The Church and Sound Doctrine

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-27-2026

1 Timothy 1:1-4

 

Introduction: 1 Timothy is the first of three Pastoral Epistles which includes 2 Timothy and Titus.

A. The First Mention of Doctrine is found in Deuteronomy 32:2: “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  (2)  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: (Right Doctrine)

 

God’s Doctrine is for all the World. Hear heavens and earth the doctrine of God’s Word. God’s doctrine is the same for all people, not individuals or denominations! Doctrine’s importance cannot be over stated as it is the key to our knowledge of who God is, how God works, what God does, the state of mankind and God’s salvation for all the lost, and all that eternity holds!

 

2. The Last Mention is found in Revelation 2:4: Revelation 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. (False Doctrine)

 

Where there is Right Doctrine, there is also False Doctrine. God’s Doctrine is not of the World. Right Doctrine is not the doctrine of the Great Whore of Revelation chapter 17.

 

B.  In these days of theological confusion and ecclesiastical compromise, the slogan of the ecumenical movement has been “Doctrine divides while love unifies.”  This slogan is both right and wrong.

 

1.  This slogan is scriptural in that doctrine certainly divides which is a good thing. We are in the world but not of the world.

 

2.  This slogan is an unscriptural one because true love follows biblical doctrine. 

 

3.  The ecumenical movement is not a scriptural concept as it requires sound doctrine to be laid aside for the sake of fellowship.

 

1 Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

 

2 Corinthians 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:2  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.

 

C.  The Confusion of False Doctrine - 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; 

 

1.  Confusion is Devilish – “slight of men … cunning craftiness … lie in wait to deceive” People today do not know what or who to believe as the “god of this world hath blinded their minds.”

 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

2.  Confusion is Dividing – “tossed to and fro … carried about … wind of doctrine.

 

a)  Are we to patronize them, associate with them, accept their sponsorship, increase their numbers, send them converts, add to their prestige, follow their leadership, identify our churches with them, obliterate important Biblical distinctions with them???

 

b) We are not to give an inch! There is an old saying that fits here: “Allow a camel to get its nose in the tent and you have a camel in the tent!”

 

D.  The word “doctrine” is found 56 times in your Bible. Six times in the Old Testament and fifty times in the New Testament.

 

E.  The Identification of Sound Doctrine. Sound doctrine is found in your Bible, not in some creed to be memorized and repeated. 

 

1. There were 5 well known “creeds” that were just what we would call statements of faith concerning basic aspects the beliefs of the churches. 

 

Apostles' Creed   2nd–4th century. Basic summary of Christian faith.

 

Nicene Creed  A.D. 325 The deity of Christ and true faith in the Trinity.

 

Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed  A.D. 381 Expanded Nicene statement, especially concerning the Holy Spirit.

 

Chalcedonian Definition A.D. 451   Christ's full deity and full humanity in one person.

 

Athanasian Creed  5th–6th century  Trinity and the person of Christ.

 

2. Many churches, missionaries, and mission boards use such statements of faith to allow others to know what they believe and stand for.  I have seen quite a few that had generalized their beliefs as to hide their true beliefs, therefore they cannot be relied upon by the reader as the full Biblical truth. 

 

3. All true doctrine and beliefs are to be made clear through the Scripture alone!

 

2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

F.  The Imperative of Sound Doctrine. 

 

1.  We Are To Continue Steadfastly in Sound Doctrine - Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (And this is not popular in our spiritually decaying world.)

 

2.  We Are To Guard Against False Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:3  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,

 

Satan will try to “bind the strongman” through the division of infiltration.  We are to guard our church.

 

3.  We Are To Teach Sound Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

 

And so much the more as we see the day approaching.

 

4.  We Are To Heed The Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

There is a difference between knowing doctrine and living it.

 

5.  We Are To Appreciate Sound Doctrine – 1 Timothy 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

6.  We Are To Follow Sound Doctrine - 2 Timothy 3:10-11  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

7.  We Are To Separate From False Doctrine - Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

8.  We Are To Perpetuate Sound Doctrine - Jude 3-4  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  (4)  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Many of you will outlive your pastor because of my age verses yours.  By the grace of God, I will contend for the faith for you.  You then will have to contend for the faith to your posterity as it was once given and will die in the middle of these last, perilous days!

 

Conclusion:  Doctrine defines: A doctrine is a principle, a set of beliefs, or a body of teachings taught and accepted by a group, school, or organization.T he word comes from the Latin word doctrina, which means "teaching" or "instruction," and shares a root with doctor (teacher). 

 

To learn sound doctor requires hearing sound doctrine which requires a teacher.

The Local Church Must Be Bible Based - We Are Biblicists

Temple Baptist Church - 9-27-2026

2 Timothy 3:13-17; Hebrews 4:12

 

Introduction: 

A. In both our texts, we find both the authority of the Bible and our dependance upon the Bible. I Timothy 3 speaks of following those who follow the Bible.  Not a “bible” but THE Bible.  One Bible that is the same brings about the revelation of one doctrine which is both the same and correct. 

 

B. We live in the day of creeds and non-denominational churches with no creed at all! 

 

1. The old denominations have changed for the worse over the past 100 years and the new “Pop Up Churches” have no defined doctrinal stand, therefore, they are the “Pietri Dishes” of modern religion where it does not matter what you believe.

 

2. Therefore, liberal, stand for nothing preachers “cherry pick” their sermons and never preach against anything so as to not to offend anyone. 

 

3. We are not intentionally offensive, but we are also not politically correct.  We are Biblicists!  We are to be Biblically correct. If God said it, that settles it and is the end of the subject.

 

C.  Biblicists defined: Biblicists are individuals who interpret the Bible literally and adhere strictly to its teachings. This term often refers to those who rely solely on the Bible as their authority and source of knowledge, applying its principles to all aspects of life. Biblicism emphasizes a literal reading of the text, suggesting that readers can understand and interpret the Bible through interpretation of and adherence to the context.

 

D. Why would not everyone who professes to be saved want to be a Biblicist?  People, by nature, want everything to agree with their wants and whims! Therefore, the reject the Bible for other “bibles” that are watered down with omissions and word changes!  If you look long enough, you can find one that does not mess with you or your way of life.

 

E. In Hebrews, we find the power, discernment, and division of the Word of God!  Thus, Hebrews 4:12-13 show us why the Bible is rejected as the Final Authority.

 

Hebrews 4:12-13  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

1. The Bible is Alive!  It is a living organism that both lives and gives life.  “Quick” means to live or to have life!  Ephesians 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  (2)  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  (3)  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

2. The Bible is Powerful! It is active, operative, effectual, and it works! 1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

3. The Bible is Convicting! John 8:9  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 

4. The Bible is Piercing!  It exposes who and what we are. Acts 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

 

5. The Bible is Dividing!  Asunder – disunite, separating, distribution. John 10:19  There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

 

6. The Bible is Discerning! It judges as it is the Final Authority.

 

F. 2 Timothy, one of the Pastoral Epistles, gives a full understanding of the Bible’s work in both Faith and Practice.

 

1.  Faith - 2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

2. Practice - 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.

 

a) Profitable for Doctrine! Biblicists adhere their doctrine to the Bible, not make the Bible adhere to their doctrine.

 

b) Profitable for Reproof! Biblicists stand corrected by the Bible. “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not” are well defined within the Bible!

 

c) Profitable for Correction! The Bible not only reproves us, but it is also a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” as it directs us into a holy path.

 

d) Profitable for Instruction! The Bible has the answer to all life questions and decisions.

 

e) Profitable for Spiritual Maturity!  The Bible brings us to maturity which brings us to good works!

 

G. I said all that to say this: We at Temple Baptist, which is both fundamental and independent, are Biblicists! The Bible (Authorizes King James) is all we need and is all we want! We are Old Paths (follow the clearly marked paths of the Bible) and Old School (Conservative). We must maintain those two positions in an ever changing world that moves farther away for the Bible in both faith and practice.

 

H. Ask me what I believe and I will tell you what the Bible says!

 

a. The Holy Men Of Old Were The Vessels - 2 Peter 1:21  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. The Holy Spirit Was The Vehicle - 2 Peter 1:21  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.

 

c. The Bible Is The Volume - Hebrews 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

 

“The Bible is an Anchor in the Shifting Sands of Human Theology!”

 

Conclusion: I am no man’s enemy but, at the same time, unapologetic for believing that God’s Word is the final authority for faith and practice.  Temple Baptist Church, we are Biblicists!

The Salutation of God’s Grace

Temple Baptist Church - 9-23-2026

1 Corinthians 16:23

 

Introduction: Tonight, we end our study on 1 Corinthians, a carnal, often divided, and sometimes confused new church plant, filled with newborn children of God who were raised in sin and idolatry!  The Holy Ghost has given them, in this epistle, all they needed to grow and prosper. We now see the ending of Paul’s salutation.

A. The Apostle Paul has been called the Apostle of Grace. Why? Because no one was better acquainted with grace than he was. Paul never forgot where God brought him from!

 

1 Corinthians 15:8-10  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.  (9)  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  (10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

1 Timothy 1:12-17  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  (13)  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  (14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (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.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  (17)  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

B. Paul understood that it was all the grace of God! God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense! Paul signed every epistle that he wrote with the grace of God!

 

2 Thessalonians 3:17-18  The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.  (18)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

(Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, all fourteen ended with Paul’s salutation!)

 

C.  Paul knew that the only thing that would save and sustain the Corinthian believers was God’s grace. He did not know what they would do or what lay ahead of them, but trusted the grace of God to sustain them! It is that same grace that saves and keeps us today. Grace that saves us is the same grace that sustains us, sanctifies us, strengthens us, and ultimately brings us safely into glory.

 

1. Grace Saves Us From The Penalty Of Sin — 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. (This is where our journey begins. Grace begins our Christian experience. We did not save ourselves.)

 

a. We were sinners — Romans 3:23-24  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 

b. We were spiritually dead — Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

 

c. We could not earn salvation — 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;

 

d. God provided salvation by His grace — Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

2.  Grace Saves Us From The Power Of Sin – Romans 6:12-14  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. (Saving grace continues throughout this life.)

 

a. Grace Teaches Us — Titus 2:11-12  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Grace is not permission to live in sin. Grace changes the way we live.)

 

b. Grace Changes Us — 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

c. Grace Strengthens Us — Philippians 4:12-13  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.

 

d. Grace Sustains Us – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (Through trials, weakness, sickness, persecution, and sorrow. God does not always remove the difficulty. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it. Grace doesn't always change our circumstances; sometimes grace changes us in the circumstances.)

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

3.  God’s Grace Will Remove Us From The Presence Of Sin – 1 Peter 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

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

 

Conclusion: Grace gives us that which we do not deserve!  Paul’s confidence was not in the goodness of this carnal church, but in the goodness of the God of the church and His grace! From salvation’s beginning, throughout this life, and ultimately eternity in heaven, it is all of God’s Amazing Grace!

The Capstone of The Psalter of Israel - The Hallelujah Chorus

Temple Baptist Church - 9-20-2026

Psalm 150

 

Introduction:

A. Tonight, we will finish the Book of Psalms, Israel’s Psalter or Hymn Book.  Psalms – A Divine Masterpiece of Praise! It consists of 150 Psalms, Verses – 2461, Words – 43,700. 

 

1. I call Psalm 150 THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS! If you look in our Hymn Book, you will find beginning page number 479, eleven pages of The Hallelujah Chorus. The last song in the hymnal!

 

2. Psalm 150 is a remarkably fitting conclusion to the entire Book of Psalms because it gathers up the major themes of the Psalms and brings them to one final destination: praise.

 

3. The Psalms contain almost every human experience imaginable and help us to get through the trials of life in spiritual triumph.

 

4. The Psalms turn: sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, doubt into faith, lamentation into worship, sin into repentance, fear into confidence, suffering into deliverance, and questions into answers!

 

B. And after all those experiences, the Psalter ends with: “Praise ye the LORD.” — Psalm 150:1, and closes with: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” — Psalm 150:6. The final word of Psalms is not trouble, suffering, enemies, death, or even sorrow. The final word is praise.

 

C. It has been a joy, but I could have preached a thousand sermons had we dissected each Psalm.

 

1. The Book of Psalms is one of the most beloved books in all of the Bible. It is a book of songs, prayers, praises, cries, questions, struggles, and expressions of faith.

 

2. Psalms is different from many other books of the Bible because it gives us a look not only at what God's people believed, but also at what God's people felt and experienced when suffering.

 

3. The Psalms take us through the entire range of human experience. There are Psalms of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, confidence and fear, praise and pain, hope and despair.

 

4. Sometimes the psalmist is shouting, “Praise ye the LORD!” At other times he is crying, “How long, O LORD?”

 

5. Sometimes the psalmist stands on the mountaintop of faith. At other times he is walking through the valley of trouble. And yet, through all of it, he keeps turning toward God.

 

6. The Psalms teach us that it is alright to talk to God when our hearts and lives are troubled.

 

7. They teach us that it is alright to ask God to help us when we do not understand. 

 

8. Too often, we try to hide our feelings and do not question.  Ye have not because ye ask not! If you do not ask the question, the answer is already no!

 

D.  The Psalmists knew what it was like to be: afraid, lonely, persecuted, betrayed, discouraged, sick, surrounded by enemies, and confused about what God was or was not doing. The Psalms teach us that when you cannot track God’s doings, you can trust His promises.

 

E. Throughout the Psalms, we find the people of God in one kind of a predicament or another!  These words open these Psalms as God’s people question God. How – 50x, How long – 19x, Why – 24x, When – 129x, Wilt thou – 16x, Awake – 12x, Where – 43x.

 

F.  They began by questioning God, but God did not allow them to stay that way.  We find the answers to their questions also. Praise – 160x, Sing – 70x, LORD – 793x, Peace – 27x, Safety – 5x, Trust – 71x, Worship 15x, Praise ye the LORD – 23x

 

G. In each of these Psalms of predicament, the answer to God’s people came and trust was restored and they became thankful for God's blessings and were overwhelmed by God's goodness.

 

H. Faith does not mean that we never have questions. Faith means that when we have questions, we know where to take them. The Psalms therefore meet us where we live and always bring us back to God, where we should live. We often begin our prayers with complaint and end up with confidence.

 

J. This blessed book of Psalms is God's answers to the heartaches of life.  Psalm 1 encourages the believer to walk with the Lord while Psalm 150 encourages the believer to worship the Lord!  A fitting climax to the Psalter.

 

K. Psalm 150 brings the preceding 149 Psalms to a wonderful conclusion: the God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent is both with us and for us until we finally get Home where we belong.

 

L. Now, for a short look at Psalm 150. The importance of the word “praise” is found here. The word “praise is found 13 times in 5 verses.  God tells us:

 

1. Verse 1. Who to Praise. The LORD, Jehovah God, our LORD and Saviour, Christ Jesus and Him ALONE! We are not here tonight to be praised. We are here tonight to “Praise ye the LORD!”

 

2. Verse 1. Where to Praise.

 

a. “In His Sanctuary!” In His House, the local church. 

 

Psalms 103:1-5 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  (2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  (3)  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  (4)  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  (5)  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 

b. “In the firmament of His Power!”  Outside of the local church. What a wonderful world Hie has given us to live in!

 

Psalms 19:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 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.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 

3. Verse 2. Why to Praise.

 

a.  “Praise him for his mighty acts.” Because of what He does! The LORD is good all the time. The LORD is good to us all the time!

 

b. “Praise him according to his excellent greatness.” Praise Him for who He is! Hallelujah, What a Saviour!

 

4. Verses 3-5. How to Praise. With trumpets, psaltery, harps, timbrel, dance (a holy dance),

stringed instruments (piano and hand held), organs (instruments and tongues [physical tongues], loud cymbals, and high sounding cymbals!  An orchestra of praise!

 

5. Who are to Praise. Verse 1.  “Praise ye”  Verse 6.

 

a. “Ye” and “Me!” Praise is not to be a spectator’s sport, it is to be with personal involvement from everyone in the church!

 

b.  “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”  If you are not going to praise the LORD, QUIT breathing because you are spiritually dying anyway!

 

Conclusion:  Psalm is the final touch of the Master’s Hand!

Prayer and the Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-20-2026

Mark 11:15-18

Introduction: 

 

A. There are many prayers found in your Bible as God’s people have always spent time in prayer.  Praying without ceasing is a command of God found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is the avenue by which we approach the throne of God and commune with Him.  What a privilege to have a personal conversation and communion with the great “I AM THAT I AM!”

 

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Boldly means confidently not disrespectfully)

 

1. The greatest prayer is found in John chapter 17 when our Lord prayed to our heavenly Father prior to going to the cross. I thank God that our Lord prayed for you and me that day as well as for all that those who would one believe on Him.

 

2. The Model Prayer, Lord, teach us to pray. A prayer to be modeled after, not memorized and repeated.

 

3. Possibly the second greatest prayer was the dedication prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. 

 

a) Solomon was one of the most Prominent and Powerful kings who ever lived.  957 BC, in the eleventh year of his reign, King Solomon dedicated the Temple. This prayer is found in 1 Chronicles chapter 16 and God’s response to that prayer in chapter 17. 

 

b) The Lord’s Model Prayer is often quoted and sung because of its structure.  It was a pattern given to His disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray.

 

c) I believe Solomon’s dedicatory prayer would be a second Model Prayer to be mirrored by today’s churches.

 

3. That prayer took me 6 minutes to read!  When we think of prayer, we think of hours spent talking with God.  Though that is a good thing, God is more interested in content than length.  Solomon got a lot said in 6 short minutes.

 

d. God answered Solomon’s prayer immediately with fire falling from heaven and consuming the sacrifices on the altar! Divine approval!

 

B. Almost one thousand years later, we find Israel’s Messiah, Christ Jesus, entering Zerubbabel’s Temple.

 

1. Things had greatly changed in the Temple since the days of Solomon when the first Temple was built!  As He entered the Temple, Christ saw the corruption of the money changers and those who sold flawed animals to be offered a sacrifice to God.  When Jesus came into the Temple, He cast out those who perverted the Temple’s real purposes. 

 

2. Twice, our Lord cleansed the Temple! If the Lord were to come to the churches of America today, would he commend the church or cleanse the church?  He would probably spend more time cleansing than anything else.  God is not pleased with the casual worship of our day as the Temple was a holy place.  Today, the come as you are, do as you please, coffee and donuts available churches are becoming more and more prominent.

 

C. After He cleansed it, our Lord quoted Isaiah 56:7 saying, “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?” 

 

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 

 

D. Not a house of prayer, but THE HOUSE OF PRAYER!  They even had special times just to go to the Temple and pray. 

 

Acts 3:1  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 

 

The ninth hour was three o’clock in the afternoon, one of the three times that it was customary with the Jews to pray.  At 9:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 3:00 PM.

 

Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

 

Psalms 55:17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 

 

E.  We, here at Temple Baptist Church, pray often. 

 

1. We open Sunday School with prayers. We pray in men and ladies’ prayer rooms before the morning service.  We pray to begin the morning service.  We pray several times in the process of the service and dismiss in prayer.  Sunday evenings we open in prayer, pray during the service over the offerings, pray at the end of the service, and often have special prayer for people who are sick or in need.  Wednesday evening is Prayer Meeting where we open in prayer, go over our prayer lists and pray, pray over the offering, close in prayer.

 

2. All of the above-mentioned prayers ought to be done, but do we pray for the power of God and His blessings upon us or do we pray out of ritual?  That is where we find the Jews at the Temple in the days of Jesus Christ.  Prayer should never be a formality but communion with our heavenly Father!

 

 

 

F.  It would do us well at this point to go to the first mention of prayer in the Temple to better understand what the Lord meant when He called it the House of Prayer.  In these verses, we will see both the direction and quality of praying. 

 

1.  It Was A Prayer Of Humility – vs. 12-13

 

a.  Humbled In The Sight Of Man – vs. 12 – “in the presence of all the congregation and spread forth his hands”  (Not caring what man thinks.)

 

b.  Humbled In The Presence Of God – vs. 13 – “kneeled down on his knees…spread for th his hands toward heaven”  (Caring what God thinks!)

 

2.  It Was A Prayer Of Remembrance – vs. 14-18

 

a.  Remembrance Of God’s Person – vs. 14 – “there is not God like thee”           

 

b.  Remembrance Of God’s Presence – vs. 14 – “nor in the earth”

 

c.  Remembrance Of God’s Power – vs. 15 – “fulfilled it with thine hand”

 

d.  Remembrance Of God’s Promises – vs. 16 – “keep…hast promised”

 

3.  It Was A Prayer Of Intercession – vs. 19-31

 

a.  For Forgiveness – vs. 21 – “when thou hearest, forgive”

 

b.  For Restoration – vs. 27 – “send rain upon thy land”

 

4.  It Was A Prayer Of Missions – vs. 32-33

 

a.  Foreign Missions – vs. 33a – “that all the people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee”

 

b.  Home Missions – vs. 33b – “thy people Israel…may know this house”

 

5.  It Was A Prayer Of Deliverance – vs. 34-39

 

a.  From Enemies – vs. 34 – “go to war…enemies by the way”

 

b.  From Defeat – vs. 35, 39 – “maintain their cause”

 

6.  It Was A Prayer Of Enthronement – vs. 40-42

 

a.  God In His Rightful Place In The Temple – vs. 41a – “arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place”

 

b.  God In His Rightful Place In The People – vs. 41b – “let thy saints rejoice in thy goodness”