When We Miss Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-15-2025

John 20:19-24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  When 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2 speaks of the “falling away” of these last days, it speaks of more than just apostasy.  People today are falling away from the Old Paths of the fathers in many ways. 

 

1.  In doctrine.  Bible doctrine has become a thing of distaste as it is considered boring and unnecessary.

 

2.  In integrity.  Honesty, truthfulness, just plain old scruples.  People have lost self-respect!

 

3.  In lifestyle.  It matters not what society says or what our parents would have said.

 

4.  In obedience.  Kids are disobedient to parents, parents disobedient to all types of authority.

 

B.  Not much that we can do about that, but what about the falling away in our lives.  Church has become unnecessary to many as they are continually hit-or-miss in attendance.  I fear that they do not realize what they miss when they miss church.

 

C.  In our verses for tonight, we find our resurrected Lord assembling Himself with His disciples.

 

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst”

D.  The Lord found it of the utmost importance for Him to be there with His people.  He came because of both promise and need. 

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

E.  One disciples chose to miss “church” that night.  His name was Thomas.  Missed one time and forever labeled “Doubting Thomas.”  That was tough!  I guess we all should be named “Doubting Thomas!”  I am sure that all of us, at one time or another, have missed a service that we could have and should have attended.

 

1.  Thomas was disappointed and discouraged.  All of us get that way on occasions so I will give Thomas a break on this one.  Though a sin, it is not a sin unto death for it is common among us.

 

2.  Thomas allowed his spiritual condition to keep him out of church that Sunday.  I guess his attitude was “What’s the use?” because his Lord had been crucified and, though he remained in disbelief at this time, had resurrected.

 

3.  Now let me say that there is no excuse for missing church, regardless of how disappointed or discouraged we get because the church is a place of revival and recovery!  With all that said, let’s continue the story.

 

F.  Later that week, the disciples told Thomas what he had missed and he still did not think that he had missed much. 

John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

G.  Now, let’s look at the reason, however frail it was, for Thomas’ absence.  His Lord had gone away!  These men, though they found the body of Christ gone, still had not at this point believed.  I do not see where Thomas ever went to the Garden Tomb to see the resurrection for himself.

John 20:9  For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

H.  “Let not your heart be troubled” was not evidenced in Thomas as he was disappointed and discouraged to the point of quitting. 

 

J.  What did Thomas miss?  What do we miss?  I am going to make this very simple tonight.

 

1.  We miss the presence of the Lord.  A promise refused! 

 

a.  He has promised that He would be in the “midst.”  “Midst” means that He is in the middle; He is in the center of the congregation.  I thank God that each time I attend church, I find the Lord there. 

 

b.  The darkest night in Israel’s history gave birth to the brightest Star ever born!  We have the presence of the Lord withing but need to experience the fulness of the Lord when we assemble.

 

c.  In the darkest hour of our lives, we need to see the Lord!

 

2.  We miss the presence of the Word.  A presence rejected! 

 

a.  Reading the Word of God together.  I love what we do here.  I read the Word to you, and you read the Word to me. 

 

b.  The preaching of the Word of God.  Faith comes through preaching that comes from the Word of God. 

 

b.  We all need the Word of God.  The one night when just what we needed was served and we were not there to feast on it.

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

3.  We miss the encouragement of the Brethren.  “Exhorting one another.” 

 

a.  Singing together.  Shaking hands and enjoying each other. 

 

b.  Praying together.  One of the unspoked requests of each of us should be in the area of disappointment and discouragement.

 

b.  We are Family!  We LOVE and NEED each other!  What a blessing, what a joy, what thrill, what a privilege we miss.

 

4.  We miss being an encouragement to the Brethren.  An opportunity lost! 

 

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.

 

a.  Thomas not only missed what he could have received, but also missed something that he could have given to or shared with others.  Someone may have come to church tonight discouraged, disappointed, or defiled.  They may have spiritually crawled to church and clawed their way up the steps and through the doors to get in. 

 

b.  They may have needed you and me more tonight than at any other time in their lives.  AND WE CHOOSE NOT TO BE HERE!  What a letdown to need the fellowship of God’s people and look at empty places on the pews. 

5. We miss the peace of God that passeth all understanding.  A tranquility missed!  In verse 19, our Lord said, “Peace be unto you.”  Unto “YOU,” not unto them.  So many of God’s children live in light of their circumstances.  Life is hard at best and discouragement and disappointment are readily available.  A personal peace that becomes the perfect peace of Isaiah 26:3.

 

Matthew 11:27-30  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.  (28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Thanking God in Anticipation

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-12-2025

Psalm 75

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The writer of the Psalm was Asaph.  He wrote 12 of the Psalms: 50 and 73-83.  He was the man appointed to be over the worship of the Tabernacle during the reign of King David and King Solomon in Solomon’s Temple.  He led the worship service by leading the singing, heading up the instruments used and the people who played them, along with being a song writer.

 

B.  Psalm 75 is a Psalm of praise and anticipation of deliverance.  The title of the Psalm gives an interesting word, “Altaschith” – Al-tas-chith, which means “to not destroy.”

 

C.  Though there is no specific background stated in this Psalm, it smells or perpetual trouble from the wicked and lack of relief or release for the godly.  Our God will not allow the wicked to destroy His people!

 

1.  Jacob said that his life was of few days and full of  troubles. 

 

2.  David, a man after God’s own heart, lived on the run before he ascended to the throne of Israel and, even then, had to run for his life during the reign of Absalom. 

 

3.  Job certainly had “his plate full” along with the Old Testament prophets. 

 

4.  The New Testament was not much better as John the Baptist, Paul, and most of the disciples were rejected and martyred. 

 

5.  They crucified our Lord.  I know that they had to have His permission as the cross was the purpose for His coming.

 

6.  From the blood of righteous Abel to the Tribulation saints, the people of God have suffered and waited long for deliverance.  Just read Hebrews, chapter 11.

 

D.    As time advances, we look around at the wickedness of this present evil world and it shocks our mortal being. 

 

1.  As I talk with people, the older generation is sickened at what is going on and so am I.  My heart cries, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

 

2.  The world is blinded by the “god of this world,” but still suffer the consequences of rampant sin and rejection of God.

 

3.  We are both a vanishing and dying generation who were born and raised in days of morality and integrity.  The newer generations embrace these last days because they have no morality or integrity. 

 

4.  This Psalm was written during a dark period of Israel’s history when enemies surrounded them.

 

E.  This Psalm instructs us in the hard places of life to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice!”

 

F.  Let’s break the Psalm down into its parts. 

 

Verse 1.  God is Sovereign in His Person. The Psalmist sees the works of a Sovereign God.  Asaph Worships. The words “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks” is repeated in “unto thee d0 we give thanks.”  The repetition shows sincerity, fervency, and constancy.  This worship is based upon three things: Who God is, Where God is, and What God can do.

 

a.  Who God is.  “O God”  “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.”

 

1)  Moses asked to SEE the glory of God.  Exodus 33:18  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

 

2)  The Glory of God was found in His name.  Exodus 34:5-6  And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  (6)  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

 

3)  “The LORD, the LORD God”  The Sovereign Potentate of the Universe.  “I AM THAT I AM” is the proper biblical expression of the Person of God.  Eternal, Omnipotent, and self-existing.  Available to all who call upon Him. 

 

b.  Where God is.  “for that thy name is near” 

 

1)  God’s name was near Moses.  “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there,”

 

2)   God is Omnipresent and touchable.  He is near to all who call upon Him.  We do not have to go looking for God as Job did in Job, chapter 23.  His name is near as He is Here!

 

c.  What God can do.  “thy wondrous works declare.”  The limitless power of God and the infinite wisdom of God are found in His creation of the heavens and the earth.  God Can and God still can. God’s works declare His wonder!

 

1)  Moses saw God’s spiritual work that day.  “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”  We too have seen God’s spiritual work.

 

2)  We can also see God’s physical work.  Psalms 19:1-3  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

 

3)  Just look around tonight.  What a wonderful world we live in.  Perfect in its design and the function and unity of all its parts.  Look at His heavens that declare the Glory of God.  What a magnificent, perfectly designed heaven He gave us to behold.  Look up in the dark on a cloudless night and what you see will speak to you of the glory of its Creator.

 

Verses 2-3.  God is Sovereign in His Power.  A pronouncement that God is in control.  A time of God’s judgment set when God will judge the wicked.  God cannot be hurried and has a set time for His righteous judgments.

 

a.  Asaph realizes that God is still on His throne and will ultimately bring about the righteous judgement of the wicked.  I think that it is essential that this generation understand that there is a God in heaven and judgement is going to soon be a reality.

 

b.  Asaph is thanking God in advance for what He will do in His time.  I liken this to asking God for some specific thing and, along with the request, bowing to the will of God.

 

c.  If God choses to do something in a different way or choses not to give us our request,  thanking Him anyway.

 

d.  Hebrews 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

Verses 4-7.  God is Sovereign in His Purpose. 

 

Verses 4-5.  A warning to the disobedient and proud.  The Foolishness of man.

 

a.  The Fool’s Pride.  Fools think and act foolishly.  Proverbs 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 

b.  The Wicked’s Powerlessness.  Stiff necked is the term for absolute rebellion against truth.  A dismissal of authority.  God is all power and man has no power.

 

Verses 6-7.  God’s Power in Promotion.  God controls the affairs of men.

 

a.  Promotions of individuals.  God can elevate men to positions of power and wealth according to His will.

 

b.  Promotions of governments.  God can elevate men to positions of power in Government.  Daniel 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

 

c.  God is setting up this world for the ultimate judgment in the end-time. 

 

Verses 8.  God is Sovereign in His Punishment.  The “cup” of the LORD symbolizes the wrath and judgment of God.  The declaration of a Righteous Judge. 

 

a.  God will administer His judgment in His time and His way as He “pours” it out.  It is “red” and it is a “mixture.”  The multiple ways that God judges.  The wicked will get the judgment that they deserve. 

 

b.  The dregs: the residue, the trash, the remains.  The bitterness of God’s wrath.  Often, when drinking coffee, with just a gulp left the dregs become visible.  Look into the cup and see the remaining coffee grounds.  While drinking the coffee, we are not aware of what remains in the bottom of the cup. 

 

c.  One day, the unsaved will see and experience the bitterness of God’s wrath.

 

Verses 9-10.  God is Sovereign in His Praise.  Both saved and lost will be righteously rewarded.  The saved will rejoice when that day comes.

 

 

a.  The Praise of His People.  Asaph ends the Psalm with the same Praise. The ongoing praise of God’s people.

 

b.  The Perishing of His Enemies.

 

c.  God is a righteous Being who will not forget the righteous nor will He excuse the unrighteous. 

 

d.  Asaph is not thanking God because his troubles are gone as they are still present.  He is thanking God in the midst of his problems know that God has never been defeated and will never let him down.

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-12-2025

2 Timothy 3:13-4:4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  2 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles.  Paul is writing to younger men of God to set in order the oversight, structure, and operation of the local church. 

 

1.  Timothy was a convert of the Apostle Paul and God used Paul to disciple this young preacher.  The key verse of 2 Timothy is found in chapter 2 and verse 15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

 

2.  In most churches today, there is a lack of doctrinal preaching which manifests itself in the spiritual condition of their people and their worldly approach to worshipping a thrice holy God!  Thus, 2 Timothy 1:1-7:  Worldly, ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth!

 

3.  People in our day do not even know how to behave in the local church, the house of the God, which is to be the pillar and ground of the truth.  Thus, sound doctrine is of the utmost importance.

 

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

4.  Doctrine is mentioned 56 times in the Bible.  Only four of these 56 mentions speak of sound doctrine.

 

5. Sound Doctrine is found 4 times and all 4 in the Pastoral Epistles written to Timothy and Titus.

 

Sound - to have sound health, that is, be well (in body); figuratively to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): - be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some).

 

Doctrine – comes from a root word meaning a doctor, instructor, teacher.  instruction (the function or the information): - doctrine, learning, teaching—thus doctrine means instruction (the function or the information): - doctrine, learning, teaching.

 

B.  In 2 Timothy, chapter 3, we find the inspiration and preservation of God’s Holy Word which is found in your King James Bible.  The Bible “throughly furnishes” the man of God.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17  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.

 

1.  The Charge of Sound Doctrine.  1 Timothy 1:1-4  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;  (2)  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.  (3)  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

2.  The Falling Away from Sound Doctrine.  2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

3.  The Exhortation of Sound Doctrine.  Titus 1:8-9  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  (9)  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

4.  The Preaching of Sound Doctrine.  Titus 2:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

 

C.  God’s house is a house of doctrine.  The devil hates sound doctrine and endeavors to destroy the knowledge of sound doctrine which ultimately destroys God’s children.

 

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

D.  We live in spiritual days that either do not teach or deny sound doctrine.  These people and churches live in the realm of the world.

 

1.  De-emphasizing Of Sound Doctrine - A tactic of the devil to bring about the ecumenical movement which teaches that where you go to church is not important as long as you profess to be saved.  This form of doctrinal ignorance is leading to the rise of a one world church.

 

2.  Demonizing Of Sound Doctrine – A tactic of the devil that portrays God’s men in a pharisaical or legalistic light and the Bible believing local church as being cultic.  This form of doctrinal ignorance drives away those who listen to such tactics and opens wide the door for false teachers and preachers.

 

3.  Dividing Of Sound Doctrine – A tactic of the devil to bring about division within the fundamental churches with the main cause of such division coming through higher education.

 

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

4.  I am not an enemy of higher learning but, when higher learning causes the learner to doubt or change the Word of God, such learning becomes problematic. 

 

E.  In the beginnings of the early church, all of the believers followed the doctrine of the Apostles, but Satan soon began to infiltrate and divide.  There is a danger of going:

 

1.  From Steadfast:

 

Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

2.  To Endeavouring:

 

Ephesians 4:3-6  Endeavouring (to exert oneself or to strive) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

3.  To Confusion:

 

1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

 

F.  There is a decline in the teaching of Bible doctrine in the churches today as many churches, pastors, and teachers shy away from it and go from “heart pricking” to “ear tickling.”  To these, doctrine is neither important nor is it relevant to our day.  I want to reiterate that sound doctrine is imperative! 

G.  Sound doctrine is imperative to:

 

1.  The stability of the local church - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

a.  If the church is not doctrinally correct, then the word coming from the pulpit  cannot be trusted. 

 

b.  The Word of God is the final authority for both faith and practice, not necessarily a creed or statement of faith of a denomination or local church.  When missionaries or evangelists send me their doctrinal stand, I observe closely what they say and what they fail to say because of “political correctness” with the intent hide beliefs in order to gain support or meetings.

 

c.  The Head of the church is Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is the Word of God; therefore, if the Head and the Word are right, the local church can be trusted to be right also.

 

2.  The detection and rejection of the infiltration of false teachers - Ephesians 4:14  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; 

 

a.  God gives to the local church pastors who rightly divide the word of truth, feed the flock of God, and equip the saints to be able to discern false teaching. 

 

b.  Theological “food poisoning” is a good term describing false doctrinal teaching.  It brings joy to the pastor’s heart when his people can detect false statements.

 

3.  The spiritual well being of the believer - Colossians 2:6-8  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  (7)  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  (8)  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

 

a.  One of the greatest accolades that can be given to the local church is that of a people who know what and why they believe.  Knowledgeable people are both productive and protected. 

 

b.  Too many churches are characterized by biblical ignorance.  I have been preaching a mini-series lately because Paul often addressed the believers with the statement, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”

 

4.  The biblical training of our children - Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

 

a.  The Bible and doctrinal truth are essential to the spiritual upbringing of our children.  Our children need to be taught the Word of God, not just entertained and the Bible taught must be right and the doctrine correct. 

 

b.  Doctrinal soundness will be the foundation upon which our children will stand and prosper.

 

Conclusion: The importance of sound doctrine?  It is of the utmost importance to God and should be of the utmost important to all of us.

 

Psalms 11:3  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?