Temple Baptist Church - 8-30-2009
Hebrews 10:1-14
Introduction:
A. Hebrews chapter 10 is a summation of the preceding chapter. Chapter 9 speaks of the once and for all redemption of fallen man through the precious blood of Christ.
B. Verses 1-4 spell out in detail the inability of the Law to save. It cannot save! It was never meant to save! It was our schoolmaster that brought us to the cross of Christ. It declares the inability of anything other than the sacrifice of Christ to take away sin.
C. Verses 5-12 speak of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. God became man! God became sin! God became Saviour! God became Priest! God became our Sanctification!
D. Verse 13 is the culmination of these verses with the picture of Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, “expecting.” When I see the word “expecting,” I normally think of a woman—great with child—awaiting the blessed day of the birth of her child.
EXPECTING – To look for mentally; to look forward to, as to something that is believed to be about to happen or come; to look for with confidence; to anticipate.
E. We are nearing the end of time as we know it with the eminent removal of the Church and the revelation of the Antichrist. Our Lord Jesus Christ is expecting until all enemies are made His footstool. The enemy of fallen angels; the enemy of rejecting men; the last enemy of death! It is near and it is hastening.
F. I want to look at some “expected” things for a few minutes.
1. The Expectation Of The Saviour:
a. He expected man to sin. 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. (He was not surprised! He was not shocked! His plans were not altered! He knew before He ever created man that man would sin and sin willfully!)
b. He expected the price to be high. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (He was not surprised or shocked by the price that had to be paid. Calvary was always in the mind of God. The price was demanded by God and accepted by Christ.)
c. He expected children to be born. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (The gospel is the power of God unto everyone that believeth! Not all will be saved but, thank God, not all will be lost. Man is given a choice, therefore choose life! A multitude that cannot be numbered will be in Heaven one day because of Calvary.)
d. He expected a bride to be presented. Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (One day, the Body of Christ—the Bride—will be home! There will be a Marriage Supper and a wedding. He is mine and I am His! Until death do us part and there will be no death there. Thank God for eternal life with Jesus Christ my Lord!)
2. The Expectation Of The Saint:
a. The saint can expect both sorrow and joy in this life. Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (When you know that life is hard, you can make it! There will be good days and there will be bad days. Sometimes bad day seemingly without end but I want you to be encouraged in this: better days are coming!
b. The saint can expect the Lord to be faithful to both His Word and His children. 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (When we are faithful, He is faithful. When we are not faithful, He is still faithful. He will both honor His Word and be there for His children.)
c. The saint can expect everything to turn out right. 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (There is grace for salvation; there is grace for living; and Revelation 22 says: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Amen, Let it be so!)
3. The Expectation Of The Sinner:
a. The Expectation of both helplessness and hopelessness. Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. (Ted Kennedy just died and I take no pleasure in that. The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked! With all of his possessions, power, and popularity, he had no choice in the day of his death. He was both helpless and hopeless if he died without Christ.)
b. The Expectation of judgment by God. Revelation 20:12-13 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (An old black preacher once said, “There’s going to be a great recompensing day!” God is not unrighteous to forget our labor and work in the Lord. Neither is He unrighteous to forget theirs!)
c. The Expectation of an eternal hell. Revelation 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Conclusion: As Christ is expecting His soon return, so do we as God’s children. I believe that He could come today; I expect Him to come today; I want Him to come today! What about you?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Worthy Of Our Praise - The Faithfulness Of God
Temple Baptist Church - 8-23-2009
1 Peter 4:12-19
Introduction:
A. In retrospect, we can look back through the years, the trials, the disappointments, and the heartaches—God has always graciously proven Himself to be a “faithful Creator.” I have often said that God must and will prove Himself to His children. You cannot trust a gun that will not shoot, a car that will not start, or a plane will not fly. God tells His children to trust Him and then proves Himself to them. In Malachi 3, our God said to “prove me herewith!” You step forth by faith and watch Him undergird your step.
B. Based upon God’s past proving of His great faithfulness, we now can trust our future into His loving hands.
Lamentations 3:22-26 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
C. Just how much can God be depended upon? He is everything, for everybody, in every place, in every situation, in every time frame. He is God and He is faithful! I am His and He is mine!
D. No one can deny God’s faithfulness to His chosen nation, Israel. Through the centuries, in both obedience and disobedience, the Lord has kept His promises to the Israeli people. It is amazing that we could doubt His faithfulness to us as His chosen body.
E. One of the great blessings of knowing the God of your salvation is knowing His faithfulness. Many good men of God have taken the path of doubt in trying times and, yet, the Lord recorded for us His continual faithfulness to them. These things are for our ensample upon whom the end of the world is come. In trying times, it is good to know that the Lord will never fail His children.
1. There Needs To Be A Remembrance of His Faithfulness - Psalms 36:5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Psalms 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
2. There Needs To Be A Response to His Faithfulness - Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
****
1. He Is Faithful In His Word - Psalms 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
a. His Prophecies will not fail
b. His Promises will not fail
c. His Preservation will not fail
2. He Is Faithful In His Purposes - Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
a. His Plan has not changed - salvation by grace
b. His Person has not changed - holiness
c. His Purpose has not changed - conform us to His image
3. He Is Faithful In His Salvation - 2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
a. In His Confirmation - 1 Corinthians 1:8 - Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. In His Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
4. He Is Faithful In Protection - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
5. He Is Faithful In Answered Prayer - Psalms 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
6. He Is Faithful In His Mercy - Lamentations 3:21-22 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
7. He Is Faithful In His Chastisement - Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
a. Faithful to warn - 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
b. Faithful to correct
(1) Sign of eternal life – 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
(2) Sign of eternal love - Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
(3) Sign of eternal sonship - Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8. He is Faithful In Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Peter 4:12-19
Introduction:
A. In retrospect, we can look back through the years, the trials, the disappointments, and the heartaches—God has always graciously proven Himself to be a “faithful Creator.” I have often said that God must and will prove Himself to His children. You cannot trust a gun that will not shoot, a car that will not start, or a plane will not fly. God tells His children to trust Him and then proves Himself to them. In Malachi 3, our God said to “prove me herewith!” You step forth by faith and watch Him undergird your step.
B. Based upon God’s past proving of His great faithfulness, we now can trust our future into His loving hands.
Lamentations 3:22-26 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
C. Just how much can God be depended upon? He is everything, for everybody, in every place, in every situation, in every time frame. He is God and He is faithful! I am His and He is mine!
D. No one can deny God’s faithfulness to His chosen nation, Israel. Through the centuries, in both obedience and disobedience, the Lord has kept His promises to the Israeli people. It is amazing that we could doubt His faithfulness to us as His chosen body.
E. One of the great blessings of knowing the God of your salvation is knowing His faithfulness. Many good men of God have taken the path of doubt in trying times and, yet, the Lord recorded for us His continual faithfulness to them. These things are for our ensample upon whom the end of the world is come. In trying times, it is good to know that the Lord will never fail His children.
1. There Needs To Be A Remembrance of His Faithfulness - Psalms 36:5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Psalms 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
2. There Needs To Be A Response to His Faithfulness - Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
****
1. He Is Faithful In His Word - Psalms 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
a. His Prophecies will not fail
b. His Promises will not fail
c. His Preservation will not fail
2. He Is Faithful In His Purposes - Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
a. His Plan has not changed - salvation by grace
b. His Person has not changed - holiness
c. His Purpose has not changed - conform us to His image
3. He Is Faithful In His Salvation - 2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
a. In His Confirmation - 1 Corinthians 1:8 - Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. In His Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
4. He Is Faithful In Protection - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
5. He Is Faithful In Answered Prayer - Psalms 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
6. He Is Faithful In His Mercy - Lamentations 3:21-22 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
7. He Is Faithful In His Chastisement - Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
a. Faithful to warn - 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
b. Faithful to correct
(1) Sign of eternal life – 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
(2) Sign of eternal love - Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
(3) Sign of eternal sonship - Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8. He is Faithful In Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I Will Be With Thee
Temple Baptist Church - 8-23-2009
Isaiah 43:1-7
A. There are great parallel passages of Scripture in the Old and New Testaments that should literally thrill the soul of the believer. In Isaiah 43, God is talking to Israel in troublesome times.
B. Notice with me four things God told Israel in the first verse:
1. I created thee
2. I redeemed Thee
3. I called the
4. I own thee
C. Could Israel trust God? They could! Can my family trust God this morning with in the morning? I believe with all of my heart that we can! I have preached and preached over these years with conviction and I will do so this morning also.
D. In Hebrews 13:5, God said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
1. The Person of God’s Presence – “I” (Not an angel, but the very God of Heaven and Earth. Jehovah God Himself!)
Psalms 68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Psalms 97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
2. The Promise of God’s Presence – “Never” The song says, “He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!” No circumstances, no times, never! When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.
3. The Power of God’s Presence – “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
4. The Potential of God’s Presence - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters (and you will), I will be with thee; and through the rivers (and you will), they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire (and you will), thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
E. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1. Moses Faced The Fear Of The People And The Immensity Of The Sea Because He Obeyed God!
Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Moses in! To stretch out his hand over the sea and wait for God to open it!)
Moses, was your God with you? Yes, God was there and delivered by allowing Israel to pass through on dry ground!
2. Joshua Passed Through The Flooded Jordan River On Dry Ground!
Joshua 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Joshua in! To replace Moses and to cross over a flooded Jordan in the sight of the people into a land of walled cities and giants!)
Joshua, was your God with you? Yes, God was there, exalted Joshua, and delivered Israel into the Promised Land!
3. Elijah Faced 850 False Prophets As Well As Jezebel!
1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Elijah in! Alone and facing that devil, Jezebel, and 850 false prophets!)
Elijah, was your God with you? Yes, God was there, answered by fire, delivered!
4. The Three Hebrew Children Where Thrown Into The Fiery Furnace Because They Would Not Bow!
Daniel 3:25-27 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. (What an amazing test of faith! Easy to bow and not burn, it was not easy to stand and face certain death!)
Three Hebrew Children, was your God with you? Yes, God protected them from both the fire and smell of smoke!
5. Daniel Was Cast Into The Lion’s Den Because He Was Faithful To Pray!
Daniel 6:20-22 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Daniel in! He could have closed his windows and prayed in the closet but opted to trust God and pray as usual.)
Daniel, was your God with you. Yes, God shut the mouths of the lions!
6. Disciples Face The Power And Fury Of The Sea!
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (What an amazing place of faith the Lord brought the disciples to! It is one thing to have a ship in the sea but another thing entirely to have the sea in the ship!)
Disciples, was your God with you? Yes, God stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, bringing them to safety.
7. Paul Faced The Emperor Of Rome When All Men Forsook Him!
2 Timothy 4:16-18 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (What an amazing place of faith, when everyone else who is near and dear to you forsake you.)
Paul, was your God with you? Yes, God stood with him, strengthened him, and delivered him from the “mouth of the lion!”
Conclusion: there are many things in this world that are uncertain, but you can be certain of this: in your darkest hour you can depend upon the Lord being with and delivering you from all harm!
Isaiah 43:1-7
A. There are great parallel passages of Scripture in the Old and New Testaments that should literally thrill the soul of the believer. In Isaiah 43, God is talking to Israel in troublesome times.
B. Notice with me four things God told Israel in the first verse:
1. I created thee
2. I redeemed Thee
3. I called the
4. I own thee
C. Could Israel trust God? They could! Can my family trust God this morning with in the morning? I believe with all of my heart that we can! I have preached and preached over these years with conviction and I will do so this morning also.
D. In Hebrews 13:5, God said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
1. The Person of God’s Presence – “I” (Not an angel, but the very God of Heaven and Earth. Jehovah God Himself!)
Psalms 68:8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Psalms 97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
2. The Promise of God’s Presence – “Never” The song says, “He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!” No circumstances, no times, never! When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.
3. The Power of God’s Presence – “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
4. The Potential of God’s Presence - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters (and you will), I will be with thee; and through the rivers (and you will), they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire (and you will), thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
E. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1. Moses Faced The Fear Of The People And The Immensity Of The Sea Because He Obeyed God!
Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Moses in! To stretch out his hand over the sea and wait for God to open it!)
Moses, was your God with you? Yes, God was there and delivered by allowing Israel to pass through on dry ground!
2. Joshua Passed Through The Flooded Jordan River On Dry Ground!
Joshua 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Joshua in! To replace Moses and to cross over a flooded Jordan in the sight of the people into a land of walled cities and giants!)
Joshua, was your God with you? Yes, God was there, exalted Joshua, and delivered Israel into the Promised Land!
3. Elijah Faced 850 False Prophets As Well As Jezebel!
1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Elijah in! Alone and facing that devil, Jezebel, and 850 false prophets!)
Elijah, was your God with you? Yes, God was there, answered by fire, delivered!
4. The Three Hebrew Children Where Thrown Into The Fiery Furnace Because They Would Not Bow!
Daniel 3:25-27 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. (What an amazing test of faith! Easy to bow and not burn, it was not easy to stand and face certain death!)
Three Hebrew Children, was your God with you? Yes, God protected them from both the fire and smell of smoke!
5. Daniel Was Cast Into The Lion’s Den Because He Was Faithful To Pray!
Daniel 6:20-22 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (What an amazing place of faith God placed Daniel in! He could have closed his windows and prayed in the closet but opted to trust God and pray as usual.)
Daniel, was your God with you. Yes, God shut the mouths of the lions!
6. Disciples Face The Power And Fury Of The Sea!
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (What an amazing place of faith the Lord brought the disciples to! It is one thing to have a ship in the sea but another thing entirely to have the sea in the ship!)
Disciples, was your God with you? Yes, God stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, bringing them to safety.
7. Paul Faced The Emperor Of Rome When All Men Forsook Him!
2 Timothy 4:16-18 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (What an amazing place of faith, when everyone else who is near and dear to you forsake you.)
Paul, was your God with you? Yes, God stood with him, strengthened him, and delivered him from the “mouth of the lion!”
Conclusion: there are many things in this world that are uncertain, but you can be certain of this: in your darkest hour you can depend upon the Lord being with and delivering you from all harm!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Children Of The Free
Temple Baptist Church - 8-19-2009
Galatians 4:19-31
Introduction:
A. In verse 24, the Holy Spirit sets forth an allegory: Allegory is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal.
B. He gives a literal story in the Old Testament in order to convey a spiritual truth in the New Testament. Here is a short narrative concerning of the promised seed, Isaac.
1. God gave promise to Abraham of the coming of the Seed. This promise was through Sarah.
2. Genesis 12, God promised that through Abraham, He would bring forth a great nation. At the time of the promise, Abraham was 75 years old.
3. Genesis 15, Abraham told God he had no seed and that the seed of one of his servants was an heir. God again promised the Seed.
4. Genesis 16, Sarah and Abraham try to help God out by giving to Abraham her handmaid, Hagar the Egyptian. She bare unto him Ishmael..
5. Genesis 17, Abraham is now 99 and God once again prophesies the Seed through Sarah. Abraham questioned God by saying, “Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” Abraham was circumcised along with Ishmael, being 13 years old.
6. Genesis 18, The three angels appeared to Abraham on the way to destroy Sodom. They reiterated the promise and Sarah laughed. The next year, Isaac was born.
7. Genesis 21, the Lord visited Sarah and she conceived. At the feast when Isaac was weaned, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking and told Abraham to cast out this bondwoman. God promised Hagar that He would make a great nation out Ishmael and they dwelt in the wilderness.
C. Ishmael is a type of the son of the bondwoman (the Law) while Isaac is a type of Christ, the promised—miracle Seed (Christ or Grace). The Birth of Ishmael was no supernatural birth, God neither aided nor condoned that doings of Abraham.
D. Verse 21, “Do ye not hear the Law?” The Law brought guilt. The Law brought bondage. The Law brought death. The Law was never meant to bring about peace, liberty, or life. It was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ! Chapter 3:12 says, “The man that doeth them shall live in them!” *** It takes a miracle to change a person, but no miracle to punish a person!
E. Let’s notice some things quickly tonight about this allegory.
1. We are children of promise. Verses 21-23
a. God promised salvation through the Seed - Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (This is the promise of a Coming Messiah. Note, there is no promise of a coming Law!)
b. The coming of the Law did not do away with the promise - Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
2. We are children of freedom. Verses 24-26
a. Faith in Christ brings about freedom - John 8:32 - “ ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:36 - “the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Romans 8:2 - “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
b. Law brings about bondage - Galatians 5:1 - “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (We are free tonight in Christ! Once again, not under a dead set of regulations, but from within our hearts, we want to serve Him and do His bidding!)
3. We are children of Rejoicing! Verse 27
a. Salvation brings rejoicing - Psalm 9:2 - “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”
Psalm 20:5 - “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.”
Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
b. Law brings fear - Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (We should rejoice in the great salvation our Lord has provided for us!)
4. We are children of conflict. verses 28,29
a. Conflict with the flesh - Romans 7:21-23 - “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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.”
b. Conflict with the foes of salvation - Romans 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
5. We are children of acceptance. Verses 30-31
a. The power of acceptance - John 1:12 - “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
b. The position of acceptance - Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Conclusion: God promised us some things that are unattainable under the Law!
Galatians 4:19-31
Introduction:
A. In verse 24, the Holy Spirit sets forth an allegory: Allegory is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal.
B. He gives a literal story in the Old Testament in order to convey a spiritual truth in the New Testament. Here is a short narrative concerning of the promised seed, Isaac.
1. God gave promise to Abraham of the coming of the Seed. This promise was through Sarah.
2. Genesis 12, God promised that through Abraham, He would bring forth a great nation. At the time of the promise, Abraham was 75 years old.
3. Genesis 15, Abraham told God he had no seed and that the seed of one of his servants was an heir. God again promised the Seed.
4. Genesis 16, Sarah and Abraham try to help God out by giving to Abraham her handmaid, Hagar the Egyptian. She bare unto him Ishmael..
5. Genesis 17, Abraham is now 99 and God once again prophesies the Seed through Sarah. Abraham questioned God by saying, “Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” Abraham was circumcised along with Ishmael, being 13 years old.
6. Genesis 18, The three angels appeared to Abraham on the way to destroy Sodom. They reiterated the promise and Sarah laughed. The next year, Isaac was born.
7. Genesis 21, the Lord visited Sarah and she conceived. At the feast when Isaac was weaned, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking and told Abraham to cast out this bondwoman. God promised Hagar that He would make a great nation out Ishmael and they dwelt in the wilderness.
C. Ishmael is a type of the son of the bondwoman (the Law) while Isaac is a type of Christ, the promised—miracle Seed (Christ or Grace). The Birth of Ishmael was no supernatural birth, God neither aided nor condoned that doings of Abraham.
D. Verse 21, “Do ye not hear the Law?” The Law brought guilt. The Law brought bondage. The Law brought death. The Law was never meant to bring about peace, liberty, or life. It was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ! Chapter 3:12 says, “The man that doeth them shall live in them!” *** It takes a miracle to change a person, but no miracle to punish a person!
E. Let’s notice some things quickly tonight about this allegory.
1. We are children of promise. Verses 21-23
a. God promised salvation through the Seed - Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (This is the promise of a Coming Messiah. Note, there is no promise of a coming Law!)
b. The coming of the Law did not do away with the promise - Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
2. We are children of freedom. Verses 24-26
a. Faith in Christ brings about freedom - John 8:32 - “ ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:36 - “the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Romans 8:2 - “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
b. Law brings about bondage - Galatians 5:1 - “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (We are free tonight in Christ! Once again, not under a dead set of regulations, but from within our hearts, we want to serve Him and do His bidding!)
3. We are children of Rejoicing! Verse 27
a. Salvation brings rejoicing - Psalm 9:2 - “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”
Psalm 20:5 - “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.”
Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
b. Law brings fear - Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (We should rejoice in the great salvation our Lord has provided for us!)
4. We are children of conflict. verses 28,29
a. Conflict with the flesh - Romans 7:21-23 - “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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.”
b. Conflict with the foes of salvation - Romans 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
5. We are children of acceptance. Verses 30-31
a. The power of acceptance - John 1:12 - “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
b. The position of acceptance - Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Conclusion: God promised us some things that are unattainable under the Law!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
How To Stay Pure
Temple Baptist Church - 8-16-2009
Proverbs 7:1-27
Introduction: A few weeks ago, I preached a message on Fornication: Why Not To Commit It. Now I want to preach on Fornication: How Not To Commit It. Often we tell people what not to do without telling them how to avoid doing it.
A. There has been a great move in the past few years in churches to get young people to sign pledges of purity.
B. It is certainly an issue of great important in an impure society. (By some estimates, over 60% of teenagers have lost their purity before High School graduation.)
C. Many times young people sign these purity pacts, but are not shown from the Bible how to remain pure.
1. Failure To Remain Pure Will Destroy Your Testimony - 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
a) Impurity Tarnishes Your Character
b) Impurity Destroys Your Health
c) Impurity Shames Your Family
d) Impurity Hurts Your Church
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
2. Failure To Remain Pure Will Haunt Your Conscience - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
3. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hurt Your Marriage (Feelings Of Guilt Will Hurt Your Relationship With Your Spouse Because That Which Belongs to Them Has Been Given To Another)
1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
4. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hinder Your Effectiveness (You Will Always Have An Instant Replay)
Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Proverbs 7:1-27
A. The Description Of The Foolish – vs. 7
1. He Was Simple – Simple means foolish! - Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
2. He Lacked Discernment – 7 – “young man” - A lack of perception! - Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
3. He Was Void Of Understanding – He did not understand at all! - Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
B. The Descent Of The Foolish – vs. 8-9
1. He Knew Where She Lived – “her corner”
2. He Went To Where She Lived – her house”
3. He Did So On A Continual Basis – “twilight…evening…black and dark night” (His failure was progressive)
C. The Description Of The Seductress – vs. 10-12
1. Her Dress Was Seductive – “attire of an harlot”
2. Her Heart Was Subtle – “subtile of heart” – Deceptive
3. Her Attitude Was Rebellious – “loud…stubborn…abide not”
4. Her Kind Is Everywhere – “without…streets…every corner”
D. The Deceiving Of The Foolish – vs. 13-21
1. She Caught Him – vs. 13 - He was looking for her!
2. She Kissed Him – vs. 13 - Kisses are reserved for those who you love, not for strangers! This was the kiss of betrayal – Amasa, Judas
3. She Lied To Him – vs. 14-15 – She pretended to be right with the Lord!
4. She Tempted Him – vs. 16-21
a) Her Preparation – vs. 16
b) Her Perfume – vs. 17
c) Her Performance – vs. 18 – The pretense of love!
d) Her Persuasion – vs. 19-21 – You won’t get caught!
e. The Destruction Of The Foolish – vs. 22-27
1. Blinded To Sin – vs. 22
2. Blinded To Judgment – 22-23
A WONDERFUL ADMONITION – vs. 24-27
A. Fornication Is A Sin That Proceeds From A Wicked Heart - Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
B. Fornication Is A Sin Against The Body - 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
C. Fornication Is A Sin That God Judges - Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
HOW TO STAY PURE!
1. Keep your thoughts pure - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2. Keep your eyes pure - 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Stay away from pornography!)
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
3. Make sure you keep the right company - Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (Birds of a feather! Show me your friends and I will tell who you are!)
4. Stay away from areas of compromise. (Being alone with others of the opposite sex.) abstain for all appearance.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (If it does not glorify God, leave it alone!)
5. Listen to your parents and pastor and seek their guidance - Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: (They love you and only want the best for you!)
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (I will be a real friend to you if you will let me!)
6. Hide the Word of God in your hearts - Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Either this Book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Book!)
7. Commit to purity from this day on - Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Purity is both DESIRE and DETERMINATION!)
Proverbs 7:1-27
Introduction: A few weeks ago, I preached a message on Fornication: Why Not To Commit It. Now I want to preach on Fornication: How Not To Commit It. Often we tell people what not to do without telling them how to avoid doing it.
A. There has been a great move in the past few years in churches to get young people to sign pledges of purity.
B. It is certainly an issue of great important in an impure society. (By some estimates, over 60% of teenagers have lost their purity before High School graduation.)
C. Many times young people sign these purity pacts, but are not shown from the Bible how to remain pure.
1. Failure To Remain Pure Will Destroy Your Testimony - 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
a) Impurity Tarnishes Your Character
b) Impurity Destroys Your Health
c) Impurity Shames Your Family
d) Impurity Hurts Your Church
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
2. Failure To Remain Pure Will Haunt Your Conscience - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
3. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hurt Your Marriage (Feelings Of Guilt Will Hurt Your Relationship With Your Spouse Because That Which Belongs to Them Has Been Given To Another)
1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
4. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hinder Your Effectiveness (You Will Always Have An Instant Replay)
Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Proverbs 7:1-27
A. The Description Of The Foolish – vs. 7
1. He Was Simple – Simple means foolish! - Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
2. He Lacked Discernment – 7 – “young man” - A lack of perception! - Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
3. He Was Void Of Understanding – He did not understand at all! - Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
B. The Descent Of The Foolish – vs. 8-9
1. He Knew Where She Lived – “her corner”
2. He Went To Where She Lived – her house”
3. He Did So On A Continual Basis – “twilight…evening…black and dark night” (His failure was progressive)
C. The Description Of The Seductress – vs. 10-12
1. Her Dress Was Seductive – “attire of an harlot”
2. Her Heart Was Subtle – “subtile of heart” – Deceptive
3. Her Attitude Was Rebellious – “loud…stubborn…abide not”
4. Her Kind Is Everywhere – “without…streets…every corner”
D. The Deceiving Of The Foolish – vs. 13-21
1. She Caught Him – vs. 13 - He was looking for her!
2. She Kissed Him – vs. 13 - Kisses are reserved for those who you love, not for strangers! This was the kiss of betrayal – Amasa, Judas
3. She Lied To Him – vs. 14-15 – She pretended to be right with the Lord!
4. She Tempted Him – vs. 16-21
a) Her Preparation – vs. 16
b) Her Perfume – vs. 17
c) Her Performance – vs. 18 – The pretense of love!
d) Her Persuasion – vs. 19-21 – You won’t get caught!
e. The Destruction Of The Foolish – vs. 22-27
1. Blinded To Sin – vs. 22
2. Blinded To Judgment – 22-23
A WONDERFUL ADMONITION – vs. 24-27
A. Fornication Is A Sin That Proceeds From A Wicked Heart - Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
B. Fornication Is A Sin Against The Body - 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
C. Fornication Is A Sin That God Judges - Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
HOW TO STAY PURE!
1. Keep your thoughts pure - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2. Keep your eyes pure - 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Stay away from pornography!)
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
3. Make sure you keep the right company - Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (Birds of a feather! Show me your friends and I will tell who you are!)
4. Stay away from areas of compromise. (Being alone with others of the opposite sex.) abstain for all appearance.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (If it does not glorify God, leave it alone!)
5. Listen to your parents and pastor and seek their guidance - Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: (They love you and only want the best for you!)
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (I will be a real friend to you if you will let me!)
6. Hide the Word of God in your hearts - Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Either this Book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Book!)
7. Commit to purity from this day on - Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Purity is both DESIRE and DETERMINATION!)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Understanding God’s Man
Temple Baptist Church - 8-12-2009
Galatians 4:12-16
Introduction:
A. In verse 12, the Apostle Paul expresses his continuing love for the Galatian people in spite of their bewitching. It is the expression of the love that God gives to His servants for the people that they pastor. It is a love that goes beyond their faults and failures.
1. He helped to birth it into existence.
2. He personally led many of the members to Jesus Christ.
3. He had consistently preached the truth to them over the years.
4. He loved them in spite of their failures and shortcomings.
5. He faithfully led them in the right path as a church and for God’s glory.
6. He lived a clean, consecrated life in front of them and their loved ones.
B. These believers had not hurt Paul, they had hurt God! He gave His only begotten Son to die that they might have life through Him. Now, they were trying to find their justification in the works of their flesh.
C. The Galatians had expressed their great love for this man of God in the beginning but now, their perspective of him had changed.
1. Their “Angel” had become their “Enemy.”
2. Their “Blessing” had become their “Burden.”
D. So many pastors, when problems come, are placed on the outside by people. It is a mentality that has arisen from pastors not staying in their churches for long periods of time. I have heard that the average pastor stays 18 months at a church. They either leave or the people expect them to leave.
1. It becomes “us” and “them” during trials.
2. When problems come, the oldest tactic of the devil is to make sure that the pastor is to blame for the problem. Every family that has left the church wrong over the years has placed the blame on the pastor!
3. The pastor is a vital part of the “us!”
a) The Pastor Is A Your Shepherd
b) The Pastor Is A Your Watchman
c) The Pastor Is A Your Preacher
d) The Pastor Is A Your Teacher
e) The Pastor Is A Your Friend
E. Not having a proper perspective of God’s man will cause you to do one of two things.
1. It will cause you to elevate your pastor to a plane of perfection that he cannot fulfill and, if he falls, you will fall with him.
2. Or, it will cause you to lower your pastor to a position of disrespect and, therefore, render his influence ineffectual and he will not be able to help you.
E. The Apostle Paul did not speak these words to hurt the people at Corinth, but to simply let them know that he was theirs and there for them! He wanted them to know that and love him as he loved them. (So much is preached on this subject because the Bible has so much to say concerning it.)
F. The Apostle Paul expected something of the people just as the people expected something from him. At one time, they would have given to him their eyes if it were possible. Paul did not want their eyes, he wanted THEM!
1. The Pastor Wants Your Respect - Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. (I owe my pastor respect as God’s Gift to the church.)
2. The Pastor Wants Your Love - 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (A sad but true commentary on the local churches. I owe my pastor affection that he may be strengthened by the knowledge that the members of the church are with him and love him.)
3. The Pastor Wants Your Trust - Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. (I owe my pastor trust that he may be free to serve the church unhampered by fault finding. I personally have never gone wrong by standing behind and following my pastors.)
4. The Pastor Wants Your Fervent Prayers - Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me; (You had better strive fervently in prayer of God’s man. I owe it to my pastor to pray for him each day, that God may bless him and make his service a blessing as well fruitful.)
5. The Pastor Wants Your Protection - 3 John 9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 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. 11 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. (I owe to my pastor the protection of kindly silence by refraining from repeating the slander or unkind gossip that would burden him and prevent him from doing his best work. When someone speaks against the pastor or tries to place doubt in your mind about your pastor, mark them and avoid them.)
6. The Pastor Wants Your Co-operation - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (I owe my pastor enough time to help in his work, when and where he needs me.)
7. The Pastor Wants Your Encouragement - 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. (I owe my pastor encouragement when vexations and annoyances make his work difficult, or when he feels discouraged.)
8. The Pastor Wants Your Appreciation - 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (I owe my pastor a kindly word of appreciation when his ministry is especially helpful to me.)
9. The Pastor Wants Your Attention - 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]; (I owe my pastor the courtesy of attention when he preaches that he may not be annoyed by my careless actions. I was taught at home that it was rude to not pay attention or look around when someone is talking to you.)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I Am His And He Is Mine
Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2009
Song of Solomon 2:8-17
Introduction:
A. The “Song of Songs” is the title given to the Song of Solomon. What a wonderful and yet much neglected little book of the Bible. Its typology is the most beautiful of all types in the Bible: a man and his wife or wife to be.
Proverbs 30:18-19 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
B. In the Song of Solomon, we find Solomon—a type of our Lord and the Shulamite—a type of the Church exchanging words of love.
C. It was common practice in the days of Solomon for the wife to take the same name as the husband. Solomon is masculine while Shulamite in the feminine form means virtually the same thing.
Song of Solomon 6:13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
Solomon - To be safe; to rest; to be happy; welfare
Shulamite - To be safe; to be completed (Peace and Perfection)
Jeremiah 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
D. In salvation, two things happen that related to these verses:
1. Jesus Christ becomes our Lord and or God - John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
2. We become the Lord’s children - 1 John 3:2 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.
E. 1 Corinthians 7 describes the responsibilities of the marital relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1. The wife belongs to the husband and her body is not her own!
2. The husband belongs to the wife and his body is not his own!
F. Thus our relationship with Christ is given in Song of Solomon 2:16: “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” What a glorious biblical truth! Jesus Christ is mine! I belong to Jesus Christ! As in the marriage union, two become one as I am in Christ and He is in me!
G. “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away!” Praise the Lord!
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
H. I want to look at this statement, “I am his and he is mine,” in light of the husband-wife relationship and I believe that it will be a blessing to all of us.
1. Mutual Selection – Christ chose us and we chose Him! He does not force us to become His anymore than we force Him to become ours.
a. He Chose Us - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
b. We Chose Him - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2. Twain Become One Flesh – Jesus Christ lives within the believer and the believer lives with Jesus Christ.
Mark 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3. Eternal Companionship – as the marriage is until death, our relationship with Christ is eternal.
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Ephesians 2:6-7 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
4. Satisfaction In Companionship – the husband and wife are to find their satisfaction in each other.
a. He Is Satisfied With Us - Song of Solomon 4:7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
b. We Are Satisfied With Him - Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
5. Separate And Distinct Responsibilities – the man and his wife each have a distinct responsibility in marriage.
a. We Have The Responsibilities of: I take thee to be my wedded husband...to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better or for worse...for richer or for poorer...in sickness as in health...to love, cherish, and obey...till death do us part.
1) Submission - Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
2) Desire - Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
3) Love - Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
b. He Has The Responsibilities of: I take thee to be my wedded wife...to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better or for worse...for richer or for poorer...in sickness as in health...to love and to cherish...till death do us part.
1) Love - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2) Provision - 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
3) Understanding - 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Song of Solomon 2:8-17
Introduction:
A. The “Song of Songs” is the title given to the Song of Solomon. What a wonderful and yet much neglected little book of the Bible. Its typology is the most beautiful of all types in the Bible: a man and his wife or wife to be.
Proverbs 30:18-19 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
B. In the Song of Solomon, we find Solomon—a type of our Lord and the Shulamite—a type of the Church exchanging words of love.
C. It was common practice in the days of Solomon for the wife to take the same name as the husband. Solomon is masculine while Shulamite in the feminine form means virtually the same thing.
Song of Solomon 6:13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
Solomon - To be safe; to rest; to be happy; welfare
Shulamite - To be safe; to be completed (Peace and Perfection)
Jeremiah 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
D. In salvation, two things happen that related to these verses:
1. Jesus Christ becomes our Lord and or God - John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
2. We become the Lord’s children - 1 John 3:2 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.
E. 1 Corinthians 7 describes the responsibilities of the marital relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1. The wife belongs to the husband and her body is not her own!
2. The husband belongs to the wife and his body is not his own!
F. Thus our relationship with Christ is given in Song of Solomon 2:16: “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” What a glorious biblical truth! Jesus Christ is mine! I belong to Jesus Christ! As in the marriage union, two become one as I am in Christ and He is in me!
G. “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away!” Praise the Lord!
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
H. I want to look at this statement, “I am his and he is mine,” in light of the husband-wife relationship and I believe that it will be a blessing to all of us.
1. Mutual Selection – Christ chose us and we chose Him! He does not force us to become His anymore than we force Him to become ours.
a. He Chose Us - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
b. We Chose Him - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2. Twain Become One Flesh – Jesus Christ lives within the believer and the believer lives with Jesus Christ.
Mark 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3. Eternal Companionship – as the marriage is until death, our relationship with Christ is eternal.
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Ephesians 2:6-7 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
4. Satisfaction In Companionship – the husband and wife are to find their satisfaction in each other.
a. He Is Satisfied With Us - Song of Solomon 4:7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
b. We Are Satisfied With Him - Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
5. Separate And Distinct Responsibilities – the man and his wife each have a distinct responsibility in marriage.
a. We Have The Responsibilities of: I take thee to be my wedded husband...to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better or for worse...for richer or for poorer...in sickness as in health...to love, cherish, and obey...till death do us part.
1) Submission - Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
2) Desire - Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
3) Love - Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
b. He Has The Responsibilities of: I take thee to be my wedded wife...to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better or for worse...for richer or for poorer...in sickness as in health...to love and to cherish...till death do us part.
1) Love - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2) Provision - 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
3) Understanding - 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
The Value Of The Local Church
Temple Baptist Church - 8-9-2009
Matthew 16:13-23
Introduction:
A. As we read these wonderful, never to grow old verses o f Scripture—I think of the goodness of God to me as a pastor. The Lord knew that I would need a local church! I understand the interpretation of these verses this morning but I also understand that the local church is God’s gift to both you and I.
B. The local church is a gift beyond our comprehension. In a day when so little is made of the local church, I want to make much of it.
1. People forsake the local church because it means nothing to them. Their life revolves around self-interest. There has been a great forsaking of the Assembly of God’s people by both the world and believers. Church is a drudgery because they bring nothing to it and expect nothing out of it. It is boring, uneventful, and dreaded.
2. People forsake the local church because they do not fully understand its value. Religious charlatans have milked people over the past 50+ years through the means of radio and television. They have begged, become rich, been exposed and shamed, and—yet—have retained their standing with many people while turning off multitudes.
3. So-called Christians have gotten miffed, disgruntled, murmured and complained, defamed, and defected from our ranks to spread their poison against the church. We had some people leave this church, join another church, and say that this pastor said that all Southern Baptist people were lost. What a shame. The SBC is full of good, God loving people who have been saved just as I was. I would hate to be in these liars shoes at either the Judgment Seat of Christ of the Great White Throne. They will probably be at the latter!
C. Though problems abound, my love for the local church has never diminished or departed. My family’s life has been centered there! Since my conversion, I have been faithful to, supported, cherished, defended, stood by, and loved both the local church and my pastors. It has value to this pastor that only eternity will reveal.
D. True believers know who Jesus Christ is – vs. 16; who it is that owns the church – vs. 18; and who is building it – vs. 18. If it belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and He is building it, then one needs to be careful how they treat and attend it. I want to look at a few things of value this morning that we find in the church. Build your life around it, be faithful to it, support it, and love it.
1. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Builder
a. The Lord builds it - Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
b. The Lord cherishes it - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Beauty
a. The Beauty of the place of the Lord - Psalms 84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (Amiable – lovely)
b. The Beauty of the person of the Lord - Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 63:1-2 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Blessings
a. The Blessing of worship - Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (We worship with singing, praising, thanksgiving, and giving.)
b. The Blessing of fellowship - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. (Exhorting, encouraging, and eating!)
c. The Blessing of spiritual growth - Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
1) Building strong Christians - 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (It is a place of prayer and preaching)
2) Building our children - Psalms 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
Matthew 16:13-23
Introduction:
A. As we read these wonderful, never to grow old verses o f Scripture—I think of the goodness of God to me as a pastor. The Lord knew that I would need a local church! I understand the interpretation of these verses this morning but I also understand that the local church is God’s gift to both you and I.
B. The local church is a gift beyond our comprehension. In a day when so little is made of the local church, I want to make much of it.
1. People forsake the local church because it means nothing to them. Their life revolves around self-interest. There has been a great forsaking of the Assembly of God’s people by both the world and believers. Church is a drudgery because they bring nothing to it and expect nothing out of it. It is boring, uneventful, and dreaded.
2. People forsake the local church because they do not fully understand its value. Religious charlatans have milked people over the past 50+ years through the means of radio and television. They have begged, become rich, been exposed and shamed, and—yet—have retained their standing with many people while turning off multitudes.
3. So-called Christians have gotten miffed, disgruntled, murmured and complained, defamed, and defected from our ranks to spread their poison against the church. We had some people leave this church, join another church, and say that this pastor said that all Southern Baptist people were lost. What a shame. The SBC is full of good, God loving people who have been saved just as I was. I would hate to be in these liars shoes at either the Judgment Seat of Christ of the Great White Throne. They will probably be at the latter!
C. Though problems abound, my love for the local church has never diminished or departed. My family’s life has been centered there! Since my conversion, I have been faithful to, supported, cherished, defended, stood by, and loved both the local church and my pastors. It has value to this pastor that only eternity will reveal.
D. True believers know who Jesus Christ is – vs. 16; who it is that owns the church – vs. 18; and who is building it – vs. 18. If it belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and He is building it, then one needs to be careful how they treat and attend it. I want to look at a few things of value this morning that we find in the church. Build your life around it, be faithful to it, support it, and love it.
1. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Builder
a. The Lord builds it - Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
b. The Lord cherishes it - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Beauty
a. The Beauty of the place of the Lord - Psalms 84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (Amiable – lovely)
b. The Beauty of the person of the Lord - Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 63:1-2 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3. It Is Valuable Because Of Its Blessings
a. The Blessing of worship - Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (We worship with singing, praising, thanksgiving, and giving.)
b. The Blessing of fellowship - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. (Exhorting, encouraging, and eating!)
c. The Blessing of spiritual growth - Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
1) Building strong Christians - 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (It is a place of prayer and preaching)
2) Building our children - Psalms 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Turning Again To The Beggarly Elements
Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2009
Galatians 4:8-11
Introduction:
A. We need to remember that Galatians is all about faith and works in order to properly render the interpretation of these verses tonight. The Holy Spirit is not referring to God’s people turning back to a sinful life.
B. It is possible for the saint to become sinful. It is possible for the saint to even quit. Two things come to mind when I think of quitting:
1. Loving this present world - 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (The Bible says to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” I love living, but the Bible is speaking of the world system and sinfulness that so allures each of us.)
2. Looking back to the old life - Hebrews 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (Israel said that it was better for them in Egypt! The Lord delivered them because their cries came up into His ears by reason of their taskmasters. They forgot why they wanted out.)
C. These verses tonight deal with the believer who, once truly saved, goes back under the Law in order to stay saved. Not everyone who believes that they must keep their salvation is lost according to Galatians. I have heard people say, “If you think you have to keep your salvation, you are depending upon works and are lost.” These Galatian believers had been bewitched. They were now keeping the Law in order to stay saved. (Galatians 3:1-3.)
D. Many people, through satanic deception, have become involved with churches who teach faith plus works for staying saved. Not for being saved. These believers knew how they got saved according to chapter 3:1-3. If you have ever gotten saved, you understand that salvation is all of grace! Some have missed biblical salvation because they have added works to salvation. It is all of grace or it is not true salvation!
E. Let us look at these verses within their context to see what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us in a day when most denominations believe that once saved you can still lose your salvation.
1. They Had Been Delivered – vs. 8
Ephesians 2:1-6 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 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. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Notice with me the tense changes from present to past to present to past.)
2. They Had Known God And Been Known Of God – vs. 9
a. When they knew God, they glorified Him as God – just the opposite of the heathen in Romans 1. What a thrill to know God. They knew Him in His holiness so why did they think that they could approach unto Him outside of Christ now?
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
b. God knew them!
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
3. They Had Gone From Law To Grace And Back To Law – vs. 9-10 (Paul called them “weak and beggarly elements.”
a. Weak because they could not give life, righteousness, peace, joy, comfort, and salvation!
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
b. Beggarly because they brought bondage!
1) Bondage instead of liberty – We are not servants! We are sons! We do not serve because we have to but because we love Him. Those who believe that they can lose their salvation serve because it is essential to remaining saved.
2) Fear instead of peace - How could you ever know that you had done enough. How could you know when you had done TOO much!
3) Self-esteem instead glorification – We are now going to Heaven because we are living right? We now are made perfect by the flesh? It is still not only of God but all of God!
4. God’s Salvation Becomes Vanity – vs. 11
a. Their salvation became vain – Denomination that fear the loss of salvation do not greatly work in the harvest! They become proselyters and make disciples. Their worship became a vain show of the flesh. Sounds like the Charismatic Movement!
b. Paul preaching became vain – He preached grace while they followed those who taught works. What a heart break! I have preached the truth to people and then watch as they go into liberal churches.
Galatians 4:8-11
Introduction:
A. We need to remember that Galatians is all about faith and works in order to properly render the interpretation of these verses tonight. The Holy Spirit is not referring to God’s people turning back to a sinful life.
B. It is possible for the saint to become sinful. It is possible for the saint to even quit. Two things come to mind when I think of quitting:
1. Loving this present world - 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (The Bible says to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” I love living, but the Bible is speaking of the world system and sinfulness that so allures each of us.)
2. Looking back to the old life - Hebrews 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (Israel said that it was better for them in Egypt! The Lord delivered them because their cries came up into His ears by reason of their taskmasters. They forgot why they wanted out.)
C. These verses tonight deal with the believer who, once truly saved, goes back under the Law in order to stay saved. Not everyone who believes that they must keep their salvation is lost according to Galatians. I have heard people say, “If you think you have to keep your salvation, you are depending upon works and are lost.” These Galatian believers had been bewitched. They were now keeping the Law in order to stay saved. (Galatians 3:1-3.)
D. Many people, through satanic deception, have become involved with churches who teach faith plus works for staying saved. Not for being saved. These believers knew how they got saved according to chapter 3:1-3. If you have ever gotten saved, you understand that salvation is all of grace! Some have missed biblical salvation because they have added works to salvation. It is all of grace or it is not true salvation!
E. Let us look at these verses within their context to see what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us in a day when most denominations believe that once saved you can still lose your salvation.
1. They Had Been Delivered – vs. 8
Ephesians 2:1-6 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 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. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Notice with me the tense changes from present to past to present to past.)
2. They Had Known God And Been Known Of God – vs. 9
a. When they knew God, they glorified Him as God – just the opposite of the heathen in Romans 1. What a thrill to know God. They knew Him in His holiness so why did they think that they could approach unto Him outside of Christ now?
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
b. God knew them!
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
3. They Had Gone From Law To Grace And Back To Law – vs. 9-10 (Paul called them “weak and beggarly elements.”
a. Weak because they could not give life, righteousness, peace, joy, comfort, and salvation!
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
b. Beggarly because they brought bondage!
1) Bondage instead of liberty – We are not servants! We are sons! We do not serve because we have to but because we love Him. Those who believe that they can lose their salvation serve because it is essential to remaining saved.
2) Fear instead of peace - How could you ever know that you had done enough. How could you know when you had done TOO much!
3) Self-esteem instead glorification – We are now going to Heaven because we are living right? We now are made perfect by the flesh? It is still not only of God but all of God!
4. God’s Salvation Becomes Vanity – vs. 11
a. Their salvation became vain – Denomination that fear the loss of salvation do not greatly work in the harvest! They become proselyters and make disciples. Their worship became a vain show of the flesh. Sounds like the Charismatic Movement!
b. Paul preaching became vain – He preached grace while they followed those who taught works. What a heart break! I have preached the truth to people and then watch as they go into liberal churches.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Worthy Of Our Praise - The Love Of God
Temple Baptist Church - 8-2-2009
Ephesians 3:13-21; Romans 8:28-39
Introduction:
A. One of the great attributes the Bible ascribes to the Lord is that of love. The Word of God declares that “God is love.” God does not try to love for He is love.
B. The love of God is incomprehensible to sinful man. We have read so in these verses.
1. The Breadth Of God’s Love – 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (I cannot understand it, but I believe it!)
2. The Length Of God’s Love – Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (I cannot understand it, but I have seen it!)
3. The Depth Of God’s Love – 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I cannot understand it, but I have received it!)
4. The Height Of God’s Love – Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (I cannot understand it, but I have experienced it!)
C. How wonderful is love like this! We can never fully comprehend the love of God in this life but it will be wonderfully manifested to us in eternity. The Bible does say that we can “know” it though!
D. Paul’s desire for the Ephesian believers was that they “faint not” at his tribulations. The valleys of this life can cause the believer to faint! It is easy to talk about God’s amazing love for us while on the mountain tops of this life, but it is in the valley that we are to truly know the love of God for us.
Read Romans 8:28-39 – I want you to see four things about the love of God in these verses.
1. Love’s Purpose – vs. 28-34
a. We need to know that God is in control of our lives.
b. We need to know that God allows the bad as well as gives the good.
c. We need to know that God has absolute power in all circumstances of life.
2. Love’s Perception – vs. 35-36
a. In tribulation (troubles), our perception of God’s love often changes. Would God allow this to happen to me if He really loved me?
b. In distress (when I am at wits end and my soul is disquieted and my spirit overwhelmed), our perception of God’s love changes as we often lose all hope and give into despair. Does God really love me?
c. In persecution (when we suffer for righteousness sake), our perception of God’s love sometimes changes as we do right and have to suffer for it. Even those of our own church family will turn upon us. Does God really love me to allow this suffering?
d. In nakedness (when we have needs that seemingly are not met),our perception of God’s love can change. The wicked prosper all around us while we do without. Does God really love me?
e. Or peril (visible or perceived evidence that we are getting ready to catch it so to speak), our perception of God’s love can change when we know trouble is inevitable. Does God really love us?
f. Or sword (when that which we feared comes to fruition), our perception of God’s love can deteriorate when we are accounted as “sheep for the slaughter.” Lord, to you really love me?
3. Love’s Power – vs. 37
a. NAY! God does still love us
b. God will give us victory in every circumstance as He has already overcome the world. Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world!
4. Love’s Promise – vs. 38-39
a. We need to be persuaded! We need to know that nothing in this world or in the world to come can separate or even diminish the love of God for us that is found in Christ Jesus.
b. When we face the enemy, when our hearts are broke, when we are at wits end, when all we have tried has failed, we need to know that God’s love for us is still as secure as it was in the good times.
c. We need to know that when these times come, He will be there with us (not leave thee) and for us (nor forsake thee).
Ephesians 3:13-21; Romans 8:28-39
Introduction:
A. One of the great attributes the Bible ascribes to the Lord is that of love. The Word of God declares that “God is love.” God does not try to love for He is love.
B. The love of God is incomprehensible to sinful man. We have read so in these verses.
1. The Breadth Of God’s Love – 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (I cannot understand it, but I believe it!)
2. The Length Of God’s Love – Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (I cannot understand it, but I have seen it!)
3. The Depth Of God’s Love – 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (I cannot understand it, but I have received it!)
4. The Height Of God’s Love – Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (I cannot understand it, but I have experienced it!)
C. How wonderful is love like this! We can never fully comprehend the love of God in this life but it will be wonderfully manifested to us in eternity. The Bible does say that we can “know” it though!
D. Paul’s desire for the Ephesian believers was that they “faint not” at his tribulations. The valleys of this life can cause the believer to faint! It is easy to talk about God’s amazing love for us while on the mountain tops of this life, but it is in the valley that we are to truly know the love of God for us.
Read Romans 8:28-39 – I want you to see four things about the love of God in these verses.
1. Love’s Purpose – vs. 28-34
a. We need to know that God is in control of our lives.
b. We need to know that God allows the bad as well as gives the good.
c. We need to know that God has absolute power in all circumstances of life.
2. Love’s Perception – vs. 35-36
a. In tribulation (troubles), our perception of God’s love often changes. Would God allow this to happen to me if He really loved me?
b. In distress (when I am at wits end and my soul is disquieted and my spirit overwhelmed), our perception of God’s love changes as we often lose all hope and give into despair. Does God really love me?
c. In persecution (when we suffer for righteousness sake), our perception of God’s love sometimes changes as we do right and have to suffer for it. Even those of our own church family will turn upon us. Does God really love me to allow this suffering?
d. In nakedness (when we have needs that seemingly are not met),our perception of God’s love can change. The wicked prosper all around us while we do without. Does God really love me?
e. Or peril (visible or perceived evidence that we are getting ready to catch it so to speak), our perception of God’s love can change when we know trouble is inevitable. Does God really love us?
f. Or sword (when that which we feared comes to fruition), our perception of God’s love can deteriorate when we are accounted as “sheep for the slaughter.” Lord, to you really love me?
3. Love’s Power – vs. 37
a. NAY! God does still love us
b. God will give us victory in every circumstance as He has already overcome the world. Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world!
4. Love’s Promise – vs. 38-39
a. We need to be persuaded! We need to know that nothing in this world or in the world to come can separate or even diminish the love of God for us that is found in Christ Jesus.
b. When we face the enemy, when our hearts are broke, when we are at wits end, when all we have tried has failed, we need to know that God’s love for us is still as secure as it was in the good times.
c. We need to know that when these times come, He will be there with us (not leave thee) and for us (nor forsake thee).
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