attack Adam; he chose the “weaker vessel.”  This is the reason women are not to preach or to usurp authority over the man in the church.  When women rule in the church, you find doctrine overruled by emotions and, therefore, doctrinal incorrectness.)

1 Timothy 2:9-3:1  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  (10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  (11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (3:1)  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (The office of a bishop or pastor along with the office of a deacon are for men only!)

2)  The woman needs the provision and protection of the man.   1 Timothy 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.  (It is very difficult for women in general to provide for themselves properly.  Some women work jobs of equal pay and benefits but, as a rule, this is not so.  I know that I will take some flak for this one but it is God’s order and he made woman to be a keeper at home.  I will give you the Scripture so that those who disapprove can take it up with God and not with me.)

Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  (I would not give you a “thin dime” for a man who will not work to support his wife and neither would God!)

2.  In a successful home, the husband must be committed both to the LORD and his wife. 

a.  The husband must be fully committed to the LORD in love.  1 Corinthians 11:3a  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;   (A man who does not love and serve the LORD will probably not love and serve you, lady!  The Head of every man is to be Christ!  That is why I try so hard to warn our young people that loving the wrong man can easily turn into a disaster.  Then, you will normally have children involved.) 

b.  The husband must be fully committed to the wife in love.  Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (If the husband loves the wife, he will be faithful to her, he will protect her, he will provide for her, and prize her.)

Ephesians 5:33a  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;

3.  In a successful home, the wife must be fully committed to both the LORD and her husband.  1 Corinthians 11:3b  But I would have you know … the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

a.  The wife must be fully committed to her LORD in love.  Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  (Though God command men to obey those in authority, He is to be obeyed first.  If man does right, obey him; if man does wrong, obey God.  The same rule goes for the ladies.  If the husband does right, obey him; if the husband does wrong, obey God!)

b.  The wife must be fully committed to her husband on love.  Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.  (Her main concern and desire is the welfare of her husband and, therefore, her home.  Today’s woman is independent instead of dependent and it is wreaking havoc in the home.  Once again, do not get mad at me, get mad at God!  Now, what happens if the husband gets out of the will of God?  Lady, your first desire is to God but you can still be a good wife to a lost or unspiritual man.  Trust God and do the best that you can to be a good Christian and a godly wife.)

Ephesians 5:22-23, 33b  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body ... (33b)  and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Conclusion:  If the husband and wife put the LORD first and each other second, you will have a good home.  If either one or both fail in this matter of commitment, the home is in dire jeopardy!