Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2010
John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1-4
Introduction:
A. Over the past couple of weeks, we have said much about the birth of Christ and what He did for us through the incarnation. He sought us; He bought us; He convicted us; He illuminated us; He convinced us; He graciously saved us; He marvelously keeps us; He abides within us; He works through us; He protects us; He provides for us; He guides us; He succors us; and, one day, He is coming for us! That will preach!!
B. For a few minutes this morning, I want to look once again at the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not think that I can preach enough about Him. I do not think that I will ever understand everything about Him. I do know that He is a once in all eternity Person! There was none before Him; there is none like Him; there is none beside Him; and there will never be one after Him! He was that He was; He is that He is; and He will be what He will be!
C. Having said all of that, let us look at these few verses. In John 1, we find the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ in verse 14. In 1 John 1, we find the manifestation of Jesus Christ. The Apostles knew Him:
1. They Heard Him – John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. We Heard Him - Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
2. They Saw Him – John 20:27-28 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. We Have Not Seen And Yet Believe - 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
3. They Handled Him – Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. We Have Handled Him - 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
D. John 1:1-14 has perhaps the best description of who our Lord Jesus was as well as what He became and came to do. I just want to lift up His name for a few minutes this morning. He certainly is worthy of both our praise and our preaching. Dr. Harold Sightler taught us “preacher boys” to preach Christ. He often told us to never stray far from the cross for it was the preaching of Christ and Him crucified that would win the world to God.
1. Vs. 1-2 – His Person - We See Christ As God! He is the eternal God and the only true God!
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (I AM comes from a root word that simply means “to exist!” All that I can say about God is that HE IS! The world can accept Him or reject Him but that does not change the fact that HE IS!! When this world is gone and time is no more HE IS!!)
2. Vs. 3 – His Power - We See Christ As Creator – Jesus Christ is the Jehovah God of the Old Testament, the Creator of all things. Don’t take my word for it. Take God’s Word for it.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (that’s HIM) created the heaven and the earth.
Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD (that’s HIM) were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his (that’s HIM) mouth.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by him (that’s HIM) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him (that’s HIM), and for him (that’s HIM): 17 And he (that’s HIM) is before all things, and by him (that’s HIM) all things consist.
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son(that’s HIM), whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom (that’s HIM) also he made the worlds; (All I can say is that HE DID IT! I do not have to understand it to believe it! I know that the Word of God declares that He formed the heavens and the earth through the spoken Word of His mouth and I believe it. HE DID IT!! Nothing has been created since He DID IT! Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be changed!)
3. Vs. 4-5 – His Purpose - We See Christ As Life! It is because of the very breath of God that you and I live. He is our mortal Life! He is our spiritual Life! It is through Him that we believe!
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (Without Him, there is no life. Without Him no life could possible exist! You may have physical life ([and that came from Him] but without Him you have no spiritual life. You are dead in trespasses and sins!)
4. Vs. 6-9 – His Purity - We See Christ As Light! I want to say this morning that He is THE LIGHT, not a light! THE LIGHT that shines through this sin darkened world to point the wandering sinner to Himself!
1 John 1:5 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.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (To have Christ is to have Light, to not have Christ is to live a life of total darkness!)
5. Vs. 10-14 – His Pre-eminence - We See Christ As Saviour! If you e
ver get to Heaven, it will through Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.
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 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour! All of my hope is found in Him! He is my eternal Life!)
Conclusion: What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord! Do you know Him this morning?
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Five Wonderful Things
Temple Baptist Church - 12-22-2010
Titus 2:11-14
Introduction:
A. Thanksgiving Day is history once again and Christmas is upon us! My, how time flies when you are having fun! Thanksgiving leads us into the Christmas Season. Throughout the season, we should continue to reflect upon God’s goodness. I love this time of the year. As a matter of fact, I often go around singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” before church. It is a special time. People can say “Happy Holidays” but I respond “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
B. At Thanksgiving we thank God for His bountiful blessings and we have truly been blessed. These blessings are more of a physical, therefore of a temporal nature. No doubt we thank the Lord every day for our salvation, but as we sat at the table, we saw just how good God has been to us physically. Family, friends, and food aplenty! “There’s a roof up above me; I’ve a good place to sleep; there’s food on my table and shoes on my feet; you gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family; thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!”
C. Christmas is meant more for reflection on how good God has been to us spiritually. We will celebrate the birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The incarnation of the Son of God; born of a virgin in Bethlehem; lived, died, was buried, and rose again for our justification!
D. In verse 11, we see the First Advent in “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men!” He came the first time to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to save, not to judge. He came to die, not to reign. God became man that we may live eternally with Him.
E. In verse 13, we see the promise of His Second Advent in “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing. He will come the second time to receive His own, judge the world, and set up His earthly kingdom. It is time! His appearing is imminent! He may come today! I am excited and expectant!
John 14:3-4 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (Praise the Lord!)
F. Titus 2:1 says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” These powerful verses tell of God’s great love for mankind and His great desire for His own. I want to look at these verses this evening and see “Five Wonderful Things” for which we can truly be grateful.
1. A Wonderful Grace – vs. 11 (What a wonderful thought! He loves even me!)
a. Seen In A Manger - 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
b. Seen At Calvary - Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. A Wonderful Saviour – vs. 13 (What a wonderful Saviour He is to me!)
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
a. A Great God – What a wonder that God would send His Son to die for sinful man.
John 3:13-17 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
b. A Wonderful Saviour – What a wonderful Lord and Saviour!
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
3. A Wonderful Conversion – vs. 14 (What a wonderful change has been wrought!)
a. Redemption - Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
b. Sanctification - Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
4. A Wonderful People – vs. 14 (The most wonderful people in all of the world!)
a. A Peculiar People – 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
b. A Zealous People - Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
5. A Wonderful Prospect – vs. 13 (I will live forever in Heaven with Him!)
a. A Hope That Is Sure – “Looking for” - John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Psalms 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
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.
b. A Future That Is Secure – “blessed hope” - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Revelation 21:3-7 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. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Conclusion: What a wonderful time of the year for reflection and worship. The Lord has been so good to us and the best is yet to come!
Titus 2:11-14
Introduction:
A. Thanksgiving Day is history once again and Christmas is upon us! My, how time flies when you are having fun! Thanksgiving leads us into the Christmas Season. Throughout the season, we should continue to reflect upon God’s goodness. I love this time of the year. As a matter of fact, I often go around singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” before church. It is a special time. People can say “Happy Holidays” but I respond “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
B. At Thanksgiving we thank God for His bountiful blessings and we have truly been blessed. These blessings are more of a physical, therefore of a temporal nature. No doubt we thank the Lord every day for our salvation, but as we sat at the table, we saw just how good God has been to us physically. Family, friends, and food aplenty! “There’s a roof up above me; I’ve a good place to sleep; there’s food on my table and shoes on my feet; you gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family; thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!”
C. Christmas is meant more for reflection on how good God has been to us spiritually. We will celebrate the birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The incarnation of the Son of God; born of a virgin in Bethlehem; lived, died, was buried, and rose again for our justification!
D. In verse 11, we see the First Advent in “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men!” He came the first time to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to save, not to judge. He came to die, not to reign. God became man that we may live eternally with Him.
E. In verse 13, we see the promise of His Second Advent in “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing. He will come the second time to receive His own, judge the world, and set up His earthly kingdom. It is time! His appearing is imminent! He may come today! I am excited and expectant!
John 14:3-4 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (Praise the Lord!)
F. Titus 2:1 says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” These powerful verses tell of God’s great love for mankind and His great desire for His own. I want to look at these verses this evening and see “Five Wonderful Things” for which we can truly be grateful.
1. A Wonderful Grace – vs. 11 (What a wonderful thought! He loves even me!)
a. Seen In A Manger - 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
b. Seen At Calvary - Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. A Wonderful Saviour – vs. 13 (What a wonderful Saviour He is to me!)
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
a. A Great God – What a wonder that God would send His Son to die for sinful man.
John 3:13-17 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
b. A Wonderful Saviour – What a wonderful Lord and Saviour!
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
3. A Wonderful Conversion – vs. 14 (What a wonderful change has been wrought!)
a. Redemption - Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
b. Sanctification - Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
4. A Wonderful People – vs. 14 (The most wonderful people in all of the world!)
a. A Peculiar People – 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
b. A Zealous People - Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
5. A Wonderful Prospect – vs. 13 (I will live forever in Heaven with Him!)
a. A Hope That Is Sure – “Looking for” - John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Psalms 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
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.
b. A Future That Is Secure – “blessed hope” - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Revelation 21:3-7 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. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Conclusion: What a wonderful time of the year for reflection and worship. The Lord has been so good to us and the best is yet to come!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Why Do The Heathen Rage?
Temple Baptist Church - 12-12-2010
Psalms 2
Introduction:
A. Psalm 2 is an interesting Psalm. It shows the mentality of both the world and God’s people concerning the sovereignty and ability of God!
1. The “heathen rage!” Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (The world has no respect for nor a fear of God!)
2. The “people imagine a vain thing!” The “people” is a reference to God’s nation of Israel: God’s people! Imagine? That means to ponder or to murmur about something blown up in one’s mind. We often “imagine” the very worst when in trouble. A “vain thing” means something of no avail: something that will probably never come to pass.
B. As the world has no fear of God, God’s people often have no confidence in Him. The heathen rage and God seemingly allows them to get away with it. God’s people then began to imagine: God does not care; God cannot do anything about it; God can but will not respond!
C. We live in a world gone mad. A world that has adopted an amoral philosophy: both ungodly and godless.
1. This world hates the Person of God – they have developed their own “god.” One who accepts the person of the wicked!
2. This world hates the Word of God – they have rejected both its veracity and its authority. Even among so called fundamental Baptists.
3. This World hates the People of God – a generic “Christianity” and a “social gospel” is the rage of the day while the “Old Paths” are despised and rejected. Even among so called fundamental Baptist who have accepted the methods and philosophy of the liberals.
D. The actions of the world occasionally induce the Christian to react as the Psalmist and say, “Why, Lord!” This is a problem that God’s people have faced through the ages and this generation is possibly the worst of all. Why does God allow certain things to happen?
1. Because He is longsuffering. The Lord is not willing that any should perish and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
2. Because sin must run its course. James 1 says that there is a finishing to sin. God does not always judge at the moment one begins to sin. Sin has a course and God lets it run.
3. Because God’s ways are not our ways. Just leave “God’s Toys” to God. He knows what He is doing.
E. It is easy for the believer to get his or her eyes on the circumstances and fall from their own steadfastness. This Psalm should be an encouragement to God’s people.
F. The Lord answers the Psalmist’s question in these few verses by summing up man’s rebellion and God’s righteous judgment.
1. The Attitude Of The Ungodly – vs. 1-3
a. The Fact Of Their Rebellion – “Why do the heathen rage” - Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (They are not atheistic, but rather anti-God! It is one thing to use the name of the Lord as a byword in ignorance and entirely another to curse His person!)
b. The Fierceness Of Their Rebellion – “rage” - Zechariah 7 says, “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.” (The world has gone “wild!” There is nothing sacred; there is nothing “black or white” morally; the conscience of many people has been seared! “If it feels good, do it” is the theme of our day.)
c. The Focus Of Their Rebellion – “against the Lord” - Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (This world system is anti-God. Anything and everything that God says or stands for is under attack. It will climax in the battles of “Armageddon” and “God and Magog.” Just how foolish can man get? Fight against the God of heaven who can create or destroy with the Word of His mouth? This world has no concept of just who God is.)
2. The Answer From The Lord – vs. 4-9
a. God’s Derision – vs. 4 “shall laugh…derision” - Proverbs 1:26-30 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. (God laughs at man’s foolishness; God will mock them in the day of calamity.)
b. God’s Displeasure – vs. 5 “He shall speak unto them in his wrath” Psalms 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (Don’t think that God is going to take what man does to Him! He is still angry with the wicked every day. God hates sin and loves sinners but there will one day be an end to His graciousness and mercy.)
c. God’s Destruction – vs. 5 “and vex them in his sore displeasure” Psalms 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
d. God’s Declaration – vs. 7 “I will declare”
1) A Declaration Of Kingship – vs. 6 (The world rejected the King!)
2) A Declaration Of Kinship – vs. 7
a) Jesus was eternally the Son of God - 1 John 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
b) Jesus was incarnately the Son of God - Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
c) Jesus was manifestly the Son of God - 1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
d) Jesus was gloriously the Son of God - John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.
e. God’s Desire – vs. 8 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee” - Psalms 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
f. God’s Determination – vs. 9 “Thou shalt break them...dash them” - Psalms 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
3. The Advice To The Wicked – vs. 8-12
a. They Need To Hear Him – vs. 10 “be instructed” - Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
b. They Need To Fear Him – vs. 11 “with fear…with trembling” - Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
c. They Need To Near Him – vs. 12 “Kiss the Son” - 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psalms 2
Introduction:
A. Psalm 2 is an interesting Psalm. It shows the mentality of both the world and God’s people concerning the sovereignty and ability of God!
1. The “heathen rage!” Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (The world has no respect for nor a fear of God!)
2. The “people imagine a vain thing!” The “people” is a reference to God’s nation of Israel: God’s people! Imagine? That means to ponder or to murmur about something blown up in one’s mind. We often “imagine” the very worst when in trouble. A “vain thing” means something of no avail: something that will probably never come to pass.
B. As the world has no fear of God, God’s people often have no confidence in Him. The heathen rage and God seemingly allows them to get away with it. God’s people then began to imagine: God does not care; God cannot do anything about it; God can but will not respond!
C. We live in a world gone mad. A world that has adopted an amoral philosophy: both ungodly and godless.
1. This world hates the Person of God – they have developed their own “god.” One who accepts the person of the wicked!
2. This world hates the Word of God – they have rejected both its veracity and its authority. Even among so called fundamental Baptists.
3. This World hates the People of God – a generic “Christianity” and a “social gospel” is the rage of the day while the “Old Paths” are despised and rejected. Even among so called fundamental Baptist who have accepted the methods and philosophy of the liberals.
D. The actions of the world occasionally induce the Christian to react as the Psalmist and say, “Why, Lord!” This is a problem that God’s people have faced through the ages and this generation is possibly the worst of all. Why does God allow certain things to happen?
1. Because He is longsuffering. The Lord is not willing that any should perish and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
2. Because sin must run its course. James 1 says that there is a finishing to sin. God does not always judge at the moment one begins to sin. Sin has a course and God lets it run.
3. Because God’s ways are not our ways. Just leave “God’s Toys” to God. He knows what He is doing.
E. It is easy for the believer to get his or her eyes on the circumstances and fall from their own steadfastness. This Psalm should be an encouragement to God’s people.
F. The Lord answers the Psalmist’s question in these few verses by summing up man’s rebellion and God’s righteous judgment.
1. The Attitude Of The Ungodly – vs. 1-3
a. The Fact Of Their Rebellion – “Why do the heathen rage” - Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (They are not atheistic, but rather anti-God! It is one thing to use the name of the Lord as a byword in ignorance and entirely another to curse His person!)
b. The Fierceness Of Their Rebellion – “rage” - Zechariah 7 says, “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.” (The world has gone “wild!” There is nothing sacred; there is nothing “black or white” morally; the conscience of many people has been seared! “If it feels good, do it” is the theme of our day.)
c. The Focus Of Their Rebellion – “against the Lord” - Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (This world system is anti-God. Anything and everything that God says or stands for is under attack. It will climax in the battles of “Armageddon” and “God and Magog.” Just how foolish can man get? Fight against the God of heaven who can create or destroy with the Word of His mouth? This world has no concept of just who God is.)
2. The Answer From The Lord – vs. 4-9
a. God’s Derision – vs. 4 “shall laugh…derision” - Proverbs 1:26-30 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. (God laughs at man’s foolishness; God will mock them in the day of calamity.)
b. God’s Displeasure – vs. 5 “He shall speak unto them in his wrath” Psalms 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (Don’t think that God is going to take what man does to Him! He is still angry with the wicked every day. God hates sin and loves sinners but there will one day be an end to His graciousness and mercy.)
c. God’s Destruction – vs. 5 “and vex them in his sore displeasure” Psalms 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
d. God’s Declaration – vs. 7 “I will declare”
1) A Declaration Of Kingship – vs. 6 (The world rejected the King!)
2) A Declaration Of Kinship – vs. 7
a) Jesus was eternally the Son of God - 1 John 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
b) Jesus was incarnately the Son of God - Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
c) Jesus was manifestly the Son of God - 1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
d) Jesus was gloriously the Son of God - John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.
e. God’s Desire – vs. 8 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee” - Psalms 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
f. God’s Determination – vs. 9 “Thou shalt break them...dash them” - Psalms 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
3. The Advice To The Wicked – vs. 8-12
a. They Need To Hear Him – vs. 10 “be instructed” - Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
b. They Need To Fear Him – vs. 11 “with fear…with trembling” - Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
c. They Need To Near Him – vs. 12 “Kiss the Son” - 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The Miracle Of The Birth Of Christ
Temple Baptist Church - 12-12-2010
Matthew 1:18-25 (vs. 18, 23)
Introduction: Oft times, as we think of the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—we fail to contemplate upon the marvelous miracle of His birth. God became man! Many religions recognize Jesus in one way or another as either an angel who came to earth or a great prophet but He was much more that that! He was Jehovah God born in the flesh! The “seed of the woman” born without the seed of man! The absolute purity of a young virgin womb gave birth to the absolutely pure Son of God!
A. Matthew 22:41-42a While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?
B. There are many doctrines that are called “Cardinal Doctrines” or “Fundamentals Of The faith.” The doctrine of the Virgin Birth is one of the most sacred. It is a miracle beyond human comprehension!
1. The Virgin Birth Of Christ Is “A Doctrine of Holy Ground!” The wording in verse 18 differentiates the birth of Christ from the series of “begats” of the preceding verses. “Espoused wife” and “before they came together” declares a birth like none other that preceded it. The virgin birth of Christ is the pivotal point between Promise or Prophecy and Performance. It is a doctrine both Sweetly Adored and Severely Attacked.
2. It is the mystery of all mysteries, the jewel of all ages, the hope of mankind, and the love of God manifested. It was a miraculous event. The Virgin Birth of Christ is the piviotable point between Promise or Prophesy and Performance!
3. A miracle is a phenomenon that cannot be explained outside the realm of supernatural intervention. It is an event that supersedes natural law.
a) The immortal became mortal that the mortal may become immortal - 1 Timothy 6:16a Who only hath immortality
1 Corinthians 15:54 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.
b) The untouchable became touchable - 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.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.
C. Dr. Herbert Lockyer said it this way, “The incarnation is the most stupendous miracle comprehending and involving all other miracles, and because it is a theme both deep and delicate, infinite and incomprehensible, how about ‘finding out acceptable words.’ The ground we approach is holy calling for the putting off of our shoes.”
D. G. Campbell Morgan said that in the presence of such a holy miracle “there can be no fitting attitude of the human intellect save that of acceptance of the truth without any attempt to explain the mystery.”
E. Another writer expressed it this way, “I will seek to believe rather than to reason, to adore rather than to explain, to give thanks rather that to penetrate; to love rather than to know; to humble myself rather than to speak.”
F. In the Virgin Birth, God and man became one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ! (100% God! 100% man! Otherwise, He would have been less that God and less than man!)
1. The Virgin Birth Was Prophesied - 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.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2. The Virgin Birth Was Performed - 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.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (“On this wise” sets the birth of Christ apart from the “begats” of the first 17 verses!)
espouse 5x to woo her and ask her in marriage; to be promised in marriage, be betrothed
Matthew 1:18 - “before they came together”
Matthew 1:23 “a virgin shall be with child”
Matthew 1:25 - “and knew her not till”
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2) (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
Just How Important Is This “Cardinal Doctrine” or “Fundamental Of The faith?”
1. Scriptural Credibility Depends Upon It - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (If the Scripture errs on this point, how can we trust any other supernatural event such as the death, burial, and resurrection?)
2. The Deity Of Christ Depends Upon It - 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
3. The Sinless Humanity Of Christ Depends Upon It - John 1:1-2, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (If man had been His father, then He would have had inherent sin!)
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
4. The Vicarious Atonement Of Christ Depends Upon It - Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
5. The Ultimate Defeat Of Evil Depends Upon It - Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
6. The Security Of The Believer Depends Upon It - Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Conclusion: Our eternal destiny depends upon how we answer the question, “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?”
Matthew 1:18-25 (vs. 18, 23)
Introduction: Oft times, as we think of the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—we fail to contemplate upon the marvelous miracle of His birth. God became man! Many religions recognize Jesus in one way or another as either an angel who came to earth or a great prophet but He was much more that that! He was Jehovah God born in the flesh! The “seed of the woman” born without the seed of man! The absolute purity of a young virgin womb gave birth to the absolutely pure Son of God!
A. Matthew 22:41-42a While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?
B. There are many doctrines that are called “Cardinal Doctrines” or “Fundamentals Of The faith.” The doctrine of the Virgin Birth is one of the most sacred. It is a miracle beyond human comprehension!
1. The Virgin Birth Of Christ Is “A Doctrine of Holy Ground!” The wording in verse 18 differentiates the birth of Christ from the series of “begats” of the preceding verses. “Espoused wife” and “before they came together” declares a birth like none other that preceded it. The virgin birth of Christ is the pivotal point between Promise or Prophecy and Performance. It is a doctrine both Sweetly Adored and Severely Attacked.
2. It is the mystery of all mysteries, the jewel of all ages, the hope of mankind, and the love of God manifested. It was a miraculous event. The Virgin Birth of Christ is the piviotable point between Promise or Prophesy and Performance!
3. A miracle is a phenomenon that cannot be explained outside the realm of supernatural intervention. It is an event that supersedes natural law.
a) The immortal became mortal that the mortal may become immortal - 1 Timothy 6:16a Who only hath immortality
1 Corinthians 15:54 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.
b) The untouchable became touchable - 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.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.
C. Dr. Herbert Lockyer said it this way, “The incarnation is the most stupendous miracle comprehending and involving all other miracles, and because it is a theme both deep and delicate, infinite and incomprehensible, how about ‘finding out acceptable words.’ The ground we approach is holy calling for the putting off of our shoes.”
D. G. Campbell Morgan said that in the presence of such a holy miracle “there can be no fitting attitude of the human intellect save that of acceptance of the truth without any attempt to explain the mystery.”
E. Another writer expressed it this way, “I will seek to believe rather than to reason, to adore rather than to explain, to give thanks rather that to penetrate; to love rather than to know; to humble myself rather than to speak.”
F. In the Virgin Birth, God and man became one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ! (100% God! 100% man! Otherwise, He would have been less that God and less than man!)
1. The Virgin Birth Was Prophesied - 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.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2. The Virgin Birth Was Performed - 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.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (“On this wise” sets the birth of Christ apart from the “begats” of the first 17 verses!)
espouse 5x to woo her and ask her in marriage; to be promised in marriage, be betrothed
Matthew 1:18 - “before they came together”
Matthew 1:23 “a virgin shall be with child”
Matthew 1:25 - “and knew her not till”
Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2) (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
Just How Important Is This “Cardinal Doctrine” or “Fundamental Of The faith?”
1. Scriptural Credibility Depends Upon It - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (If the Scripture errs on this point, how can we trust any other supernatural event such as the death, burial, and resurrection?)
2. The Deity Of Christ Depends Upon It - 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
3. The Sinless Humanity Of Christ Depends Upon It - John 1:1-2, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (If man had been His father, then He would have had inherent sin!)
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
4. The Vicarious Atonement Of Christ Depends Upon It - Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
5. The Ultimate Defeat Of Evil Depends Upon It - Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
6. The Security Of The Believer Depends Upon It - Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Conclusion: Our eternal destiny depends upon how we answer the question, “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?”
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Walking Worthy - Unity in Following
Temple Baptist Church - 12-8-2010
Ephesians 4:7-16
Introduction:
A. We have seen that “Walking Worthy” begins within the local church. If we do not maintain a proper testimony within the church, we will have no positive spiritual influence without the church. Someone once said, “A life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.” “Walking Worthy” within the local church prepares us for a consistent life lived without the church.
B. We are to walk worthy in our Fellowship. Unity within the local assembly is essential to a good testimony. Satan will always try to begin conflict within the local body through personality conflicts, family squabbles and differences of opinion. Be watchful!
C. We are to walk worthy in our Faith. Doctrinal and Ecclesiastical purity is essential to both our protection and testimony. Satan will always attempt to either get you to compromise what you believe or he will send infiltrators with false doctrine into the local church. Who you “run with” is who you are!
D. Tonight, I want to look at “Walking Worthy” in our Following. The next thing that Satan will do is try to cause you to lose confidence in God’s man through confusion. There are times when you may not agree with your pastor’s decisions through misunderstanding of his purpose. I will touch on this shortly.
E. In these verses we read tonight, we find the gifts that God has given to the local church. In verse 11, we find four gifts: two are passing gifts and two are permanent gifts. We no longer have “prophets” or “apostles” within the local church. We prophesy in that we “forth tell” instead of “foretell.” There are only 12 apostles. One was a lost man and God replaced him with “one born out of due time.” Today, the gifts to the church are the evangelists and pastor-teachers.
F. These are purposed gifts. Often, for birthdays or Christmas, you will receive a gift that you either do not need or do not want. Thank the Lord for receipts! These gifts to the local church are necessary to the wellbeing of the local assembly. Satan knows that you cannot do without them and, therefore, tries his best to deter God’s plan for both your life and the church. In the absence of the Lord (when He resurrected), He let captivity captive and gave gifts to men. He gave the church a pastor in His absence.
G. Make sure that your relationship with the pastor is a right one. The church needs to have a right relationship with the pastor and your individual relationship is just as important.
The Pastor’s Person
1. He is a Pastor! Vs. 11 “Pastor” literally means a shepherd. Hebrews 13 says it all: remember him, obey him, submit to him, etc. This is not a pride thing, it is a God thing! “Walking Worthy” is being in a right relationship with God’s Man. He is both family and friend.
a. A shepherd guides the flock
b. A shepherd guards the flock
c. A shepherd gives his life for the flock.
2. He is a Teacher! Vs. 11 The pastor is not to be a novice and is to be able to teach the Word of God. He is to rightly divide the Bible; he is to feed the flock of God. Learn from him!
a. He Educates
b. He Edifies
c. He Energizes
d. He Equalizes – “all come”
e. He Exhorts
f. He Equips
1. He Is Your Shepherd - Follow Him
a. Follow Him Wholly - 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.
b. Follow Him Fervently - Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
c. Follow Him Conditionally - 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (If you do not understand or agree with what he is doing, ask him about it! He may know something that you do not know for a good pastor will never knowingly compromise the Bible or do anything contrary to it.)
2. He Is Your Watchman - Heed Him
a. It Will Save You And Your Family - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
b. It Will Keep You From Slipping - Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip
c. It Will Show You The Way - 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:.
3. He Is Your Preacher - Obey Him
a. Obey and Submit To Him - 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.
b. Respect and Esteem Him - Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
c. Honor Him - 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.
4. He Is Your Teacher - Learn From Him
a. Steadfastly Follow In Doctrine - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
b. Obey In Doctrine- Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
c. Separate In Doctrine - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
d. Be Anchored In Doctrine - Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
e. Study In Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
f. Continue In Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
5. The Pastor Is Your Friend - Befriend Him
a. Love Him - Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
b. Help Him - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
c. Know Him - 1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Ephesians 4:7-16
Introduction:
A. We have seen that “Walking Worthy” begins within the local church. If we do not maintain a proper testimony within the church, we will have no positive spiritual influence without the church. Someone once said, “A life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.” “Walking Worthy” within the local church prepares us for a consistent life lived without the church.
B. We are to walk worthy in our Fellowship. Unity within the local assembly is essential to a good testimony. Satan will always try to begin conflict within the local body through personality conflicts, family squabbles and differences of opinion. Be watchful!
C. We are to walk worthy in our Faith. Doctrinal and Ecclesiastical purity is essential to both our protection and testimony. Satan will always attempt to either get you to compromise what you believe or he will send infiltrators with false doctrine into the local church. Who you “run with” is who you are!
D. Tonight, I want to look at “Walking Worthy” in our Following. The next thing that Satan will do is try to cause you to lose confidence in God’s man through confusion. There are times when you may not agree with your pastor’s decisions through misunderstanding of his purpose. I will touch on this shortly.
E. In these verses we read tonight, we find the gifts that God has given to the local church. In verse 11, we find four gifts: two are passing gifts and two are permanent gifts. We no longer have “prophets” or “apostles” within the local church. We prophesy in that we “forth tell” instead of “foretell.” There are only 12 apostles. One was a lost man and God replaced him with “one born out of due time.” Today, the gifts to the church are the evangelists and pastor-teachers.
F. These are purposed gifts. Often, for birthdays or Christmas, you will receive a gift that you either do not need or do not want. Thank the Lord for receipts! These gifts to the local church are necessary to the wellbeing of the local assembly. Satan knows that you cannot do without them and, therefore, tries his best to deter God’s plan for both your life and the church. In the absence of the Lord (when He resurrected), He let captivity captive and gave gifts to men. He gave the church a pastor in His absence.
G. Make sure that your relationship with the pastor is a right one. The church needs to have a right relationship with the pastor and your individual relationship is just as important.
The Pastor’s Person
1. He is a Pastor! Vs. 11 “Pastor” literally means a shepherd. Hebrews 13 says it all: remember him, obey him, submit to him, etc. This is not a pride thing, it is a God thing! “Walking Worthy” is being in a right relationship with God’s Man. He is both family and friend.
a. A shepherd guides the flock
b. A shepherd guards the flock
c. A shepherd gives his life for the flock.
2. He is a Teacher! Vs. 11 The pastor is not to be a novice and is to be able to teach the Word of God. He is to rightly divide the Bible; he is to feed the flock of God. Learn from him!
a. He Educates
b. He Edifies
c. He Energizes
d. He Equalizes – “all come”
e. He Exhorts
f. He Equips
1. He Is Your Shepherd - Follow Him
a. Follow Him Wholly - 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.
b. Follow Him Fervently - Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
c. Follow Him Conditionally - 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (If you do not understand or agree with what he is doing, ask him about it! He may know something that you do not know for a good pastor will never knowingly compromise the Bible or do anything contrary to it.)
2. He Is Your Watchman - Heed Him
a. It Will Save You And Your Family - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
b. It Will Keep You From Slipping - Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip
c. It Will Show You The Way - 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:.
3. He Is Your Preacher - Obey Him
a. Obey and Submit To Him - 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.
b. Respect and Esteem Him - Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
c. Honor Him - 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.
4. He Is Your Teacher - Learn From Him
a. Steadfastly Follow In Doctrine - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
b. Obey In Doctrine- Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
c. Separate In Doctrine - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
d. Be Anchored In Doctrine - Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
e. Study In Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
f. Continue In Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
5. The Pastor Is Your Friend - Befriend Him
a. Love Him - Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
b. Help Him - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
c. Know Him - 1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Coming Of Christ
Temple Baptist Church - 12-5-2010
Isaiah 9:1-7
Introduction:
A. In these prophetical verses, we find the spiritual setting in which the Christ came over two thousand years ago. Israel, at the time of Christ, was in bondage to Rome and it was one of the darkest hours of her history.
B. The long prophesied Messiah had not come and Israel slept in spiritual darkness. Israel had looked for a King, an earthly Deliverer BUT God saw her need: a Saviour, a spiritual Deliverer.
C. Israel was under the iron foot of Rome and cried as in the days of Moses for a Deliverer. In Isaiah 9:1-5, we find the world into which Jesus Christ was born. (In these verses, we find the analogy of our times)
1. A World In Distress – 1
2. A World In Darkness - 2
3. A World In Condemnation - 2
4. A World In Sadness - 3
5. A World In Bondage - 4
6. A World In Confusion – 5
7. A Few Waiting – 6-7
Their King was to be their Deliverer, but with a cross instead of a crown!
1. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Love Story Ever Told - Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Gift Ever Given - 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.
3. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Sacrifice Ever Made - 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
4. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Grace Ever Received - Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
5. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Forgiveness Ever Extended – all our iniquities - Psalms 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
6. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Promise Ever Kept – “shall be saved” to “hath saved us” - Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
1. The Sins – “their sins”
a. It Showed The Magnitude Of Their Sins – Someone Had To Die! - Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. It Showed The Misery Of Their Sins – There Was Nothing That They Could Do To Atone For It! - Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
2. The Sinners – “his people”
a. We Find The Salvation Of Israel - Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
b. We Find The Salvation Of Individuals - Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
3. The Salvation – “shall save”
a. There Is A Promise - Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
b. There Is A Performance - 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
4. The Saviour – “JESUS”
a. We Find Here God The Son - Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
b. We Find Here God The Sacrifice - John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Isaiah 9:1-7
Introduction:
A. In these prophetical verses, we find the spiritual setting in which the Christ came over two thousand years ago. Israel, at the time of Christ, was in bondage to Rome and it was one of the darkest hours of her history.
B. The long prophesied Messiah had not come and Israel slept in spiritual darkness. Israel had looked for a King, an earthly Deliverer BUT God saw her need: a Saviour, a spiritual Deliverer.
C. Israel was under the iron foot of Rome and cried as in the days of Moses for a Deliverer. In Isaiah 9:1-5, we find the world into which Jesus Christ was born. (In these verses, we find the analogy of our times)
1. A World In Distress – 1
2. A World In Darkness - 2
3. A World In Condemnation - 2
4. A World In Sadness - 3
5. A World In Bondage - 4
6. A World In Confusion – 5
7. A Few Waiting – 6-7
Their King was to be their Deliverer, but with a cross instead of a crown!
1. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Love Story Ever Told - Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Gift Ever Given - 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.
3. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Sacrifice Ever Made - 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
4. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Grace Ever Received - Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
5. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Forgiveness Ever Extended – all our iniquities - Psalms 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
6. In Christ’s First Advent, We Find The Greatest Promise Ever Kept – “shall be saved” to “hath saved us” - Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
1. The Sins – “their sins”
a. It Showed The Magnitude Of Their Sins – Someone Had To Die! - Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. It Showed The Misery Of Their Sins – There Was Nothing That They Could Do To Atone For It! - Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
2. The Sinners – “his people”
a. We Find The Salvation Of Israel - Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
b. We Find The Salvation Of Individuals - Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
3. The Salvation – “shall save”
a. There Is A Promise - Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
b. There Is A Performance - 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
4. The Saviour – “JESUS”
a. We Find Here God The Son - Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
b. We Find Here God The Sacrifice - John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Walking Worthy - Unity in Faith
Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2010
Ephesians 4:4-6
Introduction:
A. Last week, we saw that walking worthy in our “Unity In Fellowship.” The unity of the church is of the utmost importance and that is why it is so fervently attacked. The enemies of God hate the bible believing local church.
B. Tonight, I want to preach on walking worthy in our “Unity In Faith.” Last Sunday night, I preached on the commanded “separatism” of the local assembly. It was not a battle ground of my choosing but a commandment of God! We are not “separatists” because we are hard hearted or unloving; we are “separatists” because that is God’s way of protecting both the believer and the local church.
C. One of the “wiles” of the devil is to attack the foundations of our faith. He does this for a reason: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Satan cannot destroy our salvation but he can destroy our effectiveness in building saints and winning souls. I cannot over emphasis the importance of doctrinal purity! Jude 3 says that we are to “earnestly contend” for the faith ONCE delivered. Why? Because God will not “deliver” it again.
D. Doctrinal truth is a battle ground of great proportion and importance. It is the “basis” for our faith! It is the “seed” of salvation to a lost world! It is the only “hope” of our children!
E. In these verses, we find ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all! This leaves no room for doctrinal difference! God is not the Author of confusion but of peace and unity in the local church. Doctrinal differences bring about schisms within the body and a rift between the pulpit and the pew.
F. Doctrinal ignorance abounds in most churches. I am proud of our people because, for the most part, they are mature in the faith and know what they believe. Doctrinal ignorance has several sources:
1. A lack of Spiritual Growth - Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Hebrews 5:11-12 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
2. A lack of Spiritual Discernment - 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
3. A lack of Spiritual Separation - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
4. A lack of Spiritual Teaching – 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;
Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
5. A lack of Spiritual Concern – John 7:16-17 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
6. A lack of the Spirit Himself - 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
SOUND DOCTRINE AND THE BELIEVER
1. We Are To Continue Steadfastly in Sound Doctrine - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2. We Are To Guard Against False Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
3. We Are To Teach Sound Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
4. We Are To Heed The Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
5. We Are To Appreciate Sound Doctrine – 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.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Introduction:
A. Last week, we saw that walking worthy in our “Unity In Fellowship.” The unity of the church is of the utmost importance and that is why it is so fervently attacked. The enemies of God hate the bible believing local church.
B. Tonight, I want to preach on walking worthy in our “Unity In Faith.” Last Sunday night, I preached on the commanded “separatism” of the local assembly. It was not a battle ground of my choosing but a commandment of God! We are not “separatists” because we are hard hearted or unloving; we are “separatists” because that is God’s way of protecting both the believer and the local church.
C. One of the “wiles” of the devil is to attack the foundations of our faith. He does this for a reason: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Satan cannot destroy our salvation but he can destroy our effectiveness in building saints and winning souls. I cannot over emphasis the importance of doctrinal purity! Jude 3 says that we are to “earnestly contend” for the faith ONCE delivered. Why? Because God will not “deliver” it again.
D. Doctrinal truth is a battle ground of great proportion and importance. It is the “basis” for our faith! It is the “seed” of salvation to a lost world! It is the only “hope” of our children!
E. In these verses, we find ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all! This leaves no room for doctrinal difference! God is not the Author of confusion but of peace and unity in the local church. Doctrinal differences bring about schisms within the body and a rift between the pulpit and the pew.
F. Doctrinal ignorance abounds in most churches. I am proud of our people because, for the most part, they are mature in the faith and know what they believe. Doctrinal ignorance has several sources:
1. A lack of Spiritual Growth - Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Hebrews 5:11-12 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
2. A lack of Spiritual Discernment - 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
3. A lack of Spiritual Separation - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
4. A lack of Spiritual Teaching – 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;
Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
5. A lack of Spiritual Concern – John 7:16-17 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
6. A lack of the Spirit Himself - 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
SOUND DOCTRINE AND THE BELIEVER
1. We Are To Continue Steadfastly in Sound Doctrine - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2. We Are To Guard Against False Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
3. We Are To Teach Sound Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
4. We Are To Heed The Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
5. We Are To Appreciate Sound Doctrine – 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.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
We Are Baptist! - Part 2 - Baptists Are Separatists!
Temple Baptist Church - 11-28-2010
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Introduction:
A. A few weeks ago, we saw what Baptists are not!
1. We are not reformers.
2. We are not Protestant.
3. We are not a denomination.
4. We are not Briders
5. We are not Calvinistic.
6. We are not Arminian.
B. We are Baptists! There are many so-called Baptists who do not hold to the doctrinal truths of God’s Word and have labored in their wrestling of the Scripture to the point of gross doctrinal error! I do not and will not apologize for being a Baptist but I do not think that only Baptists are saved or that the Bride of Christ is the Baptist Church!
C. I am a Baptist by conviction, not convenience. I am a fundamental, independent Baptist! Local churches of the New Testament era were fundamental, independent and I see no need of changing God’s program.
D. What makes Baptist churches distinct? Tonight, I want to deal with separatism! This is where “the rubber meets the road” in most churches. True Baptists are separatists! Separation has been taught as a negative and is now as unappealing as the word fundamental. Separation is a good thing, not a bad thing! Separation is that “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God!” (Romans 12:1-2) Separation is as much for our protection as it is for our identification! We are not only to be separated from something; we are to be separation unto SOMEONE! As Christ suffered without the gate, we are to go unto Him without the camp. Separation is a sign of LOVE, not LEGALISM. Liberal churches have labeled separatism as an independent Baptist thing. Separatism is a Bible commanded thing! Separatists are not “legalists” nor are they “Pharisees.” Most of you know this pastor and I am neither of these. I believe in the “soul liberty” of the believer. Your walk with Christ is between you and God.
E. True Baptists Churches Have Always Been Separatists – Most denominations agree to disagree agreeably when it comes to major doctrinal differences. Their doctrine is set aside based upon the false premise of love and they fellowship and worship together without God’s Truth. Separation is not a negative but a God ordained and commanded blessing! The world views biblical separation in a negative light in order to denounce it but the Word of God not only upholds separation but also commands it! I had rather be on God’s side than to be a member of a denomination, association, or convention that compromises in this vital area of Christian walk. Both fellowship and worship must be based within the boundaries of God’s Word! Our Lord said that the Father sought worship in both truth and spirit. To walk, work, and worship outside of God’s Truth is totally unacceptable to Him. Believers by the multitudes have died over separation as they refused to hold hands, worship, or fellowship with the religionists of their times. What a price has been paid for this separation that now is given up on the slightest whim!
1. Christians Were Recognized And Respected As Christ-like By The Lost - Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
2. Christians Were Recognized And Rejected As Christ-like By The Convicted - Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
3. Christians Were Recognized And Reviled As Christ-like By The Persecutors - 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
F. Today, believers are chameleons! They bend and blend with society around them and are only distinguished by their shallow profession of faith!
The following excerpt is taken from a booklet entitled “Why Baptists Are Not Protestants” which was written by Vernon C. Lyons of the Ashburn Baptist Church of Chicago, Ill.
“Twentieth century theologians have streamlined Christianity by reducing all the virtues to one – unity. In our generation the most respectable ‘ism’ is ecumenism. Few people discern that there is a false unity as well as a true unity and the each is purchased at a staggering price.
False church unity, which is the most popular kind, is purchased with freedom as the price. Gospel liberty is obliterated and liberty of conscience becomes impractical, if not impossible. The communion of saints is forfeited for a communion of committees. The minority speaks for the mass and the conscience of the individual Christian is by-passed for the consensus of a committee. This kind of church unity is also attained at the price of truth. Those who major on mergers tend to believe very little and after merging believe still less. They are more noted for their compromise than their convictions. Their spiritual discernment having been dulled, they move in a doctrinal dusk that calls non-churches churches and regard unbelievers as believers. In the mania to merge, fixed truths become forgotten tenets.
True church unity is also costly! It is to be obtained not be compromise, but by conflict. The faith must not be diluted, but defended (Jude 3). It may cost a man his unscriptural creed and his man-made catechism. This kind of unity flows from a humility which is willing to reject human tradition and subject itself to divine truth, as stated in God’s Holy Word. This unity is described by the words, ‘One Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Eph. 4:5). The beginning of this unity is one Lord. The basis of this unity is one faith. The badge of this unity is one baptism.
This true unity will cost you your prejudice, your pride, and perhaps every your popularity.”
G. Separatism is what cost millions of believers their lives. As Christians, they were quietly “out of step with the world” and were mercilessly persecuted because of it.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
H. This separatism is separated into three distinct areas that we will look at tonight.
1. True Baptists Churches Stand For Ecclesiastical Separation – We are separate in our worship. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (They Are Separate In Worship. They Are Separate In Work. Simply stated, true Baptists do not hold hands with, worship with, or support any other religious organization that has compromised the integrity of Scripture! Many churches have sacrificed their sanctification upon the altar of “Popularity” in order to gain numbers.)
2. True Baptists Churches Stand For Doctrinal Separation – We are separate in doctrine. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (They are separate in walk. True Baptists are not for sale at any price! Many churches have sacrificed their doctrine upon the altar of “Fellowship.”)
3. True Baptists Churches Stand For Personal Separation – We are separate in our walk. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (King Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian!” Christian means one who is like Christ or Christ-like! Believers were called Christians by the lost because of their testimony of Christ-likeness. Our outward demeanor is a reflection of our inward conversion.)
Conclusion: We are not “in your face” with our convictions but, at the same time, our convictions are biblical and, therefore, not for sale! Baptists are separatists!
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Introduction:
A. A few weeks ago, we saw what Baptists are not!
1. We are not reformers.
2. We are not Protestant.
3. We are not a denomination.
4. We are not Briders
5. We are not Calvinistic.
6. We are not Arminian.
B. We are Baptists! There are many so-called Baptists who do not hold to the doctrinal truths of God’s Word and have labored in their wrestling of the Scripture to the point of gross doctrinal error! I do not and will not apologize for being a Baptist but I do not think that only Baptists are saved or that the Bride of Christ is the Baptist Church!
C. I am a Baptist by conviction, not convenience. I am a fundamental, independent Baptist! Local churches of the New Testament era were fundamental, independent and I see no need of changing God’s program.
D. What makes Baptist churches distinct? Tonight, I want to deal with separatism! This is where “the rubber meets the road” in most churches. True Baptists are separatists! Separation has been taught as a negative and is now as unappealing as the word fundamental. Separation is a good thing, not a bad thing! Separation is that “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God!” (Romans 12:1-2) Separation is as much for our protection as it is for our identification! We are not only to be separated from something; we are to be separation unto SOMEONE! As Christ suffered without the gate, we are to go unto Him without the camp. Separation is a sign of LOVE, not LEGALISM. Liberal churches have labeled separatism as an independent Baptist thing. Separatism is a Bible commanded thing! Separatists are not “legalists” nor are they “Pharisees.” Most of you know this pastor and I am neither of these. I believe in the “soul liberty” of the believer. Your walk with Christ is between you and God.
E. True Baptists Churches Have Always Been Separatists – Most denominations agree to disagree agreeably when it comes to major doctrinal differences. Their doctrine is set aside based upon the false premise of love and they fellowship and worship together without God’s Truth. Separation is not a negative but a God ordained and commanded blessing! The world views biblical separation in a negative light in order to denounce it but the Word of God not only upholds separation but also commands it! I had rather be on God’s side than to be a member of a denomination, association, or convention that compromises in this vital area of Christian walk. Both fellowship and worship must be based within the boundaries of God’s Word! Our Lord said that the Father sought worship in both truth and spirit. To walk, work, and worship outside of God’s Truth is totally unacceptable to Him. Believers by the multitudes have died over separation as they refused to hold hands, worship, or fellowship with the religionists of their times. What a price has been paid for this separation that now is given up on the slightest whim!
1. Christians Were Recognized And Respected As Christ-like By The Lost - Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
2. Christians Were Recognized And Rejected As Christ-like By The Convicted - Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
3. Christians Were Recognized And Reviled As Christ-like By The Persecutors - 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
F. Today, believers are chameleons! They bend and blend with society around them and are only distinguished by their shallow profession of faith!
The following excerpt is taken from a booklet entitled “Why Baptists Are Not Protestants” which was written by Vernon C. Lyons of the Ashburn Baptist Church of Chicago, Ill.
“Twentieth century theologians have streamlined Christianity by reducing all the virtues to one – unity. In our generation the most respectable ‘ism’ is ecumenism. Few people discern that there is a false unity as well as a true unity and the each is purchased at a staggering price.
False church unity, which is the most popular kind, is purchased with freedom as the price. Gospel liberty is obliterated and liberty of conscience becomes impractical, if not impossible. The communion of saints is forfeited for a communion of committees. The minority speaks for the mass and the conscience of the individual Christian is by-passed for the consensus of a committee. This kind of church unity is also attained at the price of truth. Those who major on mergers tend to believe very little and after merging believe still less. They are more noted for their compromise than their convictions. Their spiritual discernment having been dulled, they move in a doctrinal dusk that calls non-churches churches and regard unbelievers as believers. In the mania to merge, fixed truths become forgotten tenets.
True church unity is also costly! It is to be obtained not be compromise, but by conflict. The faith must not be diluted, but defended (Jude 3). It may cost a man his unscriptural creed and his man-made catechism. This kind of unity flows from a humility which is willing to reject human tradition and subject itself to divine truth, as stated in God’s Holy Word. This unity is described by the words, ‘One Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Eph. 4:5). The beginning of this unity is one Lord. The basis of this unity is one faith. The badge of this unity is one baptism.
This true unity will cost you your prejudice, your pride, and perhaps every your popularity.”
G. Separatism is what cost millions of believers their lives. As Christians, they were quietly “out of step with the world” and were mercilessly persecuted because of it.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
H. This separatism is separated into three distinct areas that we will look at tonight.
1. True Baptists Churches Stand For Ecclesiastical Separation – We are separate in our worship. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (They Are Separate In Worship. They Are Separate In Work. Simply stated, true Baptists do not hold hands with, worship with, or support any other religious organization that has compromised the integrity of Scripture! Many churches have sacrificed their sanctification upon the altar of “Popularity” in order to gain numbers.)
2. True Baptists Churches Stand For Doctrinal Separation – We are separate in doctrine. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (They are separate in walk. True Baptists are not for sale at any price! Many churches have sacrificed their doctrine upon the altar of “Fellowship.”)
3. True Baptists Churches Stand For Personal Separation – We are separate in our walk. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (King Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian!” Christian means one who is like Christ or Christ-like! Believers were called Christians by the lost because of their testimony of Christ-likeness. Our outward demeanor is a reflection of our inward conversion.)
Conclusion: We are not “in your face” with our convictions but, at the same time, our convictions are biblical and, therefore, not for sale! Baptists are separatists!
The Holiness Of God
Temple Baptist Church - 11-28-2010
Exodus 3:1-6
Introduction:
A. One, if not the, greatest problems of our day is a lack of the fear of the Lord. This is a problem in both the lives of the saved and lost. A lack of the fear of the Lord makes us:
1. Irreverent in our Attitude toward God. We have a tendency to “humanize” God by bringing Him down to our level. This is an effort by the world to make sinful man comfortable in the presence of a holy God!
2. Casual in our Approach to God. I preached on this subject a few weeks ago. He is the Lord! He is Holy! He is to be respected and reverenced as such! I will say again that “there is no place in the Bible where God’s people approached God in a casual or irreverent manner.
3. Without a Proper Fear of the Lord, a sinner will not be saved! “He that cometh to God must believe that he is!” Not believe what we want to believe about God but believe what the Bible says about God!
B. R. C. Sproul makes this insightful observation from Isaiah 6: “The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love, or mercy, mercy, mercy, or wrath, wrath, wrath, or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is full of His glory.” He is a thrice holy God!
C. The Bible definition of the fear of the Lord is found in Psalm 19:9 which says, “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” A proper fear of God causes the believer to live a holy life before Him.
D. It is of small wonder that the world is in the shape that it is in when people no longer have a proper fear of the Lord. Sin is rampant today and, as in the days of Noah, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
E. The church is also in a mess for the same reason! Churches of our day are becoming worldlier in both their worship and their appearance. If God is a thrice holy God, and the Bible says that He is, then He must be approached in a holy manner! Even God’s people do not have a right perspective of the holiness of God. Many of our churches today are just circuses that entertain worldly people instead of pointing the world to this thrice holy God.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Holiness has now become “legalism” in religion’s economy and God’s people see no real need for living in a biblical manner. As we walk with the Lord, we are to walk “before the Lord” in holiness.)
F. The holiness of God is an attribute essential to our relationship with God.
1. Without perfect holiness, God would be as imperfect as man and there could be no salvation.
2. Without perfect holiness, God would be accessible to the unrepentant sinner.
3. Without perfect holiness, God would not be God!
G. The Bible asks this question–Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are mad manifest.
1. God is infinitely and immutably holy. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
2. The Holiness of God is unequaled–Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
H. The Holiness of God is ascribed to Him by:
1. Angels in heaven–Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
2. Angels that are fallen–Luke 4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
3. Men–1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hat seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
I. God is holy in:
1. His Work – Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2. His Way – Leviticus 11:44-45 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
3. His Will – Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
4. His Word – Psalm 19:8-9 8-The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9-The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
1. The Holiness Of God Is An Unreachable Standard For Personal Righteousness (Impeccable-Immutable—Yet Imputable)
a. Man Thinks That God Unconditionally Accepts His Person – Habakkuk 1:13a Thou art of purer eyes that to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. (God does not “accept us regardless” of what we do and who we are!)
b. God did not accept Cain or his offering – Genesis 4:5-7 5-But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (God accepts us only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.)
c. God’s holiness makes sinful man accountable in judgment – Revelation 20:13 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.
2. The Holiness Of God Makes Our Salvation All Of Grace (The holiness of God makes the gospel a glorious necessity.)
a. The Calling Of Salvation Is Gracious - 2 Timothy 1:9 Who had 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,
b. The Gift Of Salvation Is Gracious - Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
c. The Forgiveness Of Salvation Is Gracious - Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
3. The Holiness Of God Is Our Seal Of Eternal Salvation
a. Our Resurrection Depends Upon His Holiness - Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
b. Our Sealing Depends Upon His Holiness - Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
Exodus 3:1-6
Introduction:
A. One, if not the, greatest problems of our day is a lack of the fear of the Lord. This is a problem in both the lives of the saved and lost. A lack of the fear of the Lord makes us:
1. Irreverent in our Attitude toward God. We have a tendency to “humanize” God by bringing Him down to our level. This is an effort by the world to make sinful man comfortable in the presence of a holy God!
2. Casual in our Approach to God. I preached on this subject a few weeks ago. He is the Lord! He is Holy! He is to be respected and reverenced as such! I will say again that “there is no place in the Bible where God’s people approached God in a casual or irreverent manner.
3. Without a Proper Fear of the Lord, a sinner will not be saved! “He that cometh to God must believe that he is!” Not believe what we want to believe about God but believe what the Bible says about God!
B. R. C. Sproul makes this insightful observation from Isaiah 6: “The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love, or mercy, mercy, mercy, or wrath, wrath, wrath, or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is full of His glory.” He is a thrice holy God!
C. The Bible definition of the fear of the Lord is found in Psalm 19:9 which says, “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” A proper fear of God causes the believer to live a holy life before Him.
D. It is of small wonder that the world is in the shape that it is in when people no longer have a proper fear of the Lord. Sin is rampant today and, as in the days of Noah, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
E. The church is also in a mess for the same reason! Churches of our day are becoming worldlier in both their worship and their appearance. If God is a thrice holy God, and the Bible says that He is, then He must be approached in a holy manner! Even God’s people do not have a right perspective of the holiness of God. Many of our churches today are just circuses that entertain worldly people instead of pointing the world to this thrice holy God.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Holiness has now become “legalism” in religion’s economy and God’s people see no real need for living in a biblical manner. As we walk with the Lord, we are to walk “before the Lord” in holiness.)
F. The holiness of God is an attribute essential to our relationship with God.
1. Without perfect holiness, God would be as imperfect as man and there could be no salvation.
2. Without perfect holiness, God would be accessible to the unrepentant sinner.
3. Without perfect holiness, God would not be God!
G. The Bible asks this question–Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are mad manifest.
1. God is infinitely and immutably holy. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
2. The Holiness of God is unequaled–Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
H. The Holiness of God is ascribed to Him by:
1. Angels in heaven–Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
2. Angels that are fallen–Luke 4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
3. Men–1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hat seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
I. God is holy in:
1. His Work – Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2. His Way – Leviticus 11:44-45 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
3. His Will – Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
4. His Word – Psalm 19:8-9 8-The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9-The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
1. The Holiness Of God Is An Unreachable Standard For Personal Righteousness (Impeccable-Immutable—Yet Imputable)
a. Man Thinks That God Unconditionally Accepts His Person – Habakkuk 1:13a Thou art of purer eyes that to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. (God does not “accept us regardless” of what we do and who we are!)
b. God did not accept Cain or his offering – Genesis 4:5-7 5-But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (God accepts us only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.)
c. God’s holiness makes sinful man accountable in judgment – Revelation 20:13 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.
2. The Holiness Of God Makes Our Salvation All Of Grace (The holiness of God makes the gospel a glorious necessity.)
a. The Calling Of Salvation Is Gracious - 2 Timothy 1:9 Who had 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,
b. The Gift Of Salvation Is Gracious - Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
c. The Forgiveness Of Salvation Is Gracious - Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
3. The Holiness Of God Is Our Seal Of Eternal Salvation
a. Our Resurrection Depends Upon His Holiness - Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
b. Our Sealing Depends Upon His Holiness - Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thanksgiving
Temple Baptist Church - 11-21-2010
Psalm 103
Introduction:
A. It is the most wonderful time of the year for this preacher. I love cool weather! I love Thanksgiving through Christmas! I love to fellowship! I love to eat! I love to remember all that God has done for me! I thought, I need to find something new for Thanksgiving this year but—the more I thought about it—the more I realized that Thanksgiving is simply that, Thanksgiving! I understand more than ever the ramifications of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “In everything give thanks!” Even in the hard times; even in the bad times; even in the confusing times; God is more than good to His children and they are blessed.
B. As we come back to Psalm 103 again this year, I realize that it says it all. I do not know anything that needs to be added to these verses. God’s salvation has a lot of wonderful “benefits” that go along with it and we need to concentrate upon them in the next few days. Yes, thank God for turkeys! Thank God for our families! Thank God for our friends! All I can say is “Thank God!”
C. Here are a few things found in these verses that we need to be constantly reminded of:
1. Thank God For His Wonderful Redemption! Vs. 3 The most important thing in this life is to know that you know that you know that you are saved! The knowledge that your sins have all been washed away in the crimson flow of Calvary. To know the wonder of a cleansed heart. To know the forgiveness of all of your sins. To know that heaven is your home. To know the wonder of a changed life. To know Christ!
2. Thank God For Health And Strength! Vs. 3 I feel great this morning at 62. I have a few little problems but, in general, my health is good and I feel it. God has been gracious to me in giving me a strong, healthy, resilient body with a great immune system. I rarely get sick or feel bad. Thank God for healing all of my diseases. One day I will get sick and not get over it in this world but thank God He will heal me completely in the next.
3. Thank God For Saving Me From Self-destruction! Vs. 4 I have heard many say that they would be dead and in hell if it had not been for salvation. I do not know where I would be right now if God had not saved me but I do know this: I would not be where I am now. He changed my life, placed new desires in me, renovated my family, gave my two sons a dad who has loved and lived for the Lord. My body is strong because the Lord helped me to give up tobacco, alcohol, turnips, and beets! I still hate the last two on the list. Thank you Lord for saving my life as well as saving my soul.
4. Thank God For Your Lovingkindness And Mercy! Vs. 4 I believe that all of us can say that the Lord has been better to us than we deserve. He has not rewarded us after our iniquities. I have never been good enough to go to heaven and never will be. I am going because He loved me and died for my sins! Never think that you are someone spiritually. It is all of God and it is all of Grace!
5. Thank God For His Provision! Vs. 5 The Lord has sure been good to me, even in the physical things of life. It is God that gives to you the very air that you breathe! Every good gift and every perfect gift! These things come from God. He gave you your health, your home, your job, your car, your food, your every blessing in life. All is made by God and given by God. We are the richest nation on earth and have far more than we deserve. No wonder people are swimming rivers and sneaking across the borders to come to this great land!
6. Thank God For His Divine Intervention In Our Lives! Vs. 6 I am so glad that my life is in the hands of One who can help. He protects and shields us from evil things. Yes, life is hard, but I look back over the last three years and know that my family and church could have been destroyed. We are here and well! We have trusted in the Lord and have not had to compromise one inch in either our integrity or our doctrine. God has brought us this far and He will take us all of the way home. December is just 3 weeks away and someone is going to find our just who God is! We can trust Him!
7. Thank God For His Longsuffering! Vs. 8-9 He sure has to put up with a lot when He puts up with me. I am not proud of it but it is a fact! Thank you, Lord, for being there with me and for me when I did not deserve it. You are gracious; you are merciful; you are longsuffering; and you are compassionate—and I love you for it!!
Conclusion: I believe that I have said enough for this morning and you probably “get it” by now. This Thanksgiving, as you enjoy the things of this life, give glory and honor and praise to the One who made it all possible!
Psalm 103
Introduction:
A. It is the most wonderful time of the year for this preacher. I love cool weather! I love Thanksgiving through Christmas! I love to fellowship! I love to eat! I love to remember all that God has done for me! I thought, I need to find something new for Thanksgiving this year but—the more I thought about it—the more I realized that Thanksgiving is simply that, Thanksgiving! I understand more than ever the ramifications of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “In everything give thanks!” Even in the hard times; even in the bad times; even in the confusing times; God is more than good to His children and they are blessed.
B. As we come back to Psalm 103 again this year, I realize that it says it all. I do not know anything that needs to be added to these verses. God’s salvation has a lot of wonderful “benefits” that go along with it and we need to concentrate upon them in the next few days. Yes, thank God for turkeys! Thank God for our families! Thank God for our friends! All I can say is “Thank God!”
C. Here are a few things found in these verses that we need to be constantly reminded of:
1. Thank God For His Wonderful Redemption! Vs. 3 The most important thing in this life is to know that you know that you know that you are saved! The knowledge that your sins have all been washed away in the crimson flow of Calvary. To know the wonder of a cleansed heart. To know the forgiveness of all of your sins. To know that heaven is your home. To know the wonder of a changed life. To know Christ!
2. Thank God For Health And Strength! Vs. 3 I feel great this morning at 62. I have a few little problems but, in general, my health is good and I feel it. God has been gracious to me in giving me a strong, healthy, resilient body with a great immune system. I rarely get sick or feel bad. Thank God for healing all of my diseases. One day I will get sick and not get over it in this world but thank God He will heal me completely in the next.
3. Thank God For Saving Me From Self-destruction! Vs. 4 I have heard many say that they would be dead and in hell if it had not been for salvation. I do not know where I would be right now if God had not saved me but I do know this: I would not be where I am now. He changed my life, placed new desires in me, renovated my family, gave my two sons a dad who has loved and lived for the Lord. My body is strong because the Lord helped me to give up tobacco, alcohol, turnips, and beets! I still hate the last two on the list. Thank you Lord for saving my life as well as saving my soul.
4. Thank God For Your Lovingkindness And Mercy! Vs. 4 I believe that all of us can say that the Lord has been better to us than we deserve. He has not rewarded us after our iniquities. I have never been good enough to go to heaven and never will be. I am going because He loved me and died for my sins! Never think that you are someone spiritually. It is all of God and it is all of Grace!
5. Thank God For His Provision! Vs. 5 The Lord has sure been good to me, even in the physical things of life. It is God that gives to you the very air that you breathe! Every good gift and every perfect gift! These things come from God. He gave you your health, your home, your job, your car, your food, your every blessing in life. All is made by God and given by God. We are the richest nation on earth and have far more than we deserve. No wonder people are swimming rivers and sneaking across the borders to come to this great land!
6. Thank God For His Divine Intervention In Our Lives! Vs. 6 I am so glad that my life is in the hands of One who can help. He protects and shields us from evil things. Yes, life is hard, but I look back over the last three years and know that my family and church could have been destroyed. We are here and well! We have trusted in the Lord and have not had to compromise one inch in either our integrity or our doctrine. God has brought us this far and He will take us all of the way home. December is just 3 weeks away and someone is going to find our just who God is! We can trust Him!
7. Thank God For His Longsuffering! Vs. 8-9 He sure has to put up with a lot when He puts up with me. I am not proud of it but it is a fact! Thank you, Lord, for being there with me and for me when I did not deserve it. You are gracious; you are merciful; you are longsuffering; and you are compassionate—and I love you for it!!
Conclusion: I believe that I have said enough for this morning and you probably “get it” by now. This Thanksgiving, as you enjoy the things of this life, give glory and honor and praise to the One who made it all possible!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Walking Worthy
Temple Baptist Church - 11-17-2010
Ephesians 4:1-6
Introduction:
A. As we begin the Practical portion of Ephesians, we are admonished to “walk worthy.” Worthy of the highest calling in the world: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
B. Higher than the office of the President of the United States! Higher than the position of a King, Queen, Prince, Princess, or Monarch! Called to be saints! (Saints – pure, blameless, consecrated, or holy) People of integrity; people of honesty; people of holiness. What a calling; what a privilege; what an honor; what a responsibility. I am not a “fan” of Warren Wiersbe nor do I stand where he stands on a lot of issues but I will quote something that he wrote. Dr. Wiersbe gives this quote in his “Bible Exposition Commentary”:
“The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge, and the better we understand Bible doctrines, the easier it is to obey Bible duties. When people say, ‘Don’t talk to me about doctrine -- just let me live my Christian life!’ they are revealing their ignorance of the way the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer. ‘It makes no difference what you believe, just as long as you live right’ is a similar confession of ignorance. It does make a difference what you believe, because what you believe determines how you behave!”
C. We find in these verse that our walk of worthiness begins in our relationship with each other, not with the world. Paul emphasizes the importance of our relationship with each other and the church. Satan hates the church and does all that he can to destroy or hinder it. Satan has learned well to divide and conquer. If he can get us to be at odds with each other, he has done all that he needs to do. We will do the rest for him!
D. Here are the ways to keep peace and unity in God’s house.
1. By having a right perspective of self – vs. 2 “With all lowliness and meekness” Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Learning to put others first and to put self last. J – Jesus first O – Others second Y – You last. JOY!
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2. By being merciful and gracious to others – vs. 2 “longsuffering, forbearing one another” Learning to overlook those things that offend us; forgive those who trepass against us; suffering long instead of being quick to anger. People have bad days, say and do bad things, and later hate it. A brother offended is hard to be won because he does not want to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
3. By loving one another – vs. 2 “in love” I preached once on “Love’s Overlooking” from the Song of Solomon. When we love one another, we can overlook a lot of faults which all of us have. Many times marriages begin to fail when people see the faults of their mates instead of those attributes that attracted them in the first place.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
4. By keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace – vs. 3 “endeavouring” To work hard at it. A spiritual union: there is an union between God and his people; between Christ and his members; between saints and saints; and the bond of each union is love: that which knits and cements them together! The saints are united under one head, are members of one and the same body, of the same mind and judgment, and of one accord, heart, and affection.
Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
5. By keeping doctrinal purity in the church – vs. 4-6 “one” This is done by allowing the Bible to be your authority, the Holy Ghost and the pastor your teacher, and avoiding those who would undercut what you believer.
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Why do men changed doctrine? They “serve…their own belly!” they let down the doctrines of the faith in order to bring more people in and to increase the offerings. What did God say to do? He said to mark them and to avoid them. Why did God command this? Because they will deceive the hearts of the simple! Not the mature in the Lord but those who are still babes in Christ.)
Conclusion: Why walking worthy within the local church? Because if we are right with God, right with the church, and right with each other—we will be right with the world!
Ephesians 4:1-6
Introduction:
A. As we begin the Practical portion of Ephesians, we are admonished to “walk worthy.” Worthy of the highest calling in the world: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
B. Higher than the office of the President of the United States! Higher than the position of a King, Queen, Prince, Princess, or Monarch! Called to be saints! (Saints – pure, blameless, consecrated, or holy) People of integrity; people of honesty; people of holiness. What a calling; what a privilege; what an honor; what a responsibility. I am not a “fan” of Warren Wiersbe nor do I stand where he stands on a lot of issues but I will quote something that he wrote. Dr. Wiersbe gives this quote in his “Bible Exposition Commentary”:
“The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge, and the better we understand Bible doctrines, the easier it is to obey Bible duties. When people say, ‘Don’t talk to me about doctrine -- just let me live my Christian life!’ they are revealing their ignorance of the way the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer. ‘It makes no difference what you believe, just as long as you live right’ is a similar confession of ignorance. It does make a difference what you believe, because what you believe determines how you behave!”
C. We find in these verse that our walk of worthiness begins in our relationship with each other, not with the world. Paul emphasizes the importance of our relationship with each other and the church. Satan hates the church and does all that he can to destroy or hinder it. Satan has learned well to divide and conquer. If he can get us to be at odds with each other, he has done all that he needs to do. We will do the rest for him!
D. Here are the ways to keep peace and unity in God’s house.
1. By having a right perspective of self – vs. 2 “With all lowliness and meekness” Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Learning to put others first and to put self last. J – Jesus first O – Others second Y – You last. JOY!
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2. By being merciful and gracious to others – vs. 2 “longsuffering, forbearing one another” Learning to overlook those things that offend us; forgive those who trepass against us; suffering long instead of being quick to anger. People have bad days, say and do bad things, and later hate it. A brother offended is hard to be won because he does not want to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
3. By loving one another – vs. 2 “in love” I preached once on “Love’s Overlooking” from the Song of Solomon. When we love one another, we can overlook a lot of faults which all of us have. Many times marriages begin to fail when people see the faults of their mates instead of those attributes that attracted them in the first place.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
4. By keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace – vs. 3 “endeavouring” To work hard at it. A spiritual union: there is an union between God and his people; between Christ and his members; between saints and saints; and the bond of each union is love: that which knits and cements them together! The saints are united under one head, are members of one and the same body, of the same mind and judgment, and of one accord, heart, and affection.
Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
5. By keeping doctrinal purity in the church – vs. 4-6 “one” This is done by allowing the Bible to be your authority, the Holy Ghost and the pastor your teacher, and avoiding those who would undercut what you believer.
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Why do men changed doctrine? They “serve…their own belly!” they let down the doctrines of the faith in order to bring more people in and to increase the offerings. What did God say to do? He said to mark them and to avoid them. Why did God command this? Because they will deceive the hearts of the simple! Not the mature in the Lord but those who are still babes in Christ.)
Conclusion: Why walking worthy within the local church? Because if we are right with God, right with the church, and right with each other—we will be right with the world!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thy Way Is In The Sea
Temple Baptist Church - 11-14-2010
Psalm 77
Introduction:
A. As a general rule, when seas are mentioned in the Bible, they are places of hardship or difficulty. They are places that test our faith! In this particular Psalm, we find “hindsight’s 20/20” in operation. The Psalmist looks at the trial from start to finish. He started with faith; faith faltered; faith remembered; and God delivered!
1. We Find Confidence – vs. 1 “God Will!”
2. We Find Confusion – vs. 2 “God Hasn’t!”
3. We Find Complaining – vs. 3 “God Won’t!”
4. We Find Contemplation – vs. 4-9 “God has turned His back on me”
5. We Find Consideration – vs. 10-18 “God has been here and done it before”
6. We Find Confidence – vs. 19-20 “God will do it once more”
B. Seas in general are immense! The Red Sea, to Israel who had no boats or planes, was just such a sea. It was:
1. A Place Of Improbability – The path north was the easiest and quickest
2. A Place Of Impassability – The path south was one of entanglement by sea, mountains, or desert.
3. A Place of Impossibility – They could not go forward, they could not go backward, they could not stay put!
C. Life is hard at best. When I think of a sea, I think of:
1. Great Depths - The Mariana Trench is 36,201 feet deep (Mt. Everest—the highest mountain in the world stands only 29,029 ft. tall).
2. Immense Size - The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean. It covers 69,375,000 square miles.
3. Incredible Power – Currents that cannot be contained.
4. Sudden tempests – Storms of great magnitude.
5. Long Crossings – Thousands of miles on major oceans.
6. Physical Impossibilities – I cannot neither wade through nor them can I swim across them. I often go to the Atlantic and the possibility of my swimming across it never even crosses my mind. As a matter of fact, there are fish there that would love to have a piece of this fat preacher!
D. The Psalmist said, “Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” God often allows His children to come to hard places in their lives. Not paths chosen by us but paths allowed by Him. This verse tells me three things:
1. God’s Path Is Not Always Easy!
2. God’s Path Is Always Ahead Of Us!
3. God’s Path Is Not Always Visible!
1. God’s Sea is a Prepared Place – His Property! God created the seas and knows every part of it like the “back of His hand!” He made every mountain and every valley in the seas. I believe that God knows every trial that we will face in our lives. It is not that God creates sinfulness nor does He condone it, but I believe that God still controls it! It Is Not The Way Of Our Comprehending!
2. God’s Sea is a Providential Place – His Permission! God knew before He ever created the world that Israel would one day stand at that precise place because it was the “hand of God” that led them there. It was a place of God’s choosing. Every good General picks his place and time of battle. God chose the place of Israel’s crossing. So does God allow us to be brought to hard places in life in His providence! It Is Not The Way Of Our Comfort! It Is Often The Harder Way! It Is Often The Long Way! It Is Not The Way Of Our Choosing! It Is Often The Only Way! When you have no choice, you can make no wrong decision!
3. God’s Sea is a Powerful Place – His Parting! When I see the ocean, it never ceases to amaze me with its magnitude and its power! It goes beyond the horizon; it goes for thousands of miles; no power on earth can either tame it or stop it. It is controlled only by God! When we come to our sea—Seas Of Disappointment, Seas Of Discouragement, Seas Of Dire Circumstances, Seas Of Duration, Seas Of Doubt—they are seas where only God can show His might power!
4. God’s Sea Is A Protected Place – His Pillar! When Israel came to the impossible, impassable Red Sea and the enemy drew near to destroy, God placed Himself between the enemies of God’s people and the people of God. No matter how they hated Israel and Israel’s God, they could do nothing to draw any nearer than God would allow. He has put Satan and the enemies of God’s children on a leash! The most protected place is not always the easiest one. The most protected place is in the midst of the fire in the will of God.
5. God’s Sea Is A Purposed Place – His Plan! His purpose is to deliver the children of God! God does not purpose that we be destroyed and He will show up on time to deliver. When we get to the end of life and look back, we will see the hand of God in our lives. His purpose is to destroy the enemies of God! As God destroyed Israel; as God destroyed Haman; God will destroy those who oppose Him and refuse to get right. Egypt could have been spared if, at any time, they had turned around but God hardened their hearts and they continued until they perished. His purpose is to purify the saint and bring praise and glory to God! In the sea, God is still God! Just let God be God, trust Him with all that you have, and He will be glorified.
Psalm 77
Introduction:
A. As a general rule, when seas are mentioned in the Bible, they are places of hardship or difficulty. They are places that test our faith! In this particular Psalm, we find “hindsight’s 20/20” in operation. The Psalmist looks at the trial from start to finish. He started with faith; faith faltered; faith remembered; and God delivered!
1. We Find Confidence – vs. 1 “God Will!”
2. We Find Confusion – vs. 2 “God Hasn’t!”
3. We Find Complaining – vs. 3 “God Won’t!”
4. We Find Contemplation – vs. 4-9 “God has turned His back on me”
5. We Find Consideration – vs. 10-18 “God has been here and done it before”
6. We Find Confidence – vs. 19-20 “God will do it once more”
B. Seas in general are immense! The Red Sea, to Israel who had no boats or planes, was just such a sea. It was:
1. A Place Of Improbability – The path north was the easiest and quickest
2. A Place Of Impassability – The path south was one of entanglement by sea, mountains, or desert.
3. A Place of Impossibility – They could not go forward, they could not go backward, they could not stay put!
C. Life is hard at best. When I think of a sea, I think of:
1. Great Depths - The Mariana Trench is 36,201 feet deep (Mt. Everest—the highest mountain in the world stands only 29,029 ft. tall).
2. Immense Size - The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean. It covers 69,375,000 square miles.
3. Incredible Power – Currents that cannot be contained.
4. Sudden tempests – Storms of great magnitude.
5. Long Crossings – Thousands of miles on major oceans.
6. Physical Impossibilities – I cannot neither wade through nor them can I swim across them. I often go to the Atlantic and the possibility of my swimming across it never even crosses my mind. As a matter of fact, there are fish there that would love to have a piece of this fat preacher!
D. The Psalmist said, “Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” God often allows His children to come to hard places in their lives. Not paths chosen by us but paths allowed by Him. This verse tells me three things:
1. God’s Path Is Not Always Easy!
2. God’s Path Is Always Ahead Of Us!
3. God’s Path Is Not Always Visible!
1. God’s Sea is a Prepared Place – His Property! God created the seas and knows every part of it like the “back of His hand!” He made every mountain and every valley in the seas. I believe that God knows every trial that we will face in our lives. It is not that God creates sinfulness nor does He condone it, but I believe that God still controls it! It Is Not The Way Of Our Comprehending!
2. God’s Sea is a Providential Place – His Permission! God knew before He ever created the world that Israel would one day stand at that precise place because it was the “hand of God” that led them there. It was a place of God’s choosing. Every good General picks his place and time of battle. God chose the place of Israel’s crossing. So does God allow us to be brought to hard places in life in His providence! It Is Not The Way Of Our Comfort! It Is Often The Harder Way! It Is Often The Long Way! It Is Not The Way Of Our Choosing! It Is Often The Only Way! When you have no choice, you can make no wrong decision!
3. God’s Sea is a Powerful Place – His Parting! When I see the ocean, it never ceases to amaze me with its magnitude and its power! It goes beyond the horizon; it goes for thousands of miles; no power on earth can either tame it or stop it. It is controlled only by God! When we come to our sea—Seas Of Disappointment, Seas Of Discouragement, Seas Of Dire Circumstances, Seas Of Duration, Seas Of Doubt—they are seas where only God can show His might power!
4. God’s Sea Is A Protected Place – His Pillar! When Israel came to the impossible, impassable Red Sea and the enemy drew near to destroy, God placed Himself between the enemies of God’s people and the people of God. No matter how they hated Israel and Israel’s God, they could do nothing to draw any nearer than God would allow. He has put Satan and the enemies of God’s children on a leash! The most protected place is not always the easiest one. The most protected place is in the midst of the fire in the will of God.
5. God’s Sea Is A Purposed Place – His Plan! His purpose is to deliver the children of God! God does not purpose that we be destroyed and He will show up on time to deliver. When we get to the end of life and look back, we will see the hand of God in our lives. His purpose is to destroy the enemies of God! As God destroyed Israel; as God destroyed Haman; God will destroy those who oppose Him and refuse to get right. Egypt could have been spared if, at any time, they had turned around but God hardened their hearts and they continued until they perished. His purpose is to purify the saint and bring praise and glory to God! In the sea, God is still God! Just let God be God, trust Him with all that you have, and He will be glorified.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Doxology Of God’s Power
Temple Baptist Church - 11-10-2010
Ephesians 3:20-21
Introduction:
A. The first 3 chapters of Ephesians are Positional while the last 3 are Practical. As the Holy Ghost begins to prepare the Ephesian believers for both living a consistent Christian life and the spiritual warfare to come, He ends the Positional portion with a prayer and praise.
B. Paul has just finished a four-fold prayer for the believers at the Church of Ephesus:
1. A Prayer For Inner Strength That Comes Only Through God –vs. 16
2. A Prayer For Inner Faith That Comes Only Through Confidence In God – vs. 17a
3. A Prayer For Inner Knowledge Of The Love Of God That Comes Only Through Scripture And Personal Walk With The Lord – vs. 17b
a) The comprehension of the incomprehensible
b) The knowledge of the unknowable
c) The finite mind understanding to a degree the infinite God
4. A Prayer For The Fullness Of God – vs. 19b
C. Paul ends his prayer with worship in what we call a Doxology. A Doxology is a fervent utterance of praise. It speaks of God’s great Power, Ability, and Willingness to do in the life of the believer.
1. This Doxology Speaks Of The Greatness Of God’s Power – “Now unto him that is able to do”
a. God has all power in Heaven and Earth
1) No situation dismays Him - Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
2) No situation is beyond His resources - Psalms 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.
3) No situation is out of His control - Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
b. God’s Power is often underestimated
1) Satan underestimated His power – - Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (God could defeat a billion devils!)
2) The Unsaved underestimate His power – John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (God could withstand any and all men!)
c. God’s Power is unlimited
1) Creation did not tax His power - Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.
2) Satan could not withstand His power - Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
d. God’s Power is unleashable – We often fail to use His power because we are always working in our own! (Worketh in you)
2. This Doxology Speaks Of The Goodness Of God’s Power – “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”
a. He can succor those that are tempted - Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
b. He can save those who come to Him - Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
c. He can subdue all of our fears - Psalms 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
d. He can supply all or our needs - Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
e. He can satisfy our every longing - Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
g. He can secure our future - Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Conclusion:
1. This Doxology of Power should Humble Us – It is all of Him!
2. This Doxology of Power should Encourage Us – All is within our reach
3. This Doxology of Power should Challenge Us – This power works through us
4. This Doxology of Power should Instruct Us – To give all glory and praise to God
Ephesians 3:20-21
Introduction:
A. The first 3 chapters of Ephesians are Positional while the last 3 are Practical. As the Holy Ghost begins to prepare the Ephesian believers for both living a consistent Christian life and the spiritual warfare to come, He ends the Positional portion with a prayer and praise.
B. Paul has just finished a four-fold prayer for the believers at the Church of Ephesus:
1. A Prayer For Inner Strength That Comes Only Through God –vs. 16
2. A Prayer For Inner Faith That Comes Only Through Confidence In God – vs. 17a
3. A Prayer For Inner Knowledge Of The Love Of God That Comes Only Through Scripture And Personal Walk With The Lord – vs. 17b
a) The comprehension of the incomprehensible
b) The knowledge of the unknowable
c) The finite mind understanding to a degree the infinite God
4. A Prayer For The Fullness Of God – vs. 19b
C. Paul ends his prayer with worship in what we call a Doxology. A Doxology is a fervent utterance of praise. It speaks of God’s great Power, Ability, and Willingness to do in the life of the believer.
1. This Doxology Speaks Of The Greatness Of God’s Power – “Now unto him that is able to do”
a. God has all power in Heaven and Earth
1) No situation dismays Him - Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
2) No situation is beyond His resources - Psalms 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.
3) No situation is out of His control - Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
b. God’s Power is often underestimated
1) Satan underestimated His power – - Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (God could defeat a billion devils!)
2) The Unsaved underestimate His power – John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (God could withstand any and all men!)
c. God’s Power is unlimited
1) Creation did not tax His power - Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.
2) Satan could not withstand His power - Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
d. God’s Power is unleashable – We often fail to use His power because we are always working in our own! (Worketh in you)
2. This Doxology Speaks Of The Goodness Of God’s Power – “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”
a. He can succor those that are tempted - Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
b. He can save those who come to Him - Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
c. He can subdue all of our fears - Psalms 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
d. He can supply all or our needs - Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
e. He can satisfy our every longing - Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
g. He can secure our future - Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Conclusion:
1. This Doxology of Power should Humble Us – It is all of Him!
2. This Doxology of Power should Encourage Us – All is within our reach
3. This Doxology of Power should Challenge Us – This power works through us
4. This Doxology of Power should Instruct Us – To give all glory and praise to God
Sunday, November 7, 2010
How To Take Care Of A Pastor
Temple Baptist Church - 11-7-2010
Philippians 4:10-19
Introduction:
A. Tonight will be one of the harder messages for God’s man to preach but it is an essential one. Not that it is a message that will be hard on you but that it will be one hard for me to preach. “How to take care of a Pastor.” I am not here to be a burden to the church. I am here to be a blessing!
B. The pastor is one of the two gifts given to the local church. The other is the evangelist which I believe means the missionary. The work “evangelist” means to “bring good news or to declare glad tidings.” We have men who are called evangelists who are actually missionaries to the local churches. These are men who come to preach to and help local pastors and churches through the ministry of preaching. The pastor is to do the work of an evangelist
C. The pastor belongs to the people of the local church and is to be taken care of by them. I have nothing but respect of men of God who pastor and work jobs when the church is not big enough to support them fully. I have worked and am willing to go back to work if the case arises. When the local church is able to support a full time pastor, I believe there is a twofold responsibility:
1. It is their responsibility to take care of the pastor’s family.
2. It is the responsibility of the pastor to give his life for the church.
D. There are several things that the pastor needs from his people. I will give a few of them tonight.
1. Learn to love the man of God and his family. Galatians 4:14-16 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (15) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. (16) Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (God gives you pastors after His own heart. These men of God become a part of your family and your life. One of the greatest things you can do is to love the man of God, his wife, and his children. What a shame it is when people fall out with their pastor. He is your friend! His family is not perfect but neither is yours. Just love him!)
Psalms 55:12-14 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: (13) But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. (14) We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (What a shame when people who once walked with their pastor now have turned against him.)
2. Learn to pray for the man of God and his family. Romans 15:30-32 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; (As God’s man faithfully prays for your family, pray for his. Paul said to “strive” in prayer for God’s man. That means to pray hard! Smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. Satan hates God’s men and will attack them and their families in any way he can. Learn to lift my family up in prayer! As goes the pastor, so goes the church as a general rule.)
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us!
Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Philippians 1:19-20 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Philemon 1:22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
3. Learn to meet the needs of the man of God and his family. 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (8) Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? (9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10) Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (11) If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? (12) If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. (13) Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? (14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (The pastor’s family depends upon the local church for their living. The pastor is full time and draws no other income. The pastor does not get the opportunity to work overtime and bring in a little extra in hard times. He depends upon you! There are two kinds of churches: those who look at the "books" and say, “We can't afford to…" and those who look at the BOOK and say, “We can't afford not to…!" Watch for special needs or hardships. Consider the economy with rising or falling prices. Remember when and how often there is a raise in salary. I am not preaching for money tonight! I am preaching for your benefit tonight! I have found out that God will take care of His man through outside sources when God’s people fail to be responsible. God will bless the church that blesses the pastor’s family.)
4. Learn to protect God’s man and his family. 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (Refuse to start gossip; refuse to hear gossip; and refuse to spread gossip! Stand up for God’s man! If someone is trying to hurt him or his family, rebuke them and have no fellowship with them. I will not allow anyone to talk about you and your family. You are mine and I love you. Learn to shut up talk and learn to stand up and fight when the time comes. I have seen good churches ruined by a few people while the majority remained uninvolved. There is a time to fight; there is a time for war.)
5. Learn to stay with God’s man! 2 Timothy 4:9-11 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: (10) For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (11) Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (Stay with God’s man. He will stay with you! Through thick and thin; in good times and bad times; learn to encourage him. Most preachers leave their churches because of discouragement. Not because of money. A good definition of a friend is this: Someone who walks in when the whole world walks out.)
Conclusion: You may have many preachers but not many pastors. Take care of them and God will take care of you!
Philippians 4:10-19
Introduction:
A. Tonight will be one of the harder messages for God’s man to preach but it is an essential one. Not that it is a message that will be hard on you but that it will be one hard for me to preach. “How to take care of a Pastor.” I am not here to be a burden to the church. I am here to be a blessing!
B. The pastor is one of the two gifts given to the local church. The other is the evangelist which I believe means the missionary. The work “evangelist” means to “bring good news or to declare glad tidings.” We have men who are called evangelists who are actually missionaries to the local churches. These are men who come to preach to and help local pastors and churches through the ministry of preaching. The pastor is to do the work of an evangelist
C. The pastor belongs to the people of the local church and is to be taken care of by them. I have nothing but respect of men of God who pastor and work jobs when the church is not big enough to support them fully. I have worked and am willing to go back to work if the case arises. When the local church is able to support a full time pastor, I believe there is a twofold responsibility:
1. It is their responsibility to take care of the pastor’s family.
2. It is the responsibility of the pastor to give his life for the church.
D. There are several things that the pastor needs from his people. I will give a few of them tonight.
1. Learn to love the man of God and his family. Galatians 4:14-16 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (15) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. (16) Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (God gives you pastors after His own heart. These men of God become a part of your family and your life. One of the greatest things you can do is to love the man of God, his wife, and his children. What a shame it is when people fall out with their pastor. He is your friend! His family is not perfect but neither is yours. Just love him!)
Psalms 55:12-14 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: (13) But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. (14) We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (What a shame when people who once walked with their pastor now have turned against him.)
2. Learn to pray for the man of God and his family. Romans 15:30-32 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; (As God’s man faithfully prays for your family, pray for his. Paul said to “strive” in prayer for God’s man. That means to pray hard! Smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. Satan hates God’s men and will attack them and their families in any way he can. Learn to lift my family up in prayer! As goes the pastor, so goes the church as a general rule.)
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us!
Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Philippians 1:19-20 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Philemon 1:22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
3. Learn to meet the needs of the man of God and his family. 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (8) Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? (9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10) Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (11) If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? (12) If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. (13) Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? (14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (The pastor’s family depends upon the local church for their living. The pastor is full time and draws no other income. The pastor does not get the opportunity to work overtime and bring in a little extra in hard times. He depends upon you! There are two kinds of churches: those who look at the "books" and say, “We can't afford to…" and those who look at the BOOK and say, “We can't afford not to…!" Watch for special needs or hardships. Consider the economy with rising or falling prices. Remember when and how often there is a raise in salary. I am not preaching for money tonight! I am preaching for your benefit tonight! I have found out that God will take care of His man through outside sources when God’s people fail to be responsible. God will bless the church that blesses the pastor’s family.)
4. Learn to protect God’s man and his family. 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (Refuse to start gossip; refuse to hear gossip; and refuse to spread gossip! Stand up for God’s man! If someone is trying to hurt him or his family, rebuke them and have no fellowship with them. I will not allow anyone to talk about you and your family. You are mine and I love you. Learn to shut up talk and learn to stand up and fight when the time comes. I have seen good churches ruined by a few people while the majority remained uninvolved. There is a time to fight; there is a time for war.)
5. Learn to stay with God’s man! 2 Timothy 4:9-11 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: (10) For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (11) Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (Stay with God’s man. He will stay with you! Through thick and thin; in good times and bad times; learn to encourage him. Most preachers leave their churches because of discouragement. Not because of money. A good definition of a friend is this: Someone who walks in when the whole world walks out.)
Conclusion: You may have many preachers but not many pastors. Take care of them and God will take care of you!
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