Be Ye Followers of Me

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-4-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Paul has set an example for the Corinthian believers over and over, but the last verse of chapter 10 expresses the will and example of leadership. 

 

1.  First, we are individual priests.  In the Old Testament, the priests represented men to God.  Apostles in the New Testament represented God to men.  It is important that we understand these precepts.

 

2.  There are religions where priests still represent men to God.  The Old Testament priesthood had both High Priests and the priesthood under them.  Today, the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest, and we represent ourselves to God through Him.

 

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

B.  Though every believer is a priest, representing themselves to God, God has given pastors and mentors whom it does well to follow.  The words “example” and “examples” are New Testament terms not used at all in the Old Testament. 

 

C.  The Christian life is not lived in isolation. God never intended believers to grow merely through private devotion, but also through visible examples.

 

1.  Christianity is a followed faith. In this single verse, the Apostle Paul lays down a profound principle: “even as I also am of Christ!”  Spiritual leadership is legitimate only when it mirrors Christ.

 

2.  Paul does not point men to himself as the final authority, but as a living illustration of Christlikeness.

 

D.   Now, let’s look at some examples of following the “examples.”

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  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.  (6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  (7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;  (8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:  (9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

 

E.  When writing to young Timothy, Paul said that he, as a pastor, was to set an example that his people could follow.

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

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

 

F.  Paul was obligated to set an example that the Corinthians could follow.

 

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

 

G.  In our verse for tonight, we find a two-fold obligation.  The obligation of the one to be followed and the obligation of the one who is to be the follower.  This had been problematic from the first chapter of the Corinthian Epistle.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

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

 

1.  The Person being followed.  I want to clarify that, at this point, if the person following is a faultfinder, then the person you are following is just a man, and you will find fault.

 

a.  Following God’s Pattern.  Ephesians 4:11-13  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:

 

b. Following Paul’s Life.  Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

c.  Following Paul’s Doctrine.  2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

d.  Following Paul’s Expected End.  2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

2.  The Person who is to be following.  Paul explained to young Timothy what a good example to be followed was.

 

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

 

 

a.  Follow Godly Examples.

 

1)   The call to follow godly examples:  “Be ye followers of me…”  The word “followers” means imitators: people who pattern their lives after others.

 

2)  Paul is not advocating personality worship or blind allegiance. Rather, he recognizes a biblical reality: people learn the truth best when they see it lived out.  I have often said that a life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

3)  Truth must be incarnated before it is imitated. Doctrine without demonstration is weak; doctrine lived out is powerful.

b.  Christ Is The Standard!  Paul does not say to follow me no matter what I do.  Follow me as I follow Christ and, if I quit following Christ, you follow Christ!

 

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

c.  This establishes a vital truth: no preacher, no pastor, no teacher, no tradition, and no doctrine has any authority apart from conformity to THE Pattern, Christ Jesus!

 

Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 11:1 calls us to two sober reflections:  (1) Who are we following? (2)   Who is following us?

Abiding And Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-1-2026

John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10

 

Introduction: 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

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.

 

Joy and Happiness are not the same: 

 

Happiness is circumstantial. The word itself is tied to what happens to us. It rises and falls with conditions.  Based on outward circumstances, Temporary and changeable; dependent on comfort, success, health, money, people, etc.

 

Joy is spiritual and internal.  Joy is rooted in God, truth, and relationship with Him—not in what is happening around us.  Based on inward assurance. Enduring and stable.  Can exist alongside sorrow, trials, and suffering

 

A.  I have been preaching on “Thriving in 2026.”  We thrive when we abide in the True Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Two verses for this morning give us insight into the joy of the Lord.

 

1.  I often use this sentence when preaching: “I have said all of that to say this.”  A conclusion is now reached.  John 15 speaks of many perks that come automatically when we abide in the True Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Our Lord summed up His discourse on abiding with one word, “Joy.”  Two “joys” are mentioned in verse 11: “My joy” and “your joy.” 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

 

a) “That my joy might remain in you.”  “My Joy” is the joy that our Lord finds in our abiding in Him, walking in Truth.     

 

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

 

b)  “And that your joy might be full. “Your Joy” is the fullness of joy in both the Lord and things of the Lord. 

 

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)  Supply – joy in the things of life that God has given to us.  We can either endure life or we can enjoy life.  “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:”

 

2)  Strength – is found in the joy of the Lord.  “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

 

B.  What was the joy of Christ?  I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from your Bible.  Many years ago, I preached from the following verses, and what great joy they brought to our people.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

 

1.  In these verses, we find both the “Cause” and “Effect” of the Christian’s Joy.

 

2.  As is the case many times in the Bible, we find the order reversed.  Rejoicing, the Effect, before Joy, the Cause.

 

3.  In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:

 

a)  The God of my Salvation.  True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.

 

b)  The LORD God, my Strength.  True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.

 

4.  In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:

 

a)  Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard and it is:

 

b)  Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.

 

5.  There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not “worked up.”  “Popcorn Testimonies” have become a thing of the past.  We need to get our Joy back, and rejoicing will follow without being stirred.

 

6.  We live in days when pastors feel the necessity to stir our emotions with fleshly music and preaching to produce rejoicing.  Thus, they become Entertainers, not Preachers.  Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of Joy, not the cause of Joy.

 

7.  The hymns of the Faith no longer cause Rejoicing, so the modern-day “church” is now in the “Entertainment Business” instead of reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Modern-day preaching and music reflect the world because most professing “Christians” are more worldly than spiritual.

 

C.  Both rejoicing and joy are to be despite our circumstances, not because of them!  Most Christians live in a state of discouragement, with little joy.  Why?  The answer is simple.

 

1.  Because of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

 

God’s people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in, and we now walk at a guilty distance from God, and the joy is gone.

 

2.  Because of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

 

God’s people have their eyes upon the “wind and waves” of circumstance and not upon Christ.  When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the “wind and waves” and once again walked on the water.

 

D.  Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.

 

1.  For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

2.  For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

 

2 Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 

Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

 

E.  Loss of joy comes through:

 

1.  Losing the freshness of our salvation.

 

2.  Losing the burning love for our Saviour.

 

3.  Losing the excitement of our service.

 

WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY

 

1.  Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

Psalms 35:9  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

 

Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

Psalms 132:16  I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

 

Isaiah 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

 

2.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

3.  Christian Joy Is Found In God’s Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.  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.  So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.  And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

 

4.  Christian Joy Is Found In Church - Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

 

 

a.  The Joy Of Singing - Psalms 95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

 

Psalms 98:4  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

 

b.  The Joy Of Praise - Psalms 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 

5.  Christian Joy Is Found In Worship - Nehemiah 12:43  Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 

 

6.  Christian Joy Is Found In Hope - 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.

 

7.  Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

8.  Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

9.  Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, 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.

 

10.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Glorifying God

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-28-2026

1 Corinthians 10:31
 

Introduction:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (32) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

 

1. Let us keep these verses in their context. Paul has been dealing with the eating or not eating of sacrifices offered to idol that were sold in open market for food.

 

2. The meat was just that, meat. Nothing wrong with the meat but with some, it was offensive because of where it came from.

 

3. Paul is settling the matter in these last three verses. He referenced this earlier in the Epistle, but it was evidently still an issue.

 

1 Corinthians 8:8-13 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. (9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. (10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (13) Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

 

1. Paul set both a biblical and personal principle in these verses.

 

2. The biblical principle is found in Verse 12, which says that it was a sin to offend a weaker brother.

 

3. The Personal principle is found in Verse 13 where Paul says that, if meat offends his brother, he would not eat it while the world standeth.

 

A. With this in mind, I want to make an application as we do not face this problem in our day. I have an old saying, “I will eat anything that doesn’t eat me first.”

 

B. The supreme purpose of the Christian life is to glorify God. One of the best Scripture verses on this subject is found in Romans 11:36:

 

Romans 11:36 — For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

1. All things originate of Him.

 

2. All things are accomplished through Him

 

3. All things exist for Him.

 

C. Therefore, it is both fitting and necessary that God be glorified in every aspect of our lives.

 

1. To glorify means to praise, magnify, and honor in worship; to ascribe honor in thought, word, and deed. God is glorified when His excellency above all things is acknowledged with due admiration.

 

2. The Lord alone is worthy of all honor and glory, for He is the source of all power and sufficiency. Jesus plainly said, “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 

3. Whatever goodness, grace, or accomplishment is found in us is by Him, through Him, and to Him.

 

D. 1 Corinthians 1:30–31 declares: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

1. Salvation is of the Lord.

 

2. Sanctification is of the Lord.

 

3. Security is of the Lord.

 

4. Supply or Sustenance is of the Lord.

 

5. The quicker that we learn these things, the more we have to praise Him for.

 

E. As professing believers, we bear the name of Christ before a watching world. All that we do reflects upon His holy name. Therefore, our lives must be ordered so that God is glorified in all things.

 

F. How to Glorify God in our lives.

 

1. Glorify God in your Walk - 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

a. In Our Bodies - Romans 12:1–2 “Present your bodies a living sacrifice… which is your reasonable service.” The believer’s body belongs to God by creation and redemption. Our daily conduct, habits, and choices must reflect His ownership and holiness.

 

b. In our Daily Walk - 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” A consistent walk in truth glorifies God and testifies of genuine faith.

 

2. Glorify God in Your Work - Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

a. Our work—whether vocational, domestic, or ministerial—is an opportunity to reflect God’s character.

 

1 Peter 2:12 “They may by your good works… glorify God in the day of visitation.”

 

b. We are saved unto good works, not by good works, and God is honored when they are done for His glory.

 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

3. Glorify God in Your Woes. God is glorified not only in our obedience, but also in our suffering. Job 1:21–22 The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

a. In our Trials

 

Psalm 50:15 — Call upon me in the day of trouble… and thou shalt glorify me.

 

b. In our Persecution.

 

1 Peter 4:16 — If any man suffer as a Christian… let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

c. In our Poverty.

 

1 Timothy 6:6–8 Godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

d. In our Sickness.

 

John 11:4 — This sickness is… for the glory of God.

 

e. In our Death.

 

John 21:19 — Signifying by what death he should glorify God.

 

f. Even in life’s darkest hours, God receives glory when His people trust Him.

 

4. Glorify God in Your Worries. Anxieties and inward struggles become instruments of God’s glory when they drive us to deeper faith and dependence upon Him.

 

1 Peter 1:7 — That the trial of your faith… might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

 

 

5. Glorify God in Your Whippings (Chastening). Divine chastening is not wrath, but loving correction. When we submit to it humbly, God is glorified through the righteousness it produces.

 

Hebrews 12:11–14 — Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

 

6. Glorify God in Your Worship. Ultimately, all of life flows back to worship. Worship—both private and corporate—is the conscious, joyful expression of a life lived for God’s glory.

 

Psalm 108:1 — O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.

 

Psalm 22:23 — Ye that fear the LORD… glorify him.

 

Romans 15:6 — That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.

 

Conclusion:

 

1. Whether in our walk, our work, our wounds, or our worship, the believer’s calling is the same:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

2. May our lives declare His excellency until that day when all creation gives Him glory forever. Amen.

When The Enemy Pursues

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-25-2026

Psalm 140

 

A.  The Psalm is Davidic, written by a man after God’s own heart.  The person and prophecy of this Psalm are important to all of us as God’s children. 

 

1.  God did not give us this example written by someone of common cast.  It was written by the greatest king who ever lived, a man whose heart thirsted after God.  A man who established the Throne of David forever, one upon which the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” would one day reign.

 

2.  We who live in these last perilous times are well acquainted with sufferings of every description.  You do not have to go looking for evil.  Evil pursues you!  Troubles will find you, so do not go looking for it.

 

B. My mind immediately went back to the hardships found in the Bible that occurred in the lives of good people.  God-loving people.  Just to name a few:

 

1.  Adam, in the first mention of evil pursuing someone, had no idea that Satan, through the serpent, had set a trap for him. - Genesis 3:17-19  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  (18)  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  (19)  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

2.  Job, the same as Adam, had no idea of what was to come. - Job 1:14-21  And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:  (15)  And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  (16)  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  (17)  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  (18)  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:  (19)  And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  (20)  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  (21)  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

3.  Jacob - Genesis 47:9  And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

 

4.  David - Psalms 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.  (Pursued by Saul and Absalom.  The Sword never left David’s house.) 

 

5.  Paul - 2 Corinthians 11:23-27  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.

6.  Peter - John 21:18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

 

7.  John - Revelation 1:9  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

8.  Martyrs - Hebrews 11:35-37  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  (36)  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  (37)  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

 

9.  The Lord Jesus, the greatest Example of all - Isaiah 53:3-7  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  (4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

10. Those who would live godly - 1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

11.  The list could go on: from Adam’s day through the time of the end and the Tribulation Period.  GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS SUFFERED.

 

C.  Psalm 140 is about the pursuit of evil and evil men.  David spent much of his life on the run instead of on the throne.  May God use this Psalm, one of harsh reality, to give us all hope and strengthen our lives as we strive to live for Christ.

 

D.  Life itself is hard, but here, David is being pursued by Saul, whose only desire is to catch and kill him.  Our enemies also have a “person” that directs their pursuit of the righteous, Satan.

 

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  (9)  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

E.  David realized that his only hope and help would be from God, not man.  Here is the breakdown of the Psalm.

 

1.  Verses 1-5.  The Enemies of Man.

 

Psalms 140:1-5  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;  (2)  Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.  (3)  They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.  (4)  Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.  (5)  The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

 

a.  The Enemy of our Fall – Adamic judgment.  Genesis 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 

1)  Because of Adam's sin, we face natural hardships in this life, such as sickness, disappointments, discouragements, and death.  These are natural, and we will all face the hardships in this world because of the Fall. 

 

2)  Bad things happen to good people!  I have often said, “When you understand that life is hard, you can make it!”

 

b.  The Enemy of our Flesh – Paul spoke of two things in Romans 7:18, his flesh and his will.  “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

 

1)  We have a sinful flesh!  Our flesh desires the things of the world and not the things of God.  Paul spoke of bringing his body into subjection by dying to the flesh.

 

2)  We have an Adamic nature.  We call this the old man, as it is still as wicked as it was before we were saved.  We must guard the invisible, our hearts, which are deceitful above all things, and our minds, which are carnal by nature.

 

c.  The Enemy of the Foes – Notice that Foes is plural.

 

1)  Satan is the original God-hater, thus a man-hater.  But we are not ignorant of his devices. 

 

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  (9)  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

2)  Satan’s Servants.  The People of the Enemies.  Evil, violent, mischievous, plotting, poisonous.  Their determination and continual plotting with both tongue and deeds. 

 

Luke 22:3  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

 

2.  Verses 6-11.  The Faithfulness of God.  2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

Mark 11:22-24  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  (23)  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  (24)  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 

a.  David displayed a Personal Faith.  Verse 6.  “Thou art my God”  David’s faith was in a very personal God.  When you know God, you then get to know God.  We believe that God can do anything, anytime, and anywhere!  He can make a tree talk or a telephone talk.

 

b.  David had a Past Experience.  Verse 7.  “thou hast covered my head in the day of battle”  We have seen the power of God that brings us through the evil times of this life.  Satan hasn’t eaten me yet!

 

c.  David had a Present Request.  Verse 8-11.  “Grant not, O LORD”  We have done it before and we can do it again.

 

3.  Verses 12-13.  A Prayer of Faith.  “I know!”

 

a.  A Retribution Promised.  Verse 12.  “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”  We also know that right will prevail and wickedness will fail.

 

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.

 

b.  A Righteous Praise.  Verse 13.  “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.”  There was a statement that we made during the hard times of Bible College: “Just praise the Lord anyhow!”

 

Conclusion: 

 

1.  Psalm 140 is a teaching Psalm.  It teaches us that when surrounded by evil, the believer’s refuge is prayer, not panic. God hears the cries of His people, frustrates the schemes of the wicked, and preserves the upright in His presence.

 

2.  Let us learn to take every threat, every slander, and every danger to the Lord, trusting Him to be our deliverer, defender, and righteous judge.  “Deliver me, O LORD… preserve me.” And He will.

 

3.  As the Evil Pursues us, Evil Pursues those who pursue us.  Proverbs 13:21  Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

 

4.  David had faith that the Lord would ultimately make all things right