Be Ye Steadfast

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.

Sing A New Song

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-26-2026

Psalm 98

 

Introduction:

A.  This Psalm begins with the phrase “a new song.”  This phrase is found 9 times in the Bible: 6 times in the Psalms, 1 time in Isaiah, and 2 times in Revelation.

 

1.  The word “new” means fresh.  It doesn’t mean that we have to write a new song each time that we praise Him.  We are to praise all day every day!  Good times, hard times, and bad times.  

 

2. The promise of a new day! Yesterday is gone and we are given another 24 golden hours. Carolina Sandle, in 1865, wrote the song “Day By Day:”

 

Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what he deems best, lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.

 

3. The promise of new mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (23)  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

4. The promise of a new grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

5. The promise of a new direction. Job 23:10-11  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  (11)  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

 

6. The promise of a new decision. Paul wrote the Philippian Epistle from jail.  This epistle is also called by some “Jailhouse Joy!”  A directed joy that goes back to Paul’s statement: “I think myself happy!”  “Always” is moment by moment and “again” is self-explanatory!  It is a “rolling” word which gives and indication to again and again and again.

 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

 

7.  The word “song” comes from a root word meaning “to stroll” or “to travel.”  Example:

 

 

B.  This singing a new song that speaks of praise or activity, not entertainment.  It is both public and personal.  

 

C.  This type of singing and praise is based upon several things found in Psalm 98:

 

1.  Verses 1-3.  This New Song is based upon Remembrance.  “For He hath done marvelous things!”  The right hand of power, His right arm of strength; His eternal victory.

 

a.  His great salvation. “The LORD hath made known his salvation”  If we thank God for nothing else tonight, we should thank Him for His great salvation, so full, so rich, so underserving, and free. If God does nothing else for us (but He does), salvation makes it worth it all.

 

b.  His great victory.  “his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.”  Victory in the lives of His people; victory over the enemies of God; victory over Satan; victory over death and hell: victory in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour! 

 

c.  His great grace.  Undeserved!  Grace to be saved; grace to survive; grace to grow; grace for every trial, and grace for every mile.  Grace all-sufficient and always available.  The manifold grace of God.

 

d.  His wonderful mercy and compassion.  I am thankful every day that God does not and has not given me what I deserve!  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” was a promise made in Psalm 23:6 and a promise kept in our lives. 

 

e.  His faithfulness is found in His truth.  We have the Word of God in our hands tonight!  Not a manmade book that contains the Word of God or portions of the Word of God nor merely the thoughts of God, but the promise of “every word which proceeded out of the mouth of God!  “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

 

f. Our singing a new song is a response to our remembrance of all that God has done to us, with us, and through us!  O, the faithfulness of God!

 

2.  Verses 4-8.  This New Song is based upon Resolve.  

 

a.  It is a command, not an invitation that is to everyone.  “all the earth”  

 

b.  My heart is thrilled, when er I think of Jesus!  “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh!”  

 

c.  Not sing with a beautiful voice.  “Make a joyful noise”  “Make a loud noise!”  Make a “rejoicing” noise.  A noise of Praise to our God!

 

d.  God’s creation praises Him.  The seas, the earth, the floods, the hills and hollows.  Notice “and they that dwell therein!” 

 

e.  The whole world is invited to celebrate with them!  In all around God I see!  The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament His handiwork!

 

3.  Verse 9.  This New Song is based upon Revelation.  

 

a.  The Lord has already judged the believer’s sin on Calvary and is coming to take us home!  We will eternally be with Him.  What a day that will be!

 

b.  The Lord will judge the world and the curse removed.  He will set the elements on fire and present to us a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21.

 

c.  The Lord will judge the people on earth with equity.  The Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.

 

Conclusion:  Sing a New Song unto the Lord, not based upon circumstances but upon His Person.

Keeping Your Pastor in a Right Perspective

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-26-2026

Ephesians 4:1-16

 

Introduction: 

A.  Barbara and I had to miss the last night of Revival this past Wednesday.  We were about to get ready to dress for church, but I knew that I could not go because I had been sick since the Tuesday night service.  I waited until almost the last minute before calling Clint to take over.  I called Brother Holbrooks to let him know.  Then I was sick both physically and spiritually because I felt that I was letting our church down! 

B.  We were watching the service online (at least Barbara was and I was listening because the world was going round and round for me) and wanted so badly to be there.

C.  The next day, I was flooded with calls and texts asking how we were doing, and I expected it!  I greatly appreciated that, but a couple of our members said that nothing is the same when you are not there.  The whole service was not right without the pastor and his wife being there with the people.

D.  I hope that never changes!  Not that I want a service to be less than it needs to be, but because I believe that it emphasizes the importance of the pastor being there.  This should be the response of all the people.  Why, because God made it to be that way.

 

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

E.  You pastor is a very important part of your church!  He is God’s gift to you!  Heavenly gifts are given based upon two things:

 

1.  God’s love for His church!  Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  

 

2.  God knowledge of your need!  Ephesians 5:26-27  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  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.

 

F.  You need your pastor!  God made it that way!  Sheep without a shepherd will soon lose their direction, divide and scatter, and fall prey to their enemies.  God’s people are like sheep. 

 

Matthew 9:36 says, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” 

 

G.  I want to look at the person and position of the pastor tonight in order to help you better understand what God is doing in your life through the pastor that God gave to you.  Not just any man because there are many good men of God out there.  God chose and sent me to you!

 

1.  The Pastor Is God’s Man – Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 

a.  Be careful how you treat him because he is God’s man!

 

b.  Be careful how you talk about him because he is God’s man!

 

2.  The Pastor Is Just A Man – vs. 6 - 1 Corinthians 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

 

a.  He has feelings.  I do not let you know what I think or feel for the most part because I am never here to discourage you.  I am here to encourage you!

 

b.  He has faults.  I am not a perfect man!

 

c.  He has failures.  I have and will make mistakes.

 

d.  Learn to pray for me!

 

3.  The Pastor Is Your Man – vs. 8 - Jeremiah 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

 

a.  He is your gift.  I belong to you!  Use me well and use me right.  I cannot do everything nor be everywhere.  I am getting older and wear out quicker.  I need my rest.

 

b.  He is your friend.  In your darkest hour, I will be there for you.

 

4.  The Pastor Is Often A Hated Man – vs. 9-13 - 2 Timothy 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

 

a.  He is hated because of the stand that he takes.  I preach and teach a perfect Word to an imperfect person through imperfect lips. 

 

b.  He is hated because of the Word he preaches.  Many will not like be because I will not compromise the Bible, doctrines, or my preaching.  If your spiritual phone rings, pick it up and say “Hello.”  I just dialed a number without knowing who was on the other end.  I just put God’s letter into your mailbox.

 

c.  He is hated because of the Lord he represents.   The world has a wrong perspective of who the Lord is.  He is a thrice holy God in whom is no darkness at all.  Never bring Him down to your level, you live godly and strive to reach His!

 

5.  The Pastor Is A Loving Man – vs. 14-15 - 2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

 

a.  He loves the Lord.

 

b.  He loves the Word.

 

c.  He loves the saints.

 

d.  He loves sinners.

 

e.  He loved you!

 

6.  The Pastor Is Beseeching Man – vs. 16-17 - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.  (Paul used the word beseech 24 times in the Book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles.)

 

a.  He desires only the best for you.

 

b.  He desires only the best for your family.

 

c.  He desires only the best for the church.

 

7.  The Pastor Is A Concerned Man – vs. 18-21 - 2 Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

a.  He watches over you.

 

b.  He worries over you.

The Last Enemy: Death

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-15-2026

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Tonight, I want to look at a subject that needs to be explored. 

 

1.  Death is a fact of life! A fact that is feared by many, ignored by some, and little discussed by most.  Yet, it is a fact of life that is inescapable. 

 

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

2.  It is a rare thing to hear death mentioned in a conversion unless someone has died.  Funerals bring people face to face with death for a few days, then it is not mentioned again until the next one. 

 

3. Because of this, it needs to be fully explored and biblically explained.

 

B.  Earlier, we saw the reason for death of this mortal, corruptible body.  This flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.  Because it is sinful, we must die.  “Tis a terrible thing to fear the inevitable.”

 

C.  What is physical death?  Death: 

 

1.  In the spiritual realm: Temporary separation of the spiritual soul from the physical body until the physical body is changed, taking on incorruption and immortality.  (1 Corinthians 15:50-53) This temporary suspension of the activities of the body does not mean that the spirit of man is asleep. The body sleeps until the glorious resurrection when the change comes. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Psalm 23 shows the death of the saint as the Lord, our Shepherd walks with us through, not in the valley, the valley of the shadow of death.

 

2.  In the physical realm: Death begins when the heart stops beating. Deprived of oxygen carried by the blood, a cascade of cellular death commences, beginning with brain cells and ending with skin cells. Death is a process rather than an event. Specifying the moment of death usually involves deciding on a point from which there can be no return. Death in one form or another is listed at least 858 times in the Bible.

 

D.  Over the millennia, fear of premature burial was widespread in 18th and 19th century Europe, leading to the invention of the safety coffin. The common element was a mechanism for allowing the 'dead' to communicate with people above ground.  Many designs included ropes which, when pulled, would ring a purpose-mounted bell.  That is where the expression "Dead Ringer" comes from.  “Graveyard Shift" came from hiring people to stay by the grave of a loved one, having a pipe buried with the dead to all both air and communication, for a certain period of time to make sure that they were truly dead.  The person hired then pulls the pipe out of the ground when the finality of death is assured.

 

E.  As recently as 1995 an Italian Fabrizio Caselli invented a model that includes an emergency alarm, two-way microphone/speaker, a torch, oxygen tank, heartbeat sensor, and heart stimulator.  Why are dead people buried "6 feet under"?  The specific depth of six feet came later from an English law, something of an early family preservation act (Black plague and running out of space) in which the idea was to join husband and wife even after death. Six feet down allowed enough space for the coffin of one spouse, and eventually for the coffin of the other on top and still left two feet of dirt on top of both.  This practice is now being implemented in the United States.

 

F.  Because of fear of death, many have made light of it.  I call that “whistling through the graveyard.”

 

“Here lies my wife, So let her lie.

Now she's at rest, And so am I.”

 

“Maria has gone to the Pearly Gate

For once in her life, she wasn't late!”

 

"Have me decently buried, but do not let my body be put into a vault in less than two days after I am dead". George Washington

 

Statistics prove single men die more quickly than married men. Therefore, if you men are looking for a long slow death, get married!

 

G.  The body is but the tabernacle or dwelling place of the spirit of man. Upon the death of the body, the spirit of a believer takes departure, closing the senses of the body until the day of its resurrection. Immediately upon the death of our bodies, we leave the flesh:

 

2 Corinthians 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Philippians 1:23  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

 

Romans 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

 

Luke 16:22-23  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

H.  Death brings fear to the unsaved who have no hope.  Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

 

The unsaved do not like to think or talk about death.  We ask them the question, “If you died today, would you go to Heaven?”  They are not thinking of dying!

J.  Death brings about fear, even to those who are saved.  Death has a “sting.”  Death is something that we have not experienced and the process of dying brings about dread to all. 

 

1.  As one preacher said, “If I knew where I was going to die, I probably wouldn’t go there.”  “I’m not afraid to die I just don’t want to be there when it happens!”   When one man was asked if he could choose when and how he would die what it would be his answer and he said, “I would like to die easy, and not be there when it happened.” 

 

2.  We avoid the discussion of death and rarely think about it as we move swiftly through this life.  Funerals bring us face-to-face with the reality of death, but then we hear the laughter and change of direction of talk at wakes, visitations, and post funeral get togethers.

 

3.  For the Christian, death does not have to be feared, but it does need to be faced.

 

Psalms 116:3  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

 

K.  Dying begins in the womb with conception because it is an inescapable part of living.  We are born to die according to Ecclesiastes 3.  One day, your or my coffin will arrive in town in a covered truck.  Death may be slow, it may be sudden, it may be in a strange way, but sooner or later death will come. Wherever you may be--In a moment you may meet him.  Death is written on the face of all that are alive. The report of the birth of a new baby guarantees the digging of a new grave.

 

L.  Around the world, 2.2 souls die each second; 130 souls die each minute, 7,500 souls die each hour, 190,000 souls die each day and approx. 60-70 million souls die each year.  Statistical study on the subject comes to a firm conclusion: One out one people dies.

 

M.  The greatest “Peeping Tom” in all the world is death:  Jeremiah 9:21  For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.  Death is no respecter of persons, positions, or professions:  young and old die, rich and poor die, kings and sovereigns die.  Every religious denomination and ethnic group face death and none escape.

 

1.  Babies die - 2 Samuel 12:18  And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

 

2.  Young people die - Psalms 55:23  But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

 

3.  Old people die - Job 42:17  So Job died, being old and full of days.

 

4.  All die - Ecclesiastes 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 

1.  The Assurance Of Death – Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

a.  Death Is A Divine Appointment

 

Genesis 2:17  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.

 

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

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

 

Ezekiel 18:4  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.

 

 

Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

 

b.  Death Is A Destiny Approaching

 

Ecclesiastes 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 

Genesis 47:29  And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

 

Job 7:6  My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

 

Genesis 47:29  And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

c.  Death Is A Desire Achieved

 

1.  God’s desire - Psalms 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

Job 14:15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

 

“Life is short, death is sure, sin the cause, Christ the cure!”

 

2.  Saint’s desire - Philippians 1:23  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

 

3.  A tombstone in England (the man who died had a last name of Peas) read: “Here lies Peas pod.  Peas shelled out and went home to God!”

 

2.  The Analogy Of Death 

 

In the following verses we have a transcendently sublime description of death which assures the believer that it is but “the transient slumber of the body, to be followed by the glorious awakening at the sound of the last trumpet.”

 

a.  The New Testament Saints’ Bodies Sleep 

 

No Biblical description of death is so comforting and consoling to the believer as that which is revealed in the familiar word sleep. It is a word that applies to the body only and never to the soul.

 

John 11:11-14  These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

 

Acts 7:59-60  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

1 Corinthians 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (Bring with him denies soul sleep.  The sleep of the physical body.)

 

b.  The Old Testament Saints’ Bodies Sleep 

 

More than forty times in the Old Testament it is said of a man who died that he “slept with his fathers.”

 

2 Peter 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

 

Deuteronomy 31:16  And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

 

Job 7:21  And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

 

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 

 

3.  The Annihilation Of Death

 

a.  A Transformation – vs. 51-54 “incorruptible…immortal” POWERFUL

 

Philippians 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

b.  A Translation – vs. 52 “raised”

 

Revelation 4:1-2  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

 

c.  A Termination – vs. 54 “swallowed up in victory”

 

1 Corinthians 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

Conclusion: Thank God that one day we shall be with Him and like Him eternally and the sting of death forever banished.

 

1 Corinthians 15:55-57  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  (57)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.