The Reason of Our Praise

Temple Baptist Church - 7-5-2026

Psalm 147

 

Introduction:

A. Psalm 147 is the second of the “Hallelujah Psalms”, which begin and end with the phrase “Praise ye the Lord.” That phrase comes from the under lying Greek words:

 

1. הָלַל hâlal haw-lal' A primitive root; to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show; to boast to make a show or to shine.

 

2. יָהּ yâhh yaw Jah, the sacred name of God: - Jah, the Lord, most vehement

 

B. “Praise ye the LORD” is to be done vocally! “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God”

 

1. The praise in this Psalm is not meant to be a part of your private adoration of the Lord God, though it can be, but a visible, audible display of worship.

 

2. It is not to bring praise to the one who is praising, but to the Lord, our God! “Unto out God!”

 

C. Why such emphasis upon a public demonstration of praise? Because the world will “knock the praise” right out of you if you allow it to do so!

 

1. I have noticed over these past couple of decades that “popcorn” testimonies of praise have fallen off to virtually nothing. People used to stand up and say, “I just want to praise the Lord tonight” and tell what God had done for them.

 

2. You can praise God for His goodness, mercy, and grace all you want here at Temple. I normally say, “I didn’t turn it on and am not going to turn it off!”

 

 

John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

3. That word “spirit” that the Lord said means: πνεῦμα pneuma pnyoo'-mah a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition,

 

D. This is the reason that these 5 Psalms ended the Jewish Psalter! God does not want His people to slack off or stop showing a public praise out of a thankful heart! If God’s been good to you, you need to make it public in church and also out in the world.

 

E. Let’s take a short look at the Psalm.

 

1. Verse 1. Praise is:

 

a. Good! “Good to sing praises unto OUR God!” Beautiful, useful, profitable, beneficent or of great value. “I am His … and He is mine!” It is neither a bad thing nor should it be a rare thing. It should be a good thing and a frequent one.

 

b. Pleasant! To the godly soul praising God is a delightful thing; a thing affording purest satisfaction, and real joy to the heart.

 

c. Comely! It looks on us. To praise God is a most seemly thing. Nothing can be more appropriate than that man, who owes to God so much, and is to some extent capable of appreciating the perfections and glories of His character, should pay to Him humble and hearty worship.

 

2. Verses 2-6. Because of His knowledge What God does for us. God specializes in restoring lives. He created the universe, numbered the stars, called each individual star by name, and is infinite in understanding! He is God and He is Lord!

 

a. Verse 2. His compassion. He gathers those who have wandered. When we fall, He picks us up!

 

b. Verse 3-5. His knowledge. He created the universe, numbered the stars, calls the stars by name, and He knows your name, and He cares.

 

1) He knows when your heart is broken. He heals broken hearts.

 

2) He know when you have been hurt and are hurting. He binds emotional and spiritual wounds.

 

c. Verse 6. He lifts up the humble. God knows when you bear burdens that weigh you down and are ready to break your spiritual back, Godis there for you and sharing your burden. He careth for you.

 

3. Verses 7-12. He sustains His creation and creatures.

 

a. He supplies rain upon the earth and grass upon the mountains.

 

b. He supplies provision for His animals and feeds the ravens. He feeds the sparrow, and we are worth many sparrows.

 

c. Verse 10. God needs no help though I enjoy thinking that I help Him when I feed the beasts and the birds!

 

4. Verses 12-14. God protects His people. Never forget that He holds us in His omnipotent hands.

 

a. He protects their dwellings. “strengthens the bars of thy gates”

 

b. He protects their persons. “blessed thy children within thee”

 

c. He protects their borders. “peace in thy borders”

 

5. Verses 15-20. Because of His power. Omnipotent means all powerful: all power in heaven and earth belong to Him.

 

a. He commands His creation. Nahum 1:3

 

b. He sends the snow in winter and, in some places, in summer.

 

c. He forms the frost and melts the ice.

 

d. He commands the winds and waves just as He did when He walked on the sea.

 

6. Praise is due to His name and His alone! I am so glad that I can praise Him for His goodness and mercy to me. How about you?

 

Conclusion: "Praise ye the LORD."

Lest We Forget

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-5-2026

Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Introduction: 

A.  Yesterday was our 250th Independence Day.  I love America and only desire the best for our country.  “This man was born there” is found more than once in your Bible.  I love the song, “This is MY country.”  It is without apology that I preach this message every few years because it is easy for all to take our blessing for granted and allow what we have to slip from our children and grandchildren!

 

1.  We live in perilous last days as we see prophecy in the Bible fulfilled around the world.

 

2.   Danger because the major “actors” nationally (Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran specifically) in the end times are so prominent, powerful, and dangerous.  Godless nations of the last days.

 

3.  The perpetual decline of America over the past 100 years.  From morality to immorality.  From the intended Republic, which protects the minorities to a democracy that is mob rule. 

 

4.  I am not politicking, but everyone deeds to go to the polls in November, do their best to make a difference in our nation.

 

5.  The list could go on and on but most of us see the decline that has been so evident in our lifetime.  Our children will never know the America that we old people grew up in.  Unfortunately, your grandchildren will possibly never know the America that we now live in!

 

B.  This morning, I want to take a text out of the Book of Deuteronomy that are familiar to us.

 

C.  Deuteronomy means “second giving of the law.”  The Jews refer to Deuteronomy as  "Mishneh Torah:" the repetition or reiteration of the law. 

 

D.  In the Book of Deuteronomy, God is about to give Israel the Land of Canaan.

 

E.  In verse 12, God admonishes Israel not to forget some things:

 

1.  God brought Israel out of Egypt with a high hand.

 

2.  God sustained Israel in the desert for 40 years where they did not thirst, hunger, nor did their raiment was old. 

 

3.  God would give them cities they did not build, houses filled with that which they did not bring, wells they did not dig, as well as vineyards and olive trees which they did not plant.

 

F.  They would inherit the land through the blessings and promises of God.  Here they are!  They are leaving the wilderness for the Promised Land which is truly a land flowing with “milk and honey.”  Now, the Lord warns them against forgetting the Lord when they take the land and begin to enjoy the blessings.

 

G.  We just celebrated the Fourth of July yesterday and I believe that we can make some tremendous applications in these verses to America and the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us.

 

2 Peter 1:1-3  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

H.  We have so much while so many have so little.  The lesson is for us as well as Israel: “Beware lest thou forget!” 

 

1.  The danger here is evident within the context.  A time will come when war is over, inheritance is secure, blessings not paid for by the following generation will cause a forgetting of the price paid and an attitude of entitlement.

 

2.  A possibility of forgetting will become a probability of forgetting.

 

J.  Here we now sit! A Possibility to everyone here and a Probability to many.  This generation has paid no price for the blessings given them by the ones who paid the price.   NEVER FORGET THAT EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM THE LORD!

 

1.  “Beware Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our National Blessings!  God gave us America.

 

a.  America Is A Good Land!  We live in the greatest nation in the world!  There is none like it anywhere!  I have been overseas to industrialized nations and they cannot compare to America.  I have been to third world countries, and they certainly cannot come close to this great land.  Thank you, Lord, for America!

 

b.  America Is A Beautiful Land!  Many people fly around the world to see the great sights, but none can compare to the beauty and glory of America.  From the mountains with their majesty to the plains with their flowing wheat and grain; from the national parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, The Great Smoky Mountains, Sequoia National Park, Great Sur, Niagara Falls, the hills and valleys to the costal plains, America is a land of great beauty!

 

c.  America Is A Fruitful Land!  America is a land of plenty!  America is looked upon by the entire world as a “Utopia” filled with filthy rich people.  We have to build fences to keep them out, not to keep them in!

 

d.  America Is A Free Land!  America enjoys the freedom of travel, speech, religion, and the pursuit of happiness!  You can go where you want to go, say what you want to say, worship or not worship, and be what you want to be.  America is a free land!

 

Beware lest we forget our National Blessings!

 

2.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Personal, Physical Blessings!  God gave us plenty.

 

a.  We Have Homes In Which To Live!  We live in houses while the world lives in huts!  We have central heat and air while they do not even have glass windows or wooden doors.  We are rich beyond their comprehension.

 

b.  We Have Clothing To Wear!  Our closets are full of clothes and shoes.  You women worry about wearing the same outfit two weeks in a row!  Our children do not have to run around naked in the streets.  Our closets are full.  We are blessed!

 

c.  We Have Plenty To Eat!  We eat like no other people in the world!  Restaurants on every street corner; grocery stores all over town; cabinets and pantries full!  When is the last time that we have prayed for our “daily bread?”  We fight obesity instead of starvation!  We are blessed!

 

d.  We Have Money To Spend!  We may not all be millionaires, but we have more than enough!  Bro. Loyal Kuykendall used to say, “I had rather have two rocks in my pocket than a dollar bill that I have no where to spend.”  We waste more money on soft drinks than the world has to live on.  We are blessed!

 

e.  We Have Safety To Dwell In Peace!  We do not worry about car bombs, suicide bombers, Gestapo Police, or soldiers doing us harm.  When was the last time you have been personally attacked?  In many nations, these are normal occurrences.  We live in safety and are blessed!

 

3.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Spiritual Blessings!  God gave us the Bible.

 

a.  We Have The Gospel Preached!  We have heard all of our lives—numerous times—the gospel that the world has never heard once!  Dr. Harold Sightler once said, “No man has the right to hear the gospel twice until the whole world has heard it once.”

 

b.  We Have Salvation Through The Blood Of Christ!  We are saved by His precious blood!  His blood is on the Mercy Seat in Heaven and my sins are gone!  We are saved eternally! 

 

c.  We Have The Lord As Our God!  He walks with me and talks with me!  He never leaves nor forsakes; He meets my every need; He controls my circumstances and my life; He is my Lord and My God!

 

d.  We Have His Perfect Word!  The King James Bible!  We have it and know what it is.  We can read it and study it as much as we desire.  We find salvation, comfort, rest, guidance, and hope within its blessed covers.  We are blessed!  Most of the world does not know what a Bible looks like because they have never seen one.

 

e.  All This And Heaven Too!  We will leave the “heaven” of America for the Heaven of God one day and live in eternal happiness with the Lord.

 

4.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Spiritual Heritage!  God gave us well defined Old Paths to follow.

 

a.  To Remember Where God Brought Us From!  He saved us from a life of destruction!  He has saved us from sin!

 

b.  To Remember What God Has Brought Us Through!  He has cared for us and carried us all of our saved lives!  He will carry us home to be with Him one day and we will say, “The Lord is always good!”

 

c.  To Remember What God Has Done For Us!  He led, He fed, He watered, He clothed, He protected!

 

d.  To Remember What God Is Going To Do For Us!  Vs. 16 – “To do thee good at they latter end!”

 

e.  To Remember That We Are To Share Christ With Others!  Then they can know!  Then they can be saved!’  Then they can go to Heaven!

 

5.  Beware lest we forget our Spiritual Obligations!  God gave us an opportunity to share His Word to a lost world.

 

a.  We need to Pray for our Nation.

 

b.  We need to Pray for our Leaders.

 

c.  We need to be Proactive in our Politics.  Every vote counts.

 

Conclusion:  We have been greatly blessed to be born in America with all of its physical and spiritual benefits but there is a danger of forgetting!  America needs to bless God!  You and I need to bless God!

We Shall All Be Changed

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-1-2026

1 Corinthians 15:35-51

 

Introduction: 

A.  In this “Resurrection Chapter” of 1 Corinthians, the Holy Spirit deals with our fleshly body and the change that must be made at His appearing and our departing to Heaven.

 

B.  The question is asked, “With what body do they come?” 

 

1. Though our heavenly body will resemble our earthy one, God is not going to give us a new body, He will change our body from earthy to heavenly.  This is why we will recognize one another when we get to heaven. 

 

2. Will all be like Him, but we will not all look alike.  I will recognize everyone from Adam to the last soul that is redeemed.  We shall know, even as we are known.  Here is a prooftext:  Moses and Elias were instantly recognized by a man who never saw a likeness of them. They died about 1,500 + years before Peter was born. 

 

Matthew 17:3-4  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  (4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

 

C.  In verse 36, Paul said “THOU FOOL” – why the strong words?  They are foolish because of the ignorance or skepticism concerning the resurrection.  Many believe that there will be no resurrection while others believe that it will only be a spiritual resurrection.

 

D.  Why death? Because this body must die before it can resurrect or be changed before it can be raptured.  He gives examples of the different earthly and heavenly bodies. 

 

1. Earthly, our terrestrial bodies are different in their make-up.  There are men, beasts, fishes, and birds.

 

2. Heavenly, or celestial bodies are different in their glory.  There are the sun, moon, and stars.

 

E.  Man’s flesh is unlike the flesh of any other of God’s creation.  It is the greatest enemy that we face in our Christian life.  An enemy within the walls of a fortress is much more dangerous than an enemy without the walls.

 

F.  The wisest words Mr. Moody ever uttered were, "The worst man that ever crossed my path is D. L. Moody, the old man. I have had more trouble with him than with all the world beside."  These two passages are both applied to a believing, regenerated man.

 

Romans 7:18  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.  (None but a regenerated man could know, or would admit the statement of this verse!)

 

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  (And none but a regenerated man could obey the exhortation of this verse.)

 

G.  Our earthly bodies cannot go to heaven because of:

 

1.  The Composition Of The Flesh – Our new body will be heavenly in composition - 1 Corinthians 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

 

1 Corinthians 15:47-49  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  (Adam was formed of the “dust of the ground.”  Dust to dust!)

 

a. God never cursed Adam.  Adam cursed himself!  Genesis 3:17a  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:

 

b. God cursed the serpent, Satan’s proxy!  Genesis 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

 

c. God cursed the ground (earth) for Adam’s sake!  Genesis 3:17-19  cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life ...  till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (God did not curse Adam but rather the “ground.”  The ground was cursed along with its components after the fall.  Our flesh is earthy, of the ground!)

 

d.  But God did curse Adam’s flesh.  “Thou shalt surely die!”  Genesis 5:5  And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of composition.

 

2.  The Corruption Of The Flesh – Our new body will be incorruptible in nature - 1 Corinthians 15:42  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.   (By carefully reading the following passages we see the long line of sinfulness and wickedness that now flows through our own veins!)

 

The Progression of Corruption - 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:

 

Genesis 6:12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt (spoiled, wasted, ruined, destroyed); for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

 

Genesis 5:1-3  This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2  Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3  And (after sin and the fall, Adam’s children were corrupt) Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth

 

Genesis 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

Psalms 53:3  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 

Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all thing, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of corruption.

 

3.  The Connection Of The Flesh - Our new body will be disconnected from the curse of the earth - 1 Corinthians 15:49  As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

Romans 7:18-23  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. 19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

 

1. No matter how much you hate the world, you must live in it.

 

2. No matter how far you separate from the world, you are surrounded by it.

 

c.  You still have a connection to this world through the flesh in which you dwell.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of connection.

 

4.  The Continuation Of The Flesh - Our new body will be eternally changed -   1 Corinthians 15:53-54  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then (THEN AND THEN ONLY!) shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

As long as we are in this flesh, the corruption of Adam along with our sinfulness will not end.  Death and separation from this body can only be accomplished through death. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Romans 7:24-25  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  (Who shall deliver us?  Jesus Christ our Lord!  Deliver me FROM the body of this flesh, not IN!)

 

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.

 

Our earthly body cannot go to heaven because of continuation.

 

Conclusion: Earthly and heavenly bodies differ in both composition and glory.

 

1. Our earthly body is sinful, corruptible, and mortal.

 

2. Our heavenly body will be sinless, incorruptible, and immortal.

 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

The Lord Reigneth!

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2026

Psalm 97

 

Introduction:

A.  We live in a time prophesied throughout the Bible, but there is much biblical ignorance among God’s people.  I fear that many in our day believe that everything is out of control.

 

1.  In nature.  Stronger storms, greater tragedies.  Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

2.  Among the saved.  Greater confusion, greater apostasy among the saved, greater falling away, and a lack of spiritual concern.

 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

3.  Among the unsaved.  Greater wickedness, greater spiritual blindness and unconcern for eternal things, more atheism and agnosticism, more idolatry.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 

4. Politically.  Greater turmoil in government, more wars and political unrest worldwide, greater hatred for the Nation of Israel and the United States.

 

Matthew 24:6-7  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 

5. More questions seemingly unanswered.

 

B. Psalm 97 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign rule over all the earth. In a world filled with uncertainty, injustice, and fear, this psalm reminds us that God is still on His throne. The central message is simple yet profound:

 

C. "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (Psalm 97:1).

 

1. Rejoice Because God Reigns (Psalm 97:1-6)  "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice..."

 

a. His Rule Is Universal.

 

God is not merely King of Israel; He is King over all creation. Nations rise and fall, but God's kingdom stands forever.

Nothing catches God by surprise.

 

b. His Rule Is Righteous.

 

"Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne" (v. 2).

God never makes a mistake.

His decisions are always just and holy.

 

c. His Presence Is Powerful.

 

Fire, lightning, and trembling mountains reveal His majesty.

These images remind us that God is not a weak or distant ruler.

He is all-powerful and worthy of reverence.

When circumstances seem out of control, remember that God is still in control.

 

2. Rejoice Because God Overrules. (Psalm 97:7-9)  "Confounded be all they that serve graven images..."

 

a. Idols Always Fail.

 

Ancient idols were made of wood and stone.

Modern idols may be money, pleasure, success, popularity, or self.

Anything that takes God's place in our hearts becomes an idol.

 

b. God Alone Is Exalted.

 

"For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth" (v. 9).

No person, possession, or power compares to Him.

Every knee will ultimately bow before Him.

Examine your heart. What receives your devotion, attention, and trust more than God?

 

3. Love the Lord and Hate Evil. (Psalm 97:10-11)  "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil..."

 

a. Genuine Love Produces Holy Living.

 

Loving God means embracing what He loves and rejecting what He hates. Christians are called to separate from sin.

 

b. God Preserves His Saints.

 

God protects and keeps His people.

Though believers face trials, they are secure in His hands.

 

c. Light Awaits the Righteous.

 

"Light is sown for the righteous."

Dark seasons do not last forever.

God has prepared joy and blessing for those who trust Him.

The evidence of true love for God is not merely words but a life that turns from evil.

 

4. Respond with Joyful Worship (Psalm 97:12)  "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."

 

a. Rejoice in Who God Is.

 

Our joy is rooted in God's character, not our circumstances.

His holiness, power, and faithfulness never change.

 

b. Remember His Holiness.

 

Worship begins with seeing God as He truly is.

The more we understand His holiness, the more we appreciate His grace.

 

c. Give Thanks Continually.

 

Gratitude is the natural response to God's goodness.

Thankfulness strengthens faith and glorifies God.

A believer who understands God's reign cannot help but rejoice and give thanks.

 

Conclusion: No matter what is happening in our nation, churches, families, or personal lives, the message of Psalm 97 remains unchanged: "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice."

The Realization of Revival

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2026

Deuteronomy 30:1-10

 

Introduction:  Deuteronomy – Deutero, Second or repetition, and nomy,Law.

A.  In the preceding chapters, the Lord caused Israel to pass between Mt. Ebal, where blessing of God were pronounced, and Mt. Gerizim, where the cursing of God were pronounced.   God gave Israel a choice and, many times, they chose the cursing over the blessing. 

 

1.  Their Fathers stood at Kadesh Barnea 38 years ago, ready to go into the Promised Land, turned back, and wandered in the wilderness until all that generation died.  Willful actions that brought the judgment of God.

 

2.  Now, it is the next generation who will decide to either follow God and take the land that is given to them or follow in the footsteps of those who chose cursing over blessing.

 

3.  This morning, the choice is ours!  God does the same for His children today as He wants to bless us. 

 

B.  In out text, we find that God also provided a remedy for Israel wrong choices.  He is a loving, compassionate God.  This simple remedy is also available to God’s children today in the word revival!  To revive or to bring back to life!  From the curse of disobedience to the blessing of obedience.

 

C.  On July 19-22, Bro. Tom Holbrooks will be with us for what we call “Revival.”  These are times that we set each year to bring in a man of God to call the Church “back to God.” 

 

D.  It is a shame to us all that we must be called “back to God” when we are commanded to walk in continual fellowship with Him.  These are the days of Laodicea, and lukewarmness is the rule of the day.

 

E.  It would be great for Bro. Holbrooks to come into a church that is revived and on fire for God!  Man cannot bring Revival!  Most so-called Revivals are no more than a series of meetings where God’s Word is preached with neither immediate nor lasting results. 

 

F.  I believe that it is imperative in these last days that God’s people walk with Him, for without Him we can do nothing.  The Christian of today is more affected by the world than by affecting the world. 

 

G.  Deuteronomy 30** There are some things that we need to know concerning Revival:

 

1.  Revival Requires Realization - vs 1 “thou shalt call them to mind”

 

a.  The Danger of Spiritual Blindness

 

Revelation 3:14-18  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

Isaiah 42:17-20  They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.  Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.  Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?  Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

 

1)  We Do Not Know – “knowest not”

 

2)  We Do Not Hear – “hear, ye deaf”

 

3)  We Do Not See – “Look, ye blind”

 

            b.  The Devastation of Spiritual Blindness

 

1)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Us To Lead Others Astray - Matthew 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 

 

2)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Us To Major On The Minors - Matthew 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 

                       

3)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Phariseeism - Matthew 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 

 

4)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Spiritual Immaturity - 2 Peter 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 

 

5)  Spiritual Blindness Will Cause Sinful Living - 1 John 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 

 

2.  Revival Requires A Return - vs 2 “return unto the Lord”

 

a.  The Desire of Return - “and return”

 

1)  It is one Thing To Realize Where You Are

 

2) It is Another Thing To Return To God

 

a)  Return is made up of Turn and the prefix Re: RE,  a prefix in the composition of words, denotes return,  

 

b)  Means that you have turned once (away from God) and now must RETURN

b.  The Direction of Return

 

1)  A Turn From Iniquity - Job 22:23  If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

 

Job 36:10  He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

 

2)  A Return From Destruction - Psalms 90:3  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 

 

 

3)  A Return From Sorrow - Isaiah 35:10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

 

3.  Revival Requires Repentance - vs 2 - “shalt obey...all thine heart...all they soul”

 

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

 

a.  Legal Repentance - In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment.  This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life. (the sorrow of the world worketh death!)

 

b.  Evangelistic Repentance (usually dealing with salvation) - Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence.  This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.  Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.  (godly sorrow worketh life)

 

4.  Realization, Return, and Repentance Brings About Restoration - vs 3-10 “then” and only “then”

 

a.  God Will Turn Thy Captivity - vs 3

 

b.  God Will Return - vs 3 (means He has turned also!)

 

c.  God Will Bring Thee - vs 4-5 (back to Canaan’s blessings)

 

d.  God Will Circumcise Thine Heart - vs 6  “to cut away”

 

e.  God Will Curse Your Enemies - vs 7 “all these curses” (yours on them)

 

f.  God Will Rejoice Over Thee For Good - vs 9 (blessing instead of cursing)