The Importance of Law - Part 1 - Moral and Spiritual Law

Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2026

1 Timothy 1:8–11

 

Introduction:

A. In the Pentateuch, God established three areas of Law:

 

1. Moral Law, which is inward and dictates how we are to behave.

 

2. Civil Law, which is outward and dictates how we are to function within society.

 

3. Ceremonial Law, which is upward and dictated how to approach God.

 

B. Ceremonial Law was fulfilled by Christ and no longer applies to the believers as they approach God through Christ: our Advocate, our Mediator, and our High Priest. There are two sets of Law that I want to look at that are separate, as one deal with the inward man while the other deal with people but go hand-in-hand as Moral Law is the foundation of Civil Law while Civil Law is fulfillment of Moral Law. 

 

C. Before we can properly understand the importance of civil law, we must first understand the importance of Moral and Spiritual law. Different, but inseparably tied together as we cannot fully understand Civil Law until we understand Spiritual and Moral Law.

 

D. Spiritual Law is both innate and written. Spiritual Law Innate Law (moral law) and the Written Law (the Word of God to each generation, Genesis to Revelation).

 

1. Innate Law. Given to mankind in conception. The light given by God to man was a holy light by which he could know both God and right/wrong. 

 

a) Adamic through Adam’s flesh flesh - Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

b) Godly through the Light of God - John 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 

1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

Romans 2:11-15  For there is no respect of persons with God.  (12)  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (13)  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  (14)  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

 

2. Written Law from the Ten Commandments as well as the holy men of old who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, which gave us our Bible.

 

E. God did not leave mankind without a standard of right and wrong. He has revealed His righteousness, His holiness, and His expectations through His Word. As man rejects God's authority, he begins to establish his own standards. When every man becomes his own lawgiver, confusion and corruption follow. We find the following verse twice in the Book of Judges:

 

Judges 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

Judges 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

1. The Foundation of Moral Law is found in the Character of God. 1 Peter 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

a. God is the supreme Lawgiver. Isaiah 33:22  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

 

b. God's Law reflects His holiness. Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

 

c. Man is accountable to the Law Given. Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

d. God's authority does not depend upon a vote, a majority opinion, or the approval of society.

 

2. God's Law is not arbitrary. As it reflects His righteous character, it cannot and will not change. Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

a. Because God is holy, He condemns wickedness.

 

b. Because God is righteous, He requires righteousness.

 

c. Because God is just, He judges sin.

 

d. God's standard does not change with society. Public opinion changes. Customs change. Human laws change. But God does not become less holy because society becomes more tolerant of sin.

 

Isaiah 40:7-8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.  (8)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

 

2. God’s Law establishes the difference between Right and Wrong. Romans 7:7a Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law…

 

a. God's Law identifies sin. We innately have a sense of right and wrong. We often call it our conscience.

 

1) A good conscience that is good, pur,e and holy. 1 Timothy 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

 

2) A convicted conscience that can be seared or defiled.

 

John 8:7-9  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  (8)  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  (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.

 

b. God’s Law reveals that sin is not merely what society dislikes or what causes embarrassment. Sin is a violation of God's righteous standard.

 

c. The Ten Commandments establish fundamental moral principles of right and wrong and reveal that God is concerned with both our relationship with Him and our conduct toward other people.

 

1) Our responsibility toward God.

 

2) Our responsibility to honor our parents.

 

3) The sanctity of human life.

 

4) The importance of faithfulness.

 

5) The obligation to respect what belongs to others.

 

6) The necessity of honesty.

 

7) The danger of covetousness.

 

3. God’s Law exposes the sinfulness of man and his Need for Salvation.

 

a. Moral Law cannot save the Sinner. The Law shows that we cannot save ourselves. No amount of goodness or religious activity can erase our past sins. Church attendance, baptism, charitable deeds, and moral living cannot earn the forgiveness of God.

 

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

 

b. Moral Law reveals our guilt and our need for a Saviour.

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

c. Moral Law points mankind to Christ.

 

Romans 5:8 declares that God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

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.

 

4. The Unlawful or Lawful of God’s Moral or Spiritual Law. This can be summed up easily with one verse: what it says and what it implies.

 

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

a. What the verse says. Unlawful use of the Moral or Spiritual Law brings about Judgment and Chastisement. “knoweth … doeth it not” With knowledge comes responsibility!

 

Hebrews 10:26-27  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

 

Hebrews 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

 

b. What the verse implies. Keeping God’s Moral or Spiritual Law brings blessing and Communion with God. “knoweth to do good” and doeth it!

 

1 Corinthians 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

 

2 Corinthians 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

 

Conclusion: 1 Timothy 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

Thanksgiving - 2026 - I Am Thankful for a God Who Loves Me

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2026

John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-19

 

Introduction: 

A.  As we begin the Thanksgiving Season, I began to reflect on the goodness of God. 

 

1.  I am thankful for so many things that God has given to Barbara and I in this life.  The old song “Count Your Blessing” takes a long time to perform.  God has been good to all of us. 

 

2.  For the next few weeks, I want to reflect on some spiritual things that I am thankful for.  We often say that “God is good all of the time,” and He is.  In good times, in bad times, in uncontrollable circumstances, in times of understanding, and in times when we do not understand—God is still good!

 

B.  John 3:16 has often been called “The Gospel in a Nutshell!”  It is the most familiar and quoted verses in the Bible. Most of us learned this verse as children.

 

C.  One of the most blessed truths found in the Bible is that of the love of God for sinners.  John 3:16 is possibly the most noted and quoted of all verses of scripture and the least comprehended. 

 

1.  When I see the world, I see the sin and sorrow that permeates it.  My heart is saddened by what is taking place in the world and across this great nation this morning.  With the reject of spiritual light, then spiritual darkness always follows.

 

2.  When God sees the world, He sees sinners in need of the Saviour!  As we get closer to Christmas, our hearts should be joyful because of the gift of God gave some 2,000 years ago.

 

D.  One of the most misunderstood of Bible doctrines is the Love of God.  God’s love is not merely an expression of what He does, it is an expression of who He is! God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him!

 

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

 

1.  God the Father’s Love is a Universal Love – 1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

 

God sent His Son to die for all mankind. There is the misconception that God does not love all of mankind.  We refer to this as Calvinism.  It is damnable heresy!

 

2.  God the Father’s Love is a Limitless Love – 1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

 

There is no sin for which His Son to die for.

 

E.  To properly cover the love of God would take more than one Sunday Morning message but I do want to tell why I am so thankful that God the Father loves this old sinner.  One of my favorite passages is found in one of my favorite chapters of the Bible:

 

John 1:9-12  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

I can type my name here.

 

1.  God the Father’s Love is a Providing Love - John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

 

God the Father knew me before I was conceived and loved me before I came to know Him.

 

2.  God the Father’s Love is a Sacrificial Love – 1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

God the Father gave His Son to pay for my sin before I even committed it.

 

3.  God the Father’s Love is often Undesired and Rejected - John 1:10-11  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 

More frequently in today’s society, God is no longer wanted.

 

4.  God the Father’s Love is a Personal love - John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

 

God the Father did not just love the world, He loved me!

 

5.  God the Father’s Love is a Transforming Love – 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. 

 

God the Father knew what I would become when I was saved.

 

6.  God the Father’s Love is a Thoughtful Love - Psalms 40:17  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. 

 

God the Father cares about every aspect of my life.

 

7.  God the Father’s Love is an Unchanging Love - Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 

 

He planned to love me unchangingly throughout eternity.

 

8.  God the Father’s Love is a Correcting Love - Hebrews 12:5-8  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  (6)  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

 

God the Father made provision for my faults and failures as a child of God before I even failed Him.

 

9.  God the Father’s Love is a Bestowing Love - 1 John 3:1  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. 

 

God the Father knew that one day I would be like Him!

 

10.  God the Father’s Love is an Influential Love – Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

 

God the Father knew that I would one day be a witness for Him.

The God of All Comfort

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-14-2026

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

 

Introduction:

A. Last week, we saw the reality of tribulation in this world. God’s people suffer in this world just like the unsaved suffer. The unsaved do not have something that the saved have: the comfort of God.

 

B. Paul says that along with our tribulation comes comfort from God.

 

C. The word “comfort” is found sixty-six times in your Bible. Comfort is availability!

 

1. Comfort: παράκλησις paraklēsis par-ak'-lay-sis - solace: - comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.to call near.

 

2. Found forty-two times in the Old Testament and 24 times in the New Testament.

 

D. The word “comforter or Comforter” is found 8 times in your Bible. Comforter is comfort in Action!

 

1. Four times in the Old Testament with “comforter” not capitalized. Twice mentioned in Ecclesiastes and twice in Lamentations. I find it of interest that each reference says they had no comforter speaking of human comforting.

 

Each time used, comforter came from the Hebrew word נָחַם nâcham naw-kham' A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue. Today, we often say, “I am so sorry,” which, though a great thing to say but, at the end of the day, the sufferer goes home and so do we.

 

2. Four times in the New Testament with every mention capitalizes, referencing the Holy Ghost of God. The indwelling Comforter is there with us, for us, and when we go home at the end of the day, still actively with us!

 

Each instance, the word is both divine and personal to the saved. Comforter: παράκλητος paraklētos par-ak'-lay-tos An intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter. To come along beside us.

 

E. Why a little word study? Because our text says: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (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.

 

1. What powerful verses! What precious promises! Mercy and Comfort! What wonderful comfort the child of God has in every instance of life!

 

2. I do not know where you all are in life, what grief and pain that you bear, but I do know that the God of all grace and comfort knows and helps you bear it.

 

3. Now, let me say that we must allow the God of all grace and comfort to do His marvelous work in our lives that we will be able to bear it!

 

4. “Does Jesus care, oh yes He cares” we sing but never realize the depth of God’s care, the sufficiency of His grace, and the magnitude of His wonder, overlooking love. How many times do we quote this verse: 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

F. God promises comfort to His children in whatever their circumstances. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is promised in the morning.

 

Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

 

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

 

G. We need comfort: There is not a sickness that God cannot heal nor a situation He cannot overcome.

 

Psalms 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 

1. When Sickness Comes - Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 

Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 

2. When Sin Comes - 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.

 

Oh, when I sing this verse: “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love,” my heart rejoices that in spite of it all, “He loves me, He loves me, He loves me this I know. He gave Himself to die for because He loves me so!”

 

3. When Sorrow Comes - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

 

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

 

Hebrews 4:9-10 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

 

H. Here are seven sources of comfort:

 

1. WE ARE COMFORTED BY THE FATHER - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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.

 

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (What a comfort! Knowing that we can go to God with any and everything and expect Him to comfort us.)

 

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Not just peace but PERFECT PEACE!)

 

2. WE ARE COMFORTED BY THE SON - Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

3. WE ARE COMFORTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT - John 14:15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

 

4. WE ARE COMFORTED BY GOD'S WORD - Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

5. WE ARE COMFORTED BY GOD’S MEN - 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

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.

 

6. WE ARE COMFORTED BY THE BRETHREN - Acts 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

 

Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

 

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

 

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

 

7. WE ARE COMFORTED BY OUR HOPE - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The End of the Commandment

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-11-2026

1 Timothy 1:3-5

 

Introduction:

A. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus for several reasons! These are mentioned in our text.

 

1. To take charge. Taking the oversight thereof.  Vigilance. 

 

a) Before he could “charge some,” he had to identify them.  I was taught, as a young pastor, not to fundamentally change anything in the church that God sent me to pastor for the first two years. 

 

b) I think this was sound advice as I needed to preach and teach, gain the total confidence of the church, then gently began to “turn the ship” if needed.  There are some things that a pastor must change immediately as they are major sin or doctrinal issues involved.

 

2. To “charge some,” not all (I thank God tonight that church has a faithful, grounded, loyal bunch of God loving, God fearing people!  Love you all!), that they teach, not believe because, though some have been taught wrong (many of us had different doctrinal backgrounds before we were saved) and still be teachable (glad I was) no other doctrine and to warn the flock not to entertain fables and endless genealogies.  Watch out for false teachers and to keep the main thing, God’s Word, the main thing!

 

3. Get or keep everyone on the same page!  I know of Baptist churches that still have people on the pews in doctrinal disagreement. When writing to the church at Ephesus in the Ephesian Epistle, Paul described the work that Timothy would do and the desired end result.

 

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 (1) the unity of the faith, (2) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, (3) unto a perfect man, (4) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That (5) 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 (6) 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 (7) compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto (8) the edifying of itself in love.

 

B.  “The end of the commandment” was a desired, threefold result: “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

 

1. Charity out of a pure heart! Here, we find the importance of brotherly love within the church body! Without charity, brotherly love, we become nothing!

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  (2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 

a. Charity edifies.  It builds up instead of tearing down. It is the fulfillment of: 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.

 

Not only wanting the best for everyone but doing our best to make it happen!  Lifting one another up in prayer and praise; sharing one another’s burdens and heartaches, looking for ways to be of help, simply being there for each other in the best and worst of times.  Saying, “I love you” with both our lips and lives.

 

b. Charity covers.  Brotherly love looks beyond the faults of others and concentrates upon their needs.

 

1 Peter 4:7-8  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  (8)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  (5)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  (6)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  (7)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

c.  Charity is essential. 1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

 

When we have a right perspective of self, it us a right perspective of others.

 

2.  A good conscience.  Knowledge of God’s Word and Person brings about assurance of salvation and a conscience that is free, not doubt and guilt.  I have sinned but God has declared me “justified” and will present me “faultless” before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy! Exceeding anything we have ever known. I sleep well at night as I rest my head upon my pillow and my heart in His wonderful care.  I am His and He is mine!

 

a.  A good conscience is an assured one - 1 Thessalonians 1:5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

 

Sound doctrine shows the love of God for His children and brings about blessed assurance.  False doctrine brings about doubt.

 

b.  A good conscience is a peaceful one -   2 Thessalonians 3:16  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 

 

Sound doctrine not only gives assurance, but it also dissolves our fears.  There is no fear in love, and I can assure you that God loves you more than anyone else in the world could.

 

3.  Faith unfeigned.  One that causes the believer to place his life and eternity into the hands of the One who owns it and lives a life for Christ.

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

a.  Faith unfeigned is an affective faith as it affects our lives. – Ephesians 2:8-15  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.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  (11)  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  (12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (13)  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  (14)  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15)  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 

 

Faith unfeigned is real faith: one that affects the heart and transforms your life.  No transformation means no life.  Our faith affects our lives. 

 

b.  Faith unfeigned is an effective faith as by it, we obtain a good report.

 

Hebrews 11:1-2  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

 

It is a faith that causes the child of God to step out in the unknown with the One who knows where we are going.  “By faith” is used 15x in this 11^th chapter of the Book of Hebrews.  As we walk with God by faith, our faith is rewarded.  The reward comes after the “step” takes place and proves the Lord.  It is a faith that causes the believer to remain faithful to the house of the Lord and the doctrines of the faith.  Unfeigned faith brings forth spiritual stability. 

 

Conclusion: A life lived brings about charity, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned!