The Saviour’s Love for The Fallen -Part 1

Temple Baptist Church - 1-29-2025

John 21:1-3

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I want to reintroduce to you tonight with a man named Simon Peter. 

 

1.  Peter was one of the greatest of the Apostles.  Peter is mentioned 162 times in the Bible! 

 

2.  Called by Hollywood “The Big Fisherman,” we know nothing of his size, but we do know that he was one more great man for the Lord. When one of the disciples spoke, most of the time it was Peter who did so.

 

3.  Who was this man named Peter.

 

a.  Peter was just a common fisherman.  God chooses, for the most part, to use common people, not the socially elite.  Matthew 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

 

b.  Peter was an uneducated man.  God chooses, for the most part, the uneducated.  Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

B. Peter was a man that we can all relate to. 

 

1.  Peter walked with God, often got ahead of God, sometimes got behind God, he even rebuked God, was rebuked by God, but was greatly used of God. I want to use this story about Peters rise and fall and restoration and continuance. 

 

2.  God chooses to use FLAWED and FALLIBLE people!

 

C.  Simon Peter Was Great Because His Faith Was Great.  The only human who walked on water! 

 

Matthew 14:26-29  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  (27)  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  (28)  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  (29)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

 

D.  Peter was also great Because of His Failures.  He never let them keep him down.  One mark of greatness is not to let failures destroy your service.

 

1.  Peter Rebuked The Lord - Matthew 16:21-23  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  (22)  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  (23)  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

John 13:6-9  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (Peter at least tried to make this one right.)

 

2.  Peter often spoke when he should have remained quiet - Mark 9:5-7  And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.  (6)  For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.  (7)  And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

 

3.  Peter Denied The Lord Thrice - Luke 22:54-61  Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.  (55)  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.  (56)  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  (57)  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.  (58)  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.  (59)  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  (60)  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  (61)  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.   

 

4.  In out text, Peter Went Fishing Instead Of Preaching - 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.  (This was not a casual fishing trip for relaxation, it was a return to the old life of fishing for a living.)

 

5.  Peter Gave In to Peer Pressure - Galatians 2:11-13  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (But he got it right when rebuked by Paul)

 

E.  Now, let’s set the backdrop to our text.  In John 21, several things have transpired in recent days.  The Lord was betrayed and crucified.  The third day, He gloriously and bodily arose from the grave.  The Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene and now twice has appeared on the Lord’s day to His disciples.  Old “Doubting Thomas” has made is confession “My Lord and my God!”  Peter was with the disciples on these two occasions and his faith should have been strengthened but it wasn’t.  Peter went back to his old life of fishing despite all of this!

 

F.  You see, you can be faithful to church and still be out of the Lord’s will.  I often tell people that going to church will not make you a Christian anymore than sleeping in a garage will make you an automobile.  You can come to church and still not be right with God.

 

Proverbs 5:12-14  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;  (13)  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!  (14)  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

 

G.  Why did Simon Peter go fishing?  Of all his failures, there was one that Peter had not yet gotten right.  He denied the Lord thrice. 

 

1.  When the Lord looked at Peter after his denial, he went out and wept bitterly.  But he did not get right with God!  You see, weeping will not clear the conscience nor restore the sinful.

 

2.  Peter was missing when they crucified the Lord.  He should have been at the foot of the cross with John asking forgiveness from the One he had thrice denied.  But he was conspicuously absent. 

 

3.  Peter was there both times when the Lord came into their presence.  The disciples were ALL glad when they saw the Lord, which included Peter, but Peter had not yet got things right with his Lord!  I am sure that both Peter and the Lord knew that too!

 

John 20:20-21  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  (21)  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

4.  Peter decided to go fishing!  This does not speak of recreational fishing.  sPeter went back to his old life of being a fisherman!  When he went, as he was a leader among the disciples, others went with him.

 

H.  I believe that the reason Peter had not gotten right, though he had several opportunities, was because of the great shame that he carried. 

 

1.  Shame that separates us from the will of God is as old as time itself.

 

Genesis 3:6-8  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.  (7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.  (8)  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

2.  Thus, Peter “hid” from the Lord by going back out to sea where he thought he could not be seen.

 

Conclusion:  There have been and will be times when you and I fail the Lord miserably and will look in the mirror and be ashamed.

 

1.  Have you ever been ashamed? 

 

a.  I have never been ashamed of my Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

b.  I have never been ashamed of being saved.

 

c.  I have never been ashamed of my brothers or sisters in Christ or my church.

 

d.  But I have been ashamed of my personal failures!

 

2.  Do not try to hide from God but immediately go to Him in repentance, experience His forgiveness, and move on!

 

3.  Never allow your failures to outweigh your love for your Saviour!!!

A Walk of Integrity

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-26-2025

Psalm 26

 

Introduction.

 

Psalms 26:1-12  A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.  (2)  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  (3)  For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.  (4)  I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.  (5)  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.  (6)  I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:  (7)  That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  (8)  LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  (9)  Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:  (10)  In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.  (11)  But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.  (12)  My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

 

A.  The Psalm is Davidic.  Written by King David, the only man in the Bible described as a man after God’s own heart.  A perfect man, no way!  Often a failure, absolutely!  But a man who valued God’s take on his walk of integrity.

 

B.  What a confidence that David had in his LORD!  Most of us “Christians” would never ask God to judge, examine, and prove us.  We would much rather be “left alone” because we are often afraid of what God would say and require of us.

 

C.  Though David failed God terribly at times, he would recognize his sinfulness, as God to restore him to his former and godlier state and accept His righteous judgment.

 

D.  In the first two verses, David both asked God to do three things along with giving Him the three-fold criteria that needed to be judged.

 

1.  David’s asking:

 

a)  Judge me!  Judge me.  To either vindicate or to punish.  We use this principle in our court system.  There are two sides represented:  the defendant and the prosecutor.  The defendant has the presumption or cloak of innocence, and the burden of proof lies on the prosecutor.  David said, “Judge me for I have walked in mine integrity.”  GOD IS ALL KNOWING!

 

b)  Examine me.  Examine – to thoroughly investigate his actions and motives.  This would bring about  the examination that either vindicates or punishes.  LORD, look at what is evidenced in my walk with You and for You!  GOD IS ALL SEEING!

 

c)  Prove me.    Wow!  I have never asked God to “put me through the wringer” to show me what I really am.  Test me to see if my integrity is as well in bad times as it is in good times.  There is an old saying, “The proof is in the pudding.”  The pudding may look good, and it may smell good, but its goodness is found when you taste it.  GOD IS ALL POWERFUL.

 

2.  David’s Integrity.

 

a)  David’s walk: “for I have walked in mine integrity:”  Integrity: honesty, truthfulness, honor.  I do not doubt David’s integrity, something that is imissing in our day.

 

b)  David’s trust: “I have trusted also in the LORD”  David knew that the LORD loved him and wanted only the best for him. In the New Testament, Paul spoke of having learned contentment in both good and bad times.  Proverbs 3:5-6.

 

Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

c)  David’s confidence:   “therefore I shall not slide.”  David knew that as long as he walked with the LORD, he would not be greatly moved.

 

E.  The rest of the Psalm describes the walk of integrity that David asked the LORD to judge, examine, and prove.

 

1.  Verse 3.  A walk of integrity is the foundation of stability of the believer.  This walk must be found in God’s truth.  Walking in God’s truth is to walk in the light, not darkness or, as some say: walking in gray or shaded areas which are a mixture of lightness and darkness.

 

1 John 1:6-7  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

3 John 3-4  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

2.  Verses 4-6.  A walk of integrity is found in separation from the ungodly.  Holiness in our associations.  We are blessed or not blessed because of who we walk and sit with.  Be careful with who you run with.  “Birds of a feather flock together.”  I feed birds and though there is a mixture of kinds feeding together, there are many species that come at the same time and feed with their own kind.

 

Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 

Integrity is washing your hands and hanging close to the altar of God.

 

3.  Verse 7.  A walk of integrity is found in our sharing.  Sharing the love of God and the Gospel with others in an attitude of thanksgiving.  Not in a judgmental way but in a compassionate way while sharing our personal thankfulness for the salvation that we have.

 

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.

 

4.  Verse 8-10.  A walk of integrity is found in our faithfulness to God’s house, the local church.  I do not believe that we can walk with God without being faithful to church.  Not to be faithful in assembly is a direct disobedience to God’s command which brings about the judgement of God.  I often quote Hebrews 10:25 but listen to the “rest of the story.”

 

Hebrews 10:25-27  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.  (26)  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

 

5.  Verse 11-12.  A past walk in integrity does not promise a continued walk in integrity.  David pleads with the LORD for His help.  “Redeem me … be merciful to me” so that “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”

 

Though our walk with God is very personal, we cannot maintain such a walk without His holding us up and keeping our feet in an even place. 

Biblical Inspiration and Biblical Preservation – Part 1 – Biblical Inspiration

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-26-2025

2 Timothy 3:10-17

 

Introduction:

 

2 Timothy 3:10-17 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

A. Every few years, I preach a series on the Bible.

 

1. I know that our people are well versed in the Scriptures, but we have young people growing up that need to know what we know.

 

2. Also, because of the constant "chipping away" of doctrinal truth through false teaching and peer pressure. We adults need re-enforcement.

 

3. What I will preach over these weeks will be what the Bible says and teaches about the Bible. This series will not be about opinion; it will be about God's truth.

 B. In 2 Timothy, the key verse is chapter 2, verse 15:

 

1. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Here, Paul is admonishing young Timothy to study the Word of God! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAY, STUDY THE BIBLE.

 

2. Thank God Timothy did not go join a liberal church nor did he go off to some liberal Bible College. He sat under God's man who both told him to study the Word of God for himself and also mentored him in the faith.

 

3. As your pastor, I tell you to study the Word of God! As I begin this message on Biblical Inspiration, I want you to know that I have not consulted one commentary or anyone else's sermon on the subject. What I am doing today is strictly Bible based.

 

4. Most people never study a biblical subject for themselves because it is much easier to just look at what someone else has said on the subject.

 

5. What is Inspiration? “Given by inspiration of God” is only two words in the Greek Inspired” comes from a root word θεόπνευστος – theopneustos - heh-op'-nyoo-stos which means to “breathe in” and “God” is θεός – theos - theh'-os which means diety or divinety.

 

6. Divinely Breathed in! The Word of God is a divinely infused living Word of God.

 

C. The word "inspiration" is used only twice in your King James Bible. Thus, we have a First Mention Principle found in the Old Testament and a Last Mention Principle found in the New Testament. The First Mention and the Last Mention ALWAYS confirm God's teaching on the subject. These two mentions are all that you need to understand inspiration.

 

First Mention - Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

 

Last Mention – 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

1. Old Testament: Inspiration gave Adam Physical Life.

 

a. The First Mention of Inspiration is found in the Old Testament -

 

The First Mention Principle: "God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God." 

 

1) The Old Testament word "inspiration" speaks about what God did in man. He inspired understanding in the spirit of man. The spirit of man is that part that is God-conscious. We are not just the highest form of animals. We are made in the image of God, a trichotomy (three that make up one): body—world conscious, soul-self-conscious, and spirit-God conscious.

 

2) When God created Adam, He created him both male and female. This speaks of both creation and procreation or reproduction. In the day that God made Adam, Eve was already in him because God would never create another man. In the future, Adam and Eve would procreate through the birth of children.

 

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

Genesis 5:1-2 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; (2) Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

 

3) How did God inspire Adam? I do not know how far that I will get this morning, but I want to look at the word "inspiration" for a few minutes. I want you to know what the Bible says concerning Biblical Inspiration.

 

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.

 

In creation, God breathed into Adam the "breath of life." God has never "inspired" any other human being.

 

In the Inspiration of the Scriptures, God gave us His inerrant, infallible Word and has never inspired it again. I said this because so many enemies of the King James Bible accuse Bible believers of teaching double inspiration.

 

4) Jesus Christ, the Word of God, spiritually inspires through Adam every child ever born since Adam. We have the light of God that tells us of a great Creator.

 

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

 

5) When God gave Adam’s body life, He breathed both out (expiration) and into Adam (inspiration). God breathing out is called expiration, but inspiration is to infuse or to force breath into someone. Physically, we breathe in (inspiration) and we breathe out (expiration). When we die, we expire! Not breathed out which is breath. God infused life into both Adam and the Scriptures!

 

6) God infused, through inspiration, the very life of God into Adam's nostrils and Adam became a "living soul." God has never again done such because it is no longer required. Life is now procreated and, therefore, preserved in our children through Adam.

 

7) God breathed life into a dead body and the result was eternal life in Adam. Now, with the First Mention of inspiration in mind, let us go to the New Testament

 

2. New Testament: We find Biblical Inspiration in gives us the Word of God.

 

2 Peter 1:21 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.

 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

3. The Inspired Word of God gives to us eternal Spiritual Life. that gives Spiritual Life.

 

a. Paul, writing to Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

b. Jesus speaking to Nicodemus: John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

c. Paul speaking to the Roman Church: Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

d. Peter speaking to the dispersed Jews: 1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

Conclusion: The inspiration of God is a one-time act in both man and the Word of God. “The faith once delivered” is referred to in Jude 3. We have the inerrant, infallible, inspired, and perfectly preserved Word of God which we will look at next week. You cannot have divine inspiration with divine preservation.

 

1. In creation, God breathed into Adam the "breath of life." God has never "inspired" any other human being.

 

2. In giving us the Word of God, God "inspired" the human authors of the Word of God to write as thy were moved by the Holy Ghost. God has never inspired man to do so again.

 

3. Inspiration is an act of God in giving us the complete canon of Scriptures, both verbally and plenarily in the completed canon of Scriptures.