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!

Understanding Spiritual Gifts - The Transition Period

Temple Baptist Church - 2-25-2026

I Corinthians 12:1

 

Introduction:

A. In Paul’s day, there was much ignorance concerning the gifts that God gave to the believers.

 

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

 

1. They were ignorant in that some of these gifts were permanent, and some were passing. We will deal with that in chapter 13, but I need to mention it as I preface chapters 12-14.

 

2. By the same token, there is much ignorance in our day concerning which biblical gifts are relevant today and what gifts have passed away through the completed revelation of God’s Word, which we have in our hands, the King James Bible.

 

3. Paul did not want the Corinthian church to be ignorant of these divinely given gifts, and, as your pastor, I do not want you to be ignorant either.

 

B. To rightly understand these gifts, we must understand the times in which they were given and God’s rules for using them, found in chapter 14. Thus, the importance of understanding the transition period between the Old and New Covenants is found in the Old and New Testaments.

 

1. The Four Hundred Silent Years.

 

a. From the Book of Malachi until the Book of Matthew was a period of approximately 400 years. During these years, the heavens were silent. There were no miracles, no new revelations from God. God was using these 4 centuries to set the stage for the coming of Israel’s Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

 

1) The Transition Period was actually 500 years from Malachi to the end of the Apostolic Age around 100 AD.

 

a) Transition Period: Malachi to John the Baptist (The last of the Old Testament Prophets, who did no miracles – to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world – to the end of the Apostolic Period, ending with John the Beloved writing the Book of the Revelation of Christ at approximately 95 AD.

 

b) Though the New Testament was canonized in 367 AD, John the Beloved had completed “That which is perfect”, the Book of the Revelation, approximately around 95 AD. The Word of God was finished.

 

b. Galatians 4:4 explains the value of these silent years concerning the coming of Christ.

 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

c. “The fullness of time” means that the world scene had to be set:

 

1) Politically, the influence of the seventh and last world power, Rome. During this time, we find the rise and fall of world powers as the Persian Empire gave way to the Greek Empire, and the Greek Empire gave way to the Roman Empire. Under Rome, roads were built for military purposes to move armies, but they also made travel much easier and quicker from one nation to another, which allowed the Apostles to turn the world upside down.

 

2) Culturally, the influence of Greece. The Greeks brought about koine Greek, which became the common language of the New Testament world. Virtually all people spoke this common form of Greek from which the New Testament is translated. Now the Gospel could be shared with all people.

 

3) Historically, the shift of concentration. The Old Testament is all about the Nation of Israel and the Jews, while the New Testament is about the Church: Jew and Gentile, male and female, the bond and free, the Body of Christ.

 

4) Ecclesiastically, the synagogue established. In the 400 silent years, we find the introduction of the synagogue. Historically, congregational worship took place at the Tabernacle and later at the two Temples, Solomon’s and Zerubbabel’s.

 

a) Though both the Lord Jesus and his disciples went to the Temple on certain days, we also find them worshipping in local assemblies called synagogues and later churches.

 

b) By 70 AD, both of these Temples had been destroyed, and local churches (ἐκκλησία ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah), called-out assemblies, were established, which remain today. “Church” or “churches” is mentioned 117 times in the New Testament.

 

2. The transition from the Old Testament Covenant of Law to the New Covenant of Grace.

 

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

a. The Mosaic Law given. The Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai was threefold: the Moral Law, the Civil Law, and the Ceremonial Law. Though the bulk of the Mosaic Law remains in effect today, some of it applies only to the Nation of Israel, especially the Ceremonial Law.

 

1) The Ceremonial Law was based upon the work of the worldly priests in a worldly Tabernacle offering worldly (animal) sacrifices. The Old Covenant was based upon animal sacrifices, with the blood placed upon the Mercy Seat by the High Priest.

 

2) Atonement, a covering, a putting off. Both sacrifice and priesthood were to undergo a vital change as the priesthood was sinful and had to sacrifice for themselves, and the blood of bulls and goats could never pay God's demand for sin.

 

b. The New Covenant applied. As the Law came by Moses and reigned for 1500 years, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

1) By the works of the flesh, no man can be justified, as man is dead in trespasses and sin. Human merit is based upon “filthy rags,” which can never take away sin. The truth showed our feeble attempts to be right with God through human merit miserably failed.

 

2) A Finished Product. One eternal Sacrifice for all, sin not covered but GONE. It took the Gospel of Christ, the vicarious death-burial-resurrection, and the precious blood to purchase our redemption, and that, my friends, is called GRACE!

 

3. The transition from sight, the partial gifts, to faith in the Word of God and full salvation.

 

a. This brings us to 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. In chapter 12, Paul mentions some of these partial gifts along with those gifts that would remain. Sign gifts were given to transition from the Old to the New Covenants. As the Word of God was not yet complete, God gave certain miraculous signs to show that His power was upon His people.

 

b. Walking by Sight. Signs were meant for the unbelieving Jews, not the Gentiles. Though Gentiles also used them, they were to be used to show the Jews that the power of God was upon the Gentiles also.

 

1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 

1) The unbelieving Jews REQUIRED a sign. Unless they could see, they refused to believe. God, in His marvelous grace, did something for His covenant people that He refused to do for us Gentiles. He allowed them to walk by sight.

 

c. Walking by Faith. The Gentiles operated by faith, not sight.

 

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

4. Now, as we open the Scriptures to the New Testament Church, 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 are the only mention of the partial gifts as there is no need for extra-biblical revelations. Since we will look at this in depth in chapter 13, we will now begin looking at these divine gifts, both partial or passing and permanent. Why God gave them and the regulations by which they were be used.

 

a. Be careful when you develop your doctrine out of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, as these are transitional books written before the coming of “that which is perfect,” the complete canon of Scripture.

 

2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (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.

b. As the transition period began to close, the Apostles had already begun to lose these transitional or partial/passing gifts. Primarily, the gifts of healing, tongues, and prophecy.

A Disquieted Soul

Temple Baptist Church - 2-22-2026

Psalm 42

 

Introduction: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?”

A.  This Psalm is one possibly written by David when Absalom came into Jerusalem and David had to flee for his life.

 

B.  It is a Psalm of sorrow and complaint as God’s man is overwhelmed within his soul.

 

DISQUIETED, v.t. To disturb; to deprive of peace, rest or tranquility; to make uneasy or restless; to harass the body; to fret or vex the mind.  Made uneasy or restless; disturbed; harassed.

 

1.  Many Christians doubt their relationship with the Lord.

 

2.  They feel that little nagging tug at the heart, though they know that they have accepted Christ. 

 

3.  There is a restlessness in their soul that becomes misinterpreted.

 

4. Oftentimes, they get caught up in an endless line of empty professions.

 

5.  It results in a loss of joy and usefulness.

 

C.  There are times when God’s people become overwhelmed with disappointment in circumstances, which causes a disquieted heart and soul searching.  Let us break this Psalm down into four distinct parts.

 

1.  Who the Psalmist is.  The first thing that David was to “check all the boxes.”  Am I in a disquieted place because of sinfulness?  

 

a.  Verses 1-2 - He is a saved man - panting and thirsting after God.

 

b.  Verse 4 - He is a faithful man - house of God.

 

c.  Verse 4 - He is a praising man - praising in worship.

 

d.  Verse 5 - He is a consistent man - yet praising amid problems.

 

e.  Verse 8 - He is a comforted man - lovingkindness ... in the night his song.

 

f.  Verse 8 - He is a praying man - in the daytime and in the night.

 

g.  Verse 9 - He is a trusting man - God my rock.

 

2.  What the Psalmist sees in life.  Overwhelmed by his circumstances.  Found in the Psalmist’s questions.

 

a.  Verse 2 “When shall I come and appear before God?”

 

b Verse “Where is thy God?”

 

c.  Verse 5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?”

 

d.  Verse 9 “”Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

 

e.  Verse 10 “Where is thy God?”

 

f.  Verse 11 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?”

 

(1)  From panting to pouting. 

 

(2)  From remembering to remorse.

 

3.  What caused the disquieting of the Psalmist soul.

 

a.  The disquieting of disappointments (Unbelief)

 

Mark 9:23-24  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 

                    Psalms 6:3  My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 

 

Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 

 

Psalms 35:17  Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from      their destructions, my darling from the lions. 

 

b.  The disquieting of personal failures (Sin)

 

Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 

                    Psalms 85:6  Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? 

 

c.  The disquieting of unforgiveness (Bitterness)

 

Mark 11:25-26  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

 

Hebrews 12:14-15  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

 

d.  The disquieting of feelings (Lack of Joy) – It can be:

 

(1)  Caused by sin - Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

 

(2)  Caused by not communing with the Lord - Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

 

(3)  Caused by chastisement - Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a  moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Psalms 51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 

 

4.  The solution for the Psalmist’s condition.  Verses 5, 11

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things:  nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

 

a.  You need to know Whom you have believed.

 

b.  You need to believe in Whom you know.

7 Sayings of the Cross – Part 1 - Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!

Temple Baptist Church - 2-22-2026

Luke 23:26-34

Introduction:

A.  As we quickly approach Resurrection Sunday, 2026, I want our hearts and minds to center upon Calvary.  My pastor, Dr. Harold B. Sightler, advised his preacher boys to stay close to the cross in our preaching. 

 

B.  As we begin looking at the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, it begins with these amazing, loving, kind, and enduring words: “Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!”  Paul, in the book of Hebrews, describes this moment:

 

Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  (Contradiction: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other.  Christ has been abused above all measure and unjustly so.  In the moment of the world’s hatred of and cruelty against Christ, He asks the Father to forgive the perpetrators.)

 

1.  There is Conviction in the Cross.  John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 

2.  There is Conversion in the Cross.  Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

3.  There is Confidence in the Cross.  1 Corinthians 1:17-18  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  (18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

4.  There is Condemnation in the Cross.  1 Corinthians 1:22-25  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  (25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

C.  Seven times our Lord spoke from the cross.  These seven sayings speak volumes concerning our salvation. 

 

1.  The first saying of Christ from the cross was a petition for forgiveness.  How appropriate!  Jesus died to save, not to condemn.

 

2.  The cross of Christ is all about the reconciliation of sinful man with a thrice holy God.

 

D.  At Calvary, we find the love of God for each and every one of us. 

 

1.  Calvary is the ultimate proving of the love of God for sinful mankind.  If you want to know how God feels about you, go to Calvary!  Greater love hath no man than this:  the one should die for his friend. 

 

2.  Calvary’s love is the greatest and most compelling of all loves as the Worthy died for the unworthy; the Holy died for the unholy; the Righteous died for the unrighteous.

 

E.  The reason for forgiveness is sin.  The fact of sin is what compelled the Father to send forth His only begotten Son.  This morning, I want to look at God's forgiveness.  “For they know not what they do!”

 

1 Corinthians 2:7-8  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  (8)  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 

1.  Some believe that ignorance brings forgiveness.  As ignorance of the law is not an excuse in our judicial system, neither is it an excuse in the court of heaven!

 

2.  Their ignorance was not that they did not know that the man they were crucifying was innocent. 

 

a)  Judas Iscariot declared Him to be innocent.  Matthew 27:4  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

 

b)  Both Herod and Pilate had declared Jesus to be innocent.  Luke 23:14-15  Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:  (15)  No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

 

F.  “For they know not what they do!” What was their ignorance?  Their ignorance is the same as the ignorance of modern men.  I want to look at three areas of ignorance that will lead mankind to hell instead of to heaven.

 

1.  They were ignorant of Who He was!  Matthew 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (He was almighty Jehovah God in the flesh!  King of kings and Lord of lords!  They mocked Him!  The world still does not know who He is!  He was the Almighty, and He still IS the Almighty!)

 

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

a.  “without faith”  Saving faith is based upon faith, not sight!  God cannot be seen but fully reveals His person through nature and the Bible!  That is the only revelation that man will ever get.  It was and is enough for me!

 

b.  “that He is”  Man cannot deny Him for He is!  Man cannot ignore Him for He will not go away!  God's existence is not nullified because man chooses to turn away from Him.  Jesus Christ is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

 

c.  “he is a rewarder of them.”  Jesus Christ is not only the Saviour of the world, but He will also save all who come to Him by faith.  He is not a “saviour”; He is THE Saviour.  The One and Only!

 

2.  They were ignorant of what He was doing!  John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  (He was paying for the sins of the whole world.  The soldiers knew that He was innocent but did not know that He had become sin for them!  They did not know that He was dying for them!  The world still has no concept, as they are religionists instead of saved.  Their hope is in their religion and good works, not in the finished work of Calvary!)

 

John 3:14-17  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

a.  “as Moses lifted up … even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”  Calvary paid for sin’s consequence.  The wages of sin are still death and have never changed!  In Genesis, chapter 3, God took the life of the innocent to cover the sin of the guilty.  That’s Calvary!

 

b.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”  At Calvary, we find propitiation.  Appeasement!  God looked upon His Son’s sacrifice and was satisfied.  Calvary covers it all!  Calvary is sufficient! 

 

c.  “The world through him might be saved.”  God is not willing that any perish and gave His Son to die for the sins of the whole world.  “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)    “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”  (1 John 2:2) 

 

3.  They were ignorant of what they were!  Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  (These men were the best of the best!  They were the “seals, green berets, delta force of the day.  They were the Pretorian Guard!  They were invincible!  They did not understand that they were sinners who would one day stand before an angry God!  People today believe that they will just cease to exist after death or that they will be justified before God by who they are but have no understanding that they will one day stand in their sin before a thrice-holiest God and be judged!)

 

a.  They no doubt knew that they were not perfect men, as they were soldiers and had done many things worthy of death.  They were “sinners,” BUT not lost sinners.

 

b.  They no doubt knew that they had sinned against mankind, but not that they had sinned against a thrice-holiest God.

 

c.  They did not realize that, because of their sinfulness against God, they needed to be saved from their sin.

 

4.  They were certainly not repentant of their sins against our Lord Jesus Christ!  They scourged Him, they beat Him, they spat upon Him, they placed on His head a crown of thorns, they crucified Him, they railed on Him, they gambled over His robe, and—as far as the Bible is concerned—they never got right with Him.  He forgave them anyway, but only in a temporal sense!  Forgiveness can only come through faith in the shed blood of Christ.  Hebrews 9:22b  And without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

a.  Our Lord’s forgiveness was personal and temporal, not eternal!  If they remained lost, they still faced their works at the Great White Throne Judgement.  Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

b.  Our Lord’s forgiveness was an example to us!  Forgiveness is as much for the victim as it is for the perpetrator!  When people hurt us, they may never make it right with us, but if we forgive them, we have done what we can and can live with it.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

 

Conclusion:  “Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do!” 

 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (The Lord Jesus Christ died for the sins of all men and will forgive those who come to Him by faith.)

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (We are to forgive those who sin against as God forgives us.)