Sunday, October 26, 2008

I Thank God For You

Temple Baptist Church - 10-26-2008

Phil 1:1-7

Introduction:


A. The Philippian Church was a special church – Philippians 4:15-19 (The people cared for the Apostle Paul and did all that they could to take care of him.)

1. In the Bible Belt, there are a lot of churches but very few special ones! It amazes me the concentration of churches in just a few states. It sometimes seems like there is a church on every street. I go down the highway and see an intersection with 4-8 different church signs pointing down a side road.

2. Temple Baptist Church has been a very special church. I cut my spiritual “teeth” in good, fundamental churches but this one has been the best of them all to me.

B. I try to preach on a good cross section of Scripture so that our people will receive the “whole counsel of God.” I preach on sin, salvation, sanctification, service, heaven, hell, and almost everything in between. Most churches would not allow the kind of preaching that I do but the Lord and our people have allowed me to stay here for almost 22 years now and I appreciate it.

C. Sometimes, the pastor needs to have a “Church Member Appreciation Day.” I do both love and appreciate my people. More than you will ever know for you are the family that we left behind. You are the friends that we left behind. You are the purpose of life that we left behind when we left Kentucky some 25+ years ago.

D. On several occasions, the Apostle Paul made public his thankfulness for the people that God had sent him to minister to. I want to look at a few of those verses tonight because they rightly apply to you.

1. I Thank God For Your Salvation - Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (I am so glad that you “got in!”)

2. I Thank God for Your Faith - Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (People know about you around the world. Many times men of God have related to me how that they have used you for an example to other churches for you missions giving.)

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

3. I Thank God For Your Testimony - 1 Corinthians 1:4-6 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (When I hear about you from other people, it is always in a positive light. The light of Christ shines in you as they behold your good works.)

4. I Thank God for Your Fellowship - Philippians 1:4-8 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. (I love to come to church and just be around you. I love to hear you talk, laugh, and share.)

5. I Thank God For Your Kindness - Philippians 4:15-18 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. (My family has been well taken care of over these years.)

6. I Thank God For Your Faithfulness - Colossians 1:3-6 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love [which ye have] to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth: (We may not have many folks but we do have faithful folks. Our Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night crowds are virtually the same.)

7. I Thank God For Your Labor In The Lord - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (When I needed you, you “stepped up to the plate.” You have filled positions and done the work.)

8. I Thank God for Your Following Your Pastor - 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (Many people are leaders and not followers; they are teachers and not students. I have tried to lead in a right manner and you have followed in a right manner. I would never intentionally hurt any of you and, even when I make mistakes, the Lord straightens it all out.)

9. I thank God For Your Love One For Another - 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; (You are all different. Different personalities; different likes and dislikes; and yet love and respect one another. Praise the Lord for you!)

10. I Thank God For Your Endurance - 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (You keep “hanging in there!” He’s coming and we are leaving!)

Conclusion - 1 Corinthians 16:23-14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. 24 My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

God’s Pattern Of Grace

Temple Baptist Church - 10-26-2008

1 Timothy 1:8-16

Introduction:

A. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been looking at some of the conversions that are detailed in Scripture. I want to look at one so graphic this morning that we refer to as “Apostle Paul Experience.”

B. Many professing salvation have never had a change in life though they claim to have said all of the right things and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. We often quote to them 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

C. Many others experienced radical changes in both their thinking and lifestyles. They are sold out, God loving, obedient to the Scripture Christians. We call that the “Apostle Paul Experience.”

1. The Pursuer became the Pursued.
2. The Punisher became a Preacher.
3. The Boaster became a Believer.
4. The Blasphemer became a Blesser.
5. The Butcher became a Brother.

D. Is such a conversion extraordinary or is it just plain old fashioned salvation? The unchanged professor calls such fanatic or radical Christians. Are we fanatic? Are we radical?

FANATIC - marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. (Sounds like Christianity to me!)

RADICAL - 1 : of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: or growing from the root of a plant. 2 : of or relating to the origin 3 a : marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional b : tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions. 4 slang: EXCELLENT, COOL (I like this definition also!)

E. Paul told Timothy, under inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that God set forth his conversion as a “pattern” to those who would hereafter believe. In other words, our conversion would follow the same pattern as his because salvation is always the same and always works the same. Then why is there such a great difference in different “conversions?” Let us look at this “Apostle Paul Experience” and then measure our conversion by his God defined one.

1. A Dangerous Condition – vs. 1-2

a. He hated God! Vs. 1 - 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief. (To speak evil against God. He loved the god of his perception but hated the God of the Bible. As a lost religionist, Paul thought he was right with the Lord.) - vs. 1 – “high priest” - Galatians 1:13-14 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

b. He hated the people of God! Acts 26:9-11 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Religious people hate God’s people.)

c. He hated the things of God! – vs. 2 “of this way” - Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

1 Timothy 1:13-14 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (Paul honestly thought he was right and yet was an enemy of the church and its work!)

2. A Determined Confrontation – vs. 3-4

a. The providence of God revealed - 1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

b. The purpose of God revealed - Galatians 1:15-16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called [me] by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

3. A Dynamic Conversion – vs. 5-6

a. Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ – “I am Jesus”

b. Recognition of the his sinfulness – “whom thou persecutest…pricks”

c. Repentance from sin – “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

1) It changed his Attitude.
2) It changed his Action.
3) It changed his Appearance.
4) It changed his Associations

4. A Drastic Change – vs. 6, 20

a. A Change of Plans - 6-8
b. A Change of Prayers - 10-11
c. A Change of Purpose - 12-15
d. A Change of Persecution - 16
e. A Change of Profession - 17-18
f. A Change of Preaching - 19-20
g. A Change of Proving - 21-22

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Suffering And Why?

Temple Baptist Church - 10-22-2008

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Introduction:


A. One of life's greatest mysteries which is that of suffering. It is a mystery that hard to be understood. I do not pretend to know everything about suffering nor do I pretend to always be a good Christian during these hard times. Super spirituality is a thing of rare beauty.

B. I will not go into an in depth study of this subject but will try to give both myself and you some help for God’s Word. It is easy for me to preach on this subject for the Bible has much to say but it is hard for me to live in light of what I preach when these times of hardship and lack of understanding come.

C. The Apostle Paul suffered much for the cause of Christ and, as far as I can discern, did so with little or no complaining. He gives us some insight in this chapter as to the many ways that he had suffered for the Saviour.

D. In verse 30, he mentions glorying in infirmities. He also alluded to this same glorying in 12:9-10.

E. There are some things that we need to understand about our sufferings. Let us look at these few verses for a moment:

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.

1. Suffering is not a sign that God has forsaken us! These verses tell us that He is with us in our suffering. 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.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

2. Suffering is not a sign that God does not love us! Vs. 35, 39 both declare that we cannot be separated from His great love. As Jehovah loved Israel with an everlasting love, so He loves us. A love that never diminishes!

3. Suffering is allowed because it is for our good and God’s glory! Vs. 28

1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

SUFFERINGS ARE A NORMAL PART OF LIVING

1. Every Christian Experiences Trials And Suffering

a. Every child of God shares the suffering that is common to mankind - 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. (We are not immune to suffering because we are saved.)

Genesis 47:9 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.

b. Christians also experience sufferings simply because they are Christians - Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

2. Trials Are normally Both Intermittent And Short - 1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

Psalms 30:5 For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;

3. Trials Can Become Extremely Severe - 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: (Job lost all that he had in a matter of a few days!)

4. Trials Come In A Myriad Of Different Ways - 1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (Physical, financial, spiritual, emotional, family, persecutions, etc.)

5. Trials And Tribulations Are Purposeful - 1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (What a blessing that trials and sufferings do not constantly rest upon us in all of their heaviness!)
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

6. Trials Are Related To Our Future As Well As Our Present - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

SOME THINGS THAT SUFFERINGS ACCOMPLISH

1. Trials Try Our Faith - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

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:

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Psalms 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Genesis 22:1, 12 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am]. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.

2. Trials Strengthen Our Faith - Mark 4:38 -41 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Genesis 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, [tarry: for] I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

3. Trials Are God’s Means Of Discipline - Hebrews 12:5-13 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

4. Trials Bring Humility To The Believer - Deuteronomy 8:2-3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

2 Corinthians 12:7 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.

5. Trials Purify The Believer - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Trials cause us to take a close look at our lives and draw us nearer to God.)

6. Trials Prove The Sufficiency Of His Marvelous Grace - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

2 Corinthians 12:9 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.

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].

7. Trials Enable Us To Help Others - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8. Trials Make Us Long For Heaven - Philippians 1:21-23 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

THE SECRETS TO SUFFERING

1. Trust In The Lord - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

2. Keep A Right Attitude - Psalms 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. (It is so easy to become fretful or disgruntled.)

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

3. Continue To Do Good – Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Live for the Lord!)

4. Delight In The Lord Instead Of Indict The Lord – Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Isaiah 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

5. Commit Thy Way Unto The Lord – Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

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.

6. Rest In The Lord – Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

7. Wait Upon The Lord - Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

8. Rest Assured That He Will Be There For You - 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.

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

What Does It Mean To Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ?

Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2008

Acts 8:36-38; Acts 16:30-31

Introduction:

A. This morning, we saw the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. He was seeking to be “right with God” and God provided all that was necessary for him to be saved.

B. He was sincerely seeking.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

C. Christ was preached unto him and he was saved when he believed. Confession was then made unto salvation:

Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

D. The question that needs to be answered is this: What does it mean to believe on Jesus Christ? There are many kinds of beliefs concerning Christ.

1. Some believe that Christ Jesus was a prophet or just another good man:

Mark 8:27-28 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some [say], Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

2. Even the devils believe in Christ.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

E. Just believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God does not bring about salvation. We live in a religious nation where most believe the fact of who Christ is. The best way that I know to start a fight in a bar is to stand up and say that Jesus Christ was not God. Even a drunk will take offense at such a statement and feel compelled to take up for the Lord!


F. Paul answered the Philippian jailor’s question of “What must I do to be saved” with this statement: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What is “believing on Christ?” The Bible clearly defines saving faith.

G. Jesus divided the world into two groups.

John 3:18, again, Jesus divides the world into two groups. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

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."

H. The determining factor in salvation is faith. Believe denies salvation by character and discredits salvation by works, but it declares salvation by trust.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

1. To Believe On Jesus Christ Is To Accept What He Said. His Word exposes our sinfulness and exalts Him as the only Saviour.

a. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they accept the fact that they are a sinner in need of a Saviour.

b. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they accept the fact that what he says about man's nature and need as true. Man is depraved and cannot save himself.

c. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the statement of Jesus when he said, "Ye must be born again." Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God means there are no exceptions!

d. When on believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the
pronouncements that He made about Hell, the eternal destination of all
unbelievers.

e. When on believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the
declaration "I am the way, the truth, and the life......" The only way to heaven is through the Door, Jesus Christ.

f. To believe means one has heard what Jesus said about the must of salvation and the means of salvation.

2. To Believe Means To Understand The Work And Worth Of Christ. Jesus came to do something no one else could do. He came to die for sinful man. He came to die as the sinless Son of God to pay for the penalty of our sins. He came to be the sinner's substitute.

Matthew 20:28 The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (He came to give His life for the sheep.)
In the work of Jesus Christ:

a. The Law Was Satisfied - Justice for sin demands a penalty. When Jesus died on the cross of Calvary as my substitute, the Law was satisfied.

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. (God did not overlook sin, but He forced it out into the open where He dealt with in a way that honored His righteous character. All the vileness of the sinner was transferred to the substitute, and all the virtue of the substitute is transferred to the sinner that believes. The cross of Calvary makes it possible for God to be both just and the Justifier.)

b. Salvation Was Simplified – Salvation was made so simple that a child could believe on Christ and be saved. Religion has complicated salvation by adding personal merit. If salvation is by works, then one never knows when they have done enough to be saved or if they have continued doing enough to remain saved. Simply Trust Christ!
c. Hell Was Nullified – The believer now has eternal life and, therefore, no fear of death of hell.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

3. To Believe Means To Trust And Personally APPROPRIATE the WORK of Jesus Christ. The essence of faith lies in this: casting one-self on God’s finished work and promises. The blood of Christ is of no affect unless it is personally applied.

a. The Ethiopian Eunuch knew that Messiah would come to take away sin. He, through the preaching of Phillip realized that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that promise.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (No exception at all! If there is salvation in none other!)

b. To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe ON Jesus Christ.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Conclusion: "There is no sin that shall damn the man who believes in Jesus
Christ, and nothing can save the man who will not believe in Jesus Christ. He that believes shall be saved, be his sin ever so many, and he that believes not must perish, be his sins ever so few," - C. H. Spurgeon.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2008

Acts 8:26-40

Introduction:


A. I am still looking at some of the recorded conversions in the New Testament. Last week, we saw the glorious salvation of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. What a wonderful love and compassion our Lord showed to this poor sinner that day! What a marvelous grace that transformed this sinful woman into a dedicated soul winner.

B. This morning, I want to look at another conversion: that of the Ethiopian Eunuch. In Acts 8, we find Phillip holding a great revival in Samaria. The Lord spoke to him and ordered him to Gaza, which is desert.

1. Phillip was obedient to the Lord – vs. 26-27 God spoke and Phillip “arose and went”

2. Phillip was obedient to the Spirit – vs. 29 The Holy Spirit said “Go near, and join…Phillip ran”

3. Phillip was obedient to the Word – vs. 35 “preached unto him Jesus” “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”

C. There, in Gaza, Phillip met this Ethiopian sitting in his chariot reading from the Book of Isaiah.

1. The Eunuch was a man of great authority – vs. 27 “not many mighty”

2. The Eunuch was a man of great responsibility – vs. 27 “charge of all her treasure” “not many noble”

D. This Ethiopian (Ethiopia means “scorched” or “Black”) had been to Jerusalem to worship. I am reminded of the Old Testament prophecy found in Isaiah:

Isaiah 56:3-5 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

E. Let’s look at the particulars of his dramatic conversion:

1. He Was A Religious Man – vs. 27 He had evidently become a Jewish Proselyte through the spread of Judaism in North Africa. Judaism is a
monotheistic religion based on principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). He had traveled to Jerusalem to worship JEHOVAH God.

a. Moses married an Ethiopian woman while exiled in that land:

Exodus 2:16, 21 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew [water], and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

Numbers 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. (Zippoah was daughter of the priest of Midian. Later his father-in-law came and met him after the Exodus so his people were very familiar with JEHOVAH God and His promises of the Messiah.)

b. Solomon was visited by the Queen of Sheba in
2 Chronicles 9:12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside [that] which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants. (Sheba was in Ethiopia, south of Arabia.)

c. This Eunuch had believed the report of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He knew the truth and accepted it the best he knew how.

2. He was a sincere man! Vs. 27 From Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) to Jerusalem is app. 1580 miles! That is a 3160 mile round trip in a chariot through harsh desert land.

a. Most religious people in the south won’t drive across either town of the county to go to church. Theirs is a religion of convenience!

b. This man, though ignorant of who Jesus Christ was, was doing his best to worship Jehovah God and did not care who knew it. He lived in a pagan land where Jehovah God was not the God of the people.

3. He was a seeking man. Vs. 28 He felt that his duty to God went beyond going to worship. He was personally involved in reading God’s Word for understanding. He was dissatisfied with what he both had and had experienced in Jerusalem.

a. One of the dangers of religion is that it satisfies the needs of the sinful. You can be what you are, do what you want, and still feel good about yourself.

b. This man was honestly seeking to be right with the Lord, not the Lord right with him!

4. He was a honest man. Vs. 30-31 Most of us would have at least “faked it” when asked such a question.

a. Religious people are normally proud of their “spiritual understanding.” This man did not understand and wanted the right answers. He desired Phillip!

b. Religious people will argue scripture instead of listen to scripture. They are blinded to truth through the hardness of their hearts. Their minds are made up before they hear the truth.

5. He was a hearing man. Vs. 32-36

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

a. He heard the gospel
b. He understood the gospel
c. He believed the gospel

6. He was an obeying man. Vs. 36-38

a. He immediately confessed Christ through both his words and his life to others around him. He certainly was not on this long trip alone!

b. Upon his profession of faith, he desire scriptural baptism. I hear many of the reports of thousands saved and hundreds baptized. If they are not obedient to Christ in baptism, you had best not count them!

7. He became a satisfied man! Vs. 39 He went away rejoicing! I find no instance in the Bible of salvation without satisfaction.

a. He was now satisfied with his Saviour

b. This satisfaction with Christ satisfied his desire to worship. Jerusalem had not!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Pastor’s Jealousy

Temple Baptist Church - 10-15-2008

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Introduction:


A. We have spent several weeks dealing with the three-fold heresy mentioned here in verse 4. False teachers have been and are certainly among us, bringing in damnable heresies! They have perverted the doctrine of Christ, the person of the Holy Ghost, and the glorious gospel of Christ. Satan’s desire is to blind the minds of the lost and bewitch the minds of the saved.

B. Paul is having to explain both his words and actions concerning these false teachers to the Corinthian Church. Many times, church members do not understand why the Pastor does the things that he does. He is sometimes regarded as too harsh or having his own “agenda” at heart when he deals with “wolves” among the sheep.

C. God has given his pastors discernment in the area of wolves and heresy that He has not given to others. The pastor is God’s shepherd to lead, guide, feed, comfort, love, chastise, and protect. He has both God’s command to follow and God’s enablement to accomplish those commands.

D. The pastor has been given the “oversight” of the church. Simply put: the work of watching over God’s sheep! While we all enjoy the sweet fellowship of the assembly, the pastor’s ever watchful eye is scanning the horizon for any sign of an enemy who would corrupt or interrupt the local church.

E. Notice with me the heart of God’s man as put forth by the Holy Ghost in these verses.

1. The Concern Of The Servant – vs. 1-3 “bear with me! … I fear!”

2. The Chastity Of The Bride – vs. 2 “espoused you…present you…chaste virgin to Christ”

3. The Craftiness Of The Serpent – vs. 3 “beguiled Eve…corrupted (you)”

4. The Coming Of The Apostasy – vs. 4 “he that cometh preacheth another”

5. The Caution Of The Apostle – vs. 13-15 “For such ARE false apostles, deceitful workers”

F. The Holy Ghost used the word “Jealous” in verse 2. Everyone of us understands what it is to be jealous. Before I was saved, we had a saying that speaks volumes about jealousy: “Never “monkey” with another monkey’s monkey!” “Mess” with me but don’t “mess” with my wife!

Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.

G. God is a jealous God and fully expects his “undershepherds” to be the same! DON’T “MESS” WITH MY CHURCH OR MY PEOPLE! I want to look at the work of the pastor in relation to the infiltration of these false teachers.

1. The Shepherd Work Is To Watch – It is the duty of the Pastor to watch over the sheep.

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Psalms 78:70-71 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (To look upon; to inspect; to care for)

2. The Shepherd Is To Worry – It is the duty of the Pastor to keep the sheep on his mind and in his heart.

Psalms 40:17 But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

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.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

3. The Shepherd Is To Warn – It is the duty of the Pastor to give biblical warning.

Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

4. The Shepherd Is To War – It is the duty of the Pastor to stand tall and fight when Satan roars against the church!

1 Samuel 17:34-35 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

John 10:12-13 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Acts 13:9-10 Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Well of Salvation

Temple Baptist Church 10-12-2008

John 4:1-14

Introduction:

A. Here, we find possibly my favorite of all stories in the found in the New Testament! I love to hear testimonies of salvation.

1. I think of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. How God sent Phillip into the desert with the gospel to this man of Ethiopia. Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

2. I think of the conversion of the Apostle Paul. How God saved the “Chief of Sinners” and gave such a clear description of biblical salvation. 1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

3. I think of the conversion of Cornelius. How God gave a gentile dog eternal life. Acts 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

4. I think of the conversion of Lydia. How God so graciously opened her heart there beside of the river. Acts 16:13-15 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted [thither]. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

5. I think of the conversion of the Philippian jailor. He simply believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

6. Here we find the conversion of the woman at the well. I find it of interest that none prayed “The Sinner’s Prayer!” John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (I fear that we have placed our faith in the prayer and not in the believing! Paul said, “I know whom I have believed!”)

7. All saved the same way but in different circumstances! Jew and Gentile! Moral and immoral! Religious and non-religious! Men and women! Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

B. This morning, I want to look at the wonderful conversion of this precious woman. I am so glad that God loves even the worse of us sinners of this world!

1. Our Lord had compassion on the woman at the well in verse 3. “He left Judaea…into Galilee.” The Jews, including the disciples, made extraordinary efforts to avoid Samaria! Our Lord made an extraordinary effort to reach her! Verse 6 says that Christ was “wearied with his journey!” Salvation is not a casual action with God.

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Manifestation of God’s Love – “For the Son of man is come”

The Magnitude of God’s Love – “to seek and to save that which was lost”

2. Our Lord came to the right place in verse 6. “Jesus…sat thus on the well.” He came to where she was. You have to go to where sinners are for they, as a norm, will not come to you! I am glad that He came to where I was in 1976!

a. He came to the Ethiopian Eunuch;

b. He came to the Apostle Paul!

c. He came to Cornelius;

d. He came to the Philippian Jailor;

e. He came to Lydia;

f. He came to this precious woman!

g. I’m so glad that “He came to me!” When I could not go to where He was, the song said, “He came to me!”

3. Our Lord came at the right time in verse 6. “It was about the sixth hour…There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water.” Jesus could have come to this woman either earlier or later but the result may not have been the same.

a. I often wonder why God allowed me to “drift” so long. I was baptized and joined the church in 1957 but was not saved. God waited another 19 years before He stirred my heart and I was saved.

b. God’s ways are higher than our ways. God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. His timing is perfect!

4. Our Lord came through only once and that was for her in verse 4. “through Samaria” He may or may not have ever passed that way again. Rejecting Christ Jesus is more ignorant that playing Russian roulette!

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David. (I have to wonder: would He have ever passed that way again?)

5. Our Lord came for the Samaritan woman alone in verse 8. “For his disciples were gone away.” Salvation is an individual thing, not a group thing.

a. The night I was saved, I do not know if anyone else was saved or not at the altars. The altars were full that night and I asked the Lord to save me on the back pew of the church.

b. Though there was over 1,000 in attendance that night, I was alone with God as He dealt with my heart. God deals with our hearts in a solitary way. He came to ME!

6. Our Lord offered her salvation just by asking in verse 10. “asked of him, and he would have given thee.” Most “soul winners” would have led her in a prayer at this point but the Lord knew that she lacked the understanding to be saved at this point. BUT SHE DID NOT ASK!

a. I believe that when God deals with a sinner and when they are “ripe” unto salvation, they will do business with God! No one had to lead me into a prayer. I asked God to forgive me and save me and He did!

b. One preacher once said something like this: “If you have to pull on the fruit, it is not quite ripe. When it is ripe, it will fall into your hand with a simple touch!”

7. Our Lord dealt with her sin frankly in verse 16! “Go, call thy husband!” A sinner will never be saved until they see their spiritual need.

a. Regardless of what man may think of say, repentance is a necessary part of salvation. Our Lord knew where she was and wanted her to know that He knew! Her soul was laid bare before her Maker that day! You will get saved when you see yourself as God sees you.

b. Then and only then can “godly sorrow” be exercised and a real change made in a life. As long as you see yourself as “alright” or “not that bad,” you are not a candidate for salvation.

8. Our Lord gloriously showed to her who He was in verse 26. “I that speak unto thee am he!” She had religion (vs. 25) but it did not affect her life.

a. She knew the right words but did not know the Saviour. I had heard about Christ all of my life. I knew His name and understood the gospel but that night, He revealed Himself to me for the first time through the Holy Spirit!

b. It was then that I understood just who He was and turned to Him.

9. Our Lord graciously saved her that day in verse 28-29. “She left her waterpot…come see a man!”

a. Her whole life’s priorities changed in an instant! The necessities of life became secondary to her conversion.

b. God will change your life when you come to Him by faith!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

10. She immediately went back into the city where she was “well known” (as she had married five of these men and was living with another) and pointed others to Christ!

a. Her confession was made unto the salvation that had taken place. Man believes with his heart before confession is made. The confession is telling the world what took place within!

b. A shameful woman was unashamed of her Lord! She came to the well instead of the normal “watering” time because of who she was. She went into the center of the city for who He was!

11. She came to the well to fill her water pot with water and left with a well of living water within in verse 14! “water that I give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”

a. When you come to Christ thirsty, you will leave to never thirst again. Jesus Christ satisfies!

b. I am often sorry for my sin but I never worry about the penalty for sin! I need not ever drink of that “Fountain” again for He has satisfied my eternal soul!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Another Gospel

Temple Baptist Church - 10-8-2008

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Introduction:


A. In verse 4 of this chapter, we find the threefold attack by Satan upon the salvation of the sinner:

1. Our Lord Jesus Christ - “another Jesus, whom we have not preached”– Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Our believing in Jesus Christ and His Word is an absolute necessity in salvation. Satan tries to discredit, defame, and destroy such faith.)

2. The Holy Ghost – “another spirit, which ye have not received” - Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. (The Person of the Holy Ghost is essential to convicting, convincing, and converting the sinner. The introduction and involvement of “another spirit” confuses and deludes the sinner, making salvation unattainable.)

3. The Gospel - “another gospel, which ye have not accepted” - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (The gospel is the power of God unto salvation as you must “believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead.”)

B. The lost cannot be saved if any of these essential parts are missing! You must hear the gospel, be drawn by the Spirit, and believe on Jesus Christ to be saved.

C. There is also a threefold attack by Satan upon the service of the saint:

1. A right perspective of Jesus Christ is essential to our walk.

2. A right perspective of the Holy Ghost is essential to our doctrinal health.

3. A right perspective of the gospel is essential to our witness.

D. The believer cannot be all that God wants him or her to be if their perception of these is wrong. What is the gospel? It is very simple: Gospel – “glad tidings” or “good news” - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (The Gospel is both profound and simple! Death—according to the scriptures; burial—placed in a garden tomb; and resurrection the third day—according to the scriptures. Notice that the gospel must be in line with the scriptures! “Another gospel” is one which does not line up with God’s Word.)

E. Tonight, I will deal with “another gospel, which ye have not accepted.” Galatians deals with the corruption of the gospel. Satan does his best to destroy that which he could not stop! He introduces a gospel that is not scripturally based!

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (Jesus Christ died once for all sin. He died, not swooned! He was buried, not carried off and hidden. He rose again on the third day and His resurrection was bodily, not just spiritually.)

F. By introducing “another gospel,” he destroys the faith of both the sinner and the saint.

1. He blinds the sinner - 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2. He bewitches the saint - Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (To be brought under a spell.)

1. Another Gospel Is Introduced By Adding To The True Gospel – Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (It is staggering how many people in the Bible Belt do not believe that salvation is through grace and faith alone! The Law was never meant to save but to bring about the knowledge of sinfulness.)

a. “Another Gospel” That Cannot Save - Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Stumbling stones of good works, Christian heritage, baptism, church membership, etc.)

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Works destroy grace and grace destroys works! To work is to earn a wage while grace is an unearned gift.)

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:27-28 Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

b. “Another Gospel” Than Cannot Secure - Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (Salvation is a onetime event! Salvation brings about eternal life! You cannot get saved over and over again!)

Hebrews 6:4-6 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

2. Another Gospel Is Introduced By Limiting The True Gospel - Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (“Another gospel” is a gospel that does not Love!)

Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Conclusion: John 3:16 For God so loved the world (the Gospel loves!), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (the Gospel is not limited!) in him should not perish (the Gospel saves!), but have everlasting life (the Gospel secures!). “Another gospel” is one that cannot save, cannot secure, and does not love! “Another gospel” is not the one that I have preached!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

The Glory Of This Latter House

Temple Baptist Church - 10-5-2008

Haggai 2:1-9

Introduction:


A. I want to give a quick history of what has led up to the Book of Haggai:

1. In 597-586 BC the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in Jeru­salem and took the Jews captive because of the continual idolatry and disobedience of Israel.

2. 70 years of captivity in Babylon have now passed and King Cyrus has allowed about 40 to 50 thousand Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest. (The book of Ezra).

3. The Jews faced great opposition from the Samaritans to the rebuilding of the Temple. The Jews became weary of the enemy’s opposition and their zeal began to wane. The excitement wore off. They became distracted.

4. King Artaxerxes “red flagged” the work because of false accusations made against the Jews and work was suspended.

5. The Jews became apathetic towards the business of God and settled down into their comfortable homes for about 15 years with only the foundation of the temple completed.

6. A new king named Darius lifted the interdict that stopped work on the tem­ple. During the 15 years of non-activity, the Jews’ priorities to got misplaced. God raised up Haggai, Zechariah, and Zerubbabel in order to motivate the people to get their priorities in order and get back to re­building the temple. Neglect of God’s Temple equaled the neglect of God Himself

B. I preached last week on the subject “He’s Coming!” I want to continue that train of thought this morning in light of what is happening in both our nation and the world today.

1. The World Is Shaking

a) God Will Shake Nature – vs. 6 Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

b) God Will Shake Nations – vs. 7 Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

2. The Saints Are Shaking - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

C. We hear often from the older generation vivid descriptions of the “good old days.” We often joke about our parents having to walk ten miles in 24 inches of snow to go to school, etc. The older I get, the more I reminisce about my childhood days. They were good days! I was raised in the 50’s and 60’s. It was a different time! America will never again see the “good old days” where you could sleep with unlocked windows and doors. It was a time when a man would stand up for a lady and offered her his seat.

D. Thus we find the Israelites in verse 3. Some had seen Solomon’s Temple in all of its gold and glory. Zerubbabel’s Temple was made primarily of mortar and stone. In the eyes of man, it was “nothing” by comparison!

E. Times are changing rapidly in the church house as well as the world!

1. Churches are now empty where once they were full

2. Sinners are no longer being saved as frequently as in days gone by.

3. It is much harder to get invited people to come to church than it once was.

4. The work load is increased because the labourers are few.

5. Old fashioned salvation and sanctification are a thing of the past.

6. People will no longer hear straight preaching as they “heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears.”

F. When you begin to compare the work of the Lord today with years gone by, you can become disheartened and discouraged. We do not always see as God sees! Haggai encouraged the people of the work through the voice of the Holy Spirit in these verses and gave to them some things that apply to the work in our day also.

1. The Presence Of God In The Work – vs. 4 Through it all, the Lord said that He would never leave nor forsake them. He has given us the same promise today in Hebrews 13! Though things may look dark at times, we can take great comfort knowing that the God of our salvation is faithful to His children!

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. (His presence brings contentment for He gives us what He wills.)

2. The Promise Of God In The Work – vs. 5 He told Israel that He would keep His word to them and give them victory! This was the land of His promise. He brought them out of Egypt to give to them the land of Canaan. What He promises, He is fully able to perform. God has promised us victory over the world and we can live within the realm of God’s victory in hard times.

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 battle is the Lord’s and the victory is already won!)

3. The Power Of God In The Work – vs. 6-7 Notice with me the phrase “I will” found in these verses. The work was done in the power of God, not the power of man. Thus it is with us in this present evil world. We can do nothing without Christ and all things through Him. The work is the Lord’s!

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (The work is great and it takes the power of a great God to do it. I cannot save souls! I cannot add to the church! I cannot work in the hearts of men! God must do His work or it will not get done.)

4. The Purpose Of God In The Work – vs. 7b God’s purpose was not to fill His house with people, though we want to see a multitude saved and added, but it was to fill His house with His glory! I fear that we have been so numbers conscious that we equate greatness with largeness! Our emphasis here at Temple should be that God is glorified in our worship services and then through our personal testimony which reflects on the church.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (We glorify God in our lives and worship which causes the lost to glorify God.)

5. The Provision Of God In The Work – vs. 8 God provided all that Israel needed to rebuild His house. God will provide for the church in these last days also. I do not have enough money to sustain God’s work; therefore, He must take care of the needs. He uses us to do the work and supplies our every need in the meanwhile.

1 Chronicles 29:14 But who [am] I, and what [is] my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things [come] of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Psalms 50:10 For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (God will take care of God’s business! What God orders, God pays for.)

6. The Peace Of God In The Work – vs. 9 God gave Israel peace in the midst of persecution and problems. God will also give us peace in these last perilous times! Trouble on every hand has cause a great discouragement among God’s people but He will speak sweet peace in these stormy days that lie ahead!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Conclusion: We need God’s peace in these last days. He is in control and we are soon going home! Let us be encouraged in the work of the Lord in these last days. It is still a good work and it is still His work!