I Thank God for You

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2024

Philippians 1:1-6

 

Introduction: 

A. The Apostle Paul had a great love for the people that he associated with in the ministry.  They certainly were not a perfect people, but they were God’s people. 

B. Often, in his epistles, Paul had to “straighten out” problems that hindered the spiritual growth and work of the gospel but always did so with love and longsuffering. 

 

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 

 

1. The first three aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are inward, the second three are outward, and the third three are upward.

 

2. Notice with me the outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit:  longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness.  Paul was certainly a Spirit filled preacher!

 

C.  Paul thanked God for them upon “every remembrance.”  Often, we pray for each other and our known needs, but how often do we thank God for each other?  As we take for granted the blessings of life, we are also often guilty of taking each other for granted. 

 

1.  We are not perfect people.  We are not a perfect church.  I am not a perfect pastor. 

 

2.  But, through the Holy Spirit of God, we are a loving people.  We are a forgiving people.  We are a unified people. 

 

3.  We are an inclusive people, and everyone is welcome at Temple Baptist Church.

 

D.  The Apostle Paul was thankful for the Lord’s people!

 

1.  Paul Thanked God For Their Faithfulness - Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

 

2.  Paul Thanked God For Their Obedience - Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

 

3.  Paul Thanked God For Their Graciousness - Romans 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 

4.  Paul Thanked God For Their Helpfulness - Romans 16:3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

 

5.  Paul Thanked God For Their Loyalty - Romans 16:4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

 

6.  Paul Thanked God For Their Maturity - 1 Corinthians 1:4-5  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

 

7.  Paul Thanked God For Their Prayers - 2 Corinthians 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

 

8.  Paul Thanked God For Their Caring - 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

 

9.  Paul Thanked God For Their Unity - Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

10.  Paul Thanked God For Their Love - 2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

 

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

Conclusion:  I thank God for each of you tonight.  We are not a perfect people, but we are a special people because we are God’s people!

The Importance of Singing

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-22-2024

Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16

Introduction: 

 

A.  What we are doing tonight is of great importance and value to all of us.  Tonight, we will have a little Christmas music and a time of fellowship after the service so I will not be long in preaching.  And please, no laughter or applause!  Normally, on this night of singing, I take a few minutes to thank God for singing! 

 

B.  The importance of singing is found throughout the Bible.  Song or songs found 98 times in the Bible.  Sing is found 119 times.  Singing is found 29 times.  That totals 246 mentions of singing in one form or another.

 

1.  Singing is an outward sign of an inward reality of redemption.  Psalms 71:22-23  I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.  (23)  My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

 

2.  Singing is an expression of joy and rejoicing in honor of the Lord.  Psalms 66:1-2  To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  (2)  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

 

3.  Singing is so necessary during a worship service and is a prelude to preaching as it prepares our hearts to worship our wonderful Lord.

 

4.  Singing is a commandment in the realm of biblical worship.  Psalms 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 

5.  Singing is important to the believer because it uplifts the spirit, even in troublesome times.  Psalms 42:8  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

 

Acts 16:24-25  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  (25)  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

 

C.  I want to look at two realms of singing tonight: Private Singing and Public Singing in worship.                                                                                  

 

1.  Private Singing in worship is found in Ephesians, chapter 5:18-19.  This is not a worldly singing, but a Spirit filled private singing unto the Lord.

 

Ephesians 5:18-19  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  (19)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (As there is praying in the Holy Ghost [this is not praying in tongues, it is praying in the will of God through the leadership of the Holy Ghost], there is also singing in the Holy Ghost.)

 

a.  “Speaking to yourselves” is individual because being “filled with the Spirit” is individual.  While walking, working, or driving—I often sing to the Lord.  He loves to hear His children worship Him with song.

 

b.  I remember, as a little boy, going out to my dad’s workshop and hearing him sing “Amazing Grace.”  I have heard him sing more than once but it was always a private thing with him.  He would be singing to himself but out loud to the Lord.

 

c.  Singing unto the Lord is always Scriptural singing.  “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs!”  These are songs of praise for what the Lord has both promised to us and performed for others. 

 

d.  Dr. Alfred B. Smith published a book, “Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Stories.”  I knew Dr. Smith personally and loved and respected him.  THERE ARE STORIES BEHIND THE HYMNS.

 

d.  “Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord!”

 

2.  Public Singing in worship is found in Colossians 3:16 and Psalm 100:1-2.  One of the most notable public places singing is found is in church.

 

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Psalms 100:1-2  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 

a.  “Make a joyful noise” is a command!  These four words are one word in the Hebrew but that one word means to split the ear, shout, sound an alarm.  I have had people to admonish me for singing too loud in church.  Leave me alone!  I am not singing to you; I am enjoying what I am doing; I am singing along with you to Him!

 

b.  “Unto the Lord” is a direction.  Our singing is to be directed to God, not the people.  In most of today’s churches, singing has become entertainment and performance.  We may not have the best singers in the world, but God wants them to be the loudest!  Not for show but for praise!

 

c.  “All ye lands” is a people.  All people, everywhere.  Over the years I have noticed that many people are silent in the church when there is congregational singing.  I am not complaining, I am just explaining.  Sing, sing, sing!  “A joyful noise” is a sound, not carrying a note.  It is a testimony to God before the people.  An acknowledgement of who He is and what He has done and what He means to us.

 

d.  “Serve the LORD with gladness” is a heart condition.  Glad to be saved; glad to be able to serve; makes for gladness in our singing. 

 

Psalms 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

 

e.  “Come before his presence with singing” is worship.  God loves to hear His people sing to Him!  Tonight, let us worship the LORD with our singing as He is worthy of our praise.

The Wonder of Christ’s Birth

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-22-2024

Luke 2:1-20

Introduction:

 

A.  This coming Wednesday, we will once again come to Christmas morning.  I will not get into all the controversy concerning the when of Christ’s birth, but I find no other day in the year where it is celebrated except at Christmas. 

 

B.  This morning and this week, I just want us to be so very thankful that Christ Jesus came, born of a virgin, to walk on earth as men, go to an ole rugged cross to die for our sin, buried, and bodily resurrected for our justification.  I stand here before you this morning redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and Homeward bound!

 

C.  The wonder and thrill of Christ’s birth never ceases to amaze me. 

 

1.  I stand amazed at who and what He is.

 

2.  I stand amazed at just how much He loves mankind.

 

3.  I stand amazed that God sent His only begotten Son to die for sinners.

 

4.  I stand amazed, as always, when I read the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  A story that never gets old.

 

D.  In these verses we read, we find:

 

1.  Verses 1-5 – The Prophecies Fulfilled. 

 

a.  From Genesis 3:15 until John the Baptist, Israel knew and looked forward to the coming of Messiah.  After 4,000 years, Christ was born. 

 

b.  So, we think that God works slow and often give up waiting on Him.  Don’t give up on God because He will make sure what He promises.

 

c.  The Time of Jesus’ birth had to be right.  Four times in your Bible, the word “dispensation” is used.  This word does not refer to a specific time but to an administration, an order of system being put into effect. Jesus Christ had to be born at the right time. 

 

Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time (a time of determination) was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

1)  At the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Testament .  A time when the Old Testament had been competed, and canonized.

 

2)  A time when Rome was in power.  Otherwise, Jospeh, who lived in Nazareth, would not have gone to Bethlehem to be taxed under Roman Law.

 

3)  A time when Jesus Christ had to die on a Roman cross.

 

d.  Jesus had to be born into the right family.  Both Mary and Joseph were of the lineage of David.  Only the descendent of David could rule and reign on that throne.  Christ will one day ascend to the throne of His father David to rule in the Millenium. 

 

2.  Verses 6-11 – The Person Identified.  Verses 7 and 11 identify the Christ child so that there could be no confusion concerning Him. 

 

a.  The Babe in a manger. Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

1)  Born in the right place.  The city of David, Bethlehem!  The place of King David’s birth.

 

Ruth 1:19  So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?  (Naomi and Ruth)

                                                                                               

Ruth 4:13, 16-17  So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son ...  And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.  And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

 

Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

2)  Born in the right way.  A virgin birth, the only such birth ever known.

 

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

3)  Born the right person.  Christ, the Lord!

 

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

John 1:14-17  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.  (15)  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.  (16)  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

4)  Born for the right Purpose.  The Saviour of the World.  Luke 1:46-47  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  (47)  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 

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.

                                    

Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (I am glad that I do not have to figure out who Christ came to save!)

 

3.  Verse 9-10  – The Peace Available.  “Sore afraid … fear not”  I love the song that we sing often here at Temple: “Because He Lives.”  “Because He lives, ALL fear is gone!”  Are you at peace this morning?

 

a.  Peace is Life.  Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

b.  Peace in Death.  Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

4.  Verse 10 – The Praise of His People – “Good tidings … great joy … all people.”

 

Psalms 150:1-6  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  (2)  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.  (3)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  (4)  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  (5)  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.  (6)  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Conclusion:  Once again, let us put Christ first this Christmas.  He is certainly worthy of our praise.