The Results of Growing Spiritually

Temple Baptist Church - 1-31-2018

2 Peter 1:5-13

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we studied “The Results of Not Growing Spiritually,” or the negative side of spiritual growth: the lack thereof.  Now, let us take a short look at the results of spiritual growth.  A lack of spiritual growth is not the will of God for the believer as the Lord wants us to advance in our maturity level as “adults” in the faith.

B.  Continued spiritual growth requires several things:  Verse 5.

1.  It takes Desire – “add”  (Individual responsibility)

2.  It takes Discipline – “all” (Not just those things that are convenient.)

3.  It takes Diligence – “diligence” (It is hard work.)

4.  It takes Discernment – “add to your faith” (Saving faith is not enough)

C.  Signs of Spiritual Growth”

1.  Virtue – Character that leads to good behavior.

2.  Knowledge – Understanding of spiritual things.  “gnosis” or to know.

3.  Temperance – Self-control or continence.

4.  Patience – Cheerful endurance or constancy; to remain.

5.  Godliness – devout, pious, holy.

6.  Brotherly Kindness – Fraternal or love of the brethren.

7.  Charity – Benevolence; to love in a social or moral sense.  How we treat one another.

D.  I want to look at the positive things that accompany spiritual growth.  The positive things are just the opposite of the negative ones.

1.  You Will Be Fruitful – vs. 8 - “unfruitful”

a.  Inward Fruit.  Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

b.  Outward Fruit.  Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  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.

2.  You Will Be Spiritually Knowledgeable – vs. 9  – “blind . . . cannot see afar off.”

a.  Doctrinally Pure - 1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

b.  Spiritually Pure - Hebrews 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

           

3.  You Will Have Blessed Assurance – vs. 9  – “hath forgotten that he was purged.”

a.  The Witness of the Spirit - 1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

b.  The Witness of the Word - 1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

4.  You Will Be Spiritually Stable – vs. 10  – “fall.”

a.  Stable in Circumstances - Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

b.  Stable in Failures - Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

5.  You Will Have A Reward – vs. 11  – “so an entrance.”

a.  A Full Reward - 2 John 8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

b.  An Eternal Reward - Matthew 6:19-20  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Adam-Who Is The Figure Of Him That Was To Come

Temple Baptist Church - 1-28-2018

Romans 5:12-21

Introduction:

A.  The biblical doctrine of Hamartiology is the study of sin and its consequences.  Verse 12 is a much-quoted verse when explaining how sin came about, how we are born sinners—yet innocent, personal sinfulness, and consequences.

B.  In its context, we find the justification by faith of the believer.  Verse 12 explains to the justified why salvation is required.  There are several words or phrases that explain our salvation: born again, saved, justified, redeemed, etc. that set forth different aspects of our salvation.  When Peter wrote to the “strangers scattered,” he used the word “redeemed.”  It means to be bought back.

C.  The Origin of Sin.  “Sin entered”  We often fail to realize the deceitfulness and deception of sin.  Sin began in two perfect environments and was precipitated by the same personality.

1.  Sin was found in God’s heaven  and in the heart of one of God’s most trusted servants, Lucifer.

Ezekiel 28:14-15  Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  (15)  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.  (Along with the fall of the “anointed cherub that covereth,” sin brought down a multitude of God’s angels.)

2.  Sin was found in God’s Garden and in the heart of the first man, Adam.

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

D.  The Definition of Sin.  

1.  Sin epitomizes the eternal principle of Dualism:  1)  To stand outside of God  2)  To be independent of God.  These two principles can be perfectly defined as Humanism.  Humanism wants nothing to do with God and operates independently from God.  That is where most of the world now stands.  If man can “DO AWAY” with God, then there is no accountability to God.  Therefore, man becomes his own “god.”

Romans 1:21  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.

2.  Sin is a Violation of God’s Law.  To trespass or overstep a boundary.  The sin nature is the capacity and inclination to do those things that can in no way commend us to God.  Sin can be willful or found in ignorance.  Sin can be commission or omission.

Romans 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

E.  The Penalty of Sin.  “Death by sin”  Sin’s wage has never changed.

1.  Physical Death.  Though we are saved, death is sure unless the rapture takes place soon.

1 Corinthians 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

2.  Spiritual Death.  To the unbeliever, both physical death and spiritual death in the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:14-15  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

F.  The Endurance of Sin.  “Death reigned!”  Every man, everywhere, in every dispensation.

a.  All are born sinners though born in innocence.

b.  All are sinners by choice and therefore guilty before God.

G.  Adam, A Beautiful Type of Christ and His Substitution For Our Sin.  Romans 5:14

           

1.  Adam Understood God’s Commandment – Genesis 2:15-17a

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

2.  Jesus Understood God’s Commandment

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

John 10:35  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Matthew 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

3.  Adam Understood God’s Judgment For Sin – Genesis 2:17b

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

4.  Jesus Understood God’s Judgment For Sin

Matthew 26:39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

5.  Adam Loved His Bride – Genesis 2:21-25

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make[one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

6.  Jesus Loved His Bride

Ephesians 5:25-29  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the 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.  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:        

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

           

7.  Adam Gave Up His Glorious Residence For His Bride – Genesis 2:7-8

Genesis 3:17-19  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

8.  Jesus Gave Up His Glorious Residence For His Bride

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2 Corinthians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

9.  Adam Tasted Death Willingly For His Bride – Genesis 3:6

                       

10.  Jesus Tasted Death Willingly For His Bride

Hebrews 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Hebrews 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

11.  Adam’s Sacrifice Brought Eternal Life To His Bride – Genesis 3:15

12.  Jesus’ Sacrifice Brought Eternal Life To His Bride

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:19  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Romans 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Conclusion:  Adam chose to die for his bride, Eve, and Christ chose to die for His bride, the church.  In Adam, all tasted death; in Christ, all live.

A House United

Temple Baptist Church - 1-28-2018

Mark 3:22-27; Psalms 133

Introduction: 

A.  As I continue to preach on the New Year, I want to look at one of the most important aspects of the New Testament local church, unity.

B.  Our Lord spoke of the “house divided against itself” in Matthew, chapter 25.

Matthew 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  (Jesus said that it “shall not stand!”  Division not only can but will bring down a local church.  The opposite of that is that a house united, “the strong man,” will stand!  The strength of the local church or “strong man” is its unity.)

C.  Against itself?  This is not because of doctrinal division, it division caused by carnality and sinfulness within the body.  Paul elaborated on the subject because of the divisions within the carnal Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (No divisions among you!  Perfectly joined together!  Same mind and in the same judgement!)

D.  I have often said that the greatest enemy of the local church sits upon its pews and stands in its pulpit.  Persecution from without the local church always brings the church together and strengthens its fellowship.  Carnality and sinfulness divide the church and weakens its unity.

E.  As I thought about what to preach for homecoming, I thought of this passage of scripture because it is a pleasure to come to Temple!  It is joy to come to Temple because of the sweetness of the spirit here.

F.  People come to stay.  I often leave before many of you when the service is over.  It is good to see the smile, hear the laughter, and experience the love found here as our people stay after church both in the sanctuary and the parking lot and talk.

G.  Psalm 133.  In the these verses, we see the results of unity:

1.  The Benefit - "good"  - 1 - Of great benefit, valuable, prosperity.

2.  The Bliss - "pleasant" – 1 - Sweet, agreeable, delightful, musical.

3.  The Binding - "together in unity" - 1-2 - Alike, in one accord, harmony.

4.  The Blessing - "life forever more" – 3

H.  I want to look at the last result for a few minutes: “The Blessing.”

1.  The Blessing of Fellowship with God’s People - Romans 15:32  That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

2.  The Blessing of Encouraging God’s People - 2 Corinthians 2:1-4  But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?  And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

3.  The Blessing of Bearing The Burdens of God’s People - 2 Corinthians 7:1-4  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

           

4.  The Blessing of Hearing That God’s People Are Steadfastly Serving  - 2 Corinthians 7:12-16  Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.  I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Colossians 2:5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:  For now we live,if ye stand fast in the Lord.  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;  Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

5.  The Blessing of Sharing The Ministry With God’s People - Philippians 1:3-11  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.  (Workers, visitation, teachers, choir - get involved!!)

6.  The Blessing of Seeing God’s People Unified - Philippians 2:1-4  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (Greatest heartache - bickering children!)

7.  The Blessing of A Godly Testimony of God’s People - Philippians 2:14-18   Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 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. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  (So much said about hypocrites – it is refreshing to hear good about God’s people!)

8.  The Blessing of An Inner Witness With God’s People - Philippians 4:1  Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

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9.   The Blessing of Leading Others To Christ - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.  (Some of you were came to Christ under my ministry.  Not that I am anything, but what a joy.  Just think of Tracy Patterson!)

10.  The Blessing of Giving Account For God’s Faithful People - Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The Importance of The Local Church

Temple Baptist Church - 1-21-2018

Hebrews 10:22-27

Introduction: 

A.  In the Lord’s physical absence, He gave the believers the local church. 

1.  I cannot over emphasize the importance of Temple Baptist Church along with other local churches.  The Lord chose the local assemblies of God’s people to do the work of evangelism, missions, teaching, and fellowship.

2.  The reason for this message is the de-emphasizing of the importance of what we are doing this morning, faithfully assembling in a local, autonomous, indigenous, Bible believing, New Testament local church!

B.  Instead of following the clear command of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” There has been a serious decline in church attendance in the past few decades and this decline is simply a fulfillment of Scripture.  It has been prophesied that in the last days, there would be a falling away and we are certainly in the middle of it. 

C.  The “form of godliness” has permeated the ranks of the professing believers with little or no conviction or desire for holiness of life.  The local churches, for the most part, have left the godliness of the Old Paths for the worldliness of the New Paths.

D.  Most churches have decent crowds on Sunday morning, but the Sunday night and Wednesday night crowds have dwindled to the point of calling off services. 

1.  “As the manner of some is” has become the rule instead of the exception with more and more of the once faithful now either slack in their faithfulness or completely out of church. 

2.  My Bible still says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. “ (Matthew 18:20)

E.  The Importance of God’s House.  The phrase “The house of the Lord” is used 213 X  in the Bible.  The phrase “house of God” is used 87X in the Bible.  That is a total of 300 references.  This does not include other references such as “temple” and “tabernacle.”  God’s house is a place of great importance.  Our Lord called it “My house!”

Matthew 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

1.  The Emphasis of God’s House - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Why the emphasis?

                        a)  It is a place of rallying when you are down.

                        b)  It is a place of relying when you are devastated.

                        c)  It is a place of renewing when you are defiled.

                        d)  It is a place of revival when you are defeated.

2.  The Excitement of God’s House - Psalms 122:1  I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

3.  The Encouragement of God’s House - Psalms 27:4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

4.  The Enrichment of God’s House - Matthew 13:54  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

F.  Here are just a few thoughts on why we need to be supporters of our local church.

1.  The local church assembly is a divine requirement which must not be forsaken: Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”   (The exact opposite of this verse has become the norm, “as the manner of some is,” in these last days.)

2.  The local church is the divine institution of truth: 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (The “ground of the truth” is the foundation upon which all is built while the “pillar of the truth” is the strength that holds the building up.)

3.  The local church is the primary place to fellowship with God’s people:  Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  (Fellowship and breaking of bread are anchored in “the apostles doctrine.”)

4.  The local church is the place where believers are to meet corporately with the Lord and worship Him in the ordinances:  1 Corinthians 11:20, 26  When ye come together therefore into one place…For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”  (“Together … into one place.”  The local church is the “house of prayer” and place of worship in the beauty of HOLINESS!)

5.  The local church is the only institution that God gave the gifts of Evangelists and Pastor-Teachers:  Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.  (In His absence, God gave men of God to oversee the work of the local church.)

6.  The local church is the place where saints can receive divinely authorized feeding and spiritual care:  Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (The local church is a place of doctrinal instruction in rightly dividing the Word of Truth.)

7.  The local church is the only means by which one can biblically exercise financial stewardship:  Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Tithes and offerings belong to the local church as the means to maintain the church property, care for the man of God, and carry forth the Great Commission of missions.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.