The Value of Intercessory Prayer

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-28-2026

2 Corinthians 1:11

Introduction:

A.  We have seen the deliverance of the Lord in verse 10.  His faithfulness to the believer in every circumstance of life is obvious in that verse.

 

B.  But there is an interesting addition to the Lord’s faithfulness in tribulation.

 

1. Verse 11 says that the intercessors in prayer helped!  They helped by holding these men of God in their prayers.  I do not think that any of us here tonight really knows the value and effect of our prayers to God for others? 

 

2. That amazes me! I try to call out the names of our missionaries each day, not knowing their needs or whereabouts.  I often tell the Lord, I don’t know what they need today, but they do.

 

3. For the most part, we offer up prayers without ever knowing the results of those prayers.  Tonight, I want to encourage you to prayer, make supplications and intercessions for others.  Your children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, those in authority, our nation, church family, missionaries, pastors, etc!

 

4. In 2 Corinthians (4:7-12, 11:23-28, 12:7-10), Paul speaks of the magnitude of his sufferings, and in 2 Timothy, he concludes his life giving glory to God for his past, present, and future deliverances. Evidently, in our text, we find that this baby, often carnal church, had much to do with his deliverances!

 

5. All I can say at this point is “Glory!”   

 

C.  Prayer is possibly the most underrated of all Christian privileges! 

 

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Psalms 34:15  The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

 

James 5:16-18  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  (17)  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  (18)  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

 

D.  In verse 11, we find once again that we are “labourers together with God!”  God delivered and we helped!  Satan certainly trembles when the “least” of God’s saints fall upon their knees!

 

1.  The Privilege Of Prayer – Matthew 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 

Mark 14:36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this up from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

 

Our Lord called His Father “Abba, Father!”  “Abba” is Aramaic for “Father.”  “Father, Father!” The repetition is made, to express the vehemence of his affection, and his strong confidence in God, as his Father, amidst his distress.

 

Romans 8:15  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.

 

Galatians 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  (Notice here that we have the same privilege as the only begotten Son of God in prayer!)

 

2.  The Power of Prayer - Isaiah 45:11  Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 

 

Command ye me?  Command MY hands said the Almighty God!  Now, that is power!

 

Matthew 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Luke 1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 

John 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.  (Notice the indictment!  Notice the promise!)

 

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  (Notice again the three promises:  ask…will answer…show thee.)

 

1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

3.  The Persistence Of Prayer – Luke 18:2-8  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:   And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.   And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;   Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.   And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.   And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?   I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

 

Romans 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

Ephesians 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

Colossians 1:3  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.  (We do not spend all of our time in a Prayer Closet, but we are commanded to be in constant communion with God.)

 

4.  The Passion Of Prayer – 1 Samuel 1:13-17  Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.  And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.  Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.  Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

 

Romans 15:30  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

 

James 5:16b  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

2 Corinthians 9:14  And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 

 

The passion of praying under a burden!  Pouring out our hearts to God.

 

5.  The Pointedness Of Prayer – Matthew 6:6-7  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

 

James 5:16b  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

a.  Pray For Each Other - Ephesians 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

b.  Pray For Those In Authority - 1 Timothy 2:1-3  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

 

c.  Pray For Your Needs - Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

James 4:2-3  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

 

d.  Pray For Wisdom - James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

e.  Pray For Israel - Psalms 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

 

f.  Pray For Pastors, Missionaries, and Evangelists - Romans 15:30  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

 

1 Thessalonians 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

 

Thessalonians 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

 

g.  Pray For The Lord To Come - Matthew 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

 

Conclusion: And we fail to pray!  May we spend time with Him all during the day and see Him be enabled to work through our prayers.

The Importance of Law - Part 2 - Civil Law

Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2026

1 Timothy 1:8-11

 

Introduction:

A. Last week, we saw the trichotomy of man, made in the image of God, body, world conscious; soul, self-conscious; spirit, God conscious. Thus, God gave the Law in three distinct parts of the Law of God to cover each of these individual parts.

 

1. Body – Civil law dictates how man behaves outwardly in society. It is to be ruled by God!

 

2. Soul – Moral Law dictates how man behaves inwardly and approaches God personally. It is to be ruled by God!

 

3. Spirit – Ceremonial Law dictates how we approach God. In the Old Testament, Atonement until Messiah would come. In the New Testament, Redemption because Messiah, Christ Jesus, did come and salvation is finished as God promised.

 

B. We found out that the foundation of God’s Law was based upon several things:

 

1. The Holiness of God found in His perfect person. God did not and could not sin!

 

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

 

2. The Righteousness of God found in His perfect actions.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

James 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

 

3. The Judgment of God found in His knowledge and execution.

 

Deuteronomy 32:13  He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

 

C. The foundation of Civil Law was based upon the Moral Law. This brings us to verse eight in pour reading of text: “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” — 1 Timothy 1:8.

 

D. What is Paul saying here? He is saying that there is a right and wrong way to use God’s Civil Law. The Civil Laws of God were never intended to circumvent the Moral Laws of God.  I will give you a couple of examples of what I am saying.

 

1. Civil government does not possess the authority to determine ultimate moral truth independently of God. Its authority is limited and accountable, and its administration of justice should reflect righteousness of God.

 

a) “Thou shalt not kill” is superseded by man in the killing of countless innocent children through abortion.  In today’s society, not all murder is against the law.

 

b) Righteous judgment is superseded by “catch and release” practices which allow perpetrators to be released without judgment to prey again..

 

2. Civil government has authority, but it is not the highest authority. God stands above the government, above the judge, above the legislature, and above every individual.

 

E. Let’s look at the importance and implementation of Civil Law.

 

1. Creation of Civil Law. God is the ultimate source of moral authority, and civil government is to operate under His sovereignty.

 

Romans 13:1-2  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

 

2. Objectivity of Civil Law. Justice must be measured by righteous standards rather than personal preference, favoritism, or political power.

 

Romans 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

3. Structure of Civil Law. Law requires legitimate authority, defined responsibilities, fair procedures, and accountability.

 

Deuteronomy 16:18  Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

4. Implementation of Civil Law. Justice must be enforced honestly, impartially, and proportionately.

 

Romans 13:3-4  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  (4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

 

Habakkuk 1:4  Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

 

5. Submission to Civil Law. Citizens should submit to legitimate civil authority, but all human authority remains subordinate to God.

 

Romans 13:1-2  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

 

Romans 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

1 Peter 2:13-14  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  (14)  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

 

6. Admonition of Civil Law. When civil law and God's law appear to conflict, and at times the will, the Authority of God’s Word, which is the final authority from faith and practice, must govern the Christian's conscience!  Scripture's answer is clear:

 

Acts 5:28-29  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.  (29)  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

7.  The Supplication for Civil Law and Authority.

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

Conclusion: Civil Law is both good and necessary if it is used lawfully!

The Church and Faithfulness - Part 1

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2026

2 Timothy 2:11-13

 

Introduction:

A. As I continue to preach on the local church, it’s imperative that I preach on faithfulness.  As I thought on our faithfulness, I realized that we cannot be faithful outside of the faithfulness of God.  The faithfulness of God needs to be the foundation for the faithfulness of the believer. So, first things first.

 

2 Timothy 2:11-13  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  (12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  (13)  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

Four times we find the word “if,” in these verses which is conditional on our part.  God’s faithfulness does not depend upon ours.

 

B. I want to testify this morning to the faithfulness of the Lord to His children.  The person and purposes of God never vary.  GOD IS FAITHFUL! 

 

C. Once again, notice the supposedly “archaic” (supposedly outdated) word “abideth.”  From eternity past until eternity future (I use these two expressions of eternity because we cannot fully understand it), God has been, God is, and God will always be faithful.

 

D. The great “I AM THAT I AM,” the One who inhabits eternity which has no past nor future.  “I AM THAT I AM” means eternally self-existing.  Not “I WAS” or “I WILL BE,” but “I AM!”

 

1. Our perspective of God as Paul said, “That I may know Him.” is great in one manner but extremely limited in another because we cannot understand anything without beginning or end, therefore, we use the words past and future when speaking of eternity which means infinity and perpetuality: constancy.

 

2. Eternity is an eternal moment, just one tick of time: a moment, an instance. Unfathomable! One day, we shall see Him as He is and then be like Him in our purity and eternality. Just sit and think about that for a while!

 

E. “Abideth” is in a present continuing sense. In our understanding, the same yesterday, today, and forever! Ever present, ever the same, ever faithful to Himself as verse 13 says, “He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself!”

 

F. I do not understand all that I know, but I believe that the Lord wants me to “hammer home” the blessed truth that our God is FAITHFUL!  If we can ever grasp this one truth, then we can not only survive in this world, but we can also thrive in this world.

 

G. The importance is found in 2 Peter 1:3:  “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. Notice the phrase “All things that pertain into!” All means ALL, and that’s ALL ALL means.  We need to grasp this! 

 

1. ALL things that pertain unto life.  This is the life that we all live now.  We spend half our lives worrying about temporal things when the Bible says that God has got this!

 

2. ALL things that pertain unto godliness.  We who are saved are perfectly capable of living lives that are holy and acceptable unto God. This is mentioned in Romans 12:1:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” 

 

3. We can do this!  We can live our lives in faith and holiness because: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) And, yes, another ‘Archaic,” “eth” ending!

 

J. We can be faithful because our God is and remains faithful!

 

1.  God Is Faithful To His Person - Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

2.  God Is Faithful To His People - Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

3.  God Is Faithful In His Preservation - 1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

John 10:28-30  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.

 

4.  God Is Faithful In His Protection - Psalms 4:8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 

5.  God Is Faithful In His Provision - Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

6. God Is Faithful To His Promises - 2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

7.  God Is Faithful To His Purposes - Job 23:13-15  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.  Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

 

8.  God Is Faithful Perpetually - Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  (Hallelujah, what a Savior!)

 

Conclusion: If God is this faithful to His person, promises, purposes, and people, and He is —is it not a valid request that His people be found faithful to him? 

Deliverance

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-21-2026

2 Corinthians 1:8-12

 

Introduction: 

A. Paul and his followers endured great tribulation in their short lives because of their godliness and the wickedness of the world in which they lived.  These gave those who followed them hope, encouragement, and examples.

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-12  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  (8)  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  (9)  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  (10)  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  (11)  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  (12)  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

 

2 Corinthians 11:23-28  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  (24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  (25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  (26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  (27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  (28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

B. Instead of complaining and seeking pity, they chose to use their persecution experiences as a source of comfort to the church at Corinth.  The apostles “despaired even of life” in verse 8 and had in themselves “the sentence of death” in verse 9. 

 

Genesis 47:8-9  And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?  (9)  And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

 

Job 14:1-2  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  (2)  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

 

C. In 2 Corinthians 1:5-7, Paul shows part God’s plan in Christian suffering, comfort, and the consolation of others. 

 

1. Tribulation is a way of life in general and concentrated for the child of God who lives godly. Comfort and consolation are wonderful things, but, sometimes, you need deliverance!

 

2. Deliver in all its forms are used 636x in your Bible. That is almost 10x per book if they were equally shared in each of the 66 books.

 

D. There are two things that I want to see tonight, and we will spend most of our time on the second.

 

1. First of all, we find the faithfulness of the Lord in the life of the believer.  We could spend the night here so I will just give you a few verses to re-enforce the truth of God’s faithfulness to the believer.

 

Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

 

2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

Hebrews 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of[our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 

1 Peter 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Revelation 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

 

2.  Second, we find the word “deliver” used in three tenses in verse 10: past, present, and future. Notice that all three deliverances are divine in nature.  Paul said, “Trust…in God.”  Not we are escaping the hardships of this world, but He is delivering through them or from them.

 

E.  I want to look at the word “deliver” in two ways tonight.  There is deliverance from sin and, in this particular context, deliverance from and in tribulation.

 

1. Deliverance in the realm of sin.

 

a.  There is a deliverance from the Penalty Of Sin – A Past Deliverance

 

Romans 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

 

Romans 7:6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

 

b.  There is a deliverance from the Power Of Sin – A Present Deliverance

 

Romans 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

 

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 

c.  There is a deliverance from the Presence Of Sin – A Future Deliverance

 

Romans 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 

Galatians 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

 

1 Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

2 Peter 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

 

2. Deliverance in the realm of Tribulation. These Corinthian believers, because of their deliverance from sin, would now face tribulation.

 

a.  The Lord has delivered us from Tribulation. Paul is looking back and causing the Corinthians to do so also. There are some here tonight that have waded the deep waters of trials, temptations, and troubles. The key words are “you are here!” In the past, Barbara and I have seen our share of troubles, but we are still here tonight to tell you that God was always faithful and there for us.

 

2 Timothy 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

b.  The Lord is delivering us from Tribulation. The promise of trials of faith, “If need be” as Peter said. There will probably be more troubles to come and some of you bear them now!  Look back at what and where God has brought you!  We have and are surviving.

 

2 Timothy 4:17  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.

 

c.  The Lord will deliver us from Tribulation. Paul’s writings did not express what would happen in the future, so is comforting and encouraging the Corinthians to just continue to stay with God, do right, and trust what they could not see coming.  The same goes for all of us!  Do right and hang tight and it will be alright!

 

2 Timothy 4:18  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.

 

2 Peter 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

 

Conclusion:  I thank God for His great salvation that has delivered us from the penalty, is delivering us from the power, and—one day—will deliver us from the presence of sin.  I also thank God that He has delivered us in our tribulations, is delivering us, and always will!  He is faithful and I praise Him for it.

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

Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2026

1 Timothy 1:8–11

 

Introduction:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

a. Because God is holy, He condemns wickedness.

 

b. Because God is righteous, He requires righteousness.

 

c. Because God is just, He judges sin.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

John 8:7-9  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  (8)  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  (9)  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 

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

 

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

 

1) Our responsibility toward God.

 

2) Our responsibility to honor our parents.

 

3) The sanctity of human life.

 

4) The importance of faithfulness.

 

5) The obligation to respect what belongs to others.

 

6) The necessity of honesty.

 

7) The danger of covetousness.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

c. Moral Law points mankind to Christ.

 

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

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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