Friday, June 20, 2008

Am I Being Superfluous Or What?

Temple Baptist Church - 6-18-2008

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Introduction:


A. Why did the Holy Ghost continue to “pound” into the hearts of the Corinthians the necessity and rewards of giving? Because God knew that they needed it! Though they were a church that ministered to the saints an omniscience God rehearsed to them the necessity of not only giving but the necessity of giving in a right manner and attitude.

B. Why “major” on giving and missions to the most giving, missions hearted church that I have ever known? Because God knows that we also need it! Not to preach on tithing and giving causes even the best of givers to slack off to one degree or another.

C. The Holy Ghost used the word “superfluous” when writing to the Corinthian Church so, I guess I can be “superfluous” when I am preaching to our church. Before I begin tonight, I need to give a simple definition of the word “superfluous.”

SUPERFLUOUS - Being beyond what is required or sufficient. Over kill!

D. In verse 2, Paul says, “I know the forwardness of your mind” in this matter of ministering.

FORWARDNESS – zeal, spirit, eagerness, readiness of mind!

The Corinthians had been a wonderful example to others in this area of ministry and Paul wanted to make sure that his boasting was not in vain. Many missionaries come back to “good” churches after several years on the field and find that things have drastically changed. Paul did not want to boast on them and then find out that they had.

E. In verse 5, Paul tells the church that they are to give because they have been blessed (bounty) not in order to get (covetousness). We all know that God blesses givers but not those who give in order to get. He is setting up verse 6 in a scriptural light.

1. The Principle of Giving – vs. 6 “The Laws of Harvest” still apply! Is this “superfluous” of what? How many times do we preach these principles and many never get it and some who once “got it” have forgotten.

a. You always reap what you sow
b. You always reap more than you sow
c. You always reap later than you sow

2. The Purposing of Giving – vs. 7

a. Giving is an individual thing! We all have different financial “clout!”

b. Giving is a heart thing! It proves the “sincerity” of our love.

c. Giving is to be a willing thing! “Grudgingly” means sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction, mourning, and heaviness. “Necessity” means imposed, either by circumstance, by law, or by one’s duty.

3. The Promise of Giving – vs. 8

a. God will not ask more of you than you can give! “all grace abound toward you”
b. God will supply what He asks you to give! “all sufficiency in all things”
c. God will use what you give to do His work! “abound to every good work”

4. The Prize of Giving – vs. 9-10

a. Our giving is an eternal thing! “his righteousness remaineth for ever”
b. Our giving is a reciprocal thing! “bread for your food” Philippians 4:19
c. Our giving is an increasing thing! “increase the fruits” Revelation 4:13b says, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

5. The Praise of Giving – vs. 11-13

a. Giving causes thankfulness in the givers! “being enriched” “We give with a spoon and God gives with a shovel.”

b. Giving causes thankfulness in the receivers! “supplieth the want of the saints…many thanksgivings unto God”

6. The Prayer of Giving – vs. 14

a. The Receivers pray for the givers! “their prayer for you”
b. The receivers love the givers! “which long after you”

7. The Pleasure of Giving – vs. 15

a. I thank God for teaching me to give! It is all Him and none of me!
b. I try to tell others about this “unspeakable give” but my giving shows them!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Shew Thyself A Man!

Temple Baptist Church - 6-15-2008

1 Kings 2:1-11

Introduction:


A. What to preach for Father’s Day? I am not “big” on preaching special occasions because, in a way, I feel confined to preaching just one certain type of message. I have looked forward to preaching this Father’s Day because I have a message for all of you Fathers and to men in general.


B. If you are a man—I am not talking about simply being male in gender this morning—you are both special and unusual! It is difficult in today’s society to find real men for they are a dying breed. The “old school” manhood is, for the most part, a thing of the past. We live in days of soft males; irresponsible males; whining males; subject males (subject to their wives)!

C. You men are special because God has given to you a special position and makeup. God intended you to be forceful in a godly manner, and masculine in a manly manner. God intended for you to be men! Many are born male in gender but are far from being men: boys who have been raised under weak men and under strong women. Their role models have become women because they are the authority figures of their lives. Our generation has raised a generation of sissies!

D. David is now ready to die. He has lived a life that was full. He has served the Lord well. He is now passing the “torch” to his son, Solomon—who will now reign in his stead. David did not advise Solomon to “say you are a man!” He said to “shew thyself a man!” That is a characteristic or action that is visible to others. A father needs to set an example of manhood for his sons and daughters. He then needs to make sure that his sons become men! Let me leave you with two things this morning:

1. God Help Us To Be Men! (Vs. 5-9) David was a Man’s Man! He was acclaimed by both men and women as a man’s man! In these verses, he is instructing Solomon to “shew thyself a man!”

2 Samuel 17:8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

1 Samuel 18:7 And the women answered [one another] as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. (Nobody ever had to guess what gender David was! You men be a man’s man and your sons and daughters will know it. Your sons will want to be men and your daughters will want to marry men!)

a. Today, our society has males in gender who are soft in their appearance. The word “effeminate” is a New Testament word. Old Testament men were taught to be men.
Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft (also used for effeminate) raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously (illustrious or splendid) apparelled, and live delicately (softness, effeminate, luxurious living), are in kings’ courts.
Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

1) Dress your boys in male clothing, not unisex clothing. I not only wanted to name my boys with male names, I wanted them to wear boys clothing! I wanted them grow up looking like men! Men need to wear “strong” man’s clothing. Your clothes distinguish what kind of a man you are. Most of today’s clothes designers are either sodomites or effeminate and design clothing to their taste. I know that it is an “in” thing but I still do not wear pink and lavender! When I was growing up, you wear either and you were a little more than “suspect!” I am not trying to push a preference. Society is the one that assigned pink to girls and sodomites use lavender as the color (interesting that lavender is a mixture of pink and blue!) representing their sodomite agenda. When I see a pink bow on a mailbox, I know the gender of the baby! Lavender is the color of the Gay Revolution. The “Lavender Magazine” is a gay-lesbian publication. The “Lavender Screen” is a gay-lesbian film production studio. There is a house that we come across here in Laurens that it lavender in color along with its outbuilding. I do not know who lives there but it sends me a signal nevertheless.

2) You do what you want, but my advice as a pastor is to dress your boys and girls in such a way that one does not have to guess. On occasion, I will call a baby boy a girl or a baby girl a boy. It is not my fault! The parent did not make the differentiation in their dress or hair! I do not name my boys girl or either gender names. I spell them as to make know what they are, boy or girl. I guess this is enough on the subject but I want you to get my drift this morning.

b. Today, our society has males in gender who are soft in their actions.

1 Corinthians 6:9, 11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1) The word “effeminate” means “soft.” Many were used as male prostitutes because of their feminine qualities. When an effeminate gets saved, God makes a man out of him. If he remains effeminate, he needs to check up! Such WERE some of you! Effeminates are as lost as sodomites and normally turn into them.

2) Teach your young men to be men; look like a man, walk like a man, talk like a man, shake hands like a man, do the things that me do! Men do not play house and dress up. Men do not play with dolls. Men play ball, hunt, fish, swagger, play army and war, fight and eat bugs and dirt. Little Dennis the Menaces! I may spank them for doing some things but I will smile when they cannot see because they are all boy! Now the boys sway their hips, flip and flop their hands, roll their eyes, and speak with a lisp. These are feminine qualities and define the individual using them. “If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck—you probably have a duck on your hands.

c. Today, our society has males in gender who allow their wives to run the household and family. God is looking for men who will run and lead their homes in a godly direction.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

1 Corinthians 11:3, 7-9 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God…For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

2. God Help Us To Be God’s Men! (Vs. 3-4) David was God’s Man!

a. David said so! - Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalms 27:4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

b. God said so! - Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Ephesians 6:10 Finarrlly, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

c. God is looking for a man to stand in the gap and make up the hedge! That means to occupy a portion of ground and defend it against an enemy. God is not a seeking a woman. God is not a seeking an effeminate. God is looking for men. Real men! Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (God is having a problem finding real men: men to preach, men to serve, men to be faithful, men to witness, men to pray, men to lead, men to mentor.)

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Conclusion: God’s looking for spiritual men; macho men; strong men! God has never called a “wimp” to do anything for Him and never will. He sought after a MAN! He calls men! Let us be men for God and our families in days of a “famine of men.” God bless you men! I pray that you have a great Father’s Day!

God’s Program For Missions

Temple Baptist Church - 6-11-2008

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Introduction: In these verses that I have read tonight, we find God’s program in missions set forth. Missions is a wonderful thing because it is God’s Plan for evangelization. Matthew 28:18-20. We have spent some time in these verses already, so tonight I will get down to the meat of the verses.

1. The Present of Missions - vs 1 - "bestowed"


A. Missions is a Gift Bestowed
B. Missions is a Grace Bestowed


2. The Poverty of Missions - vs 2 - "deep poverty"

A. Trials and Afflictions abounded unto Joy
B. Deep Poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality

3. The Paradox of Missions - vs 2 - "affliction-joy, poverty-riches"

A. They saw Problems As Possibilities
B. They saw Poverty As Power

4. The Power of Missions - vs 3 - "power ... Beyond their power"

A. Here we find their Tithe (cannot give until you tithe)
B. Here we find their Power of giving (gave of what they had)
C. Here we find the their Faith of giving (beyond their power - tapped another Source!)

5. The Prayer of Missions - vs 4 - "praying us ... Receive"

A. They begged the Missionary - "prayed...much intreaty" (reversed today)
B. They gave to the Missionary - "we would receive the gift"
C. They fellowshiped with the Missionary - "fellowship of ministering"

6. The Priority of Missions - vs 5 - "first"

A. Gave themselves unto the Lord - "first...to the Lord"
B. Gave themselves unto the Missionary - "unto us"
C. Gave themselves Abundantly - "not as we hoped"
D. Gave themselves Obediently - "will of God"

7. The Proof of Missions - vs 8 - "prove"

A. Their giving was Proof of their love
B. Their giving was Proof of their sincerity

8. The Pattern of Missions - vs 9 - "our Lord Jesus Christ"

A. The Example of His Giving - "rich ... Poor"
B. The End Result of His Giving - "ye ... Might be rich"

9. The Performance of Missions - vs 10-11 - "expedient"

A. The Planning of Giving - vs 10
B. The Performing of Giving - vs 11

10. The Partnership of Missions - 14 - "equality"

A. You give unto their necessity and
B. When you need it, they will give to you

11. The Promise of Missions - vs 15 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

A. God meets the needs of His Missions!
B. God meets the needs of His Children!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Romance Of Redemption

Temple Baptist Church - 6-8-2008

Song of Solomon 1:1-17

Introduction:

A. The Song of Solomon is typical of Christ’s intimate relationship to His beloved Church. It is by no accident that He compares that relationship to the intimacy of marriage.

1. Marriage is twain becoming one.

2. Marriage is the giving completely on one to another.

3. Marriage is a sacred vow to fidelity.

4. Marriage is the complete sharing of two lives.

5. Marriage is the most amazing and wonderful institution on the face of the earth. (But only when it is started and kept within scriptural boundaries.)

B. In these verses, we find both the love of Christ and the love of the church. Christ is the Bridegroom while the Church is the Bride. What a beautiful type of marriage.

C. The love of the Bride or the Church’s love for Christ.
1. The Bridegroom is to be Loved!
2. The Bridegroom is to be Honored!
3. The Bridegroom is to be Obeyed!
4. The Bridegroom is to be Served!

D. The love of the Bridegroom or Christ’s love for the Church.
1. The Bride is to be loved!
2. The Bride is to be Cherished!
3. The Bride is to be Protected!
4. The Bride is to be Provided For!
5. The Bride is to be Kept!

E. Christ’s desire for the Church.
1. The Church Is Loved – vs. 2 “thy love is better than wine”
2. The Church Is Drawn – vs. 4 “draw me”
3. The Church Is Accepted – vs. 5-6 “keeper of the vineyards”
4. The Church Is Adored – vs. 8-10 “thou fairest among women”

F. The Church’s desire for Christ.
1. They Desire Him! – vs. 2, 7, 13b
2. They Savour Him! – vs. 3
3. They Follow Him! – vs. 4
4. They Prize Him! – vs. 4b


1. Love’s Expression – vs. 2-3 Someone once said, “A kiss is the baby’s right, the lover’s privilege, and the hypocrite’s mask.” Thus we find both the proper use of the kiss as well as the worldly perversion of the same.

A. The Kiss – an expression of gentle love

1) Offered by the “beloved” “him kiss me”

2) Accepted by the “loved” “let him kiss me”

B. An Expression of desire for relationship – More to be desired than the best the world has to offer!

2. Love’s Drawing – vs. 4

A. Initiated by Christ – John 3:16 “God so loved…that he gave”

B. Accepted by Individual Believers – “we will run after thee”

3. Love’s Overlooking – vs. 5-6 (We are clean through Christ! Faultless to one day stand before His presence with exceeding joy.)

Ezekiel 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Clean while unclean. Comely yet uncomely! When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I am!)

4. Love’s Seeking – vs. 7-8

A. Tell me where you are that I might find rest and nourishment! “He leadeth me beside still waters…He restoreth my soul!”

B. I want to be where you are!

5. Love’s Admiration – vs. 9-12

A. Christ admires the Church! “fairest among women”

B. Christ adorns the Church! “make thee”

6. Love’s Satisfaction and Fidelity – vs. 13

A. The Church is intoxicated with Christ

B. The Church is intimate with Christ

7. Love’s Communion – vs. 17 - It is Our House and Our Rafters (When my wife and I go home, we close out the world, both the people and elements.)

Conclusion: What a wonderful relationship the Church (and the individual) has with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Are You Sure You Want To Go To Heaven?

Temple Baptist Church - 6-8-2008

Revelation 5:1-14

Introduction: As eternity nears, it behooves each of us to ponder our eternal destination. Satan has deceived the world into believing that they will go on forever and, if they do die, everything will turn out all right in the end. What a deception!


A. Eternity is nearing and that is a biblical fact.

1. Either eternity by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

2. Or eternity by the way of the grave. Either way, life is certainly short and eternity somewhere a certainty.

B. There are only two possible eternal destinations as we well know:

1. There is a literal, burning, and eternal Hell!

a. Hell is a prepared place for Satan and his angels - Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

b. Hell is a certain place for those who reject Jesus Christ - John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 9:22 [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

2. There is a literal, wonderful, and eternal Heaven!

a. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people - Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

b. Heaven is a wonderful place - 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

c. So many people have both a deceived concept of their salvation and God’s Heaven. I heard a man, not long ago, say that a certain two men who had died were sitting in Heaven, drinking scotch and looking down on what was going here on earth. My Friend, that is neither salvation nor Heaven!

d. Even among the saved, there are jokes told about Saint Peter and entering the gate along with golfing and etc. In Heaven. I know that these are told in jest, but it still gives to others a wrong meaning and description of that wonderful place.

e. I guess I said all of that to say this: “Most people who think that they will be in Heaven would hate it!” And, if they hated it, they would not be thee anyway because God’s people—the truly born again believers—are looking for a place that has nothing to do with this world of the things thereof!

1. We are longing for a pure, holy city!
2. We are longing for a place of wonderful, spiritual rest!
3. We are longing for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
4. We are longing for HOME!

ARE YOU REALLY SURE THAT YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN?

1. Are you really sure that you want to go to Heaven because Heaven is a Place of Holiness! Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

A. There’s no liquor stores there!
B. There’s no pornography there!
C. There’s no drugs, prescription or otherwise there!
D. There’s no cursing there!
E. There’s no dirty jokes there!

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (A young man once told me that he did not want to go to Heaven because it would be a boring place! Unless he changes his mind, he will certainly get his wish. A life of holiness is boring to this world but very wonderful to the child of God. What a deception!)

2. Are you really sure that you want to go to Heaven because Heaven is a Place of Worship! (There will be praise, honor, glory, shouting, singing, and testifying in that city forever!)

Isaiah 6:1-4 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. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Revelation 4:8-11 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 7:9-12 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (What a worship service! The world wants no public displays of joy and praise. They enjoy the dead, liturgical services where no testimony or praise is offered. They look down on shouting and praise—and yet, the Bible is full of it! What a deception!)

3. Are you really sure that you want to go to Heaven because Heaven is a Place of Service! (There will be no 80/20, 85/15, 90/10 rules there in Heaven. Every saint of God will serve God on an eternal basis!)

Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (The world has no time for Christ in their daily walk. They are consumed with this world while the child of God wants Christ to be a vital part of his daily walk and make a difference in this present evil world.)

4. Are you really sure that you want to go to Heaven because Heaven is a Place of Assembly! (As we go farther in this world, there is less and less assembly taking place. In the days of the early church, they assembled every day. Now, churches are cutting down on their services during the week and cutting short what they do have because of lack of interest! Thee is an old question that goes like this: “If everyone went to church as often as you go to church, how often would the doors of the church be open?”)

Psalms 27:4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (The world looks at their watches and wishes for church to be over while the saint looks forward to the services and wishes that they would never end. What a deception!)

Conclusion: Are you sure that you really want to go to Heaven or do you just want to go to a heaven of your own imagination? If you do not enjoy these things that will be a vital part of Heaven, you will probably be bored stiff if you get there!

The Chambers Of His Imagery

Temple Baptist Church - 6-1-2008

Ezekiel 8:1-12

Introduction:


Ezekiel was one of the “exile prophets,” taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar during Israel’s captivity. Ezekiel proclaimed judgments of the Lord to the Israelites because of various sin related issues and the abominable condition of Jerusalem.

A. God re-introduced Ezekiel to the “dark side” of mankind in these verses. Ezekiel kept before the generation born in exile the sins of the people of Israel that led to their captivity. While the Temple work continued, the people—including the priesthood—continued to do abominable things in their secret places.

Proverbs 5:14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. (It is possible for any of us to be faithful and outwardly spiritual while living in secret sin before God.)

B. Faithful people can have wicked hearts! Over the years, I have found that church problems most often come from the faithful crowd, not the every once in a while crowd. They eventually fight the Purpose of the Church; the People of the Church; and the Pastor of the Church! Two things that we need to know:

1. God knows who and what you are!

2. Eventually what you are will manifest itself publicly! You will be exposed to all! “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he!”

C. The chambers of his imagery refer to the hidden place where these individuals worshiped their idols. They evidently thought that the Lord did not see them because they offered their incense to these false gods in the dark (verse 12). They had several misconceptions that led them to this place of sinful practice:

THEIR MISCONCEPTION

1. They Failed To Understand Who God Is – vs. 12 “in the dark”


A. He Is Omnipresent - Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Job 34:21-22 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? Cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

Psalms 44:20-21 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Psalms 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

Psalms 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Ezekiel 28:3 Behold, thou [art] wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

B. He Is Omniscient - 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Psalms 139:1-12 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Luke 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

John 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

C. He Is Holy - Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Psalms 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

WHAT OTHERS CANNOT SEE, GOD SEES!

THE CHAMBERS OF HIS IMAGERY

1. The Secret Chamber Of A Wicked Heart - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?


1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (The heart is who we are. It is the place where sin is conceived. Our hearts must be kept right with God through Bible reading, prayer, and constant communion with the Lord.)

2. The Secret Chamber Of A Wicked Mind – Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.


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.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (Wicked hearts lead to wicked thoughts and imaginations. As a man “thinketh” in his heart!)

3. The Secret Chamber Of A Wicked Flesh – Living double lives! Many people are “spiritual” outwardly but live secretly in sinfulness.


a. The Problem Of The Flesh - 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.

b. The Provision Of The Flesh - Romans 13:11-14 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Sinful hearts lead to sinful thoughts and sinful thoughts eventually lead to sinful acts.)

c. The Potential Of The Flesh - Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

The Song Of Songs

Temple Baptist Church - 6-1-2008

Song Of Solomon 1:1-2

Introduction:

A. I want to begin a series today on the most beautiful of the Poetical Books. I may preach through it in a continuous manner or preach from it occasionally but I believe that this book is so marvelous in its approach to the beauty of our relationship with Christ.

1 Kings 4:32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

(Poetry and songs about love have reached the zenith of their particular areas throughout the ages. Poetry such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways…” Songs of love have stayed at the top of almost every area of music through the years.)

B. It is both a Book feared and revered

1. Feared by many for the explicit language of this “Book of Love.” I was once told by a man that I should not preach through the Song of Solomon in mixed company. I could not disagree more with that individual.

2. Revered by many. Ancient Jews revered the Song of Solomon as a valuable part of the sacred writings, calling it "the Holy of Holies." Tradition tells us that they forbad their children to read it, because of the sublimity and mysteriousness of it, until they were at years to understand it’s teachings. (I believe that our children need its teachings in order to understand the meaning and purity of the true love that God intended for them in marriage.)

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

C. There are several interpretations of this beautiful Song:

1. The Literal Interpretation – The Song glorifies marital love.

2. The Dispensational Interpretation – The Song glorifies Jehovah’s relationship to Israel.

3. The Redemptive Interpretation – The Song glorifies our Lord’s relationship to the Church.

D. Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba after David’s sin. David named him Solomon which is Hebrew for Peace as David was once again in complete harmony with God. It is generally agreed that this particular song was written in Solomon’s earlier years before his love for divers strange women turned his heart from the lord.

E. As the characters in the song speak, it heeds the reader to learn to distinguish the voices.

1. My Love speaks of the bride. (1:14) Then notice the change in verse 15.

2. My Beloved speaks of the groom. (1:15)

F. Let me set your hearts at ease today as I begin to preach through this blessed Song of Songs. It will be preached tastefully and scripturally. It will be a blessing! Let’s now begin to look at this sacred picture of the love of Christ for His church.

1. The Love Of The Song of Solomon Is A Peculiar Love

a. There are several different kinds of love mentioned in the Bible and all are different. To use these uses of love in the same sense can cause problems.

b. Probably the most notable misusage of a particular kind of love in the Bible is that of “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13. Charity is a “brotherly love” and is not to be confused with the love of a man for his wife! I have heard the word changed at weddings, etc. From “charity” to “love.” The love of “charity” is not the peculiar love that I am talking about today.

c. Song of Solomon speaks of the love reserved for a man and his wife! This is a love like no other and cannot be duplicated. It is a giving love whereas a man and a woman give to each other their complete love. A beautiful type of Christ and His Church!

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (This is not charity of the love of the world which is a selfish, self-gratifying love.).

In weddings, I use these words, “will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her so long as you both shall live?”

2. The Love Of The Song Of Solomon Is A Purposed Love

a. It is a Forsaking and Cleaving love - Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

b. It is a Unifying love – Ephesians 5:31-32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (The purpose of the Song of Solomon is the unifying of Our Lord Jesus Christ with His Church for all eternity.)

3. The Love Of The Song Of Solomon Is A Personal Love

a. ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN – It is a love not to be infiltrated. As our marriage is personal, so is our salvation and the relationship that corresponds. I tell newlyweds that marriage is a circle with the Lord, the man, and the wife inside. Never let anyone in that circle!

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

b. ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN – It is a love not to be shared. It is Jesus Christ first and foremost! (I do not share my wife with anyone! She is mine and mine alone. I am hers. I also am Christ’s!)

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

4. The Love Of The Song Of Solomon Is A Pure Love

a. Marriage is an intimate relationship that is completely pure and holy in the eyes of the Lord.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

b. Our intimate relationship with the Lord is wonderful.

Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

Abiding In Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 6-1-2008

John 15:1-10

Introduction:


A. Jesus Christ is the True Vine and God the Father is the husbandman—the one who tends to the vineyard. When a person comes to Christ through faith, he or she is then born out of that vine and draws life and productivity through it.

B. These verses have been interpreted to say that a man can be saved and then lost but this is not what Christ is saying. These verses speak of fellowship not relationship.

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

C. As saved, we have our life in Him and our productivity comes through Him.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

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

D. If Christ is the True Vine and He is; if it is only through Christ that we have live and it is; if it is only by Christ that we produce and it is; then our goal and desire should be to abide in Him.

E. In Matthew 11:28-30, our Lord gave us the invitation, “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” We have come unto Him and found Him faithful. We have never been sorry that we came at His invitation.

F. Now that we are saved, we are once again given an invitation. It is to “Abide in me!” Christ is simply saying, “Stay with me!” Shall we not find Him as faithful in sanctification as we found Him in salvation?

1. In salvation (“Come unto me”), we had the help of the drawing of the Holy Spirit.

2. In sanctification (“Abide with me”), we have the help of the power of the Holy Spirit!

G. Abiding in Christ is to:

1. Set at His feet as Mary sat - Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

2. Meditate upon His Word - Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

3. Listen to His voice - 1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

4. Walk in His steps - Job 23:11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

1. Abiding in Christ implies the we are one with Christ - John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (Some never abide because they are not attached! You must “get in” before you “get out!”)

2. Abiding in Christ means that we are in constant communion with Christ at all times - 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. (The connection between the branch must never be broken for to do so cuts off the flow of sap that gives both life and fruitfulness.)

3. Abiding in Christ involves our total dependence upon Him - John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (As the branch is nothing in itself, the child of God is nothing without Christ. It is the flow that sustains our spiritual lives.)

4. Abiding in Christ involves total obedience to Him - John 15:9-10, 14-15 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love…Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (The branch does as the vine dictates. It bears after the will of the vine. As a branch must bear the right fruit, so the child of God must bear the right spiritual fruit.)

5. Abiding with Christ is a continual fellowship - John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; (As long as the branch is attached to the vine, it is one with the vine. As the vine prospers, so the branch prospers. As long as we abide in Christ’s fellowship, we prosper.)