Understanding Spiritual Gifts - Part 2 - The Gifts and Work of the Holy Ghost

Temple Baptist Church - 3-4-2026

1 Corinthians 12:1

 

Introduction:

A. As we begin dealing with the use and abuse of the gifts of the Spirit, it is essential that we understand both that the transitional Period and the Book of Acts, and the work of the Holy Ghost in the life of the believer in our day.

 

1. The Transition Period (400 silent years plus 100 years during the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles) was to transition from the Old Covenant of Atonement and implementation of the New Covenant of a Finished Salvation through the Gospel.

 

2. The work of the Holy Ghost in the Transition Period, during the absence of the New Testament completion, was to give credibility to the apostles, through transitional or passing gifts, manifesting the Power of God in the Apostolic Church.

 

3. As there was confusion in the Corinthian Church, there is ignorance in our day concerning these passing gifts.

 

B. There continues to be tremendous ignorance concerning this blessed Third Person of the Trinity, who is called the Comforter (παράκλητος paraklētos par-ak'-lay-tos: an intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter. ), the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Ghost. The Charismatic Movement makes much of the Holy Ghost, which is contrary to His biblical position.

 

C. The first danger sign of the Pentecostal, Holiness, and Charismatic Movements is their emphasis upon the work of the Holy Spirit and not on the work of Jesus Christ. They may mention Christ, but the Holy Ghost is the One who is magnified. We will look at the Holy Ghost's work in a few minutes.

 

1. First, we need to understand what a gift is. Gifts – χάρισμα charisma char'-is-mah – To grant as a favor. In Etymology (Etymology is the study of words: their origin and evolution of words), the term charismatic derives from the Greek word χάρισμα charisma ('gift', itself derived from χάρις (charis), meaning grace or favor.

 

2. We use the word “gift” in the same manner today. Something given willingly to someone without payment; a present.

 

3. The Charismatic and Pentecostal movements are built upon passing spiritual gifts, which are extra-biblical, so-called direct revelations from God. The King James Bible is the completed revelation of Jesus Christ from God today. Thus, the word “Charismatic.”

 

D. The second danger of the Pentecostal, Holiness, and Charismatic Movements is that they “cherry pick” the gifts that they misuse instead of seeking and using all the permanent gifts mentioned in this chapter that remain available, along with the gifts found in Romans 12:6-8.

 

1. Gifts Listed in Romans 12:6–8 (Ministry / Service Gifts)

 

These emphasize function within the body:

Prophecy – Speaking forth God’s truth.

Ministry – Serving (practical service).

Teaching – Explaining doctrine.

Exhortation – Encouraging and urging obedience.

Giving – Liberality in material support.

Ruling – Leadership/administration.

Mercy – Compassionate care.

 

These were ongoing (permanent) service gifts for the edification of the local church, yet no one seems to pray for them. Why? Because they are not charismatic!

 

2. Gifts Listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 (Sign / Manifestation Gifts)

 

Word of wisdom

Word of knowledge

Faith (extraordinary faith beyond saving faith)

Gifts of healing

Working of miracles

Prophecy

Discerning of spirits (Biblically, trying them with the Word of God – 1 John 41:1

Divers kinds of tongues (notice divers kinds – plural. An Angelic tongue, which tongue talkers speak of, would all be the same tongue)

Interpretation of tongues

 

Given in a specific historical context at Corinth:

 

E. We will deal with them later also.

 

F. First, what is the work of the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost, in our day, never draws attention to Himself, but is the One who points others to Christ. If a person or supposedly spiritual acts glorify the Holy Spirit, beware! He NEVER glorifies Himself, nor does He want you to do so. Here is what our Lord said concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit (referring to His Person) and the Holy Ghost (referring to His work).

 

John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 

1. What is meant by the “Spirit of truth?” It means that all that the Holy

Ghost does will be done scripturally. Today, the Holy Ghost is blamed for things that He does not do! He will never lead you or cause you to do anything contrary to the Scriptures! The Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements do things that are contrary to clear Scripture (such as being “slain in the Spirit,” uninterpreted “tongues,” “laughing revivals,” “barking like dogs,” etc.) and say that it is the work of the Holy Spirit. Many so-called Christians do things contrary to Scripture and say that God led them to do so! Doctrines such as being “slain in the Spirit” have absolutely no Scriptural basis, and their very nature (falling backwards [as the unsaved did in the Bible] instead of forward on their faces [as the saved did in the Bible] before the power of God) is satanic.

 

1. He Is The Convictor Of Sin, Not The Cleanser (The error of the doctrine of Sanctification according to the Charismatic.) - 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (This is a command to the believer, not a second work of grace that brings about sinless perfection.)

 

2. He Is The Distributor Of The Gifts, Not The Demonstrator (The error of being out of your control while under the Spirit’s control.) - 1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (The Holy Ghost never makes you do anything!)

 

b. The Holy Ghost is not given proper credit for the things that He does ! Without the power of God, we can do nothing according to John 15:5 which says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Many times, we tell others what we are doing or have done when we should tell others what He is doing and has done!

 

c. God’s people are being either improperly taught or partially taught on the subject of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual ignorance can lead to a multiplicity of problems in the church. There are many true believers who have not been taught.

 

The Corinthian Church was:

 

1. Carnal - 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

 

2. Contentious - 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

 

3. Confused - 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

 

1 Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

 

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO LOOK AT THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER!

 

Not only are the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements ignorant concerning the work of the Holy Spirit, but many fundamental Baptists are also ignorant and misled.

 

1. He Convicts And Convinces The Unbeliever - John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 

2. He Guides And Points The World To Christ – John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (The Holy Ghost never brings attention to Himself! The Charismatic Movement gives Him more attention than they do Christ!)

 

2. He Baptizes The Believer Into The Body Of Christ Which Is The Church - Romans 6:1-14 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (This is not a reference to water baptism into a local church, but, at the instant of salvation, an immersing of the child of God into the body of Christ. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a one-time baptism that places the new believer into the body. It is further clarified in the following verse.)

 

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (Not baptized by man but baptized by the Spirit of God! Those who deny this baptism make a terrific doctrinal mistake. There is the Church, which is His body [Ephesians 5] and the church, which is local. Most references to the church in the Bible are to the local church, but some are to the body of Christ.)

 

3. He Seals The Believer Until The Day Of Redemption - 2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (Earnest - money that in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.)

 

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

 

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (A seal can only be broken by one of equal or greater power. Man cannot break what God has sealed, therefore, he is eternally saved.)

 

4. He Indwells The Believer - Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (The Holy Ghost takes up residence within the believer at the moment of Salvation, not later as the Pentecostal and Charismatic believer.)

 

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 

5. He Gives Blessed Assurance To The Believer - Romans 8:15-16 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

 

1 John 5:9-10 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

6. He Fills The Believer - Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 (JOY) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 (CONTENTMENT) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 (SUBMISSION) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (The signs are Joy, Contentment, and Submission, not speaking in tongues!)

 

7. He Brings Forth Fruit In The Believer - Galatians 5:19-26 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (I wonder why professing people do not have possessing fruits???? By their fruit ye shall know them!)

 

8. He Empowers The Believer - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Power to witness.)

 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (Power to live.)

 

Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Power to preach.)

 

9. He Guides The Believer Into All Truth - John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (The Holy Ghost, who is the Author of the Word of God, is our blessed teacher! God is neither the Author of confusion or ignorance. This is one of the problems that I have with the Charismatic Movement. They do not care what God says and have an unteachable spirit.)

 

10. He Gives The Believer Spiritual Endowment – 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11-12 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (These gifts are not received through effort, education, or emotions, but are given to the believers according to the will of the Holy Ghost!)

 

11. He Comforts And Communes With The Believer - John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 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.

 

Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

 

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.

 

12. He Prays For The Believer - Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (This is not “praying in the Holy Ghost,” which is to pray in the will of God with the leadership of the Holy Ghost, but the Holy Ghost praying for us with groanings THAT CANNOT BE UTTERED!)

Flourishing In Old Age

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Psalm 92

 

A.  A Song for the Sabbath Day. 

 

1.  This is the only Psalm labeled as such.  By interpretation, it was meant to be taught on the Jewish day of worship.  By application, it is a Psalm to be taught in all churches of the saints today.

 

2.  This is not just about a church service, though; it is about a life lived or to be lived.  It teaches us what a righteous life looks like over the years.  I guess you can call it the “Old Folks Psalm.”  For thousands of years, one generation after another has lived and died, leaving an example, good or bad, for those who follow. 

 

3.  There is no authorship given to this particular Psalm as it is meant to represent the life of every believer.  King David said in Psalms 37:25,  “I have been young, and now am old!”  My, how time flies, and the years pass by. 

 

B.  First of all, I want to thank the older folks (Notice I said older and not old) for being so faithful to the Lord, the church, your pastor, and those who watch you.  You are the “rock” of your church.  Built upon Christ because of you!

 

C.  This Psalm is not about an instance or moment of time; it is not about a singular circumstance either good or bad; it is a lifetime!

 

D.  I want to break the Psalm down into three parts tonight, which show that life lived for Christ.

 

1.  Verses 1-4.  They Worship their Saviour.  Notice the words “It is a good thing.”

 

a.  It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Thankful is thinkful!  Meditating upon the manifold blessings of God!  Get a notebook and a pen.  Begin to count your man blessings, name them one by one.  It will surprise you what God has done.

 

b.  It is a good thing to sing praises unto His name.  Coming into His presence with singing and making a joyful noise.  Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord!

 

c.  It is a good thing to shew forth (to stand boldly, to make manifest) God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness.  Tell the world that we serve a wonderful, loving, faithful God.  Pick up your chin and walk with the same loving grace and faithfulness to Him.  Let your light so shine so that those around you know that you have been with God and He is on your side.

 

d.  It is a good thing if you can play an instrument for the Lord.  I cannot play one, but I can sure enjoy hearing you play one. Music, played in a godly manner, is a blessing to those who cannot play.  God loves it also.  When He created Lucifer, He made him musical:  “the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”  In heaven, we find one of the most soothing of all stringed instruments, harps.  I believe that heaven will be a musical place as the saints are found singing songs of praise.

 

e.  It is good to triumph in the works of God’s hands.  Worship with joy for God’s works in nature, in our lives, because He careth for you. Learn to enjoy God’s nature as He created it for our pleasure and joy.

 

2.  Verses 5-11.  The Weather Their Storms.

 

a. Verses 5-6.  They have learned to trust in the Lord’s knowledge and power.  What sustains us during the hard times is the knowledge that “nothing has ever occurred to God.”  He knew where we would be before the trial came.  He knows where we are and how we feel during the trial.  Old people have endured hardship and have learned that God is good all the time.

 

Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

b.  Verses 7-9.  They have come to understand that the prosperity of the ungodly is brief, and justice and judgment will ultimately come.

 

Psalms 37:37-38  Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.  (38)  But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

c.  Verses 10-11.  They understand that God does not change.  His love and protection for His children never diminish!  My favorite text on this subject is found in 2 Timothy chapter 4.

 

2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

3.  They Wear Their Salvation – Verses 12-15  

 

a.  Verse 12.  They are Resilient!  They are like the Palm Tree.  They are resilient and bend during the storms.  The mightiest storms on earth cannot blow them away.  Though they may bend in the wind, they straighten up when the storm is over.  You cannot blow them away, you cannot make them quit, they will be there until the end.

 

b.  Verse 12.  They are like the Cedars in Lebanon.  They are known for their strength and longevity.  They grew slowly over the years, they developed a strong root system, and they have lived a long time.  Pattern yourself after them, not after those who have given up and fallen into the ways of the world!

 

c.  Verse 13.  They are planted in the Church.  They come faithfully and stay through the local church's winter seasons.  They are dependable!  Though we am getting older now, these are the backbone of the church.  You're younger, the muscles that are attached to the bones!

 

d.  Verse 14.  They are fruit-bearing.  They do not dry up in the droughts of life.  They are the heart and soul of the local churches.  They act like Christians!  They live like Christians! They are a living sermon of the grace of God!

 

Conclusion:  What will our lives be remembered for?  Learn to worship, trust, and be resilient.  One day, your life will be remembered.  Nehemiah said, “Remember me for good!”

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 2 - Today Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2026

Luke 23:32-43

(Temple 3-1-26)

 

Introduction:

A.  As we continue toward Easter Sunday, I want to continue looking at the 7 distinct times that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross.  Each of these 7 says are independent of each other and, yet, together, they speak volumes about the heart of the One who died for our salvation.

 

B.  Last week, we looked at “Father, forgive them.” 

 

1.  He came to die for sin and to bring about reconciliation for mankind.  It also taught us a lesson in forgiveness, as the Lord personally and temporally forgave those who crucified Him, even though He knew they would not repent or ask for forgiveness. 

 

a)  In eternity, there would be no forgiveness for those who crucified Him, the soldiers who continued to rail on Him, the crowd that loved His crucifixion, and the second thief who also railed on Him.

 

b)  The false doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is exposed in the wickedness of these. Without repentance and faith, hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire would be their eternal home. 

 

c)  King Herod did not get saved, Pilate did not get saved, the Pharisees did not get saved, the crowd who cried “crucify Him” did not get saved, the soldiers who beat-scourged-nailed Him to the cross did not get saved, the second malefactor who railed on Him did not get saved, the crowd that watched Him did on the cross did not get saved.

 

d)  Do not presume that you will get saved without repentance and faith.

 

2.    This morning, I want to look at the 2nd saying, possibly the most notable: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  In these verses, we find a true deathbed profession.  Most people who are dying are too busy dying to trust Christ.  I believe some do truly get saved just before they die, but, as a general rule, how you live is how you die!

 

C.  Here we find two thieves who were to die with Christ.

 

1.  One Mocked Christ – vs. 39  He asked Christ to save them and still died lost.  A prayer will not save the sinner.  Salvation is a heart condition!  This thief died unrepentant and lost.  His prayer was to save “us.”

 

2.  One Recognized Christ – vs. 40  This thief recognized who Christ was; recognized what he was; and asked for salvation. Vs. 41-42

 

D.  What a bold request! “Lord, remember me!” He was a convicted thief with nothing to offer.  He was condemned to death with no reprieve.  Helpless, hopeless, he was now to die.  He had lived his life for self and now requested salvation.  Can a sinner be saved upon his deathbed?  The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

 

E.  What a glorious reply!   “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!”  Our Lord answered his request in the affirmative.  I am so glad that we serve a merciful God who does not give us what we deserve.  What a wonderful Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ.

 

F.  Notice that the grace of God extended was singular in number: “thou.”  A nameless, condemned thief, helpless thief!  Helpless but, thank God, not hopeless!  Let us look at that statement for a few minutes.

 

G.  The Request Of The Sinner – “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”

 

1.  Realization – “fear God”

 

2.  Repentance – “indeed justly”

 

3.  Recognition – “Lord”

 

4.  Request – “remember me”

 

H.  The Reply Of The Saviour – “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

 

1.  Recognition – “unto thee”

 

2.  Reliability – “Verily”

 

3.  Reassurance – “shalt thou be”

 

J.  His salvation was instantaneous: “today!”  His salvation was assured: “thou shalt be!”  His salvation was eternal: “in paradise!”

 

1.  The heresy of Good Works was refuted – for there was nothing that the thief could do as death was imminent. 

 

2.  The heresy of Sacraments was refuted - for the thief was saved without last rites, baptism, the Lord's Supper, church, or ceremony.

 

3.  The heresy of purgatory was refuted - for this vile sinner was instantly transformed into a saint and made fit for paradise apart from his personal expiation for a single sin.

 

4.  The heresy of universalism was refuted - for only one was saved of all who might have been saved that day.  "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

 

5.  The heresy of soul-sleep was refuted - for the clear implication of the entire incident is that the redeemed thief would be in conscious presence and fellowship with his Saviour in paradise even while his body corrupted in the grave.

 

K.  Why save a dying thief?

 

1.  This saying shows the Love of God for sinners.  He saved this thief because He loved him! It matters not who you are or what you have done, God loves you.  Jesus is truly a Friend of publicans and sinners.  He loves me, He loves, He loves me, I know!  The Bible tells me so.

 

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (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.

 

2.  This saying shows the Individuality of salvation.  He saved the thief because He was dying for HIM!  Salvation will never belong to a person until that person realizes that Christ died for them personally.  Yes, He did for the sins of the whole world, but He died for me, making salvation personal.

 

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.

 

3.  This saying shows clearly the Way of salvation.  Not many ways, but one way, and that way is through faith in Christ and faith alone. 

 

a.  Salvation is not by works - 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.

 

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

b.  Salvation is through Christ alone - John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

c.  Salvation is a free gift - Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

d.  Salvation is for the asking - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

4.  This saying gives Hope to all of mankind!  He saved a thief so that men might not despair.  The BLESSED HOPE gave the thief a blessed hope!  There is hope in Christ.

 

a.  Some might say, “It is too late for me.”  It was not too late for the thief.  If you are breathing, you are a candidate for salvation.

 

b.  Some might say, “I have done too much wrong to be saved.” 

 

c.  There is hope in Jesus Christ for even the vilest sinner on his way to his death.

 

5.  This saying Warns mankind not to presume!    Oh, preacher, I’ll make it somehow.  I have plenty of time.  I will one day give my life to Christ!

 

a.  The Presumption of Salvation - Christ only saved one of the thieves!  They presume that they will “slip into heaven” at the last moment.  Two men; two choices; and two destinies!

 

b.  The Presumption of Judgment.  That God will not put you in Hell.  Most people do not think that they will perish in hell.  Bad things always happen to other people.

 

Conclusion:

 

One thief railed on Christ.  “If thou be Christ.”

 

One Thief wailed to Christ.  “Lord, remember me.”

 

One was nailed for sin.  He was nailed for my sin.  He was nailed for yours!

Understanding Spiritual Gifts - The Transition Period

Temple Baptist Church - 2-25-2026

I Corinthians 12:1

 

Introduction:

A. In Paul’s day, there was much ignorance concerning the gifts that God gave to the believers.

 

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

 

1. They were ignorant in that some of these gifts were permanent, and some were passing. We will deal with that in chapter 13, but I need to mention it as I preface chapters 12-14.

 

2. By the same token, there is much ignorance in our day concerning which biblical gifts are relevant today and what gifts have passed away through the completed revelation of God’s Word, which we have in our hands, the King James Bible.

 

3. Paul did not want the Corinthian church to be ignorant of these divinely given gifts, and, as your pastor, I do not want you to be ignorant either.

 

B. To rightly understand these gifts, we must understand the times in which they were given and God’s rules for using them, found in chapter 14. Thus, the importance of understanding the transition period between the Old and New Covenants is found in the Old and New Testaments.

 

1. The Four Hundred Silent Years.

 

a. From the Book of Malachi until the Book of Matthew was a period of approximately 400 years. During these years, the heavens were silent. There were no miracles, no new revelations from God. God was using these 4 centuries to set the stage for the coming of Israel’s Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

 

1) The Transition Period was actually 500 years from Malachi to the end of the Apostolic Age around 100 AD.

 

a) Transition Period: Malachi to John the Baptist (The last of the Old Testament Prophets, who did no miracles – to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world – to the end of the Apostolic Period, ending with John the Beloved writing the Book of the Revelation of Christ at approximately 95 AD.

 

b) Though the New Testament was canonized in 367 AD, John the Beloved had completed “That which is perfect”, the Book of the Revelation, approximately around 95 AD. The Word of God was finished.

 

b. Galatians 4:4 explains the value of these silent years concerning the coming of Christ.

 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

c. “The fullness of time” means that the world scene had to be set:

 

1) Politically, the influence of the seventh and last world power, Rome. During this time, we find the rise and fall of world powers as the Persian Empire gave way to the Greek Empire, and the Greek Empire gave way to the Roman Empire. Under Rome, roads were built for military purposes to move armies, but they also made travel much easier and quicker from one nation to another, which allowed the Apostles to turn the world upside down.

 

2) Culturally, the influence of Greece. The Greeks brought about koine Greek, which became the common language of the New Testament world. Virtually all people spoke this common form of Greek from which the New Testament is translated. Now the Gospel could be shared with all people.

 

3) Historically, the shift of concentration. The Old Testament is all about the Nation of Israel and the Jews, while the New Testament is about the Church: Jew and Gentile, male and female, the bond and free, the Body of Christ.

 

4) Ecclesiastically, the synagogue established. In the 400 silent years, we find the introduction of the synagogue. Historically, congregational worship took place at the Tabernacle and later at the two Temples, Solomon’s and Zerubbabel’s.

 

a) Though both the Lord Jesus and his disciples went to the Temple on certain days, we also find them worshipping in local assemblies called synagogues and later churches.

 

b) By 70 AD, both of these Temples had been destroyed, and local churches (ἐκκλησία ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah), called-out assemblies, were established, which remain today. “Church” or “churches” is mentioned 117 times in the New Testament.

 

2. The transition from the Old Testament Covenant of Law to the New Covenant of Grace.

 

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

a. The Mosaic Law given. The Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai was threefold: the Moral Law, the Civil Law, and the Ceremonial Law. Though the bulk of the Mosaic Law remains in effect today, some of it applies only to the Nation of Israel, especially the Ceremonial Law.

 

1) The Ceremonial Law was based upon the work of the worldly priests in a worldly Tabernacle offering worldly (animal) sacrifices. The Old Covenant was based upon animal sacrifices, with the blood placed upon the Mercy Seat by the High Priest.

 

2) Atonement, a covering, a putting off. Both sacrifice and priesthood were to undergo a vital change as the priesthood was sinful and had to sacrifice for themselves, and the blood of bulls and goats could never pay God's demand for sin.

 

b. The New Covenant applied. As the Law came by Moses and reigned for 1500 years, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

1) By the works of the flesh, no man can be justified, as man is dead in trespasses and sin. Human merit is based upon “filthy rags,” which can never take away sin. The truth showed our feeble attempts to be right with God through human merit miserably failed.

 

2) A Finished Product. One eternal Sacrifice for all, sin not covered but GONE. It took the Gospel of Christ, the vicarious death-burial-resurrection, and the precious blood to purchase our redemption, and that, my friends, is called GRACE!

 

3. The transition from sight, the partial gifts, to faith in the Word of God and full salvation.

 

a. This brings us to 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. In chapter 12, Paul mentions some of these partial gifts along with those gifts that would remain. Sign gifts were given to transition from the Old to the New Covenants. As the Word of God was not yet complete, God gave certain miraculous signs to show that His power was upon His people.

 

b. Walking by Sight. Signs were meant for the unbelieving Jews, not the Gentiles. Though Gentiles also used them, they were to be used to show the Jews that the power of God was upon the Gentiles also.

 

1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 

1) The unbelieving Jews REQUIRED a sign. Unless they could see, they refused to believe. God, in His marvelous grace, did something for His covenant people that He refused to do for us Gentiles. He allowed them to walk by sight.

 

c. Walking by Faith. The Gentiles operated by faith, not sight.

 

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

4. Now, as we open the Scriptures to the New Testament Church, 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 are the only mention of the partial gifts as there is no need for extra-biblical revelations. Since we will look at this in depth in chapter 13, we will now begin looking at these divine gifts, both partial or passing and permanent. Why God gave them and the regulations by which they were be used.

 

a. Be careful when you develop your doctrine out of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, as these are transitional books written before the coming of “that which is perfect,” the complete canon of Scripture.

 

2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

b. As the transition period began to close, the Apostles had already begun to lose these transitional or partial/passing gifts. Primarily, the gifts of healing, tongues, and prophecy.