A Hallelujah Chorus

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2026

Psalm 148

 

Introduction: 

A.  These last few weeks in the Psalms will be filled with the praise of God.  Tonight, we will look at the third Hallelujah Psalm.  

 

B.  You may ask, “Why are so many of the Psalm emphasizing praise?”  Because God’s people tend to be more worldly minded than spiritually minded!  We get so busy with living that we forget what true living is about. 

 

C.  Psalm 148 is an amazing Psalm as it takes praise from heaven to earth and all things therein.  Here, there are no complaints, no requests, and no petitions in this psalm. It is simply an invitation to worship.

 

D.  Verse by verse gives a perfect look at praise.

 

1.  The Praise of Heavenly Hosts.  Psalms 148:1-2  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.  (2)  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

 

a.  “Heights” means lofty, exceedingly above, which refers to the Third Heaven.  The word “heights” is used only twice in the Bible.  “Height” singular is always used to measure something as to how tall it is.  The second usage of “heights” is found in Isaiah 14:14.

 

Isaiah 14:12-14  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  (13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  (14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

 

1)  The First Heaven is our atmosphere that we breathe and live in.  I love the beauty of each day that it gives us.  It protects us and provides us with a safe, comfortable place to live. 

 

2)  The Second Heaven our universe, that amazing, wonderful, comforting light that we love. 

 

3)  The “heights,” The Third Heaven is where God dwells.  I place unfamiliar to us, but a place where we long to be.  A place of perfection and undiscernible beauty.  Our “long home!”

 

b.  The Book of Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible, and it mentions joy and praise in the heaven of heavens.

 

Job 38:7  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

 

c.  Heavenly praise is found throughout the Bible. 

 

(1)  In Isaiah, we find the LORD high and lifted up.  Isaiah 6:1-3  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

 

(2)  In both Romans and Philippians, we find heavenly knees bow and heavenly tongues confessing.  Philippians 2:10-11  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

(3)  In Revelation, we find heavenly praise. Revelation 19:1-5  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:  (2)  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  (3)  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.  (4)  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.  (5)  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

 

(4)  Heaven is both a place of praise and filled with praise.  It is a place to look forward to!  The lost would not like heaven!

 

2.  The Praise of God’s Creation.  Psalms 148:3-6  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.  (4)  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.  (5)  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.  (6)  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

 

a. The heavens declare the Glory of God.  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,

 

A tabernacle is a place of worship.  When I look at the heavens, I see order instead of chaos!  I see the mighty hand of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God and I do not wonder.  I worship by giving God the glory for what He has done in creation!

 

Romans 1:18-19  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

 

b.  Individual Heavenly Bodies Praise the LORD.  Not just the whole, but EVERY INDIVIDUAL PART!  The Sun which gives us light, life, and warmth glorifies its Maker.  The moon, which gives us light and comfort at night glorifies its Maker.  Every individual star and planet, while none of them are totally alike, glorify their Maker.

 

3.  The Praise of God’s Handywork.  Psalm 19:1 “and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”   Psalms 148:7-10  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:  (8)  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:  (9)  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:  (10)  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

 

a.  The world in general brings praise to the LORD.  The great seas, the weather, the mountains and all hills, the plant and animal life, fowls and creeping things show the wonder and praise of their Creator!

 

b.  Let everything that hath breath (Psalm 150), and all forms of life require the absorption or inhalation of God’s atmosphere, PRAISE THE LORD!  In everything, God I see!

 

4.  The Praise of Mankind.  Psalms 148:11-13  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:  (12)  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:  (13)  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

 

a.  Our Praise is Commanded.  From the kings of the earth to the children, and everything in between.  The LORD is both our Creator and our God!

 

b.  Praise and glorification are options given.  Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

We can either be saved or choose to stay lost.  We can either praise God or we can fail to praise Him.

 

c.  Praise and glorification with no option given.  Romans 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 

(1)  Shall bow here on earth and later in heaven or shall not bow here but will bow at the Great White Throne Judgment just prior to being cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

 

(2)  I chose to bow here and in heaven, how about you?

 

5.  The Praise of God’s People.  Psalms 148:14  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

The Purpose of the Church - Part 1

Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2026

Ephesians 4:11-16

 

Introduction: 

A.   The Problem with the modern churches.  Some of the main problems with the end-time church are that of purity, priority, and purpose.  That is the reason for the confusion, conflict, and casualness of God’s people.  Their priorities are wrong which leads to selfishness.  Selfishness leads to conflict.  Conflict leads to confusion.  Confusion leads to failure of purpose! 

 

B.  Churches and denominations have lost their way spiritually.  The local church is a called assembly of saints to worship God, learn the Scriptures and doctrinal truth, and to exhort one another!  This is the main purpose internally.  What we are doing this morning, night, and Wednesday is essential to both the local church corporately and the saints individually!  I will deal with the external purpose in Part 2.

 

C.  In most cases, the local churches and denominations in general have lost their biblical way!

 

1. The Church Has Become A Recreation Center For The Sinner.  No biblical preaching leads to an unholy congregation.  The local church was never meant to be a “fishing hole” for sinners!

 

a)  A place where the sinner is Comfortable, not Convicted.  Reproving and rebuking have been replaced by the “smooth” things.

 

Isaiah 30:9-11  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  (10)  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  (11)  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

 

b)  A place where the sinner is Placated, not Preached to. Reproving and rebuking are not popular among the carnal, thus the Word from the pulpit has become selective!

 

2 Timothy 4:1-4  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; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

2. The Church Has Become An Entertainment Center For The Carnal Saint.  Their programs, music, and preaching so-called, reflect the mood and priorities of the world instead of the Word. 

 

a)  Entertainment encourages Carnality, Not Crucifixion. We are to die to self and live for the glory of God.

 

b)  Entertainment produces Apathy, Not Ardor.

 

3. The Church Has Become A Fast Food Joint For The Shallow Saint.  Pumps their Flesh, Not builds their Faith.

 

4.  The Church Has Become A Rest Home For The Backslidden Saint.  They Are Careless In Their Sin, Not Convicted In Their Service.

 

D. The Purpose of the church. 

 

1.  The Church For The Hungry Saint:  A Restaurant.

 

a.  There Must Be Feeding  (Consistent Bible preaching with power and boldness.)

 

1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

John 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

b.  There Must Be Feasting  (The pastor can feed all he wants but unless there is a  feasting, all is in vain.)

 

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

Hebrews 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

2.  The Church For The Weary Saint:  A Place Of Refreshment.

 

a.  There Is Encouragement.

 

Acts 14:21-22  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

                                                         

            b.  There Is Exhortation.

 

Jude 20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

 

Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 

3.  The Church For the Sickly Saint:  A Place Of Recuperation

 

a.  Restoration For The Fallen.

 

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 

2 Corinthians 2:7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

 

            b.  Reassurance For The Troubled.

 

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

4.  The Church For The Growing Saint:  A Place Of Spiritual Growth.

 

a.  The Product of lack of teaching. 

 

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 

b.  The Product of Biblical Teaching.

 

Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

5.  The Church Is A Nest for The Saint’s Children.  Don’t allow the world to raise your children!

 

 

Psalms 84:1-3  To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  (2)  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.  (3)  Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

 

Conclusion:  The local church’s primary purpose is for the edification of the Body of Christ, believers!  Till we ALL!  A work that is never done!

 

Ephesians 4:12-13  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The Pulpit and the Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-2-2026

Nehemiah 8:1-10

 

Introduction:

A.  In Nehemiah 8:4, we have not only the first mention principle of the word pulpit; we also have a full mention principle along with an only mention.  God said all that needs to be said on the subject in one short context.  I would behoove us to look at this important piece of furniture that is found in a prominent place in the local church and see its purpose. 

 

B.  In most churches, the pulpit is the central piece of furniture in the most conspicuous place. 

 

1.  The new and more modern (liberal) churches are built around the Family Life Center.  The pulpits have been removed and little stands replaced them made of glass.

 

2.  This may not mean much to the casual believer, but the preachers and pastors have also become causal, therefore, the congregations have become more casual!

 

C.  The pulpit was once a place of reverence by both the pew and the man of God.  It was called the “sacred desk.”  Today, men climb into pulpits that have no love for the Word of God or the people of God.  They are hireling prophets who are more interested in their own personal agendas than they are standing true to the Bible.  These are men with no call of God on their lives and money on their minds.

 

D.  The pulpit was once held in respect by the people of God, but times have changed that also.  Now they come and hear with a “take it or leave it” attitude.

 

1.  God’s Man – vs. 2 “Ezra the priest”

 

2.  God’s Method – vs. 2  “brought”

 

3.  God’s Message – vs. 2  “the law”

 

a)  The Value of God’s Word - Psalms 19:10 - More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:

 

b)  The Sweetness of God’s Word - Psalms 19:10 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

 

c)  The Importance of God’s Word - Job 23:12  I have esteemed the  words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 

 

LET US TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PULPIT AND GIVE SOME APPLICATIONS TO THE PULPIT AND THE CHURCH OF OUR DAY

 

1.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Desire – 1  The people initiated the Service – (“gathered themselves”)  Nehemiah 8:1  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

 

a.  A desire for the Word of God!  I have never had a call telling me that the entire church had gathered together and said, “Pastor, we are all here.  Bring the Bible!”  1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

b.  A magnification of the Word of God!  God has magnified His Word above His name!  Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  (And liberals tell us that we worship paper and ink!  WE MAGNIFY THE WORD OF GOD!)

 

c.  Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in your Bible, and its 176 verses are all about your Bible!  You want to know what God thinks about His Word, read that chapter.

 

Psalms 119:97  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  (Three Results of Loving God’s Word.)

 

Psalms 119:113  I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

 

Psalms 119:163  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

 

Psalms 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 

 

a.  Hate vain thoughts (wicked thinking)

 

b.  Hate lying

 

c.  Not easily offended

 

2.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place that brings Unity – 1.  The people were in One Accord – (“all...as one man”)  Nehemiah 8:1  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

 

Ephesians 4:11-15  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  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;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

Acts:, 41-42  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place....Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

  3.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Divine Purpose - 1-2  The people wanted to hear God’s Word – (“bring the book”)  Nehemiah 8:1-2  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.  (2)  And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

 

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

a.  Purpose of Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:1-2  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.

 

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

 

c.  Purpose of Edification - 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 

 

d.  Purpose of Exhortation - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 

 

4.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Attentiveness – 3  (When God’s man speaks, God’s people should heed.)  Nehemiah 8:3  And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday (6 hours they stood as the Word of God was READ, not preached), before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

 

a.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Salvation Others - 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.

 

b.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Cleansing - Psalms 119:9  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  

 

5.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Elevation – 4-5  (The people elevated it, not the preacher.  Place of Authority.)  Nehemiah 8:4  And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. (5)  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

 

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 

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.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Reverence – 5  (The people reverenced God’s Word.)  Nehemiah 8:5  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

 

Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 

 

Psalms 119:117  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 

 

7.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Blessing and Praise – 6  (Place of Elevation of Christ.)  Nehemiah 8:6  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 

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. 

 

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 

8.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Agreement – 6  (“Amen, Amen”)  Nehemiah 8:6  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 

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

 

Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?    

 

9.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Worship and Humility – 6  “Bowed…worshiped”  Nehemiah 8:6  “and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

 

Psalms 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 

 

10.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Faithful Attendance - 7 (“their place”)  Nehemiah 8:7  “and the people stood in their place.”

 

a.  The Importance of the People.

 

b.  The Implication of their Place (cannot be filled by another)

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

 

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

 

11.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Teaching and Understanding – 8  Nehemiah 8:8  So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.                                                       

 

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

 

Hebrews 5:12, 14  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat...But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

 

12.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Joy and Gladness – 10  Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

 

3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

Be Ye Steadfast

Temple Baptist Church - 7-29-2026

1 Corinthians 15:58

Introduction:

A.  We have spent quite a bit of time in chapter 15, dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our “gathering together unto him.” 

 

1. The Corinthian Church was a carnal (fleshly) church and spent both their time and resources on their natural, temporal desires. 

 

Revelation 3:15-17  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

Sounds like the local churches of these last days!  People are more excited about carnal things than spiritual ones.

 

2.  So, here we are today!  There is a general forsaking of the church (fewer people and fewer services), sound doctrine (lack of biblical knowledge which brings confusion), and separation (more love for the world than love for the things of God).

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

 

B.  The Holy Ghost admonishes the church to be heavenly minded in verse 58 because the real treasures are those things that are eternal, not temporal.  The “therefore” ties this verse to the preceding verses and is a summation or conclusion.  His plea is based upon our blessed position in the body of Christ and hope of His soon return in the rapture. 

 

2 Timothy 3:12-14  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  (13)  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

C.  “My” denotes ownership.  “Beloved” denotes our dearness to both the Apostle and our Saviour.  “Brethren” denotes a family   other!

 

1.  Steadfastness – deals with the possibility of quitting - Galatians 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  (People are quitting on every hand.  Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, SS teachers, soul winners, church workers, etc.  What will it take to make you quit?)

 

 

 

2.  Immovability – deals with the possibility of being swayed - 2 Thessalonians 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.  (We are in the midst of the “falling away.”  What will it take to move you?)

 

Acts 20:23-24  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  (24)  But none of these things move me (to deter), neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Ephesians 4:13-14  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

 

3.  Abounding – deals with possibility of sitting down instead of serving - 2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.  (The closer to the end of the church age, the more we should labor.  Unfortunately, it is just the exact opposite is true.  What will cause you to quit working and start pew sitting?)

 

4.  Knowledge – deals with the understanding that our labor is not in vain - Matthew 10:40-42  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Though we are in the gleanings stage or the Days of Noe, God is still in control of the harvest)

 

5.  Reward – God will certainly reward us with fullness - 2 John 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (full reward) for our labors (Parable of those who labored through the heat of the day for a penny while others entered the fields much later and received the same.)

 

ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TWO THINGS:

 

1.  It Takes Biblical Conversion – 1 John 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

 

2.  It Takes Biblical Conviction – Jesus is coming again just like He said!

 

SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN:

 

1.  We Need To continue In One Accord.

 

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

 

2. We Need To Continue In Prayer.

 

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

 

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

 

3. We Need To Continue In Doctrine.

 

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

 

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

 

2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast earned them.

 

4. We Need To Continue In Fellowship.

 

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

 

5. We Need To Continue In The Grace of God.  (Salvation’s Message)

 

Acts 13:43  Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

 

6. We Need To Continue In Encouragement.

 

Acts 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

 

7. We Need To Continue In Soul Winning. (Both at home and abroad)

 

Acts 26:22  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great

 

8. We Need To Continue To Live Godly Lives.

 

Romans 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

9. We Need To Continue Contending For The Faith Once Delivered.

 

Jude 3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

Galatians 2:5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

 

10. We Need To Continue In Service.

 

James 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.