Flourishing In Old Age

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Psalm 92

 

A.  A Song for the Sabbath Day. 

 

1.  This is the only Psalm labeled as such.  By interpretation, it was meant to be taught on the Jewish day of worship.  By application, it is a Psalm to be taught in all churches of the saints today.

 

2.  This is not just about a church service, though; it is about a life lived or to be lived.  It teaches us what a righteous life looks like over the years.  I guess you can call it the “Old Folks Psalm.”  For thousands of years, one generation after another has lived and died, leaving an example, good or bad, for those who follow. 

 

3.  There is no authorship given to this particular Psalm as it is meant to represent the life of every believer.  King David said in Psalms 37:25,  “I have been young, and now am old!”  My, how time flies, and the years pass by. 

 

B.  First of all, I want to thank the older folks (Notice I said older and not old) for being so faithful to the Lord, the church, your pastor, and those who watch you.  You are the “rock” of your church.  Built upon Christ because of you!

 

C.  This Psalm is not about an instance or moment of time; it is not about a singular circumstance either good or bad; it is a lifetime!

 

D.  I want to break the Psalm down into three parts tonight, which show that life lived for Christ.

 

1.  Verses 1-4.  They Worship their Saviour.  Notice the words “It is a good thing.”

 

a.  It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Thankful is thinkful!  Meditating upon the manifold blessings of God!  Get a notebook and a pen.  Begin to count your man blessings, name them one by one.  It will surprise you what God has done.

 

b.  It is a good thing to sing praises unto His name.  Coming into His presence with singing and making a joyful noise.  Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord!

 

c.  It is a good thing to shew forth (to stand boldly, to make manifest) God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness.  Tell the world that we serve a wonderful, loving, faithful God.  Pick up your chin and walk with the same loving grace and faithfulness to Him.  Let your light so shine so that those around you know that you have been with God and He is on your side.

 

d.  It is a good thing if you can play an instrument for the Lord.  I cannot play one, but I can sure enjoy hearing you play one. Music, played in a godly manner, is a blessing to those who cannot play.  God loves it also.  When He created Lucifer, He made him musical:  “the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”  In heaven, we find one of the most soothing of all stringed instruments, harps.  I believe that heaven will be a musical place as the saints are found singing songs of praise.

 

e.  It is good to triumph in the works of God’s hands.  Worship with joy for God’s works in nature, in our lives, because He careth for you. Learn to enjoy God’s nature as He created it for our pleasure and joy.

 

2.  Verses 5-11.  The Weather Their Storms.

 

a. Verses 5-6.  They have learned to trust in the Lord’s knowledge and power.  What sustains us during the hard times is the knowledge that “nothing has ever occurred to God.”  He knew where we would be before the trial came.  He knows where we are and how we feel during the trial.  Old people have endured hardship and have learned that God is good all the time.

 

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.

 

b.  Verses 7-9.  They have come to understand that the prosperity of the ungodly is brief, and justice and judgment will ultimately come.

 

Psalms 37:37-38  Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  (38)  But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

c.  Verses 10-11.  They understand that God does not change.  His love and protection for His children never diminish!  My favorite text on this subject is found in 2 Timothy chapter 4.

 

2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

3.  They Wear Their Salvation – Verses 12-15  

 

a.  Verse 12.  They are Resilient!  They are like the Palm Tree.  They are resilient and bend during the storms.  The mightiest storms on earth cannot blow them away.  Though they may bend in the wind, they straighten up when the storm is over.  You cannot blow them away, you cannot make them quit, they will be there until the end.

 

b.  Verse 12.  They are like the Cedars in Lebanon.  They are known for their strength and longevity.  They grew slowly over the years, they developed a strong root system, and they have lived a long time.  Pattern yourself after them, not after those who have given up and fallen into the ways of the world!

 

c.  Verse 13.  They are planted in the Church.  They come faithfully and stay through the local church's winter seasons.  They are dependable!  Though we am getting older now, these are the backbone of the church.  You're younger, the muscles that are attached to the bones!

 

d.  Verse 14.  They are fruit-bearing.  They do not dry up in the droughts of life.  They are the heart and soul of the local churches.  They act like Christians!  They live like Christians! They are a living sermon of the grace of God!

 

Conclusion:  What will our lives be remembered for?  Learn to worship, trust, and be resilient.  One day, your life will be remembered.  Nehemiah said, “Remember me for good!”

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 2 - Today Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Luke 23:32-43

(Temple 3-1-26)

 

Introduction:

A.  As we continue toward Easter Sunday, I want to continue looking at the 7 distinct times that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross.  Each of these 7 says are independent of each other and, yet, together, they speak volumes about the heart of the One who died for our salvation.

 

B.  Last week, we looked at “Father, forgive them.” 

 

1.  He came to die for sin and to bring about reconciliation for mankind.  It also taught us a lesson in forgiveness, as the Lord personally and temporally forgave those who crucified Him, even though He knew they would not repent or ask for forgiveness. 

 

a)  In eternity, there would be no forgiveness for those who crucified Him, the soldiers who continued to rail on Him, the crowd that loved His crucifixion, and the second thief who also railed on Him.

 

b)  The false doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is exposed in the wickedness of these. Without repentance and faith, hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire would be their eternal home. 

 

c)  King Herod did not get saved, Pilate did not get saved, the Pharisees did not get saved, the crowd who cried “crucify Him” did not get saved, the soldiers who beat-scourged-nailed Him to the cross did not get saved, the second malefactor who railed on Him did not get saved, the crowd that watched Him did on the cross did not get saved.

 

d)  Do not presume that you will get saved without repentance and faith.

 

2.    This morning, I want to look at the 2nd saying, possibly the most notable: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  In these verses, we find a true deathbed profession.  Most people who are dying are too busy dying to trust Christ.  I believe some do truly get saved just before they die, but, as a general rule, how you live is how you die!

 

C.  Here we find two thieves who were to die with Christ.

 

1.  One Mocked Christ – vs. 39  He asked Christ to save them and still died lost.  A prayer will not save the sinner.  Salvation is a heart condition!  This thief died unrepentant and lost.  His prayer was to save “us.”

 

2.  One Recognized Christ – vs. 40  This thief recognized who Christ was; recognized what he was; and asked for salvation. Vs. 41-42

 

D.  What a bold request! “Lord, remember me!” He was a convicted thief with nothing to offer.  He was condemned to death with no reprieve.  Helpless, hopeless, he was now to die.  He had lived his life for self and now requested salvation.  Can a sinner be saved upon his deathbed?  The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

 

E.  What a glorious reply!   “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!”  Our Lord answered his request in the affirmative.  I am so glad that we serve a merciful God who does not give us what we deserve.  What a wonderful Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ.

 

F.  Notice that the grace of God extended was singular in number: “thou.”  A nameless, condemned thief, helpless thief!  Helpless but, thank God, not hopeless!  Let us look at that statement for a few minutes.

 

G.  The Request Of The Sinner – “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”

 

1.  Realization – “fear God”

 

2.  Repentance – “indeed justly”

 

3.  Recognition – “Lord”

 

4.  Request – “remember me”

 

H.  The Reply Of The Saviour – “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

 

1.  Recognition – “unto thee”

 

2.  Reliability – “Verily”

 

3.  Reassurance – “shalt thou be”

 

J.  His salvation was instantaneous: “today!”  His salvation was assured: “thou shalt be!”  His salvation was eternal: “in paradise!”

 

1.  The heresy of Good Works was refuted – for there was nothing that the thief could do as death was imminent. 

 

2.  The heresy of Sacraments was refuted - for the thief was saved without last rites, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church, or ceremony.

 

3.  The heresy of purgatory was refuted - for this vile sinner was instantly transformed into a saint and made fit for paradise apart from his personal expiation for a single sin.

 

4.  The heresy of universalism was refuted - for only one was saved of all who might have been saved that day.  "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

 

5.  The heresy of soul-sleep was refuted - for the clear implication of the entire incident is that the redeemed thief would be in conscious presence and fellowship with his Saviour in paradise even while his body corrupted in the grave.

 

K.  Why save a dying thief?

 

1.  This saying shows the Love of God for sinners.  He saved this thief because He loved him! It matters not who you are or what you have done, God loves you.  Jesus is truly a Friend of publicans and sinners.  He loves me, He loves, He loves me, I know!  The Bible tells me so.

 

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

2.  This saying shows the Individuality of salvation.  He saved the thief because He was dying for HIM!  Salvation will never belong to a person until that person realizes that Christ died for them personally.  Yes, He did for the sins of the whole world, but He died for me, making salvation personal.

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

3.  This saying shows clearly the Way of salvation.  Not many ways, but one way, and that way is through faith in Christ and faith alone. 

 

a.  Salvation is not by works - Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

b.  Salvation is through Christ alone - John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

c.  Salvation is a free gift - Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

d.  Salvation is for the asking - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

4.  This saying gives Hope to all of mankind!  He saved a thief so that men might not despair.  The BLESSED HOPE gave the thief a blessed hope!  There is hope in Christ.

 

a.  Some might say, “It is too late for me.”  It was not too late for the thief.  If you are breathing, you are a candidate for salvation.

 

b.  Some might say, “I have done too much wrong to be saved.” 

 

c.  There is hope in Jesus Christ for even the vilest sinner on his way to his death.

 

5.  This saying Warns mankind not to presume!    Oh, preacher, I’ll make it somehow.  I have plenty of time.  I will one day give my life to Christ!

 

a.  The Presumption of Salvation - Christ only saved one of the thieves!  They presume that they will “slip into heaven” at the last moment.  Two men; two choices; and two destinies!

 

b.  The Presumption of Judgment.  That God will not put you in Hell.  Most people do not think that they will perish in hell.  Bad things always happen to other people.

 

Conclusion:

 

One thief railed on Christ.  “If thou be Christ.”

 

One Thief wailed to Christ.  “Lord, remember me.”

 

One was nailed for sin.  He was nailed for my sin.  He was nailed for yours!