Christian Love: The Holy Kiss

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-9-2026

1 Corinthians 16:13-20

Introduction:

A.  The salutation of the Apostle Paul is one of several important aspects of pastoring a church.  I note this because pastoring a church is a multifaceted work!  The Apostle Paul, like all church planting missionaries, had to be an evangelist and pastor at the same time. 

 

1.  I investigated the last part of the salutation first so as to establish a foundation for the entirety of it.  Paul loved this baby, carnal, confused, divided, hard headed at times (“yet carnal”) local church!

 

2.  Paul’s love for these Corinthian believers caused him to give them the other parts of the salutation.  The pastor must be God’s man first and place both the Word of God and Charge from God above all things yet temper these two things with love and compassion.

 

3.  The Holy Ghost put the words into Paul’s mouth because they and us as well need them.

 

B. Tonight, I want to look at a custom in Paul’s day that has faded or vanished in our day.  The question now could be asked, “Then why are you preaching on it?”  Because it is still relevant in our day!  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and brought to us through the preservation of God.

 

C. If the Apostle Paul thought it necessary, then I can biblically say that it is relevant and needs to be practiced tonight and every service because we have been apart throughout the week.  He mentioned this custom 4 times in 4 different Church Epistles and, if God only mentioned it once, that would have been enough.

 

Romans 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

 

1 Corinthians 16:20  All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

 

2 Corinthians 13:12  Greet one another with an holy kiss.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:26  Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

 

D. Only one dear brother, many years ago, greeted me on various occasions by placing his cheek against mine and, though his lips never touched me, I could hear the little kiss.  I took no offense because he was a godly brother in Christ that, though he was not a member here, loved and respected me.

 

E. Our tradition here at Temple Baptist is to take a time of fellowship, just before preaching, and shake everyone’s hands! 

 

1.  Some churches have people just turn around in their pew and shake the hands that they can reach, but our church filles the isles and, hopefully, shakes everyone’s hands! 

 

2.  Oh, what joy and, oh what love it expresses. I enjoy our times of fellowship and handshaking!!! If you did not get your hand shook tonight, it is because you shook no hands.

 

F.  It is sad that, in our day, we get caught up in our fellowship with the world and not our fellowship with one another.

 

1.  With all this in mind, let us take a closer look at this beautiful tradition hand down from generation to another for thousands of years.  I say thousands of years because it was found in the earliest records of the Old Testament. 

 

2.  It may be outdated here but is still practiced in the Middle East.  While customs have changed, the principle remains.

 

1 Corinthians 16:20  All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

 

1. “All.”  The Bible has so much to say on the subject of unity!  Without perfect unity, the work of the local church would falter and eventually fail.

 

2. “the brethren”  If you are not saved, you are exempt!  If you are saved, then you should be willingly involved.  Pardon me, but I love everyone here.  I try to make sure that I shake hands with everyone here tonight.  If I skip you, stand up, come up here, and shake my hand

 

3. “holy”  There is several kisses found in your Bible, and not every kiss is holy

 

a.  The Kiss of Deception.  Genesis 27:26-27  And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.  (27)  And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

 

b.  The Kiss of Death.  2 Samuel 20:9-10  And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.  (10)  But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

 

c.  The Kiss of Defilement.  Proverbs 7:10-13  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.  (11)  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:  (12)  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)  (13)  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 

 

e.  The Kiss of Disloyalty.  Matthew 26:48-49  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  (49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 

4.  “kiss”  The kiss expressed several things in days gone by. The kiss found in our text is a holy kiss.  One of great purity.  Our handshakes during fellowship are meant to express anxiety, deceit, or harm of any kind!

 

a.  A kiss was a form or greeting and still is in the Middle East.  Meeting someone that you have missed seeing.  How good it is to come to church and see all your smiling faces after a few days seeing the unhappiness of the world!

 

b.  A kiss is an expression of love and friendship. As we are one in Christ, we are to be one in church.  I dealt with the enemy of division last week.  What a spiritual travesty!

 

c.  “holy kiss” expresses intent.  God forbid that I shake your hand with the intent of hurt.  Men are like that!  I knew some preachers who tried to break your hand to show their machismo!  Shaking hands is not a contest, it is an expression!

 

5.  To sum this up, the “holy kiss” is a summation and foundation pf intent.  In these two words, we find the foundation of the kiss, holiness, purity, and love.

 

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 

a. If we love God, how can we not love one another?

 

b. The love of God is to be unconditional.

 

c. The love of God is to be unchanging.

 

d. The love of God is to be unfailing.

 

e.  The love of God is to be

 

1)  A Prominent mark of love.  Noticeable, to stand out.  We are notable for reading Scripture together and shaking hands with each other as well as welcoming all visitors.

 

2)  A Distinguishing mark of love.  The world will not greet you, for the most part, with a handshake of love.  They may shake your hand as a greeting or to seal a deal, but it is not love based.  It is unique to the brotherhood!

 

3)  A Permanent mark of love.  “Let brotherly love continue!”  May we all love and appreciate each other and let it be manifested always: every single moment of time.  If you do not want to shake hands with someone, stay at home as evil communications still corrupt good manners!

 

4)  A mark of hard work in love.  Ephesians 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Endeavouring – hard work, earnestly putting forth effort! A work in progress and never to be finished!

 

Conclusion: Because we are all different, there is always the possibility of disagreement on some things.  That is the “nature of the flesh” along with each person’s uniqueness!  We are not all alike and God made it that way, but charity covereth a multitude of sins and the “Holy Kiss” is a sign of spiritual maturity that bonds us together.

The Righteous Judgment of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-6-2026

Psalm 50

 

Introduction:

A. Psalm 50 is the first of the Psalms of Asaph. His name is associated with 12 psalms: 50 and 73-83. Asaph was appointed by King David to lead the worship in the Tabernacle. He was the worship leader, a musician, a psalm writer, and a prophet!

 

B. Psalm 50 is a prophetic Psalm about the end of time when Christ will come back to the world to judge it in righteousness and truth. A time when He will make all things right. I look forward to that day.

 

C. As I look around me, there is little outside of God’s beautiful nature that appeals to me. I no longer fit in this present, evil world! There was a time when good was good and evil was evil. Today, evil has become good and good is evil. The aspects of a godless society, not a godly one. The wicked may get away with their sin in this life, but God warns that “it shall not be well with the wicked!”

 

Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (12) Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: (13) But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

 

D. I could spend the evening right there but that is not my message. Psalm 50 is prophetic of a far better time to come. My heart cries “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” This world is not my home; I’m just passing through on my way to heaven!

 

E. Asaph was a prophetic worshiper. Asaph's name is associated with twelve Psalms: Psalms 50 and 73–83.

 

1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

 

F. The psalm sets forth a courtroom scene as all will gather, all will rise, and the Judge will enter the courtroom.

 

Verses 1-6.

 

1. Verse 1. The Court Called. Who is this Judge?

 

a. The Mighty God! אֱלֹהִים 'ĕlôhı̂ym el-o-heem' “In the beginning God (Elohim), the great Three In One. Though the Bible is specific on Jehovah God, Christ Jesus, the Word created all things (John chapter one), the Trinity was there together! The same when Christ Jesus comes to this earth in judgment, the Trinity will be there on the Throne in Unity.

 

b. The LORD. Jehovah God, the Eternal-Self Existing One. Christ, the Righteous Judge. The Creator, Owner, Sustainer of the earth and universe.

 

2. Verses 2-4. The Place of Judgment Set. Where His judgment is to be! “Out of Zion.” Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

 

a. It was at Zion that the Throne was established.

 

b. I was at Zion where the Lamb of God was slain and rejected.

 

c. It is at Zion where the righteous Branch, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, shall sit one day. Ruling and reigning for 1000 years.

 

Jeremiah 23:5-6 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called,.

 

3. Verses 5-7. The Parties Summoned. Who will be called? “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.”

 

a. His people, Israel, who made a covenant with Him by sacrifice! Though God ordered the sacrifices of Atonement, they were never mean to save. They were to point Israel to coming of Messiah, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

b. The saved or our day find our redemption in the Person and work of Christ Jesus called the Gospel. The “covenant with me by His sacrifice!” The Lord speaks and testifies in righteousness as to His Purpose and Redemption.

 

4. Verses 8-15. The Issue Foretold. The LORD reproves Israel for their religious offerings that He did not order.

 

a. God ordered Atonement and not salvation through their outward religion. Atonement was never meant to be a way of getting right with God. Salvation has and always will be faith in propitiation: the innocent Lamb of God dying in our place. Religion does not replace Relationship. Atonement was remembrance of God’s promise of “God will provide Himself” as the sacrificial Lamb. The Old Testament saint looked forward to the Messiah, Christ Jesus, while the New Testament looks back in remembrance of God, Christ Jesus, died for the sin of the world.

 

b. God differentiates between the outworkings of religion contrasted by the inwardness of salvation. He did this same thing in chapter one of Isaiah’s Prophecy.

 

Isaiah 1:11-16 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. (12) When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? (13) Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (14) Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. (15) And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

 

c. It was not their outward offerings that pleased God, it was their inward anticipation of the Seed of the Woman, God Himself our offering for sin and eternal redemption found in Genesis chapter twenty two.

 

Isaiah 1:16-18 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (17) Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

c. The problem was not their bringing of sacrifices, it was their reliance upon them instead of God. God owns it all! God needs nothing! God wants us! He does not want our religion, He wants us! He does not want our outward worship; He wants us to have an inward relationship through Christ Jesus!

 

d. You can't give God what He already owns! Everything belongs to God. Our money belongs to God. Our possessions belong to God. Our abilities belong to God. Our time belongs to God. Our life belongs to God.

 

e. So why does God ask us to give? Because giving isn't about supplying God's needs, it reveals what is in our hearts.

 

5. Verses 16-22. God Rebukes The Wicked.

 

a. They knew what God said! They knew God's commandments, but they rejected them. Verse 17 says: “Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.”

 

b. They were willful in their ignorance of God’s instruction.

 

c. They were willful in their rejection of God’s authority.

 

d. They desired God's promises without obedience to God's ways.

 

e. God does not accept those who merely know the Bible. He wants those who believe the Bible and adhere to it.

 

f. Their mistake of thinking that God’s silence was condonement!

 

6. Verse 23. The Key to Restoration.

 

a. Worship God in spirit and truth! “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me”

 

b. Walk uprightly before God. “and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”

Enemies of the Church: The Tongue, the Wickedest Member of the Church!

Temple Baptist Church - 9-6-2026

James 3:1-10

 

Introduction: 

A.  One of the laws of Biblical Hermeneutics is that of Full Mention where "God declares his full mind upon any subject vital to our spiritual life."  We find in these verses the Full Mention Principle concerning the tongue.

 

B.  It is of the utmost importance to us because we all have one!  Many sins of the Bible have little effect upon certain people. Last week, we dealt with Satan’s desire for the local church:  division!  This is an important message because EVERY division that I find in the Bible began with a conversation, from Genesis to Revelation!  Division can be accomplished in more than one way, but the simplest of these ways is that of a loose tongue.

 

James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.  (A bridle is something that all of us are familiar with, a device used to both control and guide a horse.  It controls the horse to keep him from being rambunctious and it guides the horse to move in the direction of its master's desire.  Small in size but controls a 1000+ pound horse.)

 

Proverbs 10:19  In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.  (The more that we say, the more likely we are to say something that is either wrong or something right that we will later regret.  Just because something is right does not mean that the time or the situation is right for it to be said.  Refrain means wisdom in the tongue's use.)

 

Proverbs 12:13  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

 

Proverbs 13:3  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

                           

Proverbs 17:27-28  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.  (28)  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

                        

Proverbs 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 

Proverbs 21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.  (This is one of my wife's life verses [the other being Isaiah 26:3].  To keep is to guard: to guard your mouth and your tongue which in turn will guard your soul, which will guard your life.)

 

Ecclesiastes 5:3  For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

                          

Ecclesiastes 10:13-14  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.  (14)  A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

 

Matthew 12:34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

 

1 Corinthians 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  (The division within the Corinthian Church would have never come about if its members had refrained from saying!  Each and everyone of us has different opinions and thoughts in certain areas and wisdom is needed to understand what needs to be said and what does not need to be said, thus maintaining unity within the body.)

 

C.  God's desire for the local church is unity!  I have often said, “Keep your words short and sweet for you never know which ones you will eat.”  Speaking without thinking, in times of reaction, or in times of anger can do untold damage.  Once words are turned loose, there is neither stopping nor gathering them back up again.  Words are like emails, once sent, they remain in cyberspace indefinitely!  You can never take them back once said and their effect is often lasting and unrepairable.

 

Proverbs 18:19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

 

D.  Like the subject of hell, we do not preach on the tongue often enough.  I try to watch mine but often turn it loose.  A man once said, “Never leave your tongue in gear while your brain is idling!”  We are all prone to do this so I will try to give each of us a little help to refresh our minds and resolves concerning its use.

 

E.  With that all said, we can establish several things:

 

1.  Everyone here has a tongue!

 

2.  The tongues can be wicked when allowed to flap!

 

3.  All of us has at one time or another, said things that ought not to be said and we regret.

 

4.  Be not many masters: we do not have to speak on every subject because we do not know every subject.

 

5.  The more we speak, the more opportunity to say the wrong thing.

 

F.  Some folks think that if they think it, they need to say it.  Some folks think that if it is right, they need to say it.  You do not need to say everything that you think nor is it always appropriate to say everything that is right.  There is a time and purpose to every season and that includes the tongue.

 

G.  Here are several misuses of the tongue that cause infinite hurt, damage, and or division:

 

1.  A Divisive Tongue - Proverbs 6:16-19  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.  (God hates discord and the tongue that goes around spreading seeds of discontent.  The church has an order: come to the pastor first with problems that involve the welfare of the church.)

 

2.  A Gossiping Tongue - Proverbs 26:20   Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  (Most of the time, you need to pray for an individual, not talk about them!  “Did you hear about so-in-so?”  What a shame!  We are not even to speak of those things done in darkness when it comes to sin and the less people who know about certain situations the easier that it becomes to reconcile them.)

 

            Here are some questions that will stop the "gossiping tongue.”

 

a. What is your reason for telling me?

 

b. Where did you get your information?

 

c. Have you gone to those directly involved?

 

d. Have you personally checked out all of the facts?

 

e. Can I quote you if I check this out?

 

3.  A Backbiting Tongue - Psalms 15:1-3  LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.  (This one goes along with the previous tongue but is a little different.  Gossip is to spread while backbiting is to devour and defame.  Satan does a good enough job without us so leave the slander up to him!  He is the accuser.)

 

Romans 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

 

Psalms 101:5  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

 

Exodus 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

 

Leviticus 19:16  Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

 

1 Timothy 3:11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

 

1 Timothy 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

 

4.  A Critical Tongue - Psalms 64:3  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:  (Many times, people’s faults are outward and easily seen.  They become the object of critical people with critical tongues.  Most of the time, I had rather have the object’s outward fault than to have a clean outward and have a harsh, critical spirit on the inside.  Our Lord spoke more than once of the Pharisees cleaning the outward while remaining wickedly religious on the inside.)

 

5.  A Prating Tongue - 3 John 9-10   I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

 

1 Timothy 5:19  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  (Mischievous tongue.  Notice this verse said “witnesses,” not gossipers!  Simply trying to stir up something.  By the way, never listen to evil reports against God’s men.  Tell the individual who speaks against the pastor that you want him or her to go with you to visit the man of God and give him the complaint personally.)

 

Psalms 50:19  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

 

Psalms 52:2  Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

 

Psalms 52:4  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

 

6.  A Murmuring Tongue – Acts 6:1   And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

 

Exodus 16:8  And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

 

1 Corinthians 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

 

Philippians 2:14   Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  (I don’t like this or I don’t like that!  No one can please everyone all of the time and some decisions that must be made are not popular.)

 

7.  A Discouraging Tongue - Deuteronomy 1:28  Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.  (Be an encouragement to others so that, when your time comes to be down in the dumps, there will be someone there to encourage you.  The world discourages us enough without help from the inside.)

 

9.  A Lying Tongue - Psalms 109:2  For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

 

Psalms 120:2-3  Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. 3  What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

 

Proverbs 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

 

Proverbs 26:28   A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Tell the truth!  A half-truth is still a whole lie so, if you are not sure about something, it is better left unsaid.)

 

Conclusion: 

 

a. The tongue is descriptive.  The tongue shows on the outside what is on the inside.

 

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 

b. The tongue is devious. Set on fire in hell is a wonderful description of how devious the tongue is: belongs to us but lent to Satan.

 

Proverbs 21:23   Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

 

Psalms 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

 

Psalms 39:1  I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

 

Psalms 39:3  My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

 

1 Peter 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

 

c. The tongue is destructive.

 

Proverbs 18:21   Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 

Matthew 12:36-37  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

 

d.  Before you speak, stop and think.  Does what you say need to be said?

 

1.  Will these words heal or hurt?

 

2.  Will they build up or tear down?

 

3.  Will they bring peace or create conflict?

 

4.  Will they glorify God or glorify me?

 

Psalm 19:14 gives us the right prayer: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

A Pastor’s Love

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-2-2026

1 Corinthians 16:23-24

 

Introduction: 

A.  Tonight, as we continue to look at Paul’s final words to this great epistle, I want to look at the last verse, “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen!” 

 

1. Another wonderful look into the heart of the great Apostle Paul.  We saw Paul’s humanity in Romans chapter 7:7-25, his weakness and fear in 1 Corinthians 2:3-4, his internal fortitude in Acts 7:21-27, his finishing in 2 Timothy 4:6-7, and tonight, a softer part of his inner man as he declares his love for this carnal, confused, sometimes rebellious, often divided church! 

 

2.  A man noted for his straightforward preaching and teaching of God’s Word which can sometimes be misinterpreted.  Straight preaching is something commanded by God, not made up by man.  Straight preaching is a divine charge that is not to be questioned.  It is to be obeyed by God’s man!

 

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.  Christian love or charity is a wonderful gift given to every born-again believer with no exceptions. 

 

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

C.  But the burden of the pastor is a great one that he cannot share with others.  Therefore, his love must be the same as all others as a believer, but different from all others as a pastor!  Paul gives a brief explanation of this in his Second Corithian Epistle:

 

2 Corinthians 11:23-28  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  (24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  (25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  (26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  (27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  (28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

 

D.  The pastor’s love for his flock must be a special love as he is the under shepherd who feeds and cares for the Shepherd’s, God’s sheep, individually, and flock of God, corporately!

 

1 Peter 5:2-3  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;  (3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

 

E.  A long introduction because many of God’s people do not understand the pastor’s love for God’s people and His church! 

 

1.  A pastor's love is more than affection for a congregation. It is a shepherd's love—a love that reflects the heart of Christ. It cares for people, prays for them, teaches them, encourages them, corrects them when necessary, and remains faithful even when ministry is difficult.

 

2.  A pastor’s love for the people in the church is a sacrificial love.  John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

F.  The characteristics of a Pastor’s love:

 

1.  A Compassionate Love - Isaiah 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

 

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (The pastor will not harshly judge or put down the sheep but will gently help them through problems in spite of their attitudes!) 

 

2.  A Consistent Love - Colossians 1:3-4  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

 

1 Corinthians 12:23  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  (The pastor should love the entire congregation equally.  Respect of persons is sin!)

 

3. A Continuing Love - 2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

 

1 Corinthians 4:12  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

 

1 Peter 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  (The pastor will love those who mistreat him.)

 

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

 

1 Corinthians 4:14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

 

Revelation 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

Acts 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  (The pastor’s love must sometimes be tough love.)

 

5.  A Charitable Love - 2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  (I Corinthians chapter 13 describles charity, a love that does not have to be returned.)

 

6.  A Challenging Love - 2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  (Certain people make it hard at times, but the pastor loves anyway!)

 

7.  A Caring Love - 1 Corinthians 16:24  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (The most troubling of all churches got the only “I love You” from Paul.  It speaks loudly of his love for them.  (By the way, I do know where the Corinthian Church’s pastor was in all this but, evidently, he was not getting the work done!)

 

8.  A Costly Love - John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  (The pastorate will cost the man of God life.  This is the reason that so many men get out of the pastorage, with which there is a great burden to bear, and only fill pulpits, where there is no burden to bear.  A man that I know well, in a good local church without a pastor for over a year, said that there were several who filled the pulpit during this time of searching for a pastor, but none were will to take the work!  May God give us some men of God who are willing to take the greatest of all works of God, pastoring a local church!)