Temple Baptist Church - 12-30-2009
Galatians 6:1
Introduction:
A. As the time of the Lord’s coming gets closer, we find that sin is escalating and more of God’s children—who lean toward the carnal instead of the spiritual life in Christ—are being overcome with sin.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
B. As soul winning is vitally important to the growth and spiritual well-being of the local church, so is the command of church discipline and restoration. Little of either of these is found in the average local church. Sin is rampant because discipline is lax.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
C. Our text for tonight uses the terminology “overtaken in a fault.” This does not necessarily pertain to sins that are worthy of church discipline. Not all sin is to be dealt with in the local assembly. If it was, we would spend every moment of our time together judging sin and all of us, your pastor included, would be in a fix.
D. I try to deal with both aspects of sinfulness (that which does and that which does not require church discipline). The point of my message is not the discipline of the individual but the restoration of the overtaken.
E. What is happening to most good, Bible believing churches is this: we are losing more members out the back door than we are bringing through the front door. Not necessarily losing them to overt sinfulness but rather losing them through not properly maintaining the spiritual welfare of these precious folks.
F. More often than not, these believers are “overtaken” through negligence and imprudence. Their want of caution and circumspection causes them to be carried away, either through the treachery of their own hearts or through the temptations of Satan, who goes about seeking whom he can devour. He lays snares for them, and attacks them unawares, and takes every advantages of them. He uses their carnality and lack of spiritual growth or understanding to attack them at their weakest point and at their most vulnerable moment.
G. Let us look at this one verse for a few minutes. It almost qualifies as a Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation.” It says about all that needs to be said on the subject of restoration.
1. Restoration Must Be Done Graciously (With The Right Motive) – These are brethren, not heathen! Our motive is to restore them in love.
a. You Should Never Fail To Love The Fallen – We are related by birth!
b. You Should Never Fail To Forgive The Fallen – Forgiveness is a grace returned!
c. You Should Never Fail To Pray For The Fallen – If they every needed your prayers, they need it now!
2. Restoration Must Be Done Lovingly (With The Right Attitude) – Charity covers a multitude of sins!
a. We Are To Admonish Them As Bbrethren – Rebuke is to be administered with love!
b. We Are To Discipline Them As Brethren – Chastisement is to be administered with love!
c. We Are To Love Them As Brethren – Our love is be as God’s love, undiminished!
d. We Are To Restore Them As Brethren – Our desire is to see them reclaimed and serving the Lord.
3. Restoration Must Be Done Biblically (With The Right People Involved) – Spiritual believers, not a psychiatrist! (The Lord is the Counselor and His Word is wisdom.) Why spiritual believers?
a. Because Carnal Believers May Be Sympatric With The Sinful – It is difficult to give spiritual instruction when living a carnal life. Most will justify sin instead of correct it.
b. Because Carnal Believers Cannot Lead The Sinful To A Place Of Spiritual Communion With The Lord – It is the same as saying, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say do!?
c. Spiritual Restoration Must Be Done Through Spiritual Believers!
4. Restoration Must Be Done Completely (In A Biblical Way) – Restore means to bring back to a previous position and to a place of total forgiveness.
a. They Must Get Right With God – Not God get right with them!
b. They Must Get Right With The Church – Otherwise, there will be division!
c. They Must Get Right With The Pastor – How can he pastor those who are not right with him?
d. They Must Get Right With The People – If there is a problem between the sinful and someone in the church, there will be a continual problem within the church.
5. Restoration Must Be Done Carefully – (In A Careful Way) - Notice the emphasis is upon spiritual believers doing the restoring. Not just anyone can qualify! Anytime you are dealing with sin or discouragement, it si easy for the restorer to become emotionally and physically involved.
a. The Restorer Must Realize That He Too Is But Flesh – But for the grace of God go I!
b. The Restorer Must Make Sure That He Is Not Tempted – Satan will use such cases to exploit our own personal weaknesses.
c. The Restorer Must Not Be Sympathetic - Sometimes, if the fallen are not getting completely right, they will try to win you over to their side of the situation. Evil Communications still corrupt good manners.
Conclusion: What do you do when someone sins? You discipline them. What do you do when they repent and turn from that sin? You forgive them in the fullest sense. Then what do you do after they are forgiven? You restore them, taking them all the way back to the place where they were before they fell. The ministry of restoration is a vital and final link in the process of dealing with sin in the church.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
New Year’s Resolve
Temple Baptist Church 12-27-2009
Philippians 3:13
Introduction:
A. I am not a lot of New Year’s Resolutions but, at the same time, do find some great benefits in them. Most people’s New Year’s Resolutions have to do with losing weight, quitting smoking, getting in shape, etc. and—while these things are important—the ones that count most are those with eternal value.
B. I used this same portion of Scripture last year to bring a different message but I find this verse a very important one as we enter into the year of 2010. In order to make the most of the New Year, we must put the last year in a right perspective.
1. Last year is history! It is gone! It is over for better or worse so we need to move on.
2. We cannot change what happened to us or what happened through us. We made some mistakes. We endured some real problems. They are over so we resolve not to make the same mistakes. Problems are a way of life and 2010 will bring about its own particular set of them.
3. We need to both put the past in the past and to put the future in the present. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives and what we make of it is up to us. We can be angry and bitter about last year or we can resolve to be better because of it. We can cry tears of sorrow about our failures or we can get them right and resolve not to repeat them.
C. I pray that this coming year will be a better year for a lot of us. It was a rough one on my family and one several other families in the church. At this point, let me say:
1. We made it through! The devil didn’t “eat us!” We are here!
2. God’s grace was sufficient! It was rough but not more than we could bear!
3. It will make us tougher! Just don’t let it make you harder!
D. I can, at this point, hope that it will be better and let nature take its course or I can resolve to help next year be better by taking some positive steps. I want to look at some of those steps that can help to make 2010 a better year.
1. I want to FORGET the past And press forward - Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
2. I want to KEEP my eyes on the Lord - Psalms 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (2) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3. I want to TRUST the Lord’s way and work - 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.
4. I want to WALK in sweet fellowship with the Lord - Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
5. I want to CHOOSE the reproach of Christ over the pleasures of the world - Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
6. I want to LEARN to be more patient in trials - Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
7. I want to BE an encouragement instead of a discouragement to the brethren - Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
8. I want to REMAIN faithful to the things of God - 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
9. I want to Study God’s Word - 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
10. I want to be found WATCHING for our Lord’s return - Mark 13:35-37 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (36) Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. (37) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Philippians 3:13
Introduction:
A. I am not a lot of New Year’s Resolutions but, at the same time, do find some great benefits in them. Most people’s New Year’s Resolutions have to do with losing weight, quitting smoking, getting in shape, etc. and—while these things are important—the ones that count most are those with eternal value.
B. I used this same portion of Scripture last year to bring a different message but I find this verse a very important one as we enter into the year of 2010. In order to make the most of the New Year, we must put the last year in a right perspective.
1. Last year is history! It is gone! It is over for better or worse so we need to move on.
2. We cannot change what happened to us or what happened through us. We made some mistakes. We endured some real problems. They are over so we resolve not to make the same mistakes. Problems are a way of life and 2010 will bring about its own particular set of them.
3. We need to both put the past in the past and to put the future in the present. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives and what we make of it is up to us. We can be angry and bitter about last year or we can resolve to be better because of it. We can cry tears of sorrow about our failures or we can get them right and resolve not to repeat them.
C. I pray that this coming year will be a better year for a lot of us. It was a rough one on my family and one several other families in the church. At this point, let me say:
1. We made it through! The devil didn’t “eat us!” We are here!
2. God’s grace was sufficient! It was rough but not more than we could bear!
3. It will make us tougher! Just don’t let it make you harder!
D. I can, at this point, hope that it will be better and let nature take its course or I can resolve to help next year be better by taking some positive steps. I want to look at some of those steps that can help to make 2010 a better year.
1. I want to FORGET the past And press forward - Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
2. I want to KEEP my eyes on the Lord - Psalms 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (2) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3. I want to TRUST the Lord’s way and work - 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.
4. I want to WALK in sweet fellowship with the Lord - Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
5. I want to CHOOSE the reproach of Christ over the pleasures of the world - Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
6. I want to LEARN to be more patient in trials - Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
7. I want to BE an encouragement instead of a discouragement to the brethren - Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
8. I want to REMAIN faithful to the things of God - 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
9. I want to Study God’s Word - 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
10. I want to be found WATCHING for our Lord’s return - Mark 13:35-37 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (36) Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. (37) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
What Jesus Means To Me
Temple Baptist Church - 12-23-2009
Isaiah 9:6
Introduction:
A. Friday, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful event in that God became man! Not just any man nor just another man, but the “God-man!”
B. Most of the world lies in darkness tonight as to the meaning of the birth of Christ. Our Lord asked of the disciples:
Luke 9:18-20 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? (19) They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. (20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
C. If you know the correct answer to the question: “Whom say ye that I am?,” then you are more blessed than you know. The vast majority of mankind knows nothing of Christ, has a wrong perspective of Christ, or has rejected the truth of Christ. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ and have accepted Him as your personal Saviour, you are blessed beyond measure!
D. I am glad tonight that I both know who Jesus is and know Him as my Lord and Saviour! I am blessed tonight! I am blessed tonight beyond measure.
E. Now that we have established just who Jesus Christ is; why Jesus Christ came; and that He is our Lord and Saviour; my question is this: what does Jesus Christ mean to you and me? My fear tonight is this: that we that are saved forget just what it means to be called the “sons of God.”
1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
F. There are many titles given to Jesus Christ but, when referring to the coming of the virgin born Son of God, the Holy Spirit gave some tremendous insight concerning His person in Isaiah 9:6. I want to look at just one of them for a few minutes. His names here are Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. He is certainly all of these.
G. The verse says, “His name SHALL be called!” Not is called but “shall be called” and the first name is Wonderful. He is the person of our praise. Wonderful means to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; or astonishing.
1. He Is Wonderful In His Person
2. He Is Wonderful In His Passion
3. He Is Wonderful In His Pardon
4. He Is Wonderful In His Protection
5. He Is Wonderful In His Provision
6. He Is Wonderful In His Promises
H. He is Wonderful to me because:
1. The Lord Saved My Unrighteous Soul
2. The Lord Saved My Life From Destruction
3. The Lord Filled My Marriage With Love
4. The Lord Gave Me Two Wonderful Sons And Seven Grandchildren
5. The Lord Called Me Into His Service
6. The Lord Has Given Me A Great Church Filled With Wonderful People
7. The Lord Has Provided Me With A Wonderful Home To Live In
8. The Lord Has Met Every Need In My Life
9. The Lord Has Never Let Me Down
10. The Lord Has Comforted, Strengthened, Guided, Provided For Me
11. The Lord Has Always Kept His Word
12. The Lord Has Given Me Assurance Of My Salvation
13. The Lord Has Given Me A Glimpse Of My Eternal Home
Conclusion: Now, I know why His name shall be called Wonderful! I did not know that years ago because He was the one that I had read about and heard about. Now, after 33 years, He is the one that I know!
Isaiah 9:6
Introduction:
A. Friday, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful event in that God became man! Not just any man nor just another man, but the “God-man!”
B. Most of the world lies in darkness tonight as to the meaning of the birth of Christ. Our Lord asked of the disciples:
Luke 9:18-20 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? (19) They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. (20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
C. If you know the correct answer to the question: “Whom say ye that I am?,” then you are more blessed than you know. The vast majority of mankind knows nothing of Christ, has a wrong perspective of Christ, or has rejected the truth of Christ. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ and have accepted Him as your personal Saviour, you are blessed beyond measure!
D. I am glad tonight that I both know who Jesus is and know Him as my Lord and Saviour! I am blessed tonight! I am blessed tonight beyond measure.
E. Now that we have established just who Jesus Christ is; why Jesus Christ came; and that He is our Lord and Saviour; my question is this: what does Jesus Christ mean to you and me? My fear tonight is this: that we that are saved forget just what it means to be called the “sons of God.”
1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
F. There are many titles given to Jesus Christ but, when referring to the coming of the virgin born Son of God, the Holy Spirit gave some tremendous insight concerning His person in Isaiah 9:6. I want to look at just one of them for a few minutes. His names here are Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. He is certainly all of these.
G. The verse says, “His name SHALL be called!” Not is called but “shall be called” and the first name is Wonderful. He is the person of our praise. Wonderful means to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; or astonishing.
1. He Is Wonderful In His Person
2. He Is Wonderful In His Passion
3. He Is Wonderful In His Pardon
4. He Is Wonderful In His Protection
5. He Is Wonderful In His Provision
6. He Is Wonderful In His Promises
H. He is Wonderful to me because:
1. The Lord Saved My Unrighteous Soul
2. The Lord Saved My Life From Destruction
3. The Lord Filled My Marriage With Love
4. The Lord Gave Me Two Wonderful Sons And Seven Grandchildren
5. The Lord Called Me Into His Service
6. The Lord Has Given Me A Great Church Filled With Wonderful People
7. The Lord Has Provided Me With A Wonderful Home To Live In
8. The Lord Has Met Every Need In My Life
9. The Lord Has Never Let Me Down
10. The Lord Has Comforted, Strengthened, Guided, Provided For Me
11. The Lord Has Always Kept His Word
12. The Lord Has Given Me Assurance Of My Salvation
13. The Lord Has Given Me A Glimpse Of My Eternal Home
Conclusion: Now, I know why His name shall be called Wonderful! I did not know that years ago because He was the one that I had read about and heard about. Now, after 33 years, He is the one that I know!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Praise Of Christmas
Temple Baptist Church - 12-20-2009
Luke 2:1-14
Introduction:
A. Tonight, I want to go back to the story of the birth of the Saviour for a few minutes and concentrate on the last couple of verses, 10-14. We often forget what we celebrate this time of the year as the tinsel outshines the true meaning. Jesus Christ, Jehovah God of the Old Testament, became man that we might one day live with Him forever in Heaven.
B. Here, we find the angels of God praising their creator. They are not praising God for His goodness to them but for His goodness to the children of men. I fear that too often, we are taught to only praise God for what He has personally done for us. We should praise Him for that but if that is the only reason we praise Him, then our motive is simply selfish!
C. I know that it is joke around here when I say that I will be short tonight so let me just say that it is good sometimes for us to reevaluate our praise or lack of it. It is easy to praise the Lord in our good times but I believe that our praise is a more pure form of worship during our hard times.
D. I thank God for all of His “benefits.” I praise God for the simply things of life that allow us to enjoy living. Our health, wealth, comforts, freedoms, and etc. I thank God for who He is and what He does behind the scenes.
Psalms 18:6-18 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
1. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Sovereignty! Providence! Nothing touches me that He has not allowed for His glory and He turns it for my good. He does control! There are times in my life when I doubt God because I am human. But He does control our circumstances. He will not leave us nor will He forsake us. He will not give us over to our enemies; He will not let the wicked triumph over the right. He controls everything all of the time and nothing moves without His permission.
2. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Being! He is a gracious, longsuffering, gently, good, and merciful God who loves us without being loved in return. Yes, He is holy and righteous but His love covers a multitude of sins and He is better to us than we are to Him.
3. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Power! He as all power in Heaven and in Earth. Nothing is too big for Him to handle. Nothing or no one is powerful enough to make Him worry. He can do anything at all times. Satan, difficulties, and our enemies are subject to Him. I can do all things through Christ!
4. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Sacrifice! I am Heaven bound tonight because of Calvary’s love. Greater love hath no man than this! He laid down His life for me that I might live eternally and have life abundant.
5. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Faithfulness! I am glad that God is not faithful only when I am faithful. I would be in a mess for sure. He is faithful to His Word and His works all of the time. He cannot deny Himself! He will not deny Himself! He will do what He promises! It may not be in my time but it will be the right time and, when it gets done, it will be done right. He will bring my family out of the darkness of the past 3 years. He will bring our enemies to their knees because of their wickedness.
6. I Praise God Tonight Because I Am Over 60 And Closer To Home Than Ever! You young people rejoice in your youth because your strength is amazing and your troubles are few. The years will draw nigh when you will have no pleasure in them. I don’t want to start over again. I do not want to walk this life’s path again. I look forward to going hime one day just like today. Even so come, Lord Jesus!
7. I Praise God Tonight Because I Am Here With You! Everything in my life may not go to suit me but God put me here with you and I love you. What a wonderful church family we have. I just want to praise the Lord with you tonight and in the days to come, serve the Lord with you. I want to go home from this pulpit. Things will get better here at Temple. They are great now but, when we come out of this valley, God will add and multiply here because you are a great people and this is a great church.
Conclusion: Let us celebrate Christmas and a New Year with a glory that comes only through knowing Christ. I look forward to 2010! God will make it a better year than the past 2 have been and I am excited about it.
Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
Psalm 9:1 “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
Psalm 35:18 “I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.”
Psalm 52:9 “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”
Psalm 54:6 “I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.”
Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Psalm 57:9 “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.”
Psalm 69:30 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 86:12 “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”
Psalm 108:3 “I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.”
Psalm 109:30 “I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.”
Psalm 111:1 “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”
Psalm 118:19 “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD”
Psalm 118:21 “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.”
Psalm 118:28 “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.”
Psalm 119:7 “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”
Psalm 138:1 “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.”
Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Psalm 145:2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”
Luke 2:1-14
Introduction:
A. Tonight, I want to go back to the story of the birth of the Saviour for a few minutes and concentrate on the last couple of verses, 10-14. We often forget what we celebrate this time of the year as the tinsel outshines the true meaning. Jesus Christ, Jehovah God of the Old Testament, became man that we might one day live with Him forever in Heaven.
B. Here, we find the angels of God praising their creator. They are not praising God for His goodness to them but for His goodness to the children of men. I fear that too often, we are taught to only praise God for what He has personally done for us. We should praise Him for that but if that is the only reason we praise Him, then our motive is simply selfish!
C. I know that it is joke around here when I say that I will be short tonight so let me just say that it is good sometimes for us to reevaluate our praise or lack of it. It is easy to praise the Lord in our good times but I believe that our praise is a more pure form of worship during our hard times.
D. I thank God for all of His “benefits.” I praise God for the simply things of life that allow us to enjoy living. Our health, wealth, comforts, freedoms, and etc. I thank God for who He is and what He does behind the scenes.
Psalms 18:6-18 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
1. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Sovereignty! Providence! Nothing touches me that He has not allowed for His glory and He turns it for my good. He does control! There are times in my life when I doubt God because I am human. But He does control our circumstances. He will not leave us nor will He forsake us. He will not give us over to our enemies; He will not let the wicked triumph over the right. He controls everything all of the time and nothing moves without His permission.
2. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Being! He is a gracious, longsuffering, gently, good, and merciful God who loves us without being loved in return. Yes, He is holy and righteous but His love covers a multitude of sins and He is better to us than we are to Him.
3. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Power! He as all power in Heaven and in Earth. Nothing is too big for Him to handle. Nothing or no one is powerful enough to make Him worry. He can do anything at all times. Satan, difficulties, and our enemies are subject to Him. I can do all things through Christ!
4. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Sacrifice! I am Heaven bound tonight because of Calvary’s love. Greater love hath no man than this! He laid down His life for me that I might live eternally and have life abundant.
5. I Praise God Tonight Because Of His Faithfulness! I am glad that God is not faithful only when I am faithful. I would be in a mess for sure. He is faithful to His Word and His works all of the time. He cannot deny Himself! He will not deny Himself! He will do what He promises! It may not be in my time but it will be the right time and, when it gets done, it will be done right. He will bring my family out of the darkness of the past 3 years. He will bring our enemies to their knees because of their wickedness.
6. I Praise God Tonight Because I Am Over 60 And Closer To Home Than Ever! You young people rejoice in your youth because your strength is amazing and your troubles are few. The years will draw nigh when you will have no pleasure in them. I don’t want to start over again. I do not want to walk this life’s path again. I look forward to going hime one day just like today. Even so come, Lord Jesus!
7. I Praise God Tonight Because I Am Here With You! Everything in my life may not go to suit me but God put me here with you and I love you. What a wonderful church family we have. I just want to praise the Lord with you tonight and in the days to come, serve the Lord with you. I want to go home from this pulpit. Things will get better here at Temple. They are great now but, when we come out of this valley, God will add and multiply here because you are a great people and this is a great church.
Conclusion: Let us celebrate Christmas and a New Year with a glory that comes only through knowing Christ. I look forward to 2010! God will make it a better year than the past 2 have been and I am excited about it.
Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
Psalm 9:1 “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
Psalm 35:18 “I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.”
Psalm 52:9 “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”
Psalm 54:6 “I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.”
Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Psalm 57:9 “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.”
Psalm 69:30 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 86:12 “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”
Psalm 108:3 “I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.”
Psalm 109:30 “I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.”
Psalm 111:1 “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”
Psalm 118:19 “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD”
Psalm 118:21 “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.”
Psalm 118:28 “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.”
Psalm 119:7 “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”
Psalm 138:1 “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.”
Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Psalm 145:2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”
A Miracle In A Manger
Temple Baptist Church - 12-20-2009
Luke 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. It seems hardly possible that this week will be Christmas Week of 2009. As a child, I remember some things about Christmas. I remember the trees, the glitter, the snow, the Christmas Carols, the nativity scenes, the smells of fresh baked bread—cookies—candy—ham or turkey, opening the presents, and just the joy of the season. I am still a child at heart and enjoy that aspect of Christmas.
B. But, as a child, the nativity scene was beautiful and mysterious to me. I did not know fully what was so special about a babe born in a manger two thousand years ago. I sang about the shepherds, wise men, and baby Jesus without knowing just what took place that night so long ago.
C. Later, as a teen, I was remembered more of what I was taught in Sunday School but the sheer delight of the birth of Jesus Christ was not a part of Christmas to me. Once again, it was the trees, glitter, presents, etc., coupled with family dinners and breakfasts that held the pre-eminence during Christmas.
D. Because of this, after Christmas there was a letdown. The tree was bare because the gifts were gone. The stores were a madhouse with long sales and return lines. There would not be 12 months until Christmas came around again.
E. Now, after 33 years of salvation, the story of Christ’s birth has a very special place in my heart.
1. The Miracle Of The Birth – Vs. 5 “his espoused wife” Such reproach!
a. He was born the right way – The only virgin birth to ever take place! A medically impossible birth! Unheard of! Unprecedented! Unparalleled! His conception was right as well as His birth! The virgin born Son of God!
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (No Adamic nature; no sin nature; pure flesh; a prepared body born in a prepared way! What a miracle birth!)
b. He was born the right time – The only time in history when prophecy could be filled. Rome was in control. Bethlehem was full of people who came to pay their taxes. No one paid any particular attention to a young couple expecting their first child. Everyone was too busy with their own lives and problems to care about the birth of the Messiah.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Right on time. That’s God! Not on our time; never at the wrong time; never early; never late; always was, is, and will be RIGHT ON TIME!)
2. The Miracle Of The Place – Vs. 7 “a manger” Such A Lowly Place!
a. He was born in an obscure way. A manger was a feeding trough for animals; a not so a clean place. I think of the sterile environment into which our children are born in. When my children were born, I had to scrub up and wear mask and gown before even touching them. There were not brought into the hospital room until all of this was done. My Lord had no such niceties. No place for the birth of a King; not the place for the birth of a Prince; not the crib of royalty. The perfect place for a lamb to be born. The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world was born in a manger among the other lambs.
b. He was born in an obscure night in an obscure place. While Bethlehem and the world slept, my Lord Jesus Christ was heard crying for the first time in a stable!
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Born in the city of David’s birth. Born in the right place; born in the exact place prophesied! I did not get to choose the place of my birth but He did!)
3. The Miracle Of The Person – vs. 11 “Christ the Lord” Such a wonder!
a. God became man! The incarnate God! Jehovah God; the Almighty God; the Omnipotent God; the Omnipresent God; the Omniscient God! The God who spanned the universe with His hand was conceived in a virgin’s womb! That same God now lives in my heart!
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
b. The Prince became a pauper! The richest of the rich! Wealth beyond our comprehension! He owned the universe! He owned Heaven! He owned the earth! If he needed more, He could simply speak it into existence.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
c. The King of Glory became a carpenter! He who created the universe with His Word now worked with His hands! Because of sin, man earned his bread by the sweat of his brow. Because of our sins, the Son of Man earned his bread by the sweat of His brow.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
d. The Lion became a Lamb! His fierce countenance became one of meekness. Meekness, not weakness! He was no long haired, soft, effeminate that pictures portray. He was a rugged man; He was a man’s man! It would have been no problem for a weak man to be a meek man but our Lord was a man’s man who became meek for our sakes and as a lamb before her shearers is dumb, He opened not His mouth!
Revelation 5:5-6 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
4. The Miracle Of The Purpose – Vs. 11 “a saviour” Such Grace!
a. His love for sinful man manifested! Such love! Such wondrous love! That God should love a sinner such as I!
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
b. His longing to be with them! More than we know, God wants to spend an eternity with us. He does not leave nor forsake us here and will come to take us to where He lives there!
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Luke 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. It seems hardly possible that this week will be Christmas Week of 2009. As a child, I remember some things about Christmas. I remember the trees, the glitter, the snow, the Christmas Carols, the nativity scenes, the smells of fresh baked bread—cookies—candy—ham or turkey, opening the presents, and just the joy of the season. I am still a child at heart and enjoy that aspect of Christmas.
B. But, as a child, the nativity scene was beautiful and mysterious to me. I did not know fully what was so special about a babe born in a manger two thousand years ago. I sang about the shepherds, wise men, and baby Jesus without knowing just what took place that night so long ago.
C. Later, as a teen, I was remembered more of what I was taught in Sunday School but the sheer delight of the birth of Jesus Christ was not a part of Christmas to me. Once again, it was the trees, glitter, presents, etc., coupled with family dinners and breakfasts that held the pre-eminence during Christmas.
D. Because of this, after Christmas there was a letdown. The tree was bare because the gifts were gone. The stores were a madhouse with long sales and return lines. There would not be 12 months until Christmas came around again.
E. Now, after 33 years of salvation, the story of Christ’s birth has a very special place in my heart.
1. The Miracle Of The Birth – Vs. 5 “his espoused wife” Such reproach!
a. He was born the right way – The only virgin birth to ever take place! A medically impossible birth! Unheard of! Unprecedented! Unparalleled! His conception was right as well as His birth! The virgin born Son of God!
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (No Adamic nature; no sin nature; pure flesh; a prepared body born in a prepared way! What a miracle birth!)
b. He was born the right time – The only time in history when prophecy could be filled. Rome was in control. Bethlehem was full of people who came to pay their taxes. No one paid any particular attention to a young couple expecting their first child. Everyone was too busy with their own lives and problems to care about the birth of the Messiah.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Right on time. That’s God! Not on our time; never at the wrong time; never early; never late; always was, is, and will be RIGHT ON TIME!)
2. The Miracle Of The Place – Vs. 7 “a manger” Such A Lowly Place!
a. He was born in an obscure way. A manger was a feeding trough for animals; a not so a clean place. I think of the sterile environment into which our children are born in. When my children were born, I had to scrub up and wear mask and gown before even touching them. There were not brought into the hospital room until all of this was done. My Lord had no such niceties. No place for the birth of a King; not the place for the birth of a Prince; not the crib of royalty. The perfect place for a lamb to be born. The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world was born in a manger among the other lambs.
b. He was born in an obscure night in an obscure place. While Bethlehem and the world slept, my Lord Jesus Christ was heard crying for the first time in a stable!
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Born in the city of David’s birth. Born in the right place; born in the exact place prophesied! I did not get to choose the place of my birth but He did!)
3. The Miracle Of The Person – vs. 11 “Christ the Lord” Such a wonder!
a. God became man! The incarnate God! Jehovah God; the Almighty God; the Omnipotent God; the Omnipresent God; the Omniscient God! The God who spanned the universe with His hand was conceived in a virgin’s womb! That same God now lives in my heart!
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
b. The Prince became a pauper! The richest of the rich! Wealth beyond our comprehension! He owned the universe! He owned Heaven! He owned the earth! If he needed more, He could simply speak it into existence.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
c. The King of Glory became a carpenter! He who created the universe with His Word now worked with His hands! Because of sin, man earned his bread by the sweat of his brow. Because of our sins, the Son of Man earned his bread by the sweat of His brow.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
d. The Lion became a Lamb! His fierce countenance became one of meekness. Meekness, not weakness! He was no long haired, soft, effeminate that pictures portray. He was a rugged man; He was a man’s man! It would have been no problem for a weak man to be a meek man but our Lord was a man’s man who became meek for our sakes and as a lamb before her shearers is dumb, He opened not His mouth!
Revelation 5:5-6 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
4. The Miracle Of The Purpose – Vs. 11 “a saviour” Such Grace!
a. His love for sinful man manifested! Such love! Such wondrous love! That God should love a sinner such as I!
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
b. His longing to be with them! More than we know, God wants to spend an eternity with us. He does not leave nor forsake us here and will come to take us to where He lives there!
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Do We Need Revival?
Temple Baptist Church - 12-13-2009
Psalms 85
Introduction: Bro. Tommy Holbrooks will be with us tonight through Wednesday night. That will make 23 consecutive Decembers that he has been with us. My, how the time flies and what a blessing Bro. Tommy has been to this church over those years. He is not only a close personal friend to my family; he is a real friend to churches and this one in particular. It needs to be understood that revival cannot be brought, bought, or worked up. Revival is individual and not group related or church-wide.
A. A lack of life, which is revival, in a church brings about some real problems:
1. You lose the blessings of God – vs. 1 “favor
2. You become a slave to sin – vs. 1 “captivity”
3. You incur the chastening of the Lord – vs. 2-3 “wrath … anger”
4. You will bring judgment upon your children – vs. 5 “all generations”
5. You will lose the joy of your salvation – vs. 6 “rejoice in thee”
B. What is or is not revival?
1. Some Think That Revival Is Shouting – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
2. Some Think That Revival Is Soul Winning – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
3. Some Think That Revival Is Sanctification – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
4. Some Think That Revival Is Service – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
5. Revival Is Simply Getting Personally Right With God! Revive means to make alive. God has quickened us in salvation and yet we have a continual problem with leaving our “first love” and settling upon our lees.
C. When do we need revival? First of all let me say that we need revival all of the time. Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Again and again and again and again!)
1. We need revival when we do not love Him as we once did.
2. We need revival when earthly interests are more important to us to us than eternal ones.
3. We need revival when we would rather watch TV than read the Bible and pray.
4. We need revival when church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings.
5. We need revival when we have little or no desire to pray.
6. We need revival when we would rather make money than give money.
7. We need revival when our Christianity is joyless and passionless.
8. We need revival when we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.
9. We need revival when we make little effort to witness to the lost.
10. We need revival when we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.
11. We need revival when we do not tremble at the Word of God.
12. We need revival when we seldom think thoughts of eternity.
13. We need revival when God’s people are more concerned about their jobs and their careers, than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.
14. We need revival when church services are predictable and “business as usual.”
15. We need revival when believers can be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue reconciliation.
16. We need revival when Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.
17. We need revival when our marriages are co-existing rather than full of the love of Christ. 18. We need revival when our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies and ungodly lifestyles.
19. We need revival when we are more concerned about our children’s education and their athletic activities than about the condition of their souls.
20. We need revival when we tolerate “little” sins of gossip, a critical spirit and lack of love.
21. We need revival when our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.
22. We need revival when our prayers are empty words designated to impress others.
23. We need revival when our prayers lack fervency.
24. We need revival when our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.
25. We need revival when we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.
26. We need revival when we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our own sin more than the sins of others.
27. We need revival when we are content with explainable, ordinary Christianity and church services.
28. We need revival when we are bored with worship.
29. We need revival when people have to be entertained to be drawn to church.
30. We need revival when our music and dress become patterned after the world.
31. We need revival when we start fitting into and adapting to the world, rather than calling the world to adapt to God’s standard of holiness.
32. We need revival when we don’t long for the company and fellowship of God’s people.
33. We need revival when people have to be begged to give and to serve in the church.
34. We need revival when our giving is measured and calculated, rather than extravagant and sacrificial.
35. We need revival when we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.
36. We need revival when we are more concerned about what others think about us what God thinks about us.
37. We need revival when we are unmoved by the fact that over 2.5 billion people in the world have never heard the name of Jesus.
38. We need revival when we are unmoved by the thought of neighbors, business associates and acquaintances who are lost and without Christ.
39. We need revival when the lost world around us doesn’t know or care that we exist.
40. We need revival when the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and the church.
41. We need revival when we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need it.
D. Why do we need revival?
1. We need revival in order to increase our zeal for the Lord.
2. We need revival in order to increase our soul winning efforts.
3. We need revival in order to increase our sacrificial giving.
4. We need revival in order to increase our love for one another.
5. We need revival in order to increase our joy.
6. We need revival in order to increase our praise and worship of the Lord.
E. When we fail to have revival:
1. We lose the freshness of salvation – the excitement and wonder is gone.
2. We lose our burning love for a wonderful Savior.
3. We lose our desire for service – we become mechanical and go through the motions.
Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
1. There Needs To Be A Discernment Of Need. “Wilt” (Notice the personal pronouns in these verses. Revival is personal. You cannot expect others to get right, but must make sure that you are perfectly right. It is so easy to judge others while walking at a guilty distance from God yourself.)
Psalms 51:1-13 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
2. There Needs To Be A Direction Of Help. “Thou” (Life comes from the Lord and revival comes from Him also.)
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
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.
3. There Needs To Be A Desire For Change. “Revive” (As long as we are satisfied with our spirituality and life, we are not even a candidate for revival.)
Psalms 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
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.
4. There Needs To Be A Determination To Achieve. “Again” (Revival is a constant need of God’s people and does not exist in a simple 3-7 day meeting. Revival needs to be daily and perpetual.)
Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Psalms 85
Introduction: Bro. Tommy Holbrooks will be with us tonight through Wednesday night. That will make 23 consecutive Decembers that he has been with us. My, how the time flies and what a blessing Bro. Tommy has been to this church over those years. He is not only a close personal friend to my family; he is a real friend to churches and this one in particular. It needs to be understood that revival cannot be brought, bought, or worked up. Revival is individual and not group related or church-wide.
A. A lack of life, which is revival, in a church brings about some real problems:
1. You lose the blessings of God – vs. 1 “favor
2. You become a slave to sin – vs. 1 “captivity”
3. You incur the chastening of the Lord – vs. 2-3 “wrath … anger”
4. You will bring judgment upon your children – vs. 5 “all generations”
5. You will lose the joy of your salvation – vs. 6 “rejoice in thee”
B. What is or is not revival?
1. Some Think That Revival Is Shouting – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
2. Some Think That Revival Is Soul Winning – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
3. Some Think That Revival Is Sanctification – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
4. Some Think That Revival Is Service – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.
5. Revival Is Simply Getting Personally Right With God! Revive means to make alive. God has quickened us in salvation and yet we have a continual problem with leaving our “first love” and settling upon our lees.
C. When do we need revival? First of all let me say that we need revival all of the time. Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Again and again and again and again!)
1. We need revival when we do not love Him as we once did.
2. We need revival when earthly interests are more important to us to us than eternal ones.
3. We need revival when we would rather watch TV than read the Bible and pray.
4. We need revival when church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings.
5. We need revival when we have little or no desire to pray.
6. We need revival when we would rather make money than give money.
7. We need revival when our Christianity is joyless and passionless.
8. We need revival when we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.
9. We need revival when we make little effort to witness to the lost.
10. We need revival when we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.
11. We need revival when we do not tremble at the Word of God.
12. We need revival when we seldom think thoughts of eternity.
13. We need revival when God’s people are more concerned about their jobs and their careers, than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.
14. We need revival when church services are predictable and “business as usual.”
15. We need revival when believers can be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue reconciliation.
16. We need revival when Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.
17. We need revival when our marriages are co-existing rather than full of the love of Christ. 18. We need revival when our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies and ungodly lifestyles.
19. We need revival when we are more concerned about our children’s education and their athletic activities than about the condition of their souls.
20. We need revival when we tolerate “little” sins of gossip, a critical spirit and lack of love.
21. We need revival when our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.
22. We need revival when our prayers are empty words designated to impress others.
23. We need revival when our prayers lack fervency.
24. We need revival when our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.
25. We need revival when we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.
26. We need revival when we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our own sin more than the sins of others.
27. We need revival when we are content with explainable, ordinary Christianity and church services.
28. We need revival when we are bored with worship.
29. We need revival when people have to be entertained to be drawn to church.
30. We need revival when our music and dress become patterned after the world.
31. We need revival when we start fitting into and adapting to the world, rather than calling the world to adapt to God’s standard of holiness.
32. We need revival when we don’t long for the company and fellowship of God’s people.
33. We need revival when people have to be begged to give and to serve in the church.
34. We need revival when our giving is measured and calculated, rather than extravagant and sacrificial.
35. We need revival when we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.
36. We need revival when we are more concerned about what others think about us what God thinks about us.
37. We need revival when we are unmoved by the fact that over 2.5 billion people in the world have never heard the name of Jesus.
38. We need revival when we are unmoved by the thought of neighbors, business associates and acquaintances who are lost and without Christ.
39. We need revival when the lost world around us doesn’t know or care that we exist.
40. We need revival when the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and the church.
41. We need revival when we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need it.
D. Why do we need revival?
1. We need revival in order to increase our zeal for the Lord.
2. We need revival in order to increase our soul winning efforts.
3. We need revival in order to increase our sacrificial giving.
4. We need revival in order to increase our love for one another.
5. We need revival in order to increase our joy.
6. We need revival in order to increase our praise and worship of the Lord.
E. When we fail to have revival:
1. We lose the freshness of salvation – the excitement and wonder is gone.
2. We lose our burning love for a wonderful Savior.
3. We lose our desire for service – we become mechanical and go through the motions.
Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
1. There Needs To Be A Discernment Of Need. “Wilt” (Notice the personal pronouns in these verses. Revival is personal. You cannot expect others to get right, but must make sure that you are perfectly right. It is so easy to judge others while walking at a guilty distance from God yourself.)
Psalms 51:1-13 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
2. There Needs To Be A Direction Of Help. “Thou” (Life comes from the Lord and revival comes from Him also.)
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
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.
3. There Needs To Be A Desire For Change. “Revive” (As long as we are satisfied with our spirituality and life, we are not even a candidate for revival.)
Psalms 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
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.
4. There Needs To Be A Determination To Achieve. “Again” (Revival is a constant need of God’s people and does not exist in a simple 3-7 day meeting. Revival needs to be daily and perpetual.)
Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Fruit Of The Spirit
Temple Baptist Church - 12-9-2009
Galatians 5:16-26
Introduction:
A. In our previous study, we have found that you and I, as believers, either walk in the flesh or we walk in the Spirit. There is not middle ground as these two walks are contrary one to another. Amos 3:3 declares that a walk together constitutes agreement with one another. The Flesh will never walk in agreement with the Spirit and the Holy Spirit will never walk in agreement with the Flesh!
B. The Flesh lusts against the Spirit: it seeks to control the believer. The Holy Spirit lusts against the Flesh: He seeks to control the believer. Therefore, because of the continual presence of both the flesh and the Spirit, the war is perpetual and powerful.
C. It is a never ending, daily, moment by moment battle of evil vs. good in our lives. Which controls us, either the flesh or the Spirit, is contingent upon which we feed and, therefore, walk in. It is powerful in that “ye cannot do the things that ye would.” We are hindered, horrified, and hurt by the presence and often control by or flesh.
D. I want to look at the fruit of the Spiritual Walk for a few minutes tonight. The Walk of the Flesh produces a myriad of individual works. A backslidden believer can have any one or even a combination of two or more of these works but rarely will he have every one of them on that list.
E. The spiritual walk is different in that aspect. The word “fruit” is singular. It is one fruit manifesting itself in nine different ways. To be lacking in any one of these nine aspects of spiritual fruit is to be, to some extent, walking in the flesh. If we do not have all nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, then we still have areas where we are controlled by our flesh and we cannot do the things that we are supposed to do or want to do.
F. We may look outwardly spiritual but inwardly we know what we are! That is, if we are His! Some folks lack spiritual fruit and think that they are right with God. They are deceived. The worst possible deception is that of self-deception. I know when I am right with God and I know when I am wrong with God because of the inward abiding of His Holy Spirit.
1. There Are The Three Inward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Love - Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (God is love and to be right with Him and to be like Him is to love as He loves. We are to love one another; we are to love sinners; we are to love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates.)
b. Joy - Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (To know God and to be right with God brings an inner joy. Not because everything is right in our circumstances but because everything is right in our Father’s House and we are saved, secure, and soon to be removed from this present evil world through either death or the rapture.)
c. Peace - 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. (Love and joy bring about peace! Peace with God and the peace of God. How often are our souls disquieted because of our mistrust in dire circumstances. Peace in the storm is knowing that the Master of the Sea is in the boat. He may seemingly “sleep” at times, but—when the boat fills with water and the waves are in the ship—He will arise and say, “Peace be still!”)
2. There Are The Three Outward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Longsuffering - Ephesians 4:1-2 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. (Patience in tribulation is a virtue so often missing in our lives. We want and expect others to be longsuffering with us in our faults and failures. We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. We are to forbear as God forbears! This takes a spiritual man or woman to do this!)
b. Gentleness - 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. (Gentleness is a lost virtue in this generation. The terms “gentlemen” is no longer used. Gentleness is not a sign of weakness but an aspect of controlled manliness! Some of the kindest, gentlest men that I have ever known were men to be feared when confronted with war. If we walk in the Spirit, we will be gently with others as God has been gentle with us.)
c. Goodness - Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (God’s people are to be good people. God is good and His people are to have that same characteristic. Good friends, good neighbors, good children, good parents, good citizens, good church members, good followers, etc.)
3. There Are The Three Upward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Faith - 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.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Faith that believes against hope; faith that removes mountains; faith that sees light in the darkness of trials; faith is steadfast and sure.)
b. Meekness - 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is know who and what we are; meekness is glorifying God for what is wrought in our lives; meekness is putting others before self. Moses was the meekest man in all the earth.)
c. Temperance - 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (Controlling of the fleshly appetites. All of us struggle in areas of temperance. There are things that we love to do that often glorifies the flesh to the place of pre-eminence.)
Galatians 5:16-26
Introduction:
A. In our previous study, we have found that you and I, as believers, either walk in the flesh or we walk in the Spirit. There is not middle ground as these two walks are contrary one to another. Amos 3:3 declares that a walk together constitutes agreement with one another. The Flesh will never walk in agreement with the Spirit and the Holy Spirit will never walk in agreement with the Flesh!
B. The Flesh lusts against the Spirit: it seeks to control the believer. The Holy Spirit lusts against the Flesh: He seeks to control the believer. Therefore, because of the continual presence of both the flesh and the Spirit, the war is perpetual and powerful.
C. It is a never ending, daily, moment by moment battle of evil vs. good in our lives. Which controls us, either the flesh or the Spirit, is contingent upon which we feed and, therefore, walk in. It is powerful in that “ye cannot do the things that ye would.” We are hindered, horrified, and hurt by the presence and often control by or flesh.
D. I want to look at the fruit of the Spiritual Walk for a few minutes tonight. The Walk of the Flesh produces a myriad of individual works. A backslidden believer can have any one or even a combination of two or more of these works but rarely will he have every one of them on that list.
E. The spiritual walk is different in that aspect. The word “fruit” is singular. It is one fruit manifesting itself in nine different ways. To be lacking in any one of these nine aspects of spiritual fruit is to be, to some extent, walking in the flesh. If we do not have all nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, then we still have areas where we are controlled by our flesh and we cannot do the things that we are supposed to do or want to do.
F. We may look outwardly spiritual but inwardly we know what we are! That is, if we are His! Some folks lack spiritual fruit and think that they are right with God. They are deceived. The worst possible deception is that of self-deception. I know when I am right with God and I know when I am wrong with God because of the inward abiding of His Holy Spirit.
1. There Are The Three Inward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Love - Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (God is love and to be right with Him and to be like Him is to love as He loves. We are to love one another; we are to love sinners; we are to love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates.)
b. Joy - Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (To know God and to be right with God brings an inner joy. Not because everything is right in our circumstances but because everything is right in our Father’s House and we are saved, secure, and soon to be removed from this present evil world through either death or the rapture.)
c. Peace - 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. (Love and joy bring about peace! Peace with God and the peace of God. How often are our souls disquieted because of our mistrust in dire circumstances. Peace in the storm is knowing that the Master of the Sea is in the boat. He may seemingly “sleep” at times, but—when the boat fills with water and the waves are in the ship—He will arise and say, “Peace be still!”)
2. There Are The Three Outward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Longsuffering - Ephesians 4:1-2 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. (Patience in tribulation is a virtue so often missing in our lives. We want and expect others to be longsuffering with us in our faults and failures. We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. We are to forbear as God forbears! This takes a spiritual man or woman to do this!)
b. Gentleness - 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. (Gentleness is a lost virtue in this generation. The terms “gentlemen” is no longer used. Gentleness is not a sign of weakness but an aspect of controlled manliness! Some of the kindest, gentlest men that I have ever known were men to be feared when confronted with war. If we walk in the Spirit, we will be gently with others as God has been gentle with us.)
c. Goodness - Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (God’s people are to be good people. God is good and His people are to have that same characteristic. Good friends, good neighbors, good children, good parents, good citizens, good church members, good followers, etc.)
3. There Are The Three Upward Aspects Of The Fruit Of The Spirit
a. Faith - 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.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Faith that believes against hope; faith that removes mountains; faith that sees light in the darkness of trials; faith is steadfast and sure.)
b. Meekness - 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is know who and what we are; meekness is glorifying God for what is wrought in our lives; meekness is putting others before self. Moses was the meekest man in all the earth.)
c. Temperance - 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (Controlling of the fleshly appetites. All of us struggle in areas of temperance. There are things that we love to do that often glorifies the flesh to the place of pre-eminence.)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
But Continue In The Things Which Thou Hast Learned
Temple Baptist Church - 12-6-2009
2 Timothy 3:13-15
Introduction:
A. In these days of “falling away,” it is essential that the believer knows what he or she believes. Biblical ignorance is the rule of the day! No wonder the Apostle Paul said so often: “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren!” One man said that the largest denomination in the word is the Church of the Ignorant Brethren.
B. It is essential that the believer not only what he believes but also why he believes what he believes. I have had so many people come to me and want me to give then Bible for the doctrine of Eternal Life, what the Bible says about spiritual gifts such as tongues, why baptism is not essential to salvation or why salvation is not of works, where do babies go when they die a premature death, what does the Bible say about capital punishment, etc.
C. Every believer who has been saved for years should have already been taught or studied each of these doctrinal questions. Basic or what we refer to “Cardinal Doctrines” of the faith should be easily explained to others by believers.
D. It is essential that the believer know where they got what they believed. I know that, in the beginning of our walk with the Lord, we get our doctrine from those who were instrumental to leading us to the Lord or the church that we were saved in. I do not believe what I believe just because I am an independent Baptist. I believe what I believe because I am a Biblicist! I can go to God’s Word for the foundation of my doctrinal beliefs.
E. Because of biblical ignorance, people are either falling away when troubles come or are “blown about” with every of doctrine.
F. While writing to a young pastor, Timothy, the aged apostle exhorted him to continue in the “things” that he had learned. The word “things” is plural. Not just continuing in one thing but in many. Often, good people will continue in some things while letting down in other things.
Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (To possess or keep)
1. We Are To Continue In Doctrine – 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (There is an old saying, “Love unifies, doctrine divides.” This is the theme of the one world church. Lay aside your doctrine and let us love one another. Doctrine does divide and the division is both right and essential! God commands it! We are to love but true love must be love in truth.)
2. We Are To Continue In Love - John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (We are to love both Saints and Sinners! We are not to love the world or the things of the world but we are to love the lost, pray for them, live before them, and try to win them. We are to love one another and charity covers a multitude of sins!)
3. We Are To Continue In Separation – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (This is the Bible speaking, not this pastor! We are to separate from worldliness, apostasy, and ecumenism. We are not to be pharisaical but we are to be examples of godliness and Christ like. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world!)
4. We Are To Continue In Soul Winning - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Through personal evangelism and world-wide missions. In the highways and hedges of the country side; in the streets and the lanes of the cities; from our Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the world! We are to do all at once and that can only be accomplished through personal effort and sending missionaries. He that winneth souls is wise!)
5. We Are To Continue In Prayer - Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (We are to pray frequently and faithfully. We are to pray without ceasing. We are to pray for family, friends, church, our nation, and the world. We are to pray for purity of heart, desire to serve, the souls of men, and boldness to stand for right!)
6. We Are To Continue In Watching – 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (He is coming, apostasy is creeping, and we are LEAVING!)
2 Timothy 3:13-15
Introduction:
A. In these days of “falling away,” it is essential that the believer knows what he or she believes. Biblical ignorance is the rule of the day! No wonder the Apostle Paul said so often: “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren!” One man said that the largest denomination in the word is the Church of the Ignorant Brethren.
B. It is essential that the believer not only what he believes but also why he believes what he believes. I have had so many people come to me and want me to give then Bible for the doctrine of Eternal Life, what the Bible says about spiritual gifts such as tongues, why baptism is not essential to salvation or why salvation is not of works, where do babies go when they die a premature death, what does the Bible say about capital punishment, etc.
C. Every believer who has been saved for years should have already been taught or studied each of these doctrinal questions. Basic or what we refer to “Cardinal Doctrines” of the faith should be easily explained to others by believers.
D. It is essential that the believer know where they got what they believed. I know that, in the beginning of our walk with the Lord, we get our doctrine from those who were instrumental to leading us to the Lord or the church that we were saved in. I do not believe what I believe just because I am an independent Baptist. I believe what I believe because I am a Biblicist! I can go to God’s Word for the foundation of my doctrinal beliefs.
E. Because of biblical ignorance, people are either falling away when troubles come or are “blown about” with every of doctrine.
F. While writing to a young pastor, Timothy, the aged apostle exhorted him to continue in the “things” that he had learned. The word “things” is plural. Not just continuing in one thing but in many. Often, good people will continue in some things while letting down in other things.
Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (To possess or keep)
1. We Are To Continue In Doctrine – 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (There is an old saying, “Love unifies, doctrine divides.” This is the theme of the one world church. Lay aside your doctrine and let us love one another. Doctrine does divide and the division is both right and essential! God commands it! We are to love but true love must be love in truth.)
2. We Are To Continue In Love - John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (We are to love both Saints and Sinners! We are not to love the world or the things of the world but we are to love the lost, pray for them, live before them, and try to win them. We are to love one another and charity covers a multitude of sins!)
3. We Are To Continue In Separation – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (This is the Bible speaking, not this pastor! We are to separate from worldliness, apostasy, and ecumenism. We are not to be pharisaical but we are to be examples of godliness and Christ like. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world!)
4. We Are To Continue In Soul Winning - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Through personal evangelism and world-wide missions. In the highways and hedges of the country side; in the streets and the lanes of the cities; from our Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the world! We are to do all at once and that can only be accomplished through personal effort and sending missionaries. He that winneth souls is wise!)
5. We Are To Continue In Prayer - Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (We are to pray frequently and faithfully. We are to pray without ceasing. We are to pray for family, friends, church, our nation, and the world. We are to pray for purity of heart, desire to serve, the souls of men, and boldness to stand for right!)
6. We Are To Continue In Watching – 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (He is coming, apostasy is creeping, and we are LEAVING!)
Preaching The Word
Temple Baptist Church - 12-6-2009
2 Timothy 3:1-4:4
Introduction:
A. When you have a 2nd or 3rd epistle with the same name such as Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Peter, and John—the 2nd and 3rd books deal with the apostasy in the end times. Apostasy and the spirit of antichrist were already prevalent in the days of the apostles but, according to the Bible; escalate as we near the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. 2 Timothy is one of the Church Epistles that is pastoral in nature. The Church Epistles are doctrinal books that set forth the guidelines for operating the local church. They are written for everyone while the Pastoral Epistles were written directly to pastors with application made to each of us.
C. 2 Timothy was written to young Timothy as he pastored a church. Paul had been instrumental in the conversion of Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) and mentored him throughout Paul’s ministry. 1 Timothy sets forth a right behavior in regards to the local church (1Timothy 3:15) while 2 Timothy gives warning concerning the advancement of apostasy and wickedness among professing believers: both professing and possessing.
D. Paul admonishes Timothy to remain faithful to the Word of God in chapter 3 for two reasons:
1. Knowing of whom he had received it. He had learned his doctrine from men of God who knew the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy men of old penned the Holy Scriptures and holy men of God preached the Holy Scriptures!
2. Knowing how desperately he would need it. The inspired, preserved Word of God is the fundamental of the faith and the foundation upon which all faith and doctrine stand. The Word of God is an anchor in the shifting sands of human theology and is essential to the “throughly furnishing” of the man of God.
E. I want to preach for a few minutes this morning on the essentials of preaching God’s Word. In a day when God’s Word is attacked, minimized, slandered, rendered, slaughtered, denied, and privately interpreted—we need to make sure we hold the ropes for each other, our families, and the lost.
1. The Admonition Of God’s Word – 3:14-15
a. Stay With God’s Word! God only wrote one Bibles! There is only one faithful translation! We have the inerrant, infallible, verbal, plenary, preserved, inspired, perfect in every way Word of God! I make no apologies to either man or devil for this blessed Bible that I preach. If I am ignorant and unlearned, please leave me alone because I am saved beyond human help!!
b. Stay With God’s Men! I mean men of God who stay with this blessed old King James Bible and remain faithful to the doctrines of the faith. I am all for education but totally against intellectualism! So many today have been educated beyond their intelligence. Their faith has been affected by human reason. You cannot reason out either God or His Word as it is either faith of sight and only faith saves.
2. The Authority Of God’s Word – 3:16
a. It Is The Authority For Indoctrination - it is the straight and narrow way that leads to Heaven – salvation is God’s way or Hell is in man’s way.
b. It Is The Authority For Admonition – it admonishes and convicts the sinful.
c. It Is The Authority For Rectification - it restores the repentant.
d. It Is The Authority For Education - its precepts are right: historically, scientifically, morally, and prophetically.
3. The Application Of God’s Word – 3:17
a. The Word Of God Edifies The Believer - it brings to maturity and guides us.
b. The Word Of God Equips The Believer - it stands alone as to meeting our spiritual needs.
4. The Assignment Of God’s Word – 4:1-2
a. The Charge Of Its Preaching - pure before God and purposed before man.
b. The Purpose Of Its Preaching – it reproves, rebukes, and exhorts.
5. The Apostasy Of God's Word – 3-4
a. The Period Of The Apostasy – the time will come and now is.
b. The People Of The Apostasy – they will not endure sound doctrine and argue with God’s Word.
c. The Preachers Of The Apostasy – they are teachers, not preachers – they are teachers of fables – if you can’t follow the reading of their bible, do not follow the teaching of the preacher.
2 Timothy 3:1-4:4
Introduction:
A. When you have a 2nd or 3rd epistle with the same name such as Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Peter, and John—the 2nd and 3rd books deal with the apostasy in the end times. Apostasy and the spirit of antichrist were already prevalent in the days of the apostles but, according to the Bible; escalate as we near the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. 2 Timothy is one of the Church Epistles that is pastoral in nature. The Church Epistles are doctrinal books that set forth the guidelines for operating the local church. They are written for everyone while the Pastoral Epistles were written directly to pastors with application made to each of us.
C. 2 Timothy was written to young Timothy as he pastored a church. Paul had been instrumental in the conversion of Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) and mentored him throughout Paul’s ministry. 1 Timothy sets forth a right behavior in regards to the local church (1Timothy 3:15) while 2 Timothy gives warning concerning the advancement of apostasy and wickedness among professing believers: both professing and possessing.
D. Paul admonishes Timothy to remain faithful to the Word of God in chapter 3 for two reasons:
1. Knowing of whom he had received it. He had learned his doctrine from men of God who knew the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy men of old penned the Holy Scriptures and holy men of God preached the Holy Scriptures!
2. Knowing how desperately he would need it. The inspired, preserved Word of God is the fundamental of the faith and the foundation upon which all faith and doctrine stand. The Word of God is an anchor in the shifting sands of human theology and is essential to the “throughly furnishing” of the man of God.
E. I want to preach for a few minutes this morning on the essentials of preaching God’s Word. In a day when God’s Word is attacked, minimized, slandered, rendered, slaughtered, denied, and privately interpreted—we need to make sure we hold the ropes for each other, our families, and the lost.
1. The Admonition Of God’s Word – 3:14-15
a. Stay With God’s Word! God only wrote one Bibles! There is only one faithful translation! We have the inerrant, infallible, verbal, plenary, preserved, inspired, perfect in every way Word of God! I make no apologies to either man or devil for this blessed Bible that I preach. If I am ignorant and unlearned, please leave me alone because I am saved beyond human help!!
b. Stay With God’s Men! I mean men of God who stay with this blessed old King James Bible and remain faithful to the doctrines of the faith. I am all for education but totally against intellectualism! So many today have been educated beyond their intelligence. Their faith has been affected by human reason. You cannot reason out either God or His Word as it is either faith of sight and only faith saves.
2. The Authority Of God’s Word – 3:16
a. It Is The Authority For Indoctrination - it is the straight and narrow way that leads to Heaven – salvation is God’s way or Hell is in man’s way.
b. It Is The Authority For Admonition – it admonishes and convicts the sinful.
c. It Is The Authority For Rectification - it restores the repentant.
d. It Is The Authority For Education - its precepts are right: historically, scientifically, morally, and prophetically.
3. The Application Of God’s Word – 3:17
a. The Word Of God Edifies The Believer - it brings to maturity and guides us.
b. The Word Of God Equips The Believer - it stands alone as to meeting our spiritual needs.
4. The Assignment Of God’s Word – 4:1-2
a. The Charge Of Its Preaching - pure before God and purposed before man.
b. The Purpose Of Its Preaching – it reproves, rebukes, and exhorts.
5. The Apostasy Of God's Word – 3-4
a. The Period Of The Apostasy – the time will come and now is.
b. The People Of The Apostasy – they will not endure sound doctrine and argue with God’s Word.
c. The Preachers Of The Apostasy – they are teachers, not preachers – they are teachers of fables – if you can’t follow the reading of their bible, do not follow the teaching of the preacher.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Rapture Of The Church
Temple Baptist Church - 11-29-2009
John 14:1-6
Introduction:
A. No, the word “rapture” is not found in your King James Bible. But the truth of the “rapture” is found in your Bible! To deny the catching away of the saints at the end of the church is seriously heretical teaching. Let us just look at the more obvious prophecies concerning the “rapture.”
1. Revelation 4:1-3. Revelation has a three-fold division found in chapter 1:19.
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” (The Past chapter 1 -“things which thou hast seen;” The Present in chapters 2-3 – “things which are;” The Future in chapters 4-22 – “things which shall be hereafter.”)
In these verses, our glorified Lord encouraged an exiled, suffering saint with the promise of a better day. At the end of the Church Age found in chapters 2-3, we find John “raptured” to stand before the throne of God thus missing the Tribulation Period of chapters 6-18.
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians during their great trials of affliction, reminded them of their blessed hope: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
3. John 14:1-3. Our Lord, just before His passion, encouraged the disciples with the promise of His return. “I will come again!” What a promise! He went away, not to build mansions, but to offer His precious blood!
4. Genesis 5:19-24. One of the earliest prophecies is found concerning Enoch.
Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
In Genesis 6, the Ark is a type of safety through obedience, not of salvation.
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
Noah was saved by grace, not by building an ark and getting on it. We do not work for or build our salvation any more than Noah did. Salvation is and always has been of grace. Noah is a type of Israel going through the Tribulation Period in the ark of God’s safety. Enoch is a type of the Church removed before the beginning of the Tribulation Period.
B. We that know the Lord and walk with Him understand the times in which live in relationship to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 14:1-4, we find the both the purpose of His coming and the promise of His return.
1. The Purpose of His Coming – “Ye believe in God, believe also in me!” Salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone! Acts 4:12, John 3:16, John 10:9, John 14:6, and many others declare that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world!
2. The Purpose of His Ascension – “I go to prepare a place for you!” He is not building mansions as the context says that they are already there! Hebrews declares that Christ presented His blood on the Mercy Seat in Heaven. That precious blood that takes away the sin of mankind and presents us faultless before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission the Bible declares.
3. The Purpose of His Appearing – “That where I am, there ye may be also!” He is coming to take us home, restore His nation of Israel through 7 years of Jacob’s Trouble, and deal with Satan and his devils.
C. We understand what time it is!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
D. I am “preaching to choir” tonight with this message doctrinally. Our people know and understand what it means to be saved, know it, live for the Lord, and look to the heavens for the eminent return of our Lord. My message is not the return of the Lord though. My message is what to do in the mean time! While the world sleeps, God’s children are to be both awake and watchful!
1. We Need To Be Expectant - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2. We Need To Be Faithful - Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
3. We Need To Be Holy - 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4. We Need To Be Busy - Jude 21-23 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
John 4:34-38 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
5. We Need To Be Patient - James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
6. We Need To Be Doctrinally Sound - 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
7. We Need To Love And Comfort One Another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
John 14:1-6
Introduction:
A. No, the word “rapture” is not found in your King James Bible. But the truth of the “rapture” is found in your Bible! To deny the catching away of the saints at the end of the church is seriously heretical teaching. Let us just look at the more obvious prophecies concerning the “rapture.”
1. Revelation 4:1-3. Revelation has a three-fold division found in chapter 1:19.
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” (The Past chapter 1 -“things which thou hast seen;” The Present in chapters 2-3 – “things which are;” The Future in chapters 4-22 – “things which shall be hereafter.”)
In these verses, our glorified Lord encouraged an exiled, suffering saint with the promise of a better day. At the end of the Church Age found in chapters 2-3, we find John “raptured” to stand before the throne of God thus missing the Tribulation Period of chapters 6-18.
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians during their great trials of affliction, reminded them of their blessed hope: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
3. John 14:1-3. Our Lord, just before His passion, encouraged the disciples with the promise of His return. “I will come again!” What a promise! He went away, not to build mansions, but to offer His precious blood!
4. Genesis 5:19-24. One of the earliest prophecies is found concerning Enoch.
Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
In Genesis 6, the Ark is a type of safety through obedience, not of salvation.
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
Noah was saved by grace, not by building an ark and getting on it. We do not work for or build our salvation any more than Noah did. Salvation is and always has been of grace. Noah is a type of Israel going through the Tribulation Period in the ark of God’s safety. Enoch is a type of the Church removed before the beginning of the Tribulation Period.
B. We that know the Lord and walk with Him understand the times in which live in relationship to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 14:1-4, we find the both the purpose of His coming and the promise of His return.
1. The Purpose of His Coming – “Ye believe in God, believe also in me!” Salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone! Acts 4:12, John 3:16, John 10:9, John 14:6, and many others declare that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world!
2. The Purpose of His Ascension – “I go to prepare a place for you!” He is not building mansions as the context says that they are already there! Hebrews declares that Christ presented His blood on the Mercy Seat in Heaven. That precious blood that takes away the sin of mankind and presents us faultless before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission the Bible declares.
3. The Purpose of His Appearing – “That where I am, there ye may be also!” He is coming to take us home, restore His nation of Israel through 7 years of Jacob’s Trouble, and deal with Satan and his devils.
C. We understand what time it is!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
D. I am “preaching to choir” tonight with this message doctrinally. Our people know and understand what it means to be saved, know it, live for the Lord, and look to the heavens for the eminent return of our Lord. My message is not the return of the Lord though. My message is what to do in the mean time! While the world sleeps, God’s children are to be both awake and watchful!
1. We Need To Be Expectant - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2. We Need To Be Faithful - Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
3. We Need To Be Holy - 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4. We Need To Be Busy - Jude 21-23 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
John 4:34-38 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
5. We Need To Be Patient - James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
6. We Need To Be Doctrinally Sound - 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
7. We Need To Love And Comfort One Another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Last Days
Temple Baptist Church - 11-29-2009
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Introduction:
A. We certainly live in the last of the last days. True believers are expectant today as the time nears. The Bible says that we are not ignorant concerning the times in which we live. The Signs are on every hand.
1. A One World Government Is In The Making. We have lost our national sovereignty! We now are debtors to our enemies financially. The borrower is servant to the lender! We are slaves of China! Not only America, but other nations are in deep trouble.
2. A One Word Currency Is In The Making. Inflation is undermining the financial stability of the dollar and threatens it with collapse. The dollar has fallen on both the European and Asian markets as our government prints money that is backed with empty promises instead of hard gold!
3. One World Church in the making. Doctrine is now laid aside and it is no longer politically correct to be doctrinally separate! God commands separation personally, ecclesiastically, and doctrinally. Community worship services include anything and everything that calls itself Christian! Catholicism, the great whore of Revelation 17, has beguiled the world.
4. Wickedness Is On Every Hand. Our land is permeated with baby killers, drug addicts, drunkenness, adultery, fornication, sodomites, murders, and rapists while good is called evil and evil is called good. There is no right unless you think it is right and there is no wrong unless you think it is wrong. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes.
B. Our days have been prophesied for thousands of years and you can read the headlines of our national newspapers in Old Testament and New Testament prophecy! Everything God said would come to pass has or is coming to pass in minute detail. Our days are:
1. Perilous Physically. We now lock all windows and doors, stay away from certain areas after dark (and some in the day time), arm ourselves while we are out and keep arms within reach when we are in! It is dangerous for the baby in the womb and the old person in the Nursing Home!
2. Perilous Nationally. Our country is in danger of falling off the map so to speak. Our enemies no longer fear us and attack at will within our unarmed country. Our military cannot carry firearms in their own compounds! Liberals are disarming both them and us at a horrendous rate. We are no longer respect or loved as a nation.
3. Perilous World Wide. There are wars and rumors of wars on every hand with no places of stability or safety. They cry, “Peace, peace” when there is no peace.
C. I want to look at these verses for a few minutes this morning so that we can get some help. I will be preaching on the subject of “The Last Days” for a while.
1. The Description Of The Church!
a. These People Are Wicked!
1) Lovers of their own selves – Selfishness
2) Covetous - Inordinately desirous
3) Boasters - glories in or vaunts self
4) Blasphemers - one who speaks of God in impious and irreverent terms.
5) Disobedient to parents
6) Unthankful
7) Without natural affection
8) Trucebreakers – will not keep their word in things agreed upon
9) False accusers – prone to slander
10) Incontinent - Not restraining the passions or appetites, particularly the sexual appetite
11) Fierce – savage or untamed
12) Despisers of those that are good
13) Traitors – to turn upon
14) Heady – ungovernable
15) Highminded – puffed up with pride
16) Lovers of pleasure more that lovers of God (put everything ahead of Him)
b. These People Are Worshippers? THESE ARE CHURCH PEOPLE!
1) Having A Form Of Godliness – a semblance
a) They Name The Name – profess salvation
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
b) They Play The Game – go to church
c) They Defame The Name – deny the power thereof
Power to Convert and Change
2) From Such Turn Away
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2. The Deception of the Time – vs 6-7
a. The Condition of Women – vs 6 Now don’t take this personal. God said it! False religions are mostly run by or started by women!
1) Light Headed Women – Silly! They have no spiritual sense at all. There is nothing better than a good woman and nothing more evil than a bad one!
a) Satan Began His Attack With Woman In The Garden
b) Satan Will Conclude His Attack With Woman In The Church – Revelation 2:20 – “That woman Jezebel”
2) Lustful Women – “laden with sins … led away … divers lusts”
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.
b. The Corruption of Wisdom – vs 7-8
1) People are Contentious – “resist the truth”
2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
3 John 9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
2) People Are Corrupt – “corrupt minds”
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3) People Are Calloused – “reprobate”
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
3. The Damnation of the Time – vs 9
a. Their Damnation – “proceed no further”
b. Their Followers Damnation
2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Introduction:
A. We certainly live in the last of the last days. True believers are expectant today as the time nears. The Bible says that we are not ignorant concerning the times in which we live. The Signs are on every hand.
1. A One World Government Is In The Making. We have lost our national sovereignty! We now are debtors to our enemies financially. The borrower is servant to the lender! We are slaves of China! Not only America, but other nations are in deep trouble.
2. A One Word Currency Is In The Making. Inflation is undermining the financial stability of the dollar and threatens it with collapse. The dollar has fallen on both the European and Asian markets as our government prints money that is backed with empty promises instead of hard gold!
3. One World Church in the making. Doctrine is now laid aside and it is no longer politically correct to be doctrinally separate! God commands separation personally, ecclesiastically, and doctrinally. Community worship services include anything and everything that calls itself Christian! Catholicism, the great whore of Revelation 17, has beguiled the world.
4. Wickedness Is On Every Hand. Our land is permeated with baby killers, drug addicts, drunkenness, adultery, fornication, sodomites, murders, and rapists while good is called evil and evil is called good. There is no right unless you think it is right and there is no wrong unless you think it is wrong. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes.
B. Our days have been prophesied for thousands of years and you can read the headlines of our national newspapers in Old Testament and New Testament prophecy! Everything God said would come to pass has or is coming to pass in minute detail. Our days are:
1. Perilous Physically. We now lock all windows and doors, stay away from certain areas after dark (and some in the day time), arm ourselves while we are out and keep arms within reach when we are in! It is dangerous for the baby in the womb and the old person in the Nursing Home!
2. Perilous Nationally. Our country is in danger of falling off the map so to speak. Our enemies no longer fear us and attack at will within our unarmed country. Our military cannot carry firearms in their own compounds! Liberals are disarming both them and us at a horrendous rate. We are no longer respect or loved as a nation.
3. Perilous World Wide. There are wars and rumors of wars on every hand with no places of stability or safety. They cry, “Peace, peace” when there is no peace.
C. I want to look at these verses for a few minutes this morning so that we can get some help. I will be preaching on the subject of “The Last Days” for a while.
1. The Description Of The Church!
a. These People Are Wicked!
1) Lovers of their own selves – Selfishness
2) Covetous - Inordinately desirous
3) Boasters - glories in or vaunts self
4) Blasphemers - one who speaks of God in impious and irreverent terms.
5) Disobedient to parents
6) Unthankful
7) Without natural affection
8) Trucebreakers – will not keep their word in things agreed upon
9) False accusers – prone to slander
10) Incontinent - Not restraining the passions or appetites, particularly the sexual appetite
11) Fierce – savage or untamed
12) Despisers of those that are good
13) Traitors – to turn upon
14) Heady – ungovernable
15) Highminded – puffed up with pride
16) Lovers of pleasure more that lovers of God (put everything ahead of Him)
b. These People Are Worshippers? THESE ARE CHURCH PEOPLE!
1) Having A Form Of Godliness – a semblance
a) They Name The Name – profess salvation
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
b) They Play The Game – go to church
c) They Defame The Name – deny the power thereof
Power to Convert and Change
2) From Such Turn Away
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2. The Deception of the Time – vs 6-7
a. The Condition of Women – vs 6 Now don’t take this personal. God said it! False religions are mostly run by or started by women!
1) Light Headed Women – Silly! They have no spiritual sense at all. There is nothing better than a good woman and nothing more evil than a bad one!
a) Satan Began His Attack With Woman In The Garden
b) Satan Will Conclude His Attack With Woman In The Church – Revelation 2:20 – “That woman Jezebel”
2) Lustful Women – “laden with sins … led away … divers lusts”
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.
b. The Corruption of Wisdom – vs 7-8
1) People are Contentious – “resist the truth”
2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
3 John 9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
2) People Are Corrupt – “corrupt minds”
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3) People Are Calloused – “reprobate”
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
3. The Damnation of the Time – vs 9
a. Their Damnation – “proceed no further”
b. Their Followers Damnation
2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Worship
Temple Baptist Church - 11-25-2009
Psalms 100
Introduction:
A. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I am looking forward to it! The turkey will go into the oven early in the morning and the smell will permeate the house.
B. There will be a small fire in the fireplace and the house will be cozy and warm!
C. There will be the smell of dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, pecan and apple pie in the air to mix with the smell of turkey being browned.
D. There will be family around with talk and laughter throughout the house. It will be a lazy, wonderful day to be alive and live in this great country of ours.
E. Here we are tonight, on a Wednesday, in the house of the Lord with God’s people gathered together one more time this side of eternity. The greatest, most love, wonderful people on the planet gathered together for both worship and fellowship. There is unity, love, and peace here and I love it!
F. I want to take a short look at one of the most preached on Psalms of the season for a few minutes tonight and let us just worship for a few minutes. The Lord is certainly worthy of our praise and He has been good to all of us.
G. All of us have much to be thankful for tonight.
1. The Exhortation Of Worship – vs. 1 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” Worship is up to us! Many people blame lack of worship on a lack or loss of the Spirit because they operate solely upon their feelings. We are to worship the Lord in spite of our feelings and circumstances! Let us worship the Lord tonight!
2. The Elements Of Worship – vs. 1-4
a. The Element Of Noise – “noise” To shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast, to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or march, to shout in triumph (over enemies), to shout in applause, to shout (with religious impulse), to cry out in distress, to utter a shout, to shout for joy. Most people equate worship and holiness with quietness. There is a time to be quiet but the Bible is full of outward, loud expressions of joy and praise.
b. The Element Of Gladness – vs. 2 “serve the Lord with gladness” Joy, mirth, gladness, mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure, joy (of God) glad result, happy issue. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord!” Let us be glad tomorrow. No, everything does not go right for us all of the time but there is much to be glad for! I am saved, protected, full, free, healthy, loved, and hopeful!
c. The Element Of Singing – vs. 2 “come before his presence with singing” I dreamed the other night that we were in church and as I looked around, no one was singing. I was singing the hymns along. I actually dreamed this! I stopped singing and admonished our people to raise their voices together. We once sang with so much feeling that your glasses would almost fog up! It is hard to sing the songs of Zion when we live in a strange land. I fear that many of our people live in this strange land!
d. The Element Of Acknowledgment – vs. 3 “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” He is God! He can do anything! He will do right! We can trust Him! We are His people! He made us! We are His sheep and feed in His pastures! He leads us and makes us to lie down in green pastures; He leads us beside the still waters; He restoreth our soul; He walks through the shadow of the valley of death before us and with us; He comforts us; He protects us; He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies; His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives; we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Glory to God!
e. The Element Of Entrance – vs. 4 “enter into his gates” We are here tonight, not because we have to be here but because we want to be here. No one will be in Heaven who does not desire to be there. No one should be here tonight who does not desire to be here! I love it! I came to worship tonight! I came to have a good time tonight! I am glad I am here and would be no place else!
f. The Element Of Thanksgiving – vs. 4 “enter into his gates WITH thanksgiving” Thankfulness is something that you have before you get here. It is something that you bring with you when you come. It is something that we share with each other as we thank God for all His benefits! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!
g. The Element Of Praise – vs. 4 “and into his courts with praise” Praise, like thanksgiving, is something that you bring with you also. Praise is not to be “worked up” but is to be brought in. We should have come through the doors of the church praising God! Most modern praise is carnal or fleshly. The music pumps the flesh or the preacher pumps the flesh. Praise is planned!!! Did you hear what I just said? Praise is planned!! We should have come to God’s house to praise the Lord, not have to be excited by some fleshly means.
h. The Element Of Adoration – vs. 4 “bless his name” Worship is dead because adoration is missing! I have failed God but He has never failed me! I have been unfaithful to God but He has never been unfaithful to me! The Lord gave His all for me and I have done so little for Him! The love of Christ should constrain us tonight. The gentleness, longsuffering, and kindness of God should humble us tonight! Let us bow down before Him and bless His holy name!
3. The Establishment Of Worship – vs. 5
a. The Lord Is Good! “for the Lord is good” He does not attempt to be good for He is goodness personified! Goodness in inherent with God. Goodness is an attribute of God!
b. The Lord Is Merciful! “his mercy is everlasting” His mercy is new every morning and His compassions—they fail not! He will always be better to us than we deserve and only eternity will show the goodness and mercifulness of God!
c. The Lord Is Truthful! “and his truth endureth” What God says, He will do! I believe that though, at times, my heart fails me. What He says, He can and will accomplish. His thoughts are not my thoughts; His ways are not my ways; His time is not my time; but His thoughts are always towards me and He will do what He has promised!
d. The Lord Is Faithful! “to all generations” God has been faithful to me! He will be faithful to my children! He will be faithful to my grandchildren!
Conclusion: I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Remember to bless that turkey and think upon Him as you enjoy the freedom and liberty of the day!
Psalms 100
Introduction:
A. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I am looking forward to it! The turkey will go into the oven early in the morning and the smell will permeate the house.
B. There will be a small fire in the fireplace and the house will be cozy and warm!
C. There will be the smell of dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, pecan and apple pie in the air to mix with the smell of turkey being browned.
D. There will be family around with talk and laughter throughout the house. It will be a lazy, wonderful day to be alive and live in this great country of ours.
E. Here we are tonight, on a Wednesday, in the house of the Lord with God’s people gathered together one more time this side of eternity. The greatest, most love, wonderful people on the planet gathered together for both worship and fellowship. There is unity, love, and peace here and I love it!
F. I want to take a short look at one of the most preached on Psalms of the season for a few minutes tonight and let us just worship for a few minutes. The Lord is certainly worthy of our praise and He has been good to all of us.
G. All of us have much to be thankful for tonight.
1. The Exhortation Of Worship – vs. 1 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” Worship is up to us! Many people blame lack of worship on a lack or loss of the Spirit because they operate solely upon their feelings. We are to worship the Lord in spite of our feelings and circumstances! Let us worship the Lord tonight!
2. The Elements Of Worship – vs. 1-4
a. The Element Of Noise – “noise” To shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast, to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or march, to shout in triumph (over enemies), to shout in applause, to shout (with religious impulse), to cry out in distress, to utter a shout, to shout for joy. Most people equate worship and holiness with quietness. There is a time to be quiet but the Bible is full of outward, loud expressions of joy and praise.
b. The Element Of Gladness – vs. 2 “serve the Lord with gladness” Joy, mirth, gladness, mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure, joy (of God) glad result, happy issue. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord!” Let us be glad tomorrow. No, everything does not go right for us all of the time but there is much to be glad for! I am saved, protected, full, free, healthy, loved, and hopeful!
c. The Element Of Singing – vs. 2 “come before his presence with singing” I dreamed the other night that we were in church and as I looked around, no one was singing. I was singing the hymns along. I actually dreamed this! I stopped singing and admonished our people to raise their voices together. We once sang with so much feeling that your glasses would almost fog up! It is hard to sing the songs of Zion when we live in a strange land. I fear that many of our people live in this strange land!
d. The Element Of Acknowledgment – vs. 3 “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” He is God! He can do anything! He will do right! We can trust Him! We are His people! He made us! We are His sheep and feed in His pastures! He leads us and makes us to lie down in green pastures; He leads us beside the still waters; He restoreth our soul; He walks through the shadow of the valley of death before us and with us; He comforts us; He protects us; He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies; His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives; we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Glory to God!
e. The Element Of Entrance – vs. 4 “enter into his gates” We are here tonight, not because we have to be here but because we want to be here. No one will be in Heaven who does not desire to be there. No one should be here tonight who does not desire to be here! I love it! I came to worship tonight! I came to have a good time tonight! I am glad I am here and would be no place else!
f. The Element Of Thanksgiving – vs. 4 “enter into his gates WITH thanksgiving” Thankfulness is something that you have before you get here. It is something that you bring with you when you come. It is something that we share with each other as we thank God for all His benefits! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!
g. The Element Of Praise – vs. 4 “and into his courts with praise” Praise, like thanksgiving, is something that you bring with you also. Praise is not to be “worked up” but is to be brought in. We should have come through the doors of the church praising God! Most modern praise is carnal or fleshly. The music pumps the flesh or the preacher pumps the flesh. Praise is planned!!! Did you hear what I just said? Praise is planned!! We should have come to God’s house to praise the Lord, not have to be excited by some fleshly means.
h. The Element Of Adoration – vs. 4 “bless his name” Worship is dead because adoration is missing! I have failed God but He has never failed me! I have been unfaithful to God but He has never been unfaithful to me! The Lord gave His all for me and I have done so little for Him! The love of Christ should constrain us tonight. The gentleness, longsuffering, and kindness of God should humble us tonight! Let us bow down before Him and bless His holy name!
3. The Establishment Of Worship – vs. 5
a. The Lord Is Good! “for the Lord is good” He does not attempt to be good for He is goodness personified! Goodness in inherent with God. Goodness is an attribute of God!
b. The Lord Is Merciful! “his mercy is everlasting” His mercy is new every morning and His compassions—they fail not! He will always be better to us than we deserve and only eternity will show the goodness and mercifulness of God!
c. The Lord Is Truthful! “and his truth endureth” What God says, He will do! I believe that though, at times, my heart fails me. What He says, He can and will accomplish. His thoughts are not my thoughts; His ways are not my ways; His time is not my time; but His thoughts are always towards me and He will do what He has promised!
d. The Lord Is Faithful! “to all generations” God has been faithful to me! He will be faithful to my children! He will be faithful to my grandchildren!
Conclusion: I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Remember to bless that turkey and think upon Him as you enjoy the freedom and liberty of the day!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thanksgiving In Trials
Temple Baptist Church - 11-22-2009
Acts 28:1-15
Introduction:
A. As a rule, when preaching the Sunday Morning before Thanksgiving Day, I use some of the more notable texts such as Psalm 103. These are Psalms of worship and praise born out of both the goodness of God and the circumstances that they often times produce. What a wonderful package of benefits we find in Psalm 103. It is of no wonder that the Psalmist said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
B. I thank God that we can never lose sight of these blessings found in Psalm 103.
1. The blessing of Forgiveness and I do thank God for my forgiveness!
2. The blessing of Physical Health and I do thank God for my health!
3. The blessing of a Rescued Life and I do thank God for my life in Christ!
4. The blessing of Loving Kindness and Gentleness! I am thankful for that!
5. The blessing of Necessities of Life! I am thankful for that!
6. The blessing of Abundant Grace and Renewal of Strength! I am thankful for that!
C. We always are blessed of God, no matter what our circumstances are but we are also human and our hearts are sometimes heavy with the burdens and cares of this world. Yes, the Bible says, “Casting all your cares upon him for he careth for you.” I am not demeaning the Scriptures, but sometimes it is just hard to “let go” when your world is rocked and wrong seems to get every advantage.
D. I want to look at the Apostle Paul for a few minutes here in Acts 28.
1. In Acts 27, He is now a prisoner on the way to see Caesar. He has been wronged, slandered, physically attacked, bound, and shipped out. He finds himself in a safe haven and desires to stay there for a while to wait out the winter. His advice is not listened to and he has to spend weeks at sea in a storm, is shipwrecked, and either swims to shore or comes floating in on broken pieces of the ship.
2. In Acts 28, we find him among barbarians, wet and cold—trying to feed a fire out in the open in order to warm up his old bones. While gathering sticks, a snake comes out of the fire and bites him on the hand! He is then accused again of being a murderer under the judgment of God and, when he does not die of the snake bite, he becomes a god!
3. He spends three months there with no Christian fellowship and then they set sail once again for Rome.
E. He eventually comes to a place called Three Taverns. He found brethren in verse 14 and 15. The Bible then declares that Paul, in verse 15, “thanked God, and took courage.” I want to preach a little different Thanksgiving message this morning. Here in verse 15, we find several things pertaining to Thanksgiving.
F. You see, Thanksgiving is not to be dependent upon good circumstances. It is a wonderful thing to be thankful when everything is “rosy” but we are commanded to give thanks in everything. Not that we enjoy the trials of life. I had rather be on the other side of trouble than in the middle of it personally. We are to rejoice in the Lord alway. It is a lot easier to rejoice in the Lord when everything is going right.
1. The Vision Of Thanksgiving – “whom when Paul saw” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I do not necessarily thank God for the terrible things of this life, but—while suffering through them—I see things to be thankful for! I believe that is what the Bible speaks of in this verse. I do not thank God that my wife had cancer! I do thank God for His goodness during that time though.)
a. There Is The Vision Of The Past - We need to recognize God in our circumstances! 2 Timothy 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (The Lord had delivered Paul previously during dire circumstances. He had taken care of his every need to this point in life and there was no reason to doubt the Lord now.)
b. There Is The Vision Of The Present - We need to reflect God in our circumstances! Isaiah 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
1) He was alive and well! The sight of his brethren reminded Paul that the “lion” had not devoured him!
2) There were those around him who cared for his welfare. He had friends and if a man has friends, he is rich! They were not ashamed of his “chain.”
3) There was prayer constantly going up on his behalf. Those who came to him cared for him!
4) There were still the comforts of life. He still had fire, food, friends, and shelter.
5) There was still hope. He was neither forsaken of the Lord nor devoured by the adversary.
2. The Voice Of Thanksgiving – “he thanked God” - Psalms 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (The Bible does not say to praise the Lord when things are good and then to stop praising when things go contrary to our desires. We often said, in Bible College, “Praise the Lord anyhow!” How we come through problems is up to us. We can be better for them or worse because of them, the choice is ours to make.)
a. We Can Look At Where we Are And Be Hateful.
b. We Can Look At Where we Aare And Be Grateful.
Psalms 26:6-7 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
3. The Victory Of Thanksgiving – “and took courage” - 2 Chronicles 20:17, 22 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
a. The Choice Of Thanksgiving.
1) Instead of complaining about his stresses, pressures and persecutions, Paul chose to give thanks.
2.) Instead of bemoaning his imprisonment, he thanks God for friends who come to support him.
b. The Courage Of Thanksgiving. Being thankful, renewed Paul's strength and helped him to be courageous as he faced his imprisonment in Rome.
1) Gratitude produces fortitude! There is something invigorating about thanksgiving that instills within us a confidence to face the trials of life.
2) Depression and thanksgiving cannot co-exist.
3) Unthankful people are discouraged people. As a person looks at God’s blessings with thanksgiving, it renews strength and instills courage.
Conclusion:
THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY
Thank You for the valley I walked thro' today;
The darker the valley, the more I learn to pray;
I found You where the lily's blooming by the way;
And I thank You for the valley I walked thro today.
Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine;
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright
And I thank You for the valley I walked thro' today.
Acts 28:1-15
Introduction:
A. As a rule, when preaching the Sunday Morning before Thanksgiving Day, I use some of the more notable texts such as Psalm 103. These are Psalms of worship and praise born out of both the goodness of God and the circumstances that they often times produce. What a wonderful package of benefits we find in Psalm 103. It is of no wonder that the Psalmist said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
B. I thank God that we can never lose sight of these blessings found in Psalm 103.
1. The blessing of Forgiveness and I do thank God for my forgiveness!
2. The blessing of Physical Health and I do thank God for my health!
3. The blessing of a Rescued Life and I do thank God for my life in Christ!
4. The blessing of Loving Kindness and Gentleness! I am thankful for that!
5. The blessing of Necessities of Life! I am thankful for that!
6. The blessing of Abundant Grace and Renewal of Strength! I am thankful for that!
C. We always are blessed of God, no matter what our circumstances are but we are also human and our hearts are sometimes heavy with the burdens and cares of this world. Yes, the Bible says, “Casting all your cares upon him for he careth for you.” I am not demeaning the Scriptures, but sometimes it is just hard to “let go” when your world is rocked and wrong seems to get every advantage.
D. I want to look at the Apostle Paul for a few minutes here in Acts 28.
1. In Acts 27, He is now a prisoner on the way to see Caesar. He has been wronged, slandered, physically attacked, bound, and shipped out. He finds himself in a safe haven and desires to stay there for a while to wait out the winter. His advice is not listened to and he has to spend weeks at sea in a storm, is shipwrecked, and either swims to shore or comes floating in on broken pieces of the ship.
2. In Acts 28, we find him among barbarians, wet and cold—trying to feed a fire out in the open in order to warm up his old bones. While gathering sticks, a snake comes out of the fire and bites him on the hand! He is then accused again of being a murderer under the judgment of God and, when he does not die of the snake bite, he becomes a god!
3. He spends three months there with no Christian fellowship and then they set sail once again for Rome.
E. He eventually comes to a place called Three Taverns. He found brethren in verse 14 and 15. The Bible then declares that Paul, in verse 15, “thanked God, and took courage.” I want to preach a little different Thanksgiving message this morning. Here in verse 15, we find several things pertaining to Thanksgiving.
F. You see, Thanksgiving is not to be dependent upon good circumstances. It is a wonderful thing to be thankful when everything is “rosy” but we are commanded to give thanks in everything. Not that we enjoy the trials of life. I had rather be on the other side of trouble than in the middle of it personally. We are to rejoice in the Lord alway. It is a lot easier to rejoice in the Lord when everything is going right.
1. The Vision Of Thanksgiving – “whom when Paul saw” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I do not necessarily thank God for the terrible things of this life, but—while suffering through them—I see things to be thankful for! I believe that is what the Bible speaks of in this verse. I do not thank God that my wife had cancer! I do thank God for His goodness during that time though.)
a. There Is The Vision Of The Past - We need to recognize God in our circumstances! 2 Timothy 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (The Lord had delivered Paul previously during dire circumstances. He had taken care of his every need to this point in life and there was no reason to doubt the Lord now.)
b. There Is The Vision Of The Present - We need to reflect God in our circumstances! Isaiah 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
1) He was alive and well! The sight of his brethren reminded Paul that the “lion” had not devoured him!
2) There were those around him who cared for his welfare. He had friends and if a man has friends, he is rich! They were not ashamed of his “chain.”
3) There was prayer constantly going up on his behalf. Those who came to him cared for him!
4) There were still the comforts of life. He still had fire, food, friends, and shelter.
5) There was still hope. He was neither forsaken of the Lord nor devoured by the adversary.
2. The Voice Of Thanksgiving – “he thanked God” - Psalms 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (The Bible does not say to praise the Lord when things are good and then to stop praising when things go contrary to our desires. We often said, in Bible College, “Praise the Lord anyhow!” How we come through problems is up to us. We can be better for them or worse because of them, the choice is ours to make.)
a. We Can Look At Where we Are And Be Hateful.
b. We Can Look At Where we Aare And Be Grateful.
Psalms 26:6-7 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
3. The Victory Of Thanksgiving – “and took courage” - 2 Chronicles 20:17, 22 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
a. The Choice Of Thanksgiving.
1) Instead of complaining about his stresses, pressures and persecutions, Paul chose to give thanks.
2.) Instead of bemoaning his imprisonment, he thanks God for friends who come to support him.
b. The Courage Of Thanksgiving. Being thankful, renewed Paul's strength and helped him to be courageous as he faced his imprisonment in Rome.
1) Gratitude produces fortitude! There is something invigorating about thanksgiving that instills within us a confidence to face the trials of life.
2) Depression and thanksgiving cannot co-exist.
3) Unthankful people are discouraged people. As a person looks at God’s blessings with thanksgiving, it renews strength and instills courage.
Conclusion:
THANK YOU FOR THE VALLEY
Thank You for the valley I walked thro' today;
The darker the valley, the more I learn to pray;
I found You where the lily's blooming by the way;
And I thank You for the valley I walked thro today.
Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine;
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright
And I thank You for the valley I walked thro' today.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Flesh
Temple Baptist Church - 11-18-2009
Galatians 5:16-21
Introduction:
A. We saw last week how to not “fulfill the lust of the flesh” by walking in the Spirit. I want to take a little time tonight and take a contextual look at the flesh. D. L. Moody once said,"The worst man that ever crossed my path is D. L. Moody, the old man. I have had more trouble with him than with all the world beside." The problem that we face with the flesh is this: we are saved spiritually—eternally saved—but our body is not saved! One day, because of the grace of God, we will get a new body wherein dwelleth righteousness! What a day that will be. But, until then, we are a new nature bound into a sinful body.
B. Before we get into these verses, we need to understand what has happened to us in these verses or, should I say, what can happen to us. I want to go through some verses that are very familiar to us but very misunderstood by most.
1. Man was created in righteousness and innocence - Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (They were created in innocence and placed into the Garden but were given responsibility to Law.)
2. Man was deformed by his disobedience to God’s Law - Genesis 2:15-17 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Man died both physically and spiritually. Adam died physically in Genesis 5 at the age of 930 years but died spiritually in Genesis 3 and blood had to be shed.)
3. Man was transformed through faith in the gospel - 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. (Notice with me that the King James Bible says “creature” and not “creation!” Most new versions use the word “creation” here. God did not recreate man, He transformed him. Let me give you an example: I have a dog who was born innocent but she chooses to be disobedient at times. If I take her to Obedience School, they can transform her and teach her obedience. She is still the same dog but now is educated to right and wrong. She has not been changed from being a dog, just transformed into a new creature that is obedient. We become new creatures, not recreated! Ephesians 2:10 does not contradict this as we were created unto good works, before ordained to walk in them. Now that we are saved, we are to once again walk as we were created to walk.)
Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
4. Our spiritual man is now transformed but the body remains in a cursed, unregenerate condition until either death or rapture - 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (Now, the fight is on!)
C. Failure to understand what I have just said leads to total defeat in this war with our flesh which is contrary to the new creature that lives inside. Can two walk together except they be agreed? We are enemies of the flesh and the flesh is an enemy with us so, you had better quit pampering and feeding it!
1. The Depravity 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. (I need to clarify something at this point. Depravity does not mean inability! Men can and have done good. Many lost people are what we classify as good people. The are good neighbors; they are moral; they have good manners; they have great accomplishments; and many are better on these points than some professing Christians. By Total Depravity, I mean that man has the capability of doing all of the below listing of evil works.)
2. The Deception Of The Flesh - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (The flesh can never be trusted! “If I know my heart.” You don’t! Paul said, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” [Romans 7:11])
3. The Defilement Of The Flesh - Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (You cannot get away from your flesh. You can abstain from all appearance of evil in almost every of life but your flesh is always there with you. You see it and you live in it! It is defiling to the spiritual man. It causes him to do unthinkable things and spend much time weeping over its failures.)
4. The Devastation OF The Flesh - Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (It is because of the weakness of flesh that man sins and this body much be changed before we can go to Heaven. Your flesh will destroy your life if you give into it.)
D. I want to look at the flesh for a few minutes.
1. The Walk Of The Flesh – vs. 16 – It is Pleasing. Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (This is the walk of the old life. When we got saved, everything became new and we began our walk in the Spirit. Salvation did not make sin any less pleasurable to our flesh though. I still have the same cravings and desires that I had before salvation but have been delivered from them through Christ Jesus.)
a. The Lost professors will eventually return to their walk in the flesh - 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
b. The Carnal believer will eventually return to their walk in the flesh - Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
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, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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. (Notice the “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” in this passage as well as our context passage of Galatians 5.)
c. First, let me say that failure to walk in the Spirit is to walk in the flesh! There is no middle ground. We are either spiritual or we are carnal! We cannot be both at the same time. If we are spiritual then we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If we are carnal then we do not fulfill the walk of the Spirit. (We pamper and feed our flesh instead of starving it and bringing it under subjection.)
Psalms 106:13-15 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (Fat bodies make for lean souls!)
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
d. Secondly, to walk in the flesh is to do despite to the Spirit of grace - Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (We grieve Him! We vex Him! We resist Him! The Holy Ghosts lusts against the flesh in order to bring us into obedience to Christ. It is an insult to the Holy Ghost when we ignore His leading and pleading. He loves us and Satan hates. Whom should we follow? Duh!)
2. The War Of The Flesh – vs. 17 – It is Perpetual. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Sometimes, some believers lose the war with the flesh because it is perpetual. It is never ending and through spiritual anemia, the believer becomes weak and worn down thus giving in to the flesh. I know that many of these are unsaved “dogs” and “sows” who clean up for a while and then return to their old ways but then we have Demas who loved this present world.)
a. It is a heart wrenching struggle for the child of God - Romans 7:14-23 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (You may sin but, if you are saved, it will tear your heart out. This is one acid test to see if you are truly saved. I hate it when I fail. It sickens my heart when I sin. I despise it with all of my heart.)
b. Though we should be spiritual and Spirit filled all of the time, we do fail God miserably sometimes - Psalms 51:2-4 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (A man after God’s own heart. The sweet psalmist of Israel. The king who established a perpetual throne.)
1) Earthly victory is most often only temporary. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
2) Earthly values are distorted by our flesh. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
3. The Works Of The Flesh – vs. 19-21 – They are Powerful. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
a. We need to understand the Possibility of the failure in this war - Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (This is the Apostle Paul! If he struggled and lost many a battle, I need to understand my weakness also. Sometimes we are harsh on those who have sinned; those who have failed; those who have gotten discouraged; and those who have just plain quit! Be careful!
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (No one is exempt from the possibility of moral failure! No matter how godly and spiritual we may be, our war is day to day, hour to hour, moment by moment!)
b. We need to understand the Possibility of the flesh in our failure - Walking in the flesh will always manifest it’s works!
1) Adultery – God’s married people
2) Fornication – God’s single people
3) Uncleanness – Un-chastity in either thought of deed. Unnatural lusts or perversions.
4) Lasciviousness – plain old filthiness in thought, deed, or gestures.
5) Idolatry – In our day, covetousness or the love of money is still the root of ALL evil!
6) Witchcraft – Magic, sorcery, astrology, drugs [pharmaceutical comes from this word])
7) Hatred – We are to love even our enemies much less one another! We are to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves.)
8) Variance – contentious, debate, quarrelsome instead of easy to get along with.
9) Emulations – indignation, jealousy, unfavorable zeal.
10) Strife – faction, always fighting about something. Some fight everything. We need to fight the right kind of fights.
11) Seditions – disunion, division, or uprising. Be followers of me as I follow Christ!
12) Heresies – false doctrines that cause disunion.
13) Envyings – We are do desire the best for others, not desire what they have. Dissatisfaction!
14) Murders – to slaughter, either by killing the flesh or destroying with the tongue!
15) Drunkenness - means just what it says! Intoxication!
16) Revellings – carousing, letting it loose!
c. This is talking about the saved, not the lost! Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh! Walk in the flesh and anything is possible!
4. The Warning Of The Flesh – vs. 21 – It is Pricey! Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Our works are rewarded two-fold: at the Judgment Seat of Christ and during the Millennium.)
a. At the Judgment Seat Of Christ we win crowns - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (These we will cast at His feet because only He is worthy!)
b. During the Millennium, we rule and reign according to our works - Luke 19:17-19 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
Galatians 5:16-21
Introduction:
A. We saw last week how to not “fulfill the lust of the flesh” by walking in the Spirit. I want to take a little time tonight and take a contextual look at the flesh. D. L. Moody once said,"The worst man that ever crossed my path is D. L. Moody, the old man. I have had more trouble with him than with all the world beside." The problem that we face with the flesh is this: we are saved spiritually—eternally saved—but our body is not saved! One day, because of the grace of God, we will get a new body wherein dwelleth righteousness! What a day that will be. But, until then, we are a new nature bound into a sinful body.
B. Before we get into these verses, we need to understand what has happened to us in these verses or, should I say, what can happen to us. I want to go through some verses that are very familiar to us but very misunderstood by most.
1. Man was created in righteousness and innocence - Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (They were created in innocence and placed into the Garden but were given responsibility to Law.)
2. Man was deformed by his disobedience to God’s Law - Genesis 2:15-17 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Man died both physically and spiritually. Adam died physically in Genesis 5 at the age of 930 years but died spiritually in Genesis 3 and blood had to be shed.)
3. Man was transformed through faith in the gospel - 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. (Notice with me that the King James Bible says “creature” and not “creation!” Most new versions use the word “creation” here. God did not recreate man, He transformed him. Let me give you an example: I have a dog who was born innocent but she chooses to be disobedient at times. If I take her to Obedience School, they can transform her and teach her obedience. She is still the same dog but now is educated to right and wrong. She has not been changed from being a dog, just transformed into a new creature that is obedient. We become new creatures, not recreated! Ephesians 2:10 does not contradict this as we were created unto good works, before ordained to walk in them. Now that we are saved, we are to once again walk as we were created to walk.)
Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
4. Our spiritual man is now transformed but the body remains in a cursed, unregenerate condition until either death or rapture - 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (Now, the fight is on!)
C. Failure to understand what I have just said leads to total defeat in this war with our flesh which is contrary to the new creature that lives inside. Can two walk together except they be agreed? We are enemies of the flesh and the flesh is an enemy with us so, you had better quit pampering and feeding it!
1. The Depravity 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. (I need to clarify something at this point. Depravity does not mean inability! Men can and have done good. Many lost people are what we classify as good people. The are good neighbors; they are moral; they have good manners; they have great accomplishments; and many are better on these points than some professing Christians. By Total Depravity, I mean that man has the capability of doing all of the below listing of evil works.)
2. The Deception Of The Flesh - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (The flesh can never be trusted! “If I know my heart.” You don’t! Paul said, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” [Romans 7:11])
3. The Defilement Of The Flesh - Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (You cannot get away from your flesh. You can abstain from all appearance of evil in almost every of life but your flesh is always there with you. You see it and you live in it! It is defiling to the spiritual man. It causes him to do unthinkable things and spend much time weeping over its failures.)
4. The Devastation OF The Flesh - Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (It is because of the weakness of flesh that man sins and this body much be changed before we can go to Heaven. Your flesh will destroy your life if you give into it.)
D. I want to look at the flesh for a few minutes.
1. The Walk Of The Flesh – vs. 16 – It is Pleasing. Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (This is the walk of the old life. When we got saved, everything became new and we began our walk in the Spirit. Salvation did not make sin any less pleasurable to our flesh though. I still have the same cravings and desires that I had before salvation but have been delivered from them through Christ Jesus.)
a. The Lost professors will eventually return to their walk in the flesh - 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
b. The Carnal believer will eventually return to their walk in the flesh - Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
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, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 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. (Notice the “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” in this passage as well as our context passage of Galatians 5.)
c. First, let me say that failure to walk in the Spirit is to walk in the flesh! There is no middle ground. We are either spiritual or we are carnal! We cannot be both at the same time. If we are spiritual then we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If we are carnal then we do not fulfill the walk of the Spirit. (We pamper and feed our flesh instead of starving it and bringing it under subjection.)
Psalms 106:13-15 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (Fat bodies make for lean souls!)
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
d. Secondly, to walk in the flesh is to do despite to the Spirit of grace - Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (We grieve Him! We vex Him! We resist Him! The Holy Ghosts lusts against the flesh in order to bring us into obedience to Christ. It is an insult to the Holy Ghost when we ignore His leading and pleading. He loves us and Satan hates. Whom should we follow? Duh!)
2. The War Of The Flesh – vs. 17 – It is Perpetual. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Sometimes, some believers lose the war with the flesh because it is perpetual. It is never ending and through spiritual anemia, the believer becomes weak and worn down thus giving in to the flesh. I know that many of these are unsaved “dogs” and “sows” who clean up for a while and then return to their old ways but then we have Demas who loved this present world.)
a. It is a heart wrenching struggle for the child of God - Romans 7:14-23 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (You may sin but, if you are saved, it will tear your heart out. This is one acid test to see if you are truly saved. I hate it when I fail. It sickens my heart when I sin. I despise it with all of my heart.)
b. Though we should be spiritual and Spirit filled all of the time, we do fail God miserably sometimes - Psalms 51:2-4 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (A man after God’s own heart. The sweet psalmist of Israel. The king who established a perpetual throne.)
1) Earthly victory is most often only temporary. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
2) Earthly values are distorted by our flesh. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
3. The Works Of The Flesh – vs. 19-21 – They are Powerful. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
a. We need to understand the Possibility of the failure in this war - Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (This is the Apostle Paul! If he struggled and lost many a battle, I need to understand my weakness also. Sometimes we are harsh on those who have sinned; those who have failed; those who have gotten discouraged; and those who have just plain quit! Be careful!
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (No one is exempt from the possibility of moral failure! No matter how godly and spiritual we may be, our war is day to day, hour to hour, moment by moment!)
b. We need to understand the Possibility of the flesh in our failure - Walking in the flesh will always manifest it’s works!
1) Adultery – God’s married people
2) Fornication – God’s single people
3) Uncleanness – Un-chastity in either thought of deed. Unnatural lusts or perversions.
4) Lasciviousness – plain old filthiness in thought, deed, or gestures.
5) Idolatry – In our day, covetousness or the love of money is still the root of ALL evil!
6) Witchcraft – Magic, sorcery, astrology, drugs [pharmaceutical comes from this word])
7) Hatred – We are to love even our enemies much less one another! We are to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves.)
8) Variance – contentious, debate, quarrelsome instead of easy to get along with.
9) Emulations – indignation, jealousy, unfavorable zeal.
10) Strife – faction, always fighting about something. Some fight everything. We need to fight the right kind of fights.
11) Seditions – disunion, division, or uprising. Be followers of me as I follow Christ!
12) Heresies – false doctrines that cause disunion.
13) Envyings – We are do desire the best for others, not desire what they have. Dissatisfaction!
14) Murders – to slaughter, either by killing the flesh or destroying with the tongue!
15) Drunkenness - means just what it says! Intoxication!
16) Revellings – carousing, letting it loose!
c. This is talking about the saved, not the lost! Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh! Walk in the flesh and anything is possible!
4. The Warning Of The Flesh – vs. 21 – It is Pricey! Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Our works are rewarded two-fold: at the Judgment Seat of Christ and during the Millennium.)
a. At the Judgment Seat Of Christ we win crowns - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (These we will cast at His feet because only He is worthy!)
b. During the Millennium, we rule and reign according to our works - Luke 19:17-19 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)