We Shall All Be Changed

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-1-2026

1 Corinthians 15:35-51

 

Introduction: 

A.  In this “Resurrection Chapter” of 1 Corinthians, the Holy Spirit deals with our fleshly body and the change that must be made at His appearing and our departing to Heaven.

 

B.  The question is asked, “With what body do they come?” 

 

1. Though our heavenly body will resemble our earthy one, God is not going to give us a new body, He will change our body from earthy to heavenly.  This is why we will recognize one another when we get to heaven. 

 

2. Will all be like Him, but we will not all look alike.  I will recognize everyone from Adam to the last soul that is redeemed.  We shall know, even as we are known.  Here is a prooftext:  Moses and Elias were instantly recognized by a man who never saw a likeness of them. They died about 1,500 + years before Peter was born. 

 

Matthew 17:3-4  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  (4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

 

C.  In verse 36, Paul said “THOU FOOL” – why the strong words?  They are foolish because of the ignorance or skepticism concerning the resurrection.  Many believe that there will be no resurrection while others believe that it will only be a spiritual resurrection.

 

D.  Why death? Because this body must die before it can resurrect or be changed before it can be raptured.  He gives examples of the different earthly and heavenly bodies. 

 

1. Earthly, our terrestrial bodies are different in their make-up.  There are men, beasts, fishes, and birds.

 

2. Heavenly, or celestial bodies are different in their glory.  There are the sun, moon, and stars.

 

E.  Man’s flesh is unlike the flesh of any other of God’s creation.  It is the greatest enemy that we face in our Christian life.  An enemy within the walls of a fortress is much more dangerous than an enemy without the walls.

 

F.  The wisest words Mr. Moody ever uttered were, "The worst man that ever crossed my path is D. L. Moody, the old man. I have had more trouble with him than with all the world beside."  These two passages are both applied to a believing, regenerated man.

 

Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  (None but a regenerated man could know, or would admit the statement of this verse!)

 

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  (And none but a regenerated man could obey the exhortation of this verse.)

 

G.  Our earthly bodies cannot go to heaven because of:

 

1.  The Composition Of The Flesh – Our new body will be heavenly in composition - 1 Corinthians 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

 

1 Corinthians 15:47-49  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  (Adam was formed of the “dust of the ground.”  Dust to dust!)

 

a. God never cursed Adam.  Adam cursed himself!  Genesis 3:17a  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it:

 

b. God cursed the serpent, Satan’s proxy!  Genesis 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

 

c. God cursed the ground (earth) for Adam’s sake!  Genesis 3:17-19  cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life ...  till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (God did not curse Adam but rather the “ground.”  The ground was cursed along with its components after the fall.  Our flesh is earthy, of the ground!)

 

d.  But God did curse Adam’s flesh.  “Thou shalt surely die!”  Genesis 5:5  And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of composition.

 

2.  The Corruption Of The Flesh – Our new body will be incorruptible in nature - 1 Corinthians 15:42  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.   (By carefully reading the following passages we see the long line of sinfulness and wickedness that now flows through our own veins!)

 

The Progression of Corruption - 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:

 

Genesis 6:12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt (spoiled, wasted, ruined, destroyed); for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

 

Genesis 5:1-3  This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2  Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3  And (after sin and the fall, Adam’s children were corrupt) Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth

 

Genesis 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

Psalms 53:3  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 

Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all thing, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of corruption.

 

3.  The Connection Of The Flesh - Our new body will be disconnected from the curse of the earth - 1 Corinthians 15:49  As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

Romans 7:18-23  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

 

1. No matter how much you hate the world, you must live in it.

 

2. No matter how far you separate from the world, you are surrounded by it.

 

c.  You still have a connection to this world through the flesh in which you dwell.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of connection.

 

4.  The Continuation Of The Flesh - Our new body will be eternally changed -   1 Corinthians 15:53-54  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then (THEN AND THEN ONLY!) shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

As long as we are in this flesh, the corruption of Adam along with our sinfulness will not end.  Death and separation from this body can only be accomplished through death. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Romans 7:24-25  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  (Who shall deliver us?  Jesus Christ our Lord!  Deliver me FROM the body of this flesh, not IN!)

 

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.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of continuation.

 

Conclusion: Earthly and heavenly bodies differ in both composition and glory.

 

1. Our earthly body is sinful, corruptible, and mortal.

 

2. Our heavenly body will be sinless, incorruptible, and immortal.

 

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.

 

The Lord Reigneth!

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2026

Psalm 97

 

Introduction:

A.  We live in a time prophesied throughout the Bible, but there is much biblical ignorance among God’s people.  I fear that many in our day believe that everything is out of control.

 

1.  In nature.  Stronger storms, greater tragedies.  Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

2.  Among the saved.  Greater confusion, greater apostasy among the saved, greater falling away, and a lack of spiritual concern.

 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

3.  Among the unsaved.  Greater wickedness, greater spiritual blindness and unconcern for eternal things, more atheism and agnosticism, more idolatry.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  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.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 

4. Politically.  Greater turmoil in government, more wars and political unrest worldwide, greater hatred for the Nation of Israel and the United States.

 

Matthew 24:6-7  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 

5. More questions seemingly unanswered.

 

B. Psalm 97 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign rule over all the earth. In a world filled with uncertainty, injustice, and fear, this psalm reminds us that God is still on His throne. The central message is simple yet profound:

 

C. "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (Psalm 97:1).

 

1. Rejoice Because God Reigns (Psalm 97:1-6)  "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice..."

 

a. His Rule Is Universal.

 

God is not merely King of Israel; He is King over all creation. Nations rise and fall, but God's kingdom stands forever.

Nothing catches God by surprise.

 

b. His Rule Is Righteous.

 

"Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne" (v. 2).

God never makes a mistake.

His decisions are always just and holy.

 

c. His Presence Is Powerful.

 

Fire, lightning, and trembling mountains reveal His majesty.

These images remind us that God is not a weak or distant ruler.

He is all-powerful and worthy of reverence.

When circumstances seem out of control, remember that God is still in control.

 

2. Rejoice Because God Overrules. (Psalm 97:7-9)  "Confounded be all they that serve graven images..."

 

a. Idols Always Fail.

 

Ancient idols were made of wood and stone.

Modern idols may be money, pleasure, success, popularity, or self.

Anything that takes God's place in our hearts becomes an idol.

 

b. God Alone Is Exalted.

 

"For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth" (v. 9).

No person, possession, or power compares to Him.

Every knee will ultimately bow before Him.

Examine your heart. What receives your devotion, attention, and trust more than God?

 

3. Love the Lord and Hate Evil. (Psalm 97:10-11)  "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil..."

 

a. Genuine Love Produces Holy Living.

 

Loving God means embracing what He loves and rejecting what He hates. Christians are called to separate from sin.

 

b. God Preserves His Saints.

 

God protects and keeps His people.

Though believers face trials, they are secure in His hands.

 

c. Light Awaits the Righteous.

 

"Light is sown for the righteous."

Dark seasons do not last forever.

God has prepared joy and blessing for those who trust Him.

The evidence of true love for God is not merely words but a life that turns from evil.

 

4. Respond with Joyful Worship (Psalm 97:12)  "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."

 

a. Rejoice in Who God Is.

 

Our joy is rooted in God's character, not our circumstances.

His holiness, power, and faithfulness never change.

 

b. Remember His Holiness.

 

Worship begins with seeing God as He truly is.

The more we understand His holiness, the more we appreciate His grace.

 

c. Give Thanks Continually.

 

Gratitude is the natural response to God's goodness.

Thankfulness strengthens faith and glorifies God.

A believer who understands God's reign cannot help but rejoice and give thanks.

 

Conclusion: No matter what is happening in our nation, churches, families, or personal lives, the message of Psalm 97 remains unchanged: "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice."

The Realization of Revival

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2026

Deuteronomy 30:1-10

 

Introduction:  Deuteronomy – Deutero, Second or repetition, and nomy,Law.

A.  In the preceding chapters, the Lord caused Israel to pass between Mt. Ebal, where blessing of God were pronounced, and Mt. Gerizim, where the cursing of God were pronounced.   God gave Israel a choice and, many times, they chose the cursing over the blessing. 

 

1.  Their Fathers stood at Kadesh Barnea 38 years ago, ready to go into the Promised Land, turned back, and wandered in the wilderness until all that generation died.  Willful actions that brought the judgment of God.

 

2.  Now, it is the next generation who will decide to either follow God and take the land that is given to them or follow in the footsteps of those who chose cursing over blessing.

 

3.  This morning, the choice is ours!  God does the same for His children today as He wants to bless us. 

 

B.  In out text, we find that God also provided a remedy for Israel wrong choices.  He is a loving, compassionate God.  This simple remedy is also available to God’s children today in the word revival!  To revive or to bring back to life!  From the curse of disobedience to the blessing of obedience.

 

C.  On July 19-22, Bro. Tom Holbrooks will be with us for what we call “Revival.”  These are times that we set each year to bring in a man of God to call the Church “back to God.” 

 

D.  It is a shame to us all that we must be called “back to God” when we are commanded to walk in continual fellowship with Him.  These are the days of Laodicea, and lukewarmness is the rule of the day.

 

E.  It would be great for Bro. Holbrooks to come into a church that is revived and on fire for God!  Man cannot bring Revival!  Most so-called Revivals are no more than a series of meetings where God’s Word is preached with neither immediate nor lasting results. 

 

F.  I believe that it is imperative in these last days that God’s people walk with Him, for without Him we can do nothing.  The Christian of today is more affected by the world than by affecting the world. 

 

G.  Deuteronomy 30** There are some things that we need to know concerning Revival:

 

1.  Revival Requires Realization - vs 1 “thou shalt call them to mind”

 

a.  The Danger of Spiritual Blindness

 

Revelation 3:14-18  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  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:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

Isaiah 42:17-20  They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.  Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.  Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?  Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

 

1)  We Do Not Know – “knowest not”

 

2)  We Do Not Hear – “hear, ye deaf”

 

3)  We Do Not See – “Look, ye blind”

 

            b.  The Devastation of Spiritual Blindness

 

1)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Us To Lead Others Astray - Matthew 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 

 

2)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Us To Major On The Minors - Matthew 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 

                       

3)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Phariseeism - Matthew 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 

 

4)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Spiritual Immaturity - 2 Peter 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 

 

5)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Sinful Living - 1 John 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 

 

2.  Revival Requires A Return - vs 2 “return unto the Lord”

 

a.  The Desire of Return - “and return”

 

1)  It is one Thing To Realize Where You Are

 

2) It is Another Thing To Return To God

 

a)  Return is made up of Turn and the prefix Re: RE,  a prefix in the composition of words, denotes return,  

 

b)  Means that you have turned once (away from God) and now must RETURN

b.  The Direction of Return

 

1)  A Turn From Iniquity - Job 22:23  If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

 

Job 36:10  He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

 

2)  A Return From Destruction - Psalms 90:3  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 

 

 

3)  A Return From Sorrow - Isaiah 35:10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

 

3.  Revival Requires Repentance - vs 2 - “shalt obey...all thine heart...all they soul”

 

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

 

a.  Legal Repentance - In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment.  This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life. (the sorrow of the world worketh death!)

 

b.  Evangelistic Repentance (usually dealing with salvation) - Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence.  This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.  Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.  (godly sorrow worketh life)

 

4.  Realization, Return, and Repentance Brings About Restoration - vs 3-10 “then” and only “then”

 

a.  God Will Turn Thy Captivity - vs 3

 

b.  God Will Return - vs 3 (means He has turned also!)

 

c.  God Will Bring Thee - vs 4-5 (back to Canaan’s blessings)

 

d.  God Will Circumcise Thine Heart - vs 6  “to cut away”

 

e.  God Will Curse Your Enemies - vs 7 “all these curses” (yours on them)

 

f.  God Will Rejoice Over Thee For Good - vs 9 (blessing instead of cursing)

Evil Communications Corrupt Good Manners

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-24-2026

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

 

Introduction: 

A.  It is of no casual interest that the Holy Spirit placed these verses in the great resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians.  Paul, in his first Corinthian Epistle, has worked tirelessly and lovingly to help this carnal church to GROW UP and, therefore, become more like Christ than the world from which they were delivered!

 

B. Reproving and rebuking are, unfortunately, a constant need for all of us as we are saved and sinners at the same time!

 

2 Timothy 4:1-5  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (if there is a sound doctrine, there must also be unsound doctrine); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers (there are good teachers and false teachers), having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (if there is truth, there must also be untruths).  (5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

C.  As we near the end of 15 chapters of open reproof and rebuke, in this great chapter, we find two great resurrections. 

 

1.  I Corinthians speaks of their resurrection unto newness of life.  This truth is well established in both Romans chapter 6 and 2 Corinthians chapter 5.

 

Romans 6:1-16  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

 

2 Corinthians 5:16-17  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.  (17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

2.  The resurrection of our sinful body to a state of incorruption and eternality. I will just lightly reference this resurrection as we will look at it in detail later.

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-55  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  (51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  (55)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

D.  The crux of this message is “evil communications corrupt good manners!”  Why is such carnality found in the Corinthian believers?   I want to use two biblical illustrations to show both the cause and the effect of “evil communications corrupt good manners.”  Both found in Genesis, the Seedbed of the Bible.

 

1.  Lot.  2 Peter 2:6-8  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;  (7)  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:  (8)  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

 

a)  Lot was a saved man.  “just … righteous”

 

b)  Lot chose to dwell among them.  “For that righteous man dwelling among them.”  “Dwelling” is to settle in, and “among” means to be positioned.  We are in this world, but must position ourselves out of this world!

 

c)  Lot vexed!  This is something that Lot did to himself, not what the world did to him!

 

d)  How did Lot vex his righteous soul?  By seeing and hearing!  “Evil communications” are perceived in these two ways, seeing their ungodly “conversations.”  Seeing, observing the world’s lifestyles intently.  Hearing, listening to the world’s philosophy! 

 

e.  Lot failed to turn away.  “from day to day”  One day at a time led up to the corruption of his righteous soul!  He got used to the dark!

 

2.  Eve. The First Mention found in Genesis chapter 3.

 

a)  Eve heard.  Genesis 3:1-4  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  (2)  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  (3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  (4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

 

a)  Eve saw!  Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

3. Satan’s devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 

E.  Therefore, the reason for much preaching and teaching on the most unpopular subject in the Bible: Separation!  We are to be salt (which gives savour) and light (which shows Christ).

 

Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

F.  As a general rule, sinners have a greater influence upon the saved than the saved have upon the sinners.  Throughout biblical history, God’s children have been constantly drawn away from God through the influence of the world around them. 

 

G.  KISS:  Keep it simple, Stupid!  What I am preaching is the “milk” of the Word tonight.  Something that every believer is faced with from day one in salvation!  Satan tries his best to keep the sinner from salvation, but he cannot touch that; therefore, he begins his war against the believer in separation because that is one of the greatest “tools” that God uses to convert the lost!

 

1. A lack of Communication - 1 Corinthians 15:33-34  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  (34)  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

 

We spend more time communicating with the world than we do with God! We need to learn the lesson: we are in the world but not of the world.

 

2.  A lack of Concentration - 1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

We are seeing so much while in the world that it takes on more importance than living and serving God.

 

3.  A lack of Continuance - Luke 9:57-62  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.  (58)  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  (59)  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.  (60)  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.  (61)  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  (62)  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

 

At this point, our eyes are off of Christ, the straight and narrow way, and on the world that we once trod, the wide gate and broad way!  That which once turned us to Christ becomes our point of focus, and we begin to slack off.

 

4.  A lack of Contentment - 1 Timothy 6:8-11  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  (9)  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  (10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  (11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

 

Enough is no longer enough!  Satisfaction breeds contentment while dissatisfaction breeds discontentment!  The difference between men and boys is the price they pay for their toys!

 

5.  The end result of all the above is a lack of Commitment - 2 Timothy 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

 

Another one of these days, one of us will be a part of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2!  Just another statistic!