Money Cannot Buy Eternal Things

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-16-2026

Psalm 49

 

Introduction:

A.  Tonight, in Psalm 49, we get to expose an untruth that permeates today’s society.  “The love of money!”  I have heard it said that everything has a price.  This flies in the face of biblical truth.

 

1. The bible has a lot to say on this subject.  First, let me iterate that money, in itself, is amoral.  It has no morality, good or bad, until man gives it to it.

 

2. Therefore, the love of money is the culprit because it is born out of an unregenerated heart or, in some cases, a backslidden one.  Since I am not addressing the unregenerated tonight, we will make the application to the regenerated hearts in our congregation.

 

1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

Luke 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

 

Matthew 6:19-26  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  (25)  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  (26)  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 

B.  A simple Outline of Psalm 49:

 

Verses 1–4 — Hear the Wisdom of God

 

Verses 5–12 — Wealth Cannot Save

 

Verses 13–15 — God Redeems His People

 

Verses 16–20 — Don't Be Impressed by Wealth

 

“You Can't Take It With You—but God Can Take You With Him.”

 

C.  Verses 1-2.  God puts all men (male and female – mankind) into one spiritual basket. 

 

1.  God is no respecter of person.  Romans 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God.  God has no “Caste System.”  Low, of common sort or status, and high, of high status, great-mighty in power or status.

 

2.  God is no respecter of financial clout.  James 5:1-2  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  (2)  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 

 

James 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

 

D.  Today’s success is measured by three things: wealth accrued, possessions gained, and status attained within society.

 

1.  If you make enough money, you will find security.

 

2.  If you accrue enough possessions, you will have happiness.

 

3.  If you earn a higher status, you will be more likely to be respected and liked.

 

E.  Many people believe that if they can earn enough money, they will find security, happiness, and meaning.  Psalm 49 refutes that statement. 

 

1.  There is living and there is living.  Many people how live have never lived.  Making a living will not make you live.  The believer needs to understand what the world misses: life is not all about the things of the world though, if gotten right, there is nothing wrong with having them. The afore mentioned things will all perish when we die! 

 

2.  Psalm 49 challenges that way of thinking while reminding us that while wealth has value in this life, it has limits. The greatest problems of humanity—death, sin, and eternity—cannot be solved with money.

 

3.  The psalmist invites everyone, rich and poor alike, to listen to God's wisdom.  This Psalm contrasts the temporal and the eternal.  The Apostle Paul spoke of this in 2 Corinthians.

 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal (these are strong words) weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

F.  "Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor together." (Psalm 49:1–2)

 

G.  There is nothing wrong with either money or riches.  It is their perspective that it is problematic.  The love of money is evil because it creates covetousness and covetousness is sin. Money promises security, power, freedom, and happiness.  These promises eventually fail you.

 

Money can buy a house, but not a home.

Money can buy medicine, but not immortality.

Money can buy comfort, but not peace.

Money can buy a funeral, but not resurrection.

Money can buy many things in this life, but it cannot buy redemption.

 

H.  What money cannot buy.

 

1. Money cannot buy you life!  All people live but most people never live.  This may seem to be an oxymoron, but it is not. True life is found only in Christ. 

 

Colossians 3:1-4  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  (3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

2.  Money cannot extend your life.  Life is short and death is sure.  No man has the power to retain the spirit in the day of death.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

 

3.  Money cannot buy salvation.  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No man cometh to the Farther but by Him. 

 

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 

4.  Money cannot but eternal security.  Man sacrifices the eternal on the altar of the temporal.

 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

5.  Money cannot buy contentment.  Acres of diamonds, mountains of gold, rivers of silver, and riches untold cannot make one content.  How much more does the rich man want?  Just a little bit more!

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

6.  Money cannot buy peace of mind.  Only a clear conscience can make a soft pillow. 

 

Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

7.  Money cannot buy a relationship with God.  Enoch walked with God.  Noah walked with God.  They were righteous men, godly men, and men of integrity.

 

Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 

The Purpose of The Church - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 8-16-2026

Matthew 28:16-20

 

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we saw the internal work of the local church.  The word “church” means a called-out assembly. 

 

B.  As often as ye do this (The Lord’s Supper) is referred to in 1Corinthians chapter 11.  Churches often differ on the days of the week and times of assembly, but all Bible believing churches agree that Sunday, the first day of each week, is a requirement.  We meet both morning and evening on the Lord’s Day.  Most local churches have a mid-week service also.

C.  These services are for prayer, worship, teaching and preaching, and exhortation of

God’s people.

 

1.  Verse 16.  The people who assemble.  Here, “the eleven disciples” shows that all were assembled.  One was missing because he, Judas Iscariot, was a lost man who denied the Lord and took his own life.  In our day, it is hard to get the unsaved or backslidden to assemble, but those who love the Lord are generally faithful to do so.

 

2.  Verse 16.  Those who assembled did so at the place of God’s appointment.  “went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” They did not meet at the Golf Course or on a boat while fishing.  We are to meet at the local church.

 

3.  Verse 17.  There was worship on faith and doubt.  “When they saw Him, theyx worshipped Him: but some doubted.”  There will always be that element of God’s people who fail to trust what God says!

 

D.  Verse 18.  There is also external works of the local church that are found in our text for this morning. 

 

1.  At the assembly, “Jesus came and spake unto them.”  You cannot separate Christ Jesus from His Word.  He is the Word and the Bible is His Word!

 

2.  These two things, “came and spake,” are separated by the word “and” which places them on an equal status.  When we come to church and hear the Word of God, we hear the words of that Jesus speaks to His people today through the Word of God!

 

E.  We are familiar to verses 18-20 as we quote them every Wednesday night.  In these verses, we find two external works of the local church of which I will deal with one of them this morning.

 

1.  Verse 18.  The Power of Missions.  “All Power … in heaven and in earth!”  The power of God is given to the people of God and the local church to do missions! 

 

a.  We have experienced that power here at Temple Baptist Church over the years.  A few precious, hard-working middle-class people have and continue to do the work of domestic and foreign missions through their prayers and willingness to give! 

 

b.  The finances are available when faith is exercised!  “Tithes and Offerings” are mentioned in Malachai chapter 3.  The tithes take care of the needs of the local church, and the offerings take care of the mission’s program.

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (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.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

c.  God is not and never will be broke financially!  He owns heaven and earth and all that in them is!

 

2.  Verse 19.  The People of Missions.  “Go ye therefore”  The power and finances are there for the work of missions.  “Go ye” is to every saint of God.  As we walk through the doors of the church and back into the world around us, we enter our mission field. 

 

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.

 

a.  Those who go to witness to the lost in our Jerusalem (Laurens County).  I will look closer to this next week in Part 3.

 

b.  Those who go to other places (all Judaea-Samaria-Uttermost).  Evangelists who are missionaries.  Men of faith who leave all for the mission fields of their calling.  God bless them.  Pastors, who leave the place of their birth, leave behind families and friends, houses and lands, to serve the people if their calling.

 

3.  Verse 19.  The Progression of Missions.  “teach all nations”  Soul winning is not as simple as: “one, two, three, repeat after me!” 

 

a.  People who have never heard must be taught the Word of God before they can have the faith to believe.  In the Bible Belt, most people have some what of a working knowledge but, this is not the case in most places with most people.

 

b.  Teaching is a slow process that takes the diligence, faithfulness, and understanding of the missionary!  It is their life’s work.

 

4.  Verse 19.  The Product of Missions.  “baptizing them”  Baptism is the first act of obedience for the child of God.  It does not save the child of God but is the command of God and part of our confession before the world that we believed the Gospel and have accepted the finished work of Christ for our redemption.

 

5.  Verse 20.  The Pattern of Missions.  “teaching them to observe all things”  Paul spoke of the ongoing work of the pastor/teacher in Ephesians chapter 4.

 

Ephesians 4:12-13  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: 

 

Till we all tells us that it is a never ending work as one generation follows the other!

 

6.  Verse 20.  The Promise of Missions.  “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  A song says, “If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go … anywhere!”  He goes with you here in the church.  He goes with the missionary to places unreached.  He goes with the pastor.

The Collection

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-12-2026

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-4  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  (2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  (3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.  (4)  And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

 

A.  Chapter 16 begins in a definitive change from the previous 15 chapters. 

 

1.  The first 15 chapters dealt with the carnality of a new church plant that was filled with babes in Christ.  There was confusion, division, willful sinfulness, and scolding by the Apostle Paul: reproving and rebuking. 

 

2.  Chapter 16 is exhortational!  Paul is following the command that he gave to young Timothy:

 

2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

B.  We find in the second Corinthian Epistle tremendous spiritual growth within the local church’s believers.  Where the first 15 chapters dealt with the self-centeredness of the believers, chapter 16 focuses on their love and care for the less fortunate.

 

1.  We live in days of “entitlement” mentalities.  People with their hands out for freebies instead of working and earning.  I will not spend time on them as the Bible says that man is to earn his bread by the sweat of the brow.  Hard work.  The Bible also states that the man who will not work is not to eat.  These think that it is more blessed to receive than to give.

 

2.  But there are honest, godly people who struggle at times.  This offering was taken for such as these. 

 

C.  Now, for the backdrop of chapter 16.  This letter to the Corinthian Church was during a time of great persecution in Jerusalem.  The church at Jerusalem was heavily persecuted in the days of Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) and continued long after his conversion. 

 

D.  Our Lord had commanded the believers in Jerusalem to go into all the world, and they continued to remain in Jerusalem in disobedience.  The Lord raised up an instrument of persecution, Saul of Tarsus, and allowed great persecution to take place which forced the believers to either hide or flee. Many chose to “go into all the world,” which was the command given to the church at Jerusalem through the Apostles.

 

Acts 7:58-8:3  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep…And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul,  made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

 

Acts 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

 

Acts 12:1-4  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

 

1 Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

 

1 Peter 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

 

E.  This persecution brought great hardship upon the believers in the early church as confession of Jesus Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9) was both a rejection of Judaism, which caused persecution at the hands of the Jews, and the Emperor worship of Rome.  Therefore, they were hated not only by Rome, who feared that their expectance of a King would bring about rebellion, but also by the Jews because acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord condemned the Jews who had accepted Phariseeism, a system of works, as their salvation.

 

F.  In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul had given order for a collection, a mission offering, to be made for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

 

Romans 15:26  For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem, which incurred the wrath of the most powerful nation on earth!

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (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.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

G. I want to look at this collection for the saints for a few minutes tonight and see if we can glean some valuable truths from it.  This collection was not the Tithe.  The Tithe is a bill owed to God.  It belongs to Him and to withhold the Tithe is to rob God.  Not me!!!  Prayerfully, not you!

 

1.  The Collection Was Ordered!  Vs. 1  “”as I have given order”

 

a.  The Collection Was Ordered Above The Tithe!  Vs. 1  (Many preachers teach tithing from this chapter, but it deals with giving, not tithing.)

 

1)  Is 10% all that God requires?  Malachi 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

 

2)  God can require all because all is His!

 

b.  The Collection Was Ordered In Equality!  Vs. 1  “to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye”  2 Corinthians 8:13-14  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

 

2.  The Collection Was Purposed!  Vs. 1 “for the saints”

 

3.  The Collection Was Planned!  Vs. 2

 

a.  The Time – the firs day of the week

 

b.  The Place “in store”  Malachi 3:10 called the house of God the “storehouse”

 

c.  The People  “every one of you”

 

d.  The Amount  “as God hath prospered him”

 

e.  The Warning  “no gatherings when I come”

 

H.  Every service, we receive God’s Tithes and Offerings.  Our offerings are in the form of Missions and are put in above our tithe on both Sundays and Wednesdays.  I count it all joy that Barbara and I have the privilege of giving offerings!

 

1.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Grace - 2 Corinthians 8:7  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

 

2.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Obedience – Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. when the Lord speaks to your heart, do not be afraid to give!  (God knows what you need and wants to bless you.)

 

3.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Faith - Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (This bothers some people, but the Lord said to expect God’s blessing in return!)

 

Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  (There is nothing wrong with expecting God to do what He said that He would do!  We do not give for this reason, but I fully expect the Lord to bless me bountifully!)

 

Philippians 4:18-19  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

4.  Giving An Offering Is An Act Of Love.

 

a.  Love For The Saviour - 2 Corinthians 8:8  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

 

b.  Love For Your Brother - 1 John 3:17  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (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.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

5.  Giving An Offering Should Be An Act Of Joy,

 

2 Corinthians 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

6.  Giving An Offering Is Rewarded. 

 

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 

Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

Philippians 4:15-19  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (19)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

A Hallelujah Chorus

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2026

Psalm 148

 

Introduction: 

A.  These last few weeks in the Psalms will be filled with the praise of God.  Tonight, we will look at the third Hallelujah Psalm.  

 

B.  You may ask, “Why are so many of the Psalm emphasizing praise?”  Because God’s people tend to be more worldly minded than spiritually minded!  We get so busy with living that we forget what true living is about. 

 

C.  Psalm 148 is an amazing Psalm as it takes praise from heaven to earth and all things therein.  Here, there are no complaints, no requests, and no petitions in this psalm. It is simply an invitation to worship.

 

D.  Verse by verse gives a perfect look at praise.

 

1.  The Praise of Heavenly Hosts.  Psalms 148:1-2  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.  (2)  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

 

a.  “Heights” means lofty, exceedingly above, which refers to the Third Heaven.  The word “heights” is used only twice in the Bible.  “Height” singular is always used to measure something as to how tall it is.  The second usage of “heights” is found in Isaiah 14:14.

 

Isaiah 14:12-14  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  (13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  (14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

 

1)  The First Heaven is our atmosphere that we breathe and live in.  I love the beauty of each day that it gives us.  It protects us and provides us with a safe, comfortable place to live. 

 

2)  The Second Heaven our universe, that amazing, wonderful, comforting light that we love. 

 

3)  The “heights,” The Third Heaven is where God dwells.  I place unfamiliar to us, but a place where we long to be.  A place of perfection and undiscernible beauty.  Our “long home!”

 

b.  The Book of Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible, and it mentions joy and praise in the heaven of heavens.

 

Job 38:7  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

 

c.  Heavenly praise is found throughout the Bible. 

 

(1)  In Isaiah, we find the LORD high and lifted up.  Isaiah 6:1-3  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

 

(2)  In both Romans and Philippians, we find heavenly knees bow and heavenly tongues confessing.  Philippians 2:10-11  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

(3)  In Revelation, we find heavenly praise. Revelation 19:1-5  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:  (2)  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  (3)  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.  (4)  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.  (5)  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

 

(4)  Heaven is both a place of praise and filled with praise.  It is a place to look forward to!  The lost would not like heaven!

 

2.  The Praise of God’s Creation.  Psalms 148:3-6  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.  (4)  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.  (5)  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.  (6)  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

 

a. The heavens declare the Glory of God.  Psalms 19:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 

A tabernacle is a place of worship.  When I look at the heavens, I see order instead of chaos!  I see the mighty hand of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God and I do not wonder.  I worship by giving God the glory for what He has done in creation!

 

Romans 1:18-19  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

 

b.  Individual Heavenly Bodies Praise the LORD.  Not just the whole, but EVERY INDIVIDUAL PART!  The Sun which gives us light, life, and warmth glorifies its Maker.  The moon, which gives us light and comfort at night glorifies its Maker.  Every individual star and planet, while none of them are totally alike, glorify their Maker.

 

3.  The Praise of God’s Handywork.  Psalm 19:1 “and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”   Psalms 148:7-10  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:  (8)  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:  (9)  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:  (10)  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

 

a.  The world in general brings praise to the LORD.  The great seas, the weather, the mountains and all hills, the plant and animal life, fowls and creeping things show the wonder and praise of their Creator!

 

b.  Let everything that hath breath (Psalm 150), and all forms of life require the absorption or inhalation of God’s atmosphere, PRAISE THE LORD!  In everything, God I see!

 

4.  The Praise of Mankind.  Psalms 148:11-13  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:  (12)  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:  (13)  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

 

a.  Our Praise is Commanded.  From the kings of the earth to the children, and everything in between.  The LORD is both our Creator and our God!

 

b.  Praise and glorification are options given.  Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

We can either be saved or choose to stay lost.  We can either praise God or we can fail to praise Him.

 

c.  Praise and glorification with no option given.  Romans 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 

(1)  Shall bow here on earth and later in heaven or shall not bow here but will bow at the Great White Throne Judgment just prior to being cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

 

(2)  I chose to bow here and in heaven, how about you?

 

5.  The Praise of God’s People.  Psalms 148:14  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.