Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2009
Genesis 1:1-5
Introduction:
A. The most wondrous verses of the Bible are found in the beginning of creation! I am in AWE! I stand overwhelmed when I allow my mind to drift back to the time of the beginning when God said, “In the beginning God!” Here we find a theological statement beyond our comprehension. “In the beginning God!” “From everlasting to everlasting, thou ART God!”
B. I stand amazed that God was, God is, and God will always be! He needs nothing! He needs no one! He is self-contained! He is self-reliant! He is self-existing! He is God!
C. Here in the beginning, we find several truths concerning light.
1. There was a “natural” absence of light. God created the heavens and the earth both in darkness. Light, as we understand it, always has a specific source. Fire, electricity, heavenly bodies, lightening, etc.
2. Light was brought forth out of darkness.
3. Light was divided from darkness.
4. Light was good.
D. Light is essential to life. This is scientific fact that cannot be denied. It is through photosynthesis that we have the oxygen that we breathe. As physical life is dependent upon light, so is spiritual life dependent upon light.
Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (It is through the light of God that we see spiritual light and, therefore spiritual life.)
E. I want to look at several on the multitude of mentions of light in the Bible.
1. The Light Of Creation - 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
a. Light is essential to Illumination. We find in these verses that God, when creating the heavens and the earth, created them in darkness! In the first 5 verses on Genesis, we find that God’s second creative act brought forth light out of darkness! This is an amazing statement that is vital to the truth of light in the Bible.
b. There was no obvious source of light in the beginning. We get light from the heavenly bodies but they were not yet created. We get light from various sources today but they were not yet manufactured. God brought forth light out of darkness! An act that only God can do! We will find that God consistently brings forth light out of darkness.
c. Light is essential to life. Light came before life! Light came before animal, plant, or human life!
2. The Light Of Inspiration - 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (Without the inspiration of Scripture, we would have neither revelation of God or prophecies concerning His Son, Jesus Christ.)
3. The Light Of Incarnation - John 1:4-5 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (In Christ’s light, we see light and, therefore, walk in the light!)
4. The Light Of Illumination - John 1:6-9 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Psalms 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Romans 1:19-22 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 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. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (It is of no wonder that God said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God!)
5. The Light Of Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Psalms 104:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: (Our Lord Jesus Christ is now glorified and we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is!)
6. The Light Of Denunciation - John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (Denunciation of the old man and a turning from the old life.)
7. The Light Of Identification - 1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (We that are saved are now indentified with our Lord! I am His and He is mine! I am not ashamed of either the Lord or the gospel of Christ!)
8. The Light Of Glorification
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Learning To Love
Temple Baptist Church - 10-21-2009
Galatians 5:13-15
Introduction:
A. Here, in these verses, we once again find liberty and love at odds! Saved people biting and devouring each other! We that are saved are of the same spiritual blood line; we have the same Father; we have the same Spirit; we have the same spiritual characteristics; and yet—in our spiritual liberty—there is potential, yea, even probability of problems arising. Most problems that arise in churches come from just this: not having the love that gives while having the liberty that takes. Just because we have liberty does not mean that we can enjoy it to the detriment of others.
1. Love is Giving
2. Liberty is Taking
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
B. It should be noticed in Scripture that man must be both commanded and learn to love! Throughout the Bible, command after command deals with the love relationship of:
1. Man To God - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (“Thou shalt?” Why not “thou wilt!” After what He did for Israel? After what He did for us at Calvary? We must be COMMANDED? Why? Because of our human nature.)
2. Saint To Mankind - Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (This one is a little harder but is made much harder because of our selfish nature. Red, yellow, black, brown, and white; every race in every place! “And who is my neighbor?” All mankind for whom Christ died.)
3. Saint To Saint - John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (A new commandment given to family? You are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I love you better than butter pecan ice cream! But, there are times when we squabble and fight. We want what we want and want everyone else to see eye-to-eye with us on every point! I am not always right on every subject but am hard to convince sometimes. I have a selfish nature!)
4. Husband To Wife - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (We, as men, have to be commanded to love you gorgeous creatures? Whoa! You mean it is not always easy to love you? Men are selfish by nature and must be instructed by God to give ourselves to our wives. A man was looking for a wife so he took out an ad in the local newspaper which read: “Wife wanted. Must have bass boat, motor, and trailer. Send a picture of the boat, motor, and trailer!”)
5. Wife To Husband - Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (You mean that the women have to be taught to love that “hunk” that she married? That good looking bundle of muscle and brawn? Most of us are still “hunks,” just a little more of a hunk now! You women are selfish too! You want the man to be in charge when it is convenient and obedient to you when it suits. Than is human nature. You are obedient to him when it suits and disobedient to him when it suits. You are human!)
6. Mother To Children – Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. (Mothers have to be taught to love their children? Why? Those wonderful little darlings who keep you up all night, mess their diapers, tear up an anvil in a sand pile, lie every chance they get, tell everybody else what you do, etc. Those wonderful little children of yours [I know everyone else’s are brats, but not yours!]. We are selfish in nature and children require monumental amounts of time and effort.)
C. Though love for the above persons should seem natural to our thinking, man by nature is self-centered. It is of no wonder that humanism is so easily taught to children and adults alike. In nature, we are our own “gods!” Self-gratification is the rule of the day and people must be taught to get along.
D. Love goes far beyond just getting along though. Love is our motivation for getting along with each other. If we love God, then His commands are not grievous! If we love our fellow man, then being a good neighbor becomes no problem. If we love souls, then loving the sinner—even in his sin—becomes easy. If we give ourselves to each other, then loving becomes a natural and wonderful thing within the church. When a husband gives his life for his wife and children, then love comes easy. When a wife dedicates her love, life, and longings to her husband and children—then loving them is all that she knows.
E. Love must be taught! We sometimes use the terminology “old school” when referring to our beliefs and character. It means that we have been raised us or taught from our youth to hold certain things dear. We have “learned behavior” circumscribing our lives so that we act and react properly when issues of integrity arise. We are taught. It does not come natural in our human nature.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
F. The Book of James shows forth a salvation that works. In chapter four, the Holy Ghost said, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:1-2) (Wars and fightings? Those are strong terms describing the interaction of some believers. Where do they come from? “Your lusts that war in YOUR MEMBERS! Lust is defined in Easton’s as “sinful longing.” These wars and fights do not come from personality conflicts: they come from sinfulness within the believer.)
G. Back in chapter three, He said, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:13-16)
H. Liberty is not the right to do anything that we desire anymore than love is a natural, simple interaction one with another. Liberty must be tempered while love must be preeminent in our lives in order to have a loving relationship with each other. Love among God’s people is both natural and learned. We have love that comes through relationship in Christ but learned love comes from learning how to interact.
I. Vs. 13 proclaims our liberty but places the stipulation that misused liberty causes sinfulness in our flesh and, therefore, division and fighting.
HOW TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER:
1. Stay Close To The Lord - 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I cannot emphasis this enough! Right with the Lord is right with each other. Sideways with the Lord is sideways with everyone else.)
2. Be Of The Same Mind - 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Everyone has a different personality, different opinions, different desires, etc. I do not have to get my way! I do not have to be right! Our goal is Christ! Our goal is souls!)
3. Be Courteous - Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: same mind in the Lord. (Courtesy has gone “out the window” in our day. It is no longer “Yes, Ma’am; no, Ma’am; thank you, Ma’am; please.” People charge to get in front of you in the checkout lines, run through the doors ahead of you, no longer rise in the presence of women or elders, etc. Be courteous because courtesy is thoughtfulness and thoughtfulness is putting others ahead of self.)
4. Be Gentle - James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (Gentleness is a wonderful attribute. When I worked in the coal mines, we had a reflector sticker that we sometimes wore on our hard hats that said, “Life is fragile, handle with care.” People are fragile! Their feelings often get hurt without us even knowing it so we must be kind and gentle when dealing with them. Believers are so abrupt with other believers sometimes.)
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
5. Be Loving - 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (Pure in heart is to love in a right manner. As a pastor, I love each of you—men and women. I love the men right. I love the women right, as sisters. Love is a four letter word: give. For God so loved…that He gave. Give your life to and for one another. Bind your heart together in Christian love. Work at it!)
6. Be Forgiving - Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (People sometimes hurt your feelings either advertently or inadvertently. Some people are like a “bull in a china shop” around others. They say and do things so ignorantly. Most of the problems that I have as a pastor are not in the areas of sin, compromise, apostasy, etc. They concern brothers and sisters beating up on each other. If a brother or sister offends you, forgive them. Don’t run to someone else and involve them, just pray for them—do good to them—forgive them—and forget it! Hurt turns into anger and anger into bitterness if not handled right.)
7. Be Understanding - Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (People have bad days. People say wrong things. You do not know what they are facing in their private lives or what has happened to them today. When they are “out of sorts,” do not let them get you “out of sorts.” Love them in their hard times and be there for them. Just ask, “Is there anything that I can do to help or pray about because I care!”)
8. Be Thick Skinned! - Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. (Don’t be the brother offended! You have told on yourself when you become offended. Be tough! Be adult! Be Forbearing! That means to bear a long time!)
9. Be Encouraging - Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Be a God called exhorter! Don’t always have the “poochie lip,” walking around looking like a mule eating saw briers. Don’t always be complaining, discouraged, defeated, or murmuring. God is in control of your life and this is the day that the Lord hath made—rejoice and be glad in it.)
10. Be Christian! - Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (When around people, ask yourself what Christ would do or say.)
Galatians 5:13-15
Introduction:
A. Here, in these verses, we once again find liberty and love at odds! Saved people biting and devouring each other! We that are saved are of the same spiritual blood line; we have the same Father; we have the same Spirit; we have the same spiritual characteristics; and yet—in our spiritual liberty—there is potential, yea, even probability of problems arising. Most problems that arise in churches come from just this: not having the love that gives while having the liberty that takes. Just because we have liberty does not mean that we can enjoy it to the detriment of others.
1. Love is Giving
2. Liberty is Taking
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
B. It should be noticed in Scripture that man must be both commanded and learn to love! Throughout the Bible, command after command deals with the love relationship of:
1. Man To God - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (“Thou shalt?” Why not “thou wilt!” After what He did for Israel? After what He did for us at Calvary? We must be COMMANDED? Why? Because of our human nature.)
2. Saint To Mankind - Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (This one is a little harder but is made much harder because of our selfish nature. Red, yellow, black, brown, and white; every race in every place! “And who is my neighbor?” All mankind for whom Christ died.)
3. Saint To Saint - John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (A new commandment given to family? You are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I love you better than butter pecan ice cream! But, there are times when we squabble and fight. We want what we want and want everyone else to see eye-to-eye with us on every point! I am not always right on every subject but am hard to convince sometimes. I have a selfish nature!)
4. Husband To Wife - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (We, as men, have to be commanded to love you gorgeous creatures? Whoa! You mean it is not always easy to love you? Men are selfish by nature and must be instructed by God to give ourselves to our wives. A man was looking for a wife so he took out an ad in the local newspaper which read: “Wife wanted. Must have bass boat, motor, and trailer. Send a picture of the boat, motor, and trailer!”)
5. Wife To Husband - Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (You mean that the women have to be taught to love that “hunk” that she married? That good looking bundle of muscle and brawn? Most of us are still “hunks,” just a little more of a hunk now! You women are selfish too! You want the man to be in charge when it is convenient and obedient to you when it suits. Than is human nature. You are obedient to him when it suits and disobedient to him when it suits. You are human!)
6. Mother To Children – Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. (Mothers have to be taught to love their children? Why? Those wonderful little darlings who keep you up all night, mess their diapers, tear up an anvil in a sand pile, lie every chance they get, tell everybody else what you do, etc. Those wonderful little children of yours [I know everyone else’s are brats, but not yours!]. We are selfish in nature and children require monumental amounts of time and effort.)
C. Though love for the above persons should seem natural to our thinking, man by nature is self-centered. It is of no wonder that humanism is so easily taught to children and adults alike. In nature, we are our own “gods!” Self-gratification is the rule of the day and people must be taught to get along.
D. Love goes far beyond just getting along though. Love is our motivation for getting along with each other. If we love God, then His commands are not grievous! If we love our fellow man, then being a good neighbor becomes no problem. If we love souls, then loving the sinner—even in his sin—becomes easy. If we give ourselves to each other, then loving becomes a natural and wonderful thing within the church. When a husband gives his life for his wife and children, then love comes easy. When a wife dedicates her love, life, and longings to her husband and children—then loving them is all that she knows.
E. Love must be taught! We sometimes use the terminology “old school” when referring to our beliefs and character. It means that we have been raised us or taught from our youth to hold certain things dear. We have “learned behavior” circumscribing our lives so that we act and react properly when issues of integrity arise. We are taught. It does not come natural in our human nature.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
F. The Book of James shows forth a salvation that works. In chapter four, the Holy Ghost said, “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:1-2) (Wars and fightings? Those are strong terms describing the interaction of some believers. Where do they come from? “Your lusts that war in YOUR MEMBERS! Lust is defined in Easton’s as “sinful longing.” These wars and fights do not come from personality conflicts: they come from sinfulness within the believer.)
G. Back in chapter three, He said, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:13-16)
H. Liberty is not the right to do anything that we desire anymore than love is a natural, simple interaction one with another. Liberty must be tempered while love must be preeminent in our lives in order to have a loving relationship with each other. Love among God’s people is both natural and learned. We have love that comes through relationship in Christ but learned love comes from learning how to interact.
I. Vs. 13 proclaims our liberty but places the stipulation that misused liberty causes sinfulness in our flesh and, therefore, division and fighting.
HOW TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER:
1. Stay Close To The Lord - 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I cannot emphasis this enough! Right with the Lord is right with each other. Sideways with the Lord is sideways with everyone else.)
2. Be Of The Same Mind - 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Everyone has a different personality, different opinions, different desires, etc. I do not have to get my way! I do not have to be right! Our goal is Christ! Our goal is souls!)
3. Be Courteous - Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: same mind in the Lord. (Courtesy has gone “out the window” in our day. It is no longer “Yes, Ma’am; no, Ma’am; thank you, Ma’am; please.” People charge to get in front of you in the checkout lines, run through the doors ahead of you, no longer rise in the presence of women or elders, etc. Be courteous because courtesy is thoughtfulness and thoughtfulness is putting others ahead of self.)
4. Be Gentle - James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (Gentleness is a wonderful attribute. When I worked in the coal mines, we had a reflector sticker that we sometimes wore on our hard hats that said, “Life is fragile, handle with care.” People are fragile! Their feelings often get hurt without us even knowing it so we must be kind and gentle when dealing with them. Believers are so abrupt with other believers sometimes.)
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
5. Be Loving - 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (Pure in heart is to love in a right manner. As a pastor, I love each of you—men and women. I love the men right. I love the women right, as sisters. Love is a four letter word: give. For God so loved…that He gave. Give your life to and for one another. Bind your heart together in Christian love. Work at it!)
6. Be Forgiving - Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (People sometimes hurt your feelings either advertently or inadvertently. Some people are like a “bull in a china shop” around others. They say and do things so ignorantly. Most of the problems that I have as a pastor are not in the areas of sin, compromise, apostasy, etc. They concern brothers and sisters beating up on each other. If a brother or sister offends you, forgive them. Don’t run to someone else and involve them, just pray for them—do good to them—forgive them—and forget it! Hurt turns into anger and anger into bitterness if not handled right.)
7. Be Understanding - Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (People have bad days. People say wrong things. You do not know what they are facing in their private lives or what has happened to them today. When they are “out of sorts,” do not let them get you “out of sorts.” Love them in their hard times and be there for them. Just ask, “Is there anything that I can do to help or pray about because I care!”)
8. Be Thick Skinned! - Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. (Don’t be the brother offended! You have told on yourself when you become offended. Be tough! Be adult! Be Forbearing! That means to bear a long time!)
9. Be Encouraging - Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Be a God called exhorter! Don’t always have the “poochie lip,” walking around looking like a mule eating saw briers. Don’t always be complaining, discouraged, defeated, or murmuring. God is in control of your life and this is the day that the Lord hath made—rejoice and be glad in it.)
10. Be Christian! - Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (When around people, ask yourself what Christ would do or say.)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
God’s Deliverance
Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2009
2 Timothy 4:7-18
Introduction:
A. This past week was one long awaited. Once again, my son, my wife, and I have walked into court together and walked back out the same way. For 2 ½ years my son, grandchildren, wife, myself, family, and church have been “held hostage” by wicked people and a corrupt system. These long months and years have been the hardest of our lives. They have taken their toll on us physically, spiritually, and financially. They have been hard!
B. The battle is not over; it has just begun! Shortly, for the first time in all of these months and years, we will be able to attempt—with our Lord’s help—to bring these children home where they belong.
C. As a family, we do not seek vengeance. We do seek justice tempered with mercy. It is time for them to come home and for God to work in the hearts of all of those involved. My desire is to see the wrong righted and people on both sides to get some help from the Lord. I am not going to dwell on that though for that is not my message.
D. In these verses that I read, we find both some wonderful and terrible things. Paul is now at the end of his life. His course has been run, he has been faithful, and God has been his stay through it all. What a wonderful testimony
1. We Find The Brethren’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 10-15
a. Some Stayed With Him – vs. 10-13
1) Luke Stood With Him Physically – vs. 11 (I thank God for our church! You have stayed and prayed! You have been there for us; given us the benefit of the doubt and more! I have seen your tears, fears, and righteous anger! I appreciate it! My family appreciates it! I looked out over the court room and there is no pastor to sit with them because they know that the truth of what they have said and done will be exposed! We have encouraged our people to be there; hear the testimony of both sides; for we have nothing to be ashamed of or to fear. You have been there in force that could come and we love you for it. What a blessing to see loving, friendly faces in such a hostile environment! You were there; you were beautiful to my family; and we love you!)
2) Crescens, Titus, Tychicus, And Timothy Stood With Him In The Work – vs. 10-13
b. Some Left Him – vs. 10 (Some have eased out the doors quietly for whatever reasons. They chose to forsake us when we needed them. May the Lord help them when they need a friend.)
c. Some Came To Him – vs. 11 (Some have been added. I thank God for them. They came, heard, and stayed! It is a testament to their spirituality. They too gave us the benefit of the doubt and added their prayers to the prayers of others.)
d. Some Hurt Him – vs. 14-15 (Some have hurt my family, our church, and our grandchildren. They have stood steadfastly with the ones who have tried to destroy us. I pray that it will not be “laid to their charge.”)
2. We Find The Bible’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 13
a. Paul Needed The Necessities Of Life – vs. 13 “cloke” (He was getting old and cold!)
b. Paul Needed The Words Of Life – vs. 13 “books…parchments” (In these last 30 months, my family and I have appreciated our friends, necessities of life, but the Word of God has been our strength!)
c. We Have Drawn From It’s Strength (It has been sufficient!)
d. We Have Clung To It’s Promises (It has been right!)
3. We Find The Lord’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 17-18
a. The Lord Has Been Faithful (There have been times when we could not find Him like Job. But He was always there “working behind the boxes” on our behalf! He never left us nor did He forsake us when we needed Him most. I thank you, Lord!)
b. The Lord Delivered Us From The Mouth Of The Lion (The power of the government stood against us but our God was greater than government! He delivered my son from false imprisonment!)
c. The Lord Shall Deliver And Preserve Us (We still face the DSS and other obstacles but God is both faithful and able! Will the God of all the earth do right? He will!)
d. To God Be The Glory!
4. We Find Paul’s Faithfulness – vs. 7
a. Paul Fought A Good Fight (A right kind of fight! In the days to come, rest assured that my family will try to do that which is biblical; that which is ethical; that which is right! May God help us to do the right things.)
b. Paul Finished His Course (We do not always like where we are nor what we face but it is our course! Bob has never lost his resolve to stand in the face of 180 years of prison on these false charges. He has rejected every plea bargain because it is about the children, not his freedom or safety. My wife and I are proud of him! He is a man; he has been a soldier! We will finish as we started, by his side.)
c. Paul Kept The Faith (When Bob is exonerated, it will be God that does it! When the children come home, it will be God that does it! I believe God this morning! He has neither left nor forsaken us and I want to finish by saying, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done! We love you, Lord!”)
Conclusion: Stay with us! Pray with us! Pray for us! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
2 Timothy 4:7-18
Introduction:
A. This past week was one long awaited. Once again, my son, my wife, and I have walked into court together and walked back out the same way. For 2 ½ years my son, grandchildren, wife, myself, family, and church have been “held hostage” by wicked people and a corrupt system. These long months and years have been the hardest of our lives. They have taken their toll on us physically, spiritually, and financially. They have been hard!
B. The battle is not over; it has just begun! Shortly, for the first time in all of these months and years, we will be able to attempt—with our Lord’s help—to bring these children home where they belong.
C. As a family, we do not seek vengeance. We do seek justice tempered with mercy. It is time for them to come home and for God to work in the hearts of all of those involved. My desire is to see the wrong righted and people on both sides to get some help from the Lord. I am not going to dwell on that though for that is not my message.
D. In these verses that I read, we find both some wonderful and terrible things. Paul is now at the end of his life. His course has been run, he has been faithful, and God has been his stay through it all. What a wonderful testimony
1. We Find The Brethren’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 10-15
a. Some Stayed With Him – vs. 10-13
1) Luke Stood With Him Physically – vs. 11 (I thank God for our church! You have stayed and prayed! You have been there for us; given us the benefit of the doubt and more! I have seen your tears, fears, and righteous anger! I appreciate it! My family appreciates it! I looked out over the court room and there is no pastor to sit with them because they know that the truth of what they have said and done will be exposed! We have encouraged our people to be there; hear the testimony of both sides; for we have nothing to be ashamed of or to fear. You have been there in force that could come and we love you for it. What a blessing to see loving, friendly faces in such a hostile environment! You were there; you were beautiful to my family; and we love you!)
2) Crescens, Titus, Tychicus, And Timothy Stood With Him In The Work – vs. 10-13
b. Some Left Him – vs. 10 (Some have eased out the doors quietly for whatever reasons. They chose to forsake us when we needed them. May the Lord help them when they need a friend.)
c. Some Came To Him – vs. 11 (Some have been added. I thank God for them. They came, heard, and stayed! It is a testament to their spirituality. They too gave us the benefit of the doubt and added their prayers to the prayers of others.)
d. Some Hurt Him – vs. 14-15 (Some have hurt my family, our church, and our grandchildren. They have stood steadfastly with the ones who have tried to destroy us. I pray that it will not be “laid to their charge.”)
2. We Find The Bible’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 13
a. Paul Needed The Necessities Of Life – vs. 13 “cloke” (He was getting old and cold!)
b. Paul Needed The Words Of Life – vs. 13 “books…parchments” (In these last 30 months, my family and I have appreciated our friends, necessities of life, but the Word of God has been our strength!)
c. We Have Drawn From It’s Strength (It has been sufficient!)
d. We Have Clung To It’s Promises (It has been right!)
3. We Find The Lord’s Involvement In Paul’s Life – vs. 17-18
a. The Lord Has Been Faithful (There have been times when we could not find Him like Job. But He was always there “working behind the boxes” on our behalf! He never left us nor did He forsake us when we needed Him most. I thank you, Lord!)
b. The Lord Delivered Us From The Mouth Of The Lion (The power of the government stood against us but our God was greater than government! He delivered my son from false imprisonment!)
c. The Lord Shall Deliver And Preserve Us (We still face the DSS and other obstacles but God is both faithful and able! Will the God of all the earth do right? He will!)
d. To God Be The Glory!
4. We Find Paul’s Faithfulness – vs. 7
a. Paul Fought A Good Fight (A right kind of fight! In the days to come, rest assured that my family will try to do that which is biblical; that which is ethical; that which is right! May God help us to do the right things.)
b. Paul Finished His Course (We do not always like where we are nor what we face but it is our course! Bob has never lost his resolve to stand in the face of 180 years of prison on these false charges. He has rejected every plea bargain because it is about the children, not his freedom or safety. My wife and I are proud of him! He is a man; he has been a soldier! We will finish as we started, by his side.)
c. Paul Kept The Faith (When Bob is exonerated, it will be God that does it! When the children come home, it will be God that does it! I believe God this morning! He has neither left nor forsaken us and I want to finish by saying, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done! We love you, Lord!”)
Conclusion: Stay with us! Pray with us! Pray for us! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
The Common Salvation
Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2009
Jude 1-3
Introduction:
A. The Book of Jude was one of the epistles written concerning the apostasy both present then and to come. Everything God has every created has been attacked by Satan and his people.
1. Apostasy was already prevalent in Jude’s day – almost 2,000 years ago.
2. The Spirit of Antichrist was there and disciples were being drawn away.
3. Jesus warned of False Prophets – Matthew 24:11-13
4. Peter warned of False Teachers with many following their pernicious ways – 2 Peter 2:1-3
5. Paul fortold the “falling away” – Acts 20:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2
B. The very foundation of our faith is now under satanic attack from both without and within. Jude is about infiltration! Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches are saved. Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches love the Lord. Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches love the Word of God.
C. Before we get very far into this little epistle, I want us to see the description of the saved in these opening verses. Salvation is indeed “common” to all of God’s children. By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something cheap or something that is plenteous. It simply means that salvation is the same for all of God’s people.
D. They have the same characteristics because they are born into the same family. They have the same genetics or spiritual DNA!
1. All are called from Sin to Christ!
2. All are called from Vanity to Purpose!
3. All are called from Ungodliness to Holiness!
4. All are called from Dishonor to Honor!
E. All are changed from the old man and conformed to the new man. We are all being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Not to be changed and conformed is not to be saved. I understand that there are varying degrees of obedience among God’s children, but all have the Holy Spirit and all have desire.
F. As it is God that begins a good work in us, it is He that performs it in us. This is what makes us alike though we are so very different.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (The mercy and grace of God are both the spring and fountain of everything that we have or hope for.)
G. We all have the same salvation; the same Spirit; the same witness; and the same testimony. Notice with me the reversal of order in verses 1 and 2.
1. In Our Common Salvation We Find Sanctification – The means of sanctification is Multiplied Mercy (to separate from and to consecrate to) – vs. 1 (Sympathy)
a. We Are Sanctified Through His Will - John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
b. We Are Sanctified Through His Word - John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2. In Our Common Salvation We Find Security – The fruit of our security is Multiplied Peace (to attend to and to take care of) – vs. 1 (Serenity)
a. We Are Powerfully Kept - 1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
b. We Are Permanently Kept - John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
c. We Are Perfectly Kept - Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
3. In Our Common Salvation We Find Seeking – The basis of our calling is Multiplied Love – vs. 1 (Sovereignty)
a. There Was A Sovereign Call
1) The Call Came Through Grace - 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2) The Call Came Through the Gospel - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
b. There Was A Sovereign Choice – Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (My Bible says that, though the many are called, few are saved! The difference is the choice!)
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 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: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (God’s choosing came through our “belief of the truth.”)
c. There Was A Sovereign Conversion - Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (It is God’s way or the “highway” to hell! Our salvation is a “common” salvation.)
Jude 1-3
Introduction:
A. The Book of Jude was one of the epistles written concerning the apostasy both present then and to come. Everything God has every created has been attacked by Satan and his people.
1. Apostasy was already prevalent in Jude’s day – almost 2,000 years ago.
2. The Spirit of Antichrist was there and disciples were being drawn away.
3. Jesus warned of False Prophets – Matthew 24:11-13
4. Peter warned of False Teachers with many following their pernicious ways – 2 Peter 2:1-3
5. Paul fortold the “falling away” – Acts 20:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2
B. The very foundation of our faith is now under satanic attack from both without and within. Jude is about infiltration! Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches are saved. Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches love the Lord. Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches love the Word of God.
C. Before we get very far into this little epistle, I want us to see the description of the saved in these opening verses. Salvation is indeed “common” to all of God’s children. By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something cheap or something that is plenteous. It simply means that salvation is the same for all of God’s people.
D. They have the same characteristics because they are born into the same family. They have the same genetics or spiritual DNA!
1. All are called from Sin to Christ!
2. All are called from Vanity to Purpose!
3. All are called from Ungodliness to Holiness!
4. All are called from Dishonor to Honor!
E. All are changed from the old man and conformed to the new man. We are all being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Not to be changed and conformed is not to be saved. I understand that there are varying degrees of obedience among God’s children, but all have the Holy Spirit and all have desire.
F. As it is God that begins a good work in us, it is He that performs it in us. This is what makes us alike though we are so very different.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (The mercy and grace of God are both the spring and fountain of everything that we have or hope for.)
G. We all have the same salvation; the same Spirit; the same witness; and the same testimony. Notice with me the reversal of order in verses 1 and 2.
1. In Our Common Salvation We Find Sanctification – The means of sanctification is Multiplied Mercy (to separate from and to consecrate to) – vs. 1 (Sympathy)
a. We Are Sanctified Through His Will - John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
b. We Are Sanctified Through His Word - John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2. In Our Common Salvation We Find Security – The fruit of our security is Multiplied Peace (to attend to and to take care of) – vs. 1 (Serenity)
a. We Are Powerfully Kept - 1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
b. We Are Permanently Kept - John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
c. We Are Perfectly Kept - Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
3. In Our Common Salvation We Find Seeking – The basis of our calling is Multiplied Love – vs. 1 (Sovereignty)
a. There Was A Sovereign Call
1) The Call Came Through Grace - 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2) The Call Came Through the Gospel - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
b. There Was A Sovereign Choice – Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (My Bible says that, though the many are called, few are saved! The difference is the choice!)
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 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: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (God’s choosing came through our “belief of the truth.”)
c. There Was A Sovereign Conversion - Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (It is God’s way or the “highway” to hell! Our salvation is a “common” salvation.)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Rest
Temple Baptist Church - 10-11-2009
Psalms 116:1-8
Introduction:
A. In many of the Psalms, we find the man of God in distress because of either his surrounding circumstances or the oppression of the wicked.
B. In these verses that I read, we find the prayer of the sorrowful saint. Verse 3 describes the depths of his sorrow. In this life, we find much in the way of sorrow and trouble but, thank God, there is a better day coming!
Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!)
C. I want to call you attention to verse 7 for a minute. The Psalmist said, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul!”
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
1. Here we find that our soul has a rest. (This is spiritual rest.)
2. Our soul is meant to remain in that rest. (Spiritual rest is in the Lord.)
3. There is a possibility of our soul leaving that rest. (A disquieted soul.)
a) Our Battles are Long and Hard
b) Our Way is Rough and Weary
c) Our Tongues are Bitter and Complaining
d) Our Spiritual Eyesight becomes Dimmed and Limited
e) Our Hearts are Ungrateful and Selfish
4. There are some things that will cause our soul to return unto its rest.
d. There are several foundations to that rest.
1. The Foundation of our love for the Saviour – vs. 1 (We love Him and He loves us!)
2. The Foundation or our supplication to the Saviour – vs. 1 (He not only hears our cry but awaits it!)
3. The Foundation of our confidence in the Saviour – vs. 2-6 (He wants the best for us and can do anything at anytime in any circumstance!)
1. Rest In Our Salvation - Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
2. Rest In Our Service – 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
3. Rest In Our Stand - Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
4. Rest In Our Spirit – 2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
5. Rest In Our Sanctuary - Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
6. Rest In Our Saviour - Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Psalms 116:1-8
Introduction:
A. In many of the Psalms, we find the man of God in distress because of either his surrounding circumstances or the oppression of the wicked.
B. In these verses that I read, we find the prayer of the sorrowful saint. Verse 3 describes the depths of his sorrow. In this life, we find much in the way of sorrow and trouble but, thank God, there is a better day coming!
Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!)
C. I want to call you attention to verse 7 for a minute. The Psalmist said, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul!”
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
1. Here we find that our soul has a rest. (This is spiritual rest.)
2. Our soul is meant to remain in that rest. (Spiritual rest is in the Lord.)
3. There is a possibility of our soul leaving that rest. (A disquieted soul.)
a) Our Battles are Long and Hard
b) Our Way is Rough and Weary
c) Our Tongues are Bitter and Complaining
d) Our Spiritual Eyesight becomes Dimmed and Limited
e) Our Hearts are Ungrateful and Selfish
4. There are some things that will cause our soul to return unto its rest.
d. There are several foundations to that rest.
1. The Foundation of our love for the Saviour – vs. 1 (We love Him and He loves us!)
2. The Foundation or our supplication to the Saviour – vs. 1 (He not only hears our cry but awaits it!)
3. The Foundation of our confidence in the Saviour – vs. 2-6 (He wants the best for us and can do anything at anytime in any circumstance!)
1. Rest In Our Salvation - Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
2. Rest In Our Service – 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
3. Rest In Our Stand - Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
4. Rest In Our Spirit – 2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
5. Rest In Our Sanctuary - Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
6. Rest In Our Saviour - Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Offence Of The Cross
Temple Baptist Church - 10-07-2009
Galatians 5:10-12
Introduction:
A. In these verses, we find that there are many religious people who are, in actuality, enemies of the cross of Christ and—therefore—salvation.
Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
B. The Holy Spirit—through the pen of the Apostle Paul—went as far as to say, “I would that they were even cut off which trouble you.” This is not the wish of this pastor but the wish of God! He is talking about those who would pervert the grace of God by:
1. Adding To The Gospel
2. Taking Away From The Gospel (Both creating the “another gospel” found in 2 Corinthians 11:1-4)
C. Religion—which is manmade—has never been a friend of either Jesus Christ (they crucified Him) or of salvation (they bypass Him)!
D. Salvation is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone! Most denominations or churches have a mixed faith.
1. They teach salvation through Christ plus the church.
2. They teach salvation through Christ plus their works.
3. They teach salvation through Christ plus their baptism.
4. They teach salvation through Christ or Mary.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.e. Others even deny our Lord Jesus Christ by making Him a “son of God” instead of the “Son of God!” They teach that He was an angel, great prophet, or something other that God Almighty!
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
E. What makes the cross of Christ so offensive to these folks? It seems that the simplicity of the gospel and salvation would bring joy to their hearts. Heaven is so free and salvation is so simple that even a small child can be saved by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour!
1. The Offense Of The Preaching (It is just too simple! Salvation cannot be as easy as believing!)
1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2. The Offense Of The People (Not many wise; not many mighty; not many noble! Not many lawyers, doctors, professors, etc! Because their salvation is in what they can perceive, not what they must believe!)
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
3. The Offense Of The Praise (If salvation is completely of God and through God, then man has nothing in which to glory! It shows both man’s sinfulness and helplessness.)
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Romans 3:24-27 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
4. The Offense Of The Person (The Jesus Christ of this world is the “another Jesus” of 2 Corinthians 11:1-4.)
Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
John 19:14-15 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Galatians 5:10-12
Introduction:
A. In these verses, we find that there are many religious people who are, in actuality, enemies of the cross of Christ and—therefore—salvation.
Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
B. The Holy Spirit—through the pen of the Apostle Paul—went as far as to say, “I would that they were even cut off which trouble you.” This is not the wish of this pastor but the wish of God! He is talking about those who would pervert the grace of God by:
1. Adding To The Gospel
2. Taking Away From The Gospel (Both creating the “another gospel” found in 2 Corinthians 11:1-4)
C. Religion—which is manmade—has never been a friend of either Jesus Christ (they crucified Him) or of salvation (they bypass Him)!
D. Salvation is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone! Most denominations or churches have a mixed faith.
1. They teach salvation through Christ plus the church.
2. They teach salvation through Christ plus their works.
3. They teach salvation through Christ plus their baptism.
4. They teach salvation through Christ or Mary.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.e. Others even deny our Lord Jesus Christ by making Him a “son of God” instead of the “Son of God!” They teach that He was an angel, great prophet, or something other that God Almighty!
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
E. What makes the cross of Christ so offensive to these folks? It seems that the simplicity of the gospel and salvation would bring joy to their hearts. Heaven is so free and salvation is so simple that even a small child can be saved by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour!
1. The Offense Of The Preaching (It is just too simple! Salvation cannot be as easy as believing!)
1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2. The Offense Of The People (Not many wise; not many mighty; not many noble! Not many lawyers, doctors, professors, etc! Because their salvation is in what they can perceive, not what they must believe!)
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
3. The Offense Of The Praise (If salvation is completely of God and through God, then man has nothing in which to glory! It shows both man’s sinfulness and helplessness.)
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Romans 3:24-27 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
4. The Offense Of The Person (The Jesus Christ of this world is the “another Jesus” of 2 Corinthians 11:1-4.)
Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
John 19:14-15 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
When God Laughs
Temple Baptist Church - 10-04-2009
Proverbs 1:20-33
Introduction:
A. Before us in these verses lies one of the most sobering phrases in the Bible: “I also will laugh at your calamity!” vs. 26
B. It reminds me of another verse of Scripture: Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (In these last days, people mock God and scoff at His Word!
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
C. I am reminded of the second thief who was crucified with Christ. The thief who was saved asked him this question: “Dost not thou fear God?” (Luke 23:40)
D. Without a proper fear of God, a man will never repent of sin and come to Christ! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and in verse 20, wisdom cries while in verse 22 wisdom is rejected.
1. A Divine Call - vs. 20-21
a. The Person Who is Speaking vs. 20
b. The Place of His Speaking vs.21
2. A Desirable Counsel vs. 22-23
a. The People to whom He is Speaking - vs. 22
b. The Promise from a Compassionate Savior
(1) Gift of Repentance "turn you" - vs. 23
(2) Guidance of Spirit "pour out my spirit" – vs. 23
(3) Granting of Knowledge "my words" – vs. 23
3 . A Deliberate Callousness - vs. 24-25
a. The Call to Salvation- Refused – vs. 24
b. The Hand of Mercy- Rebuffed – vs. 24
c. The Counsel of Wisdom- Repelled – vs. 25
d. The Reproof of Scripture-Rejected – vs. 25
4. A Destructive Calamity vs. 26-30
a. The Uncharacteristic God "I will laugh"
b. The Unforeseen Tragedy "fear, destruction"
c. The Unanswered Request "I will not hear"
d. The Unforgiven Sins vs. 29-30
5. A Disturbing Conclusion vs. 31-32
a. Their Diet shall be of their own Choosing
b. Their Devices shall Fill them
c. The Deliberate Simplicity of the Gospel slays them
d. The Deception of the World shall Destroy Them
6. A Delightful Comfort v. 33
a. Salvation
b. Safety
c. Security
Proverbs 1:20-33
Introduction:
A. Before us in these verses lies one of the most sobering phrases in the Bible: “I also will laugh at your calamity!” vs. 26
B. It reminds me of another verse of Scripture: Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (In these last days, people mock God and scoff at His Word!
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
C. I am reminded of the second thief who was crucified with Christ. The thief who was saved asked him this question: “Dost not thou fear God?” (Luke 23:40)
D. Without a proper fear of God, a man will never repent of sin and come to Christ! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and in verse 20, wisdom cries while in verse 22 wisdom is rejected.
1. A Divine Call - vs. 20-21
a. The Person Who is Speaking vs. 20
b. The Place of His Speaking vs.21
2. A Desirable Counsel vs. 22-23
a. The People to whom He is Speaking - vs. 22
b. The Promise from a Compassionate Savior
(1) Gift of Repentance "turn you" - vs. 23
(2) Guidance of Spirit "pour out my spirit" – vs. 23
(3) Granting of Knowledge "my words" – vs. 23
3 . A Deliberate Callousness - vs. 24-25
a. The Call to Salvation- Refused – vs. 24
b. The Hand of Mercy- Rebuffed – vs. 24
c. The Counsel of Wisdom- Repelled – vs. 25
d. The Reproof of Scripture-Rejected – vs. 25
4. A Destructive Calamity vs. 26-30
a. The Uncharacteristic God "I will laugh"
b. The Unforeseen Tragedy "fear, destruction"
c. The Unanswered Request "I will not hear"
d. The Unforgiven Sins vs. 29-30
5. A Disturbing Conclusion vs. 31-32
a. Their Diet shall be of their own Choosing
b. Their Devices shall Fill them
c. The Deliberate Simplicity of the Gospel slays them
d. The Deception of the World shall Destroy Them
6. A Delightful Comfort v. 33
a. Salvation
b. Safety
c. Security
In His Steps
Temple Baptist Church - 10-04-2009
Job 23:1-11
Introduction:
A. Job’s Frustration:
1. Sometimes God’s leading seems hard – vs. 1
2. Sometimes God’s leading seems unfair – vs. 3-7
3. Sometimes God’s leading seems obscure – vs. 8-9
B. Job’s Faith - We need to understand that His leading is always right! – vs. 10
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
C. Job’s Following - Does the Lord care where we are? Notice again that Job said, “My foot hath held his steps.” (Held – to be steadfast!)
1. Our Steps Are Observed Steps - Psalms 139:1-5 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (He thinketh upon us and, therefore, He both knows and understands our every trial and blessing!)
2. Our Steps Are Compassed Steps – Psalms 139:3-5 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (We are hid with Christ in God which means that we are surrounded by Him!)
3. Our Steps Are Numbered Steps - Job 14:16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? (A certain number of steps to follow)
D. Let’s look at some characteristics of “His steps:”
1. His Steps Are Sure Steps
Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Psalms 18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
Psalms 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
2. His Steps Are Ordered Steps
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
3. His Steps Are Protected Steps
Psalms 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.
Psalms 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4. His Steps Are Righteous Steps
Psalms 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
5. His Steps Are Joyous Steps
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
6. His Steps Are Good Steps
Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Psalms 65:11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
Psalms 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
7. His Steps Are Plain Steps
Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
8. His Steps Are Glowing Steps
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
9. His Steps Are Living Steps
Poverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Job 23:1-11
Introduction:
A. Job’s Frustration:
1. Sometimes God’s leading seems hard – vs. 1
2. Sometimes God’s leading seems unfair – vs. 3-7
3. Sometimes God’s leading seems obscure – vs. 8-9
B. Job’s Faith - We need to understand that His leading is always right! – vs. 10
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
C. Job’s Following - Does the Lord care where we are? Notice again that Job said, “My foot hath held his steps.” (Held – to be steadfast!)
1. Our Steps Are Observed Steps - Psalms 139:1-5 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (He thinketh upon us and, therefore, He both knows and understands our every trial and blessing!)
2. Our Steps Are Compassed Steps – Psalms 139:3-5 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. (We are hid with Christ in God which means that we are surrounded by Him!)
3. Our Steps Are Numbered Steps - Job 14:16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? (A certain number of steps to follow)
D. Let’s look at some characteristics of “His steps:”
1. His Steps Are Sure Steps
Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Psalms 18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
Psalms 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
2. His Steps Are Ordered Steps
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
3. His Steps Are Protected Steps
Psalms 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.
Psalms 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4. His Steps Are Righteous Steps
Psalms 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
5. His Steps Are Joyous Steps
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
6. His Steps Are Good Steps
Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Psalms 65:11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
Psalms 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
7. His Steps Are Plain Steps
Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
8. His Steps Are Glowing Steps
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
9. His Steps Are Living Steps
Poverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
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