Temple Baptist Church - 7-29-2026
1 Corinthians 15:58
Introduction:
A. We have spent quite a bit of time in chapter 15, dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our “gathering together unto him.”
1. The Corinthian Church was a carnal (fleshly) church and spent both their time and resources on their natural, temporal desires.
Revelation 3:15-17 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Sounds like the local churches of these last days! People are more excited about carnal things than spiritual ones.
2. So, here we are today! There is a general forsaking of the church (fewer people and fewer services), sound doctrine (lack of biblical knowledge which brings confusion), and separation (more love for the world than love for the things of God).
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
B. The Holy Ghost admonishes the church to be heavenly minded in verse 58 because the real treasures are those things that are eternal, not temporal. The “therefore” ties this verse to the preceding verses and is a summation or conclusion. His plea is based upon our blessed position in the body of Christ and hope of His soon return in the rapture.
2 Timothy 3:12-14 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;
C. “My” denotes ownership. “Beloved” denotes our dearness to both the Apostle and our Saviour. “Brethren” denotes a family other!
1. Steadfastness – deals with the possibility of quitting - Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (People are quitting on every hand. Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, SS teachers, soul winners, church workers, etc. What will it take to make you quit?)
2. Immovability – deals with the possibility of being swayed - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (We are in the midst of the “falling away.” What will it take to move you?)
Acts 20:23-24 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (24) But none of these things move me (to deter), 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.
Ephesians 4:13-14 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
3. Abounding – deals with possibility of sitting down instead of serving - 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (The closer to the end of the church age, the more we should labor. Unfortunately, it is just the exact opposite is true. What will cause you to quit working and start pew sitting?)
4. Knowledge – deals with the understanding that our labor is not in vain - Matthew 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Though we are in the gleanings stage or the Days of Noe, God is still in control of the harvest)
5. Reward – God will certainly reward us with fullness - 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (full reward) for our labors (Parable of those who labored through the heat of the day for a penny while others entered the fields much later and received the same.)
ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TWO THINGS:
1. It Takes Biblical Conversion – 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
2. It Takes Biblical Conviction – Jesus is coming again just like He said!
SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN:
1. We Need To continue In One Accord.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
2. We Need To Continue In Prayer.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3. We Need To Continue In Doctrine.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast earned them.
4. We Need To Continue In Fellowship.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
5. We Need To Continue In The Grace of God. (Salvation’s Message)
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
6. We Need To Continue In Encouragement.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
7. We Need To Continue In Soul Winning. (Both at home and abroad)
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great
8. We Need To Continue To Live Godly Lives.
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
9. We Need To Continue Contending For The Faith Once Delivered.
Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
10. We Need To Continue In Service.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
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