Temple Baptist Church - 1-31-2010
John 2:1-11
Introduction:
A. Over the next few months, I will be preaching on the subject “The Miracles of Jesus.” In His public ministry, our Lord performed various kinds of miracles for various reasons. He did nothing without purpose and each miracle that He performed had a timely message for both His disciples and those who followed Him. We often read of the things that Jesus did and casually pass over them.
B. We will not study all that He did at this time because He did so much. John said:
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
C. A definition of a miracle is necessary as we begin this study.
1. Miracles are sometimes improperly defined. Many times phenomena in nature and events in history are labeled as “miracles”. If a friend escapes death in a car accident, we often say, “It was a miracle he was not killed.” We sometimes refer to the ordinary course of nature as a miracle. Such as when a tornado, coming straight toward our city or home, jumps back up into the air and passes over leaving us unharmed.
2. A miracle is defined as “An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.”
a) They defy natural law. There can be no other explanation in natural law.
b) They defy human comprehension. A miracle is an event that could only have been done through divine intervention.
c) The miracle at the wedding at Cana was, as far as can be discerned, the first miracle performed by our Lord after His baptism. Verse 1 says, “And the third day.” Our Lord was baptized on the first day (1:29), called disciples on the following day (1:43), and was at the marriage in Cana on the third.
d) Thus, we see the importance of this first of miracles. There are several things in these verses that stand out as to the “Where” He did the miracle, “why” He did the miracle, and the “what” He did during the miracle.
1. The “Where” of the miracle shows us the Lord’s concern for our daily lives. He attended the wedding. His mother was there and His disciples were there. God cares about the smallest details of our lives. What we care for, He cares for! Everything that touches us touches Him.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (“Nothing…in every thing” means just that. What concerns you concerns God.)
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (The key word is “all.” Not just the large cares we cast upon Him and then work out all of the details of life ourselves. We are to “pray without ceasing.”)
2. The “Why” of the miracle shows us several things.
a. Because Mary asked!
1) It wasn’t just because she was His earthly mother that He worked the miracle. Verse 4 explains that. He was not abrupt with Mary but let her know that He was her Lord in this instance, not her son! She did not “intercede” for the people at the wedding, she simply saw a need and asked the One who could meet that need.
2) It was because what concerned her concerned Him! As a child of God, she saw a need and asked the Lord for His help and He gave it. Nothing is too small to be prayed over. “You have not because you ask not” does not just pertain to the “larger concerns” of life. These words pertain to every aspect of our lives.
Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. (“Yet!” In spite of who we are. That, my friends, is grace!)
b. To show His glory!
1) They knew who He was and yet, they did not know who He was. We are the same most of the time. We know that He is Almighty Jehovah God” in the flesh and, yet, we have a hard time comprehending Him. Moses, the man who talked to God face to face, said, “Show me thy glory!”
2) There will be times in our life when we need to know Him and who He is! We need to get a “handle” on just who He is in the less difficult times in order to believe on Him during the difficult ones. In difficult times when man cannot help and only an omnipotent God can intervene on our behalf.
3. The “What” of the miracle.
a. He did what only God could do! No earthly power could have changed that water into wine without adding some substance to it. Water to wine was of no difficulty to our Lord. When our circumstances require a miracle, we have a miracle working God who is both able and willing to intervene on our behalf.
b. He did it immediately! I know about the “silence” of God. Sometimes, God—in His omniscience—knows what and what time is best in our circumstances and allows us to wait upon Him.
1) But, there are times in our lives when we need an immediate answer to our prayers and needs. There have been times in my Christian experience when God has made me wait before the answer came. I will probably forget this tomorrow when I am in trouble, but He was always on time!
2) There have been times when He almost answered before I asked. Suddenly, gloriously, powerfully, and perfectly He answered.
Conclusion: The “Where” of the miracle was to show us His concern. The “Why” was to show us His glory. The “What” was to show us His power.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Our Blessed Hope
Temple Baptist Church - 1-24-2010
Zephaniah 3:1-20
Introduction:
A. The Book of Zephaniah’s central theme is “The Day of the Lord.” I will naot take the time to deal with the entire book but will give a quick overview of it.
1. Chapter 1 speaks of the impending judgment of God upon the earth. (Vs. 2, 14)
2. Chapter 2 speaks of the ingathering of the nation of Israel in the end time. (Vs. 1)
3. Chapter 3:1-7 speaks of the condition of the “oppressing city” and prophesies of the general condition of the world in the end time.
4. Chapter 3:8-13 speaks of a remnant that will be saved during the end time and admonishes them to “wait.” (Vs. 8, 13)
B. Those of us who are saved understand the times because of the biblical prophecies that deal with the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His Church.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (While the world quakes and sinners spiritually sleep, we look to the skies for redemption draweth nigh!)
C. There are both expectancy and excitement in the air:
1. Expectancy - Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (I expect Him to come today! I am praying, looking, and waiting!)
2. Excitement - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (His coming is our Blessed Hope!)
d. Why did the Holy Ghost used the phrase “that blessed hope?” I believe that the last few verses of Zephaniah chapter 3 give a detailed explaination. Let us look at these verses for a few minutes.
1. Fullness Of Joy Will Be Restored – vs. 14 – “Sing…rejoice with all the heart” Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
2. The Earth’s Curse Removed – vs. 15 – “taken away thy judgments” Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
3. No More Satan – vs. 15 – “cast out thine enemy” Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
4. All Sin Will Be Removed – vs. 15 – “thou shalt not see evil any more” Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
5. There Will Be No More Fears – vs. 16 – “Fear thou not” Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
6. No More Trials To Suffer – vs. 17 – “the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty” 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
7. No More Loneliness – vs. 17 – “he will rejoice…rest in his love…joy over thee” 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.
8. No More Sorrows – vs. 18 – “I will gather them that are sorrowful” Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
9. No More Shame – vs. 19 – “l will undo…I will save…I will get them” – Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
10. No More Defeats – vs. 20 – “turn back your captivity” Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Zephaniah 3:1-20
Introduction:
A. The Book of Zephaniah’s central theme is “The Day of the Lord.” I will naot take the time to deal with the entire book but will give a quick overview of it.
1. Chapter 1 speaks of the impending judgment of God upon the earth. (Vs. 2, 14)
2. Chapter 2 speaks of the ingathering of the nation of Israel in the end time. (Vs. 1)
3. Chapter 3:1-7 speaks of the condition of the “oppressing city” and prophesies of the general condition of the world in the end time.
4. Chapter 3:8-13 speaks of a remnant that will be saved during the end time and admonishes them to “wait.” (Vs. 8, 13)
B. Those of us who are saved understand the times because of the biblical prophecies that deal with the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His Church.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (While the world quakes and sinners spiritually sleep, we look to the skies for redemption draweth nigh!)
C. There are both expectancy and excitement in the air:
1. Expectancy - Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (I expect Him to come today! I am praying, looking, and waiting!)
2. Excitement - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (His coming is our Blessed Hope!)
d. Why did the Holy Ghost used the phrase “that blessed hope?” I believe that the last few verses of Zephaniah chapter 3 give a detailed explaination. Let us look at these verses for a few minutes.
1. Fullness Of Joy Will Be Restored – vs. 14 – “Sing…rejoice with all the heart” Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
2. The Earth’s Curse Removed – vs. 15 – “taken away thy judgments” Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
3. No More Satan – vs. 15 – “cast out thine enemy” Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
4. All Sin Will Be Removed – vs. 15 – “thou shalt not see evil any more” Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
5. There Will Be No More Fears – vs. 16 – “Fear thou not” Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
6. No More Trials To Suffer – vs. 17 – “the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty” 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
7. No More Loneliness – vs. 17 – “he will rejoice…rest in his love…joy over thee” 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.
8. No More Sorrows – vs. 18 – “I will gather them that are sorrowful” Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
9. No More Shame – vs. 19 – “l will undo…I will save…I will get them” – Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
10. No More Defeats – vs. 20 – “turn back your captivity” Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
This Present World
Temple Baptist Church - 1-24-2010
2 Timothy 4:10
Introduction:
A. One of the saddest account of the Pauline Epistles is found in the verse that we read this morning. Demas, a fellow laborer and personal friend of the Apostle Paul chose “this present world” over the Lord, His church, and His choice servant. Nothing is said in this verse about what led up to his return to the world nor what happened to him in the remainder of his life but one thing is made perfectly clear: he loved “this present world” more than he loved the things of God..
B. The world that Timothy lived in was so different from the one we live in and, yet, it was the same. The world system has never changed though our times are so vastly different. I am sure the Apostle Paul would have been flabbergasted with the technology of our day and the worldly attractions that it brings with it. The things that attract may be different, but the system is not! It has neither changed in its values nor its vision.
C. We have all known people that we once admired for their Bible stand and godly living who have forsaken the things of God for “this present world.” We do not know if they are saved or unsaved so we will leave them to the Lord but the forsaking itself is growing more and more “as we see the day approaching.”
D. I want to look at the phrase “this present world” for a few minutes this morning. Not so much the attractions of the world but the system itself. When we take all of the veneer off of “this present world,” we see just how wicked it is in both its leadership and agenda!
1. The Leadership Of This Present World Has Never Changed! From its establishment in the Garden of Eden when the serpent raised his head and voice against God to this present day, the leadership is the same!
a. Its Political Leadership – Our Lord identified the leadership of “this present world” in the Book of John. Three times He used the phrase “the prince of this world.”
John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (The political leader is Satan! He controls the workings of our political system and politicians become more and more liberal. They may change their faces when voters threaten them but their core values and heart condition remains the same. This election in Massachusetts may put a scare into some and slow the liberal agenda for a while but the hearts of these elected officials has not changed, just their minds for the moment.)
b. Its Religious Leadership – The “god of this world” has never changed!
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Satan rules in the churches of this world. The Word of God rules in God’s churches! The “god of this world” says, “Yea, hath God said?” while the church of God says “Thus saith the Lord!” Where the Bible is not the final authority, Satan is the culprit.)
2. The Loving Of This Present World Have Never Changed! This world is anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-Christian, and anti-morality.
a. It Is An Alluring World - 1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (The fruit of the Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil was “good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” The world is sensual (5 senses) and, therefore, appealing to the flesh.)
b. It Is An Evil World - Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Our society is wicked to the core because its core values are distorted.)
c. It Is A Corrupt World - 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (Corruption – to ruin or to decay; wickedness, depravity, perversion, deterioration of moral principles, loss of purity or integrity)
1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
d. It Is An Affecting World - 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (It pollutes both mind and body. It pollutes our morals.)
3. The Leading Of This Present World Has Never Changed! I said earlier that this present world has an agenda.
a. This World Hates God - John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (Religion is not a friend of God. Religion crucified our Lord! Religion martyred the Apostles! Religion persecuted the saints of God throughout the ages. Cain’s still kill Abel’s!)
b. This World Has A Course - Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Open rebellion to God!)
c. This World Has A Philosophy - Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (The world has a love for wisdom that is not wisdom.)
Conclusion:
a. We are to be in the world but not of the world. John 17:14-16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
b. We are to use this world, not abuse it. 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
c. We are to have no friendship with the world. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
2 Timothy 4:10
Introduction:
A. One of the saddest account of the Pauline Epistles is found in the verse that we read this morning. Demas, a fellow laborer and personal friend of the Apostle Paul chose “this present world” over the Lord, His church, and His choice servant. Nothing is said in this verse about what led up to his return to the world nor what happened to him in the remainder of his life but one thing is made perfectly clear: he loved “this present world” more than he loved the things of God..
B. The world that Timothy lived in was so different from the one we live in and, yet, it was the same. The world system has never changed though our times are so vastly different. I am sure the Apostle Paul would have been flabbergasted with the technology of our day and the worldly attractions that it brings with it. The things that attract may be different, but the system is not! It has neither changed in its values nor its vision.
C. We have all known people that we once admired for their Bible stand and godly living who have forsaken the things of God for “this present world.” We do not know if they are saved or unsaved so we will leave them to the Lord but the forsaking itself is growing more and more “as we see the day approaching.”
D. I want to look at the phrase “this present world” for a few minutes this morning. Not so much the attractions of the world but the system itself. When we take all of the veneer off of “this present world,” we see just how wicked it is in both its leadership and agenda!
1. The Leadership Of This Present World Has Never Changed! From its establishment in the Garden of Eden when the serpent raised his head and voice against God to this present day, the leadership is the same!
a. Its Political Leadership – Our Lord identified the leadership of “this present world” in the Book of John. Three times He used the phrase “the prince of this world.”
John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (The political leader is Satan! He controls the workings of our political system and politicians become more and more liberal. They may change their faces when voters threaten them but their core values and heart condition remains the same. This election in Massachusetts may put a scare into some and slow the liberal agenda for a while but the hearts of these elected officials has not changed, just their minds for the moment.)
b. Its Religious Leadership – The “god of this world” has never changed!
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Satan rules in the churches of this world. The Word of God rules in God’s churches! The “god of this world” says, “Yea, hath God said?” while the church of God says “Thus saith the Lord!” Where the Bible is not the final authority, Satan is the culprit.)
2. The Loving Of This Present World Have Never Changed! This world is anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-Christian, and anti-morality.
a. It Is An Alluring World - 1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (The fruit of the Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil was “good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” The world is sensual (5 senses) and, therefore, appealing to the flesh.)
b. It Is An Evil World - Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Our society is wicked to the core because its core values are distorted.)
c. It Is A Corrupt World - 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (Corruption – to ruin or to decay; wickedness, depravity, perversion, deterioration of moral principles, loss of purity or integrity)
1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
d. It Is An Affecting World - 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (It pollutes both mind and body. It pollutes our morals.)
3. The Leading Of This Present World Has Never Changed! I said earlier that this present world has an agenda.
a. This World Hates God - John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (Religion is not a friend of God. Religion crucified our Lord! Religion martyred the Apostles! Religion persecuted the saints of God throughout the ages. Cain’s still kill Abel’s!)
b. This World Has A Course - Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Open rebellion to God!)
c. This World Has A Philosophy - Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (The world has a love for wisdom that is not wisdom.)
Conclusion:
a. We are to be in the world but not of the world. John 17:14-16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
b. We are to use this world, not abuse it. 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
c. We are to have no friendship with the world. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Be Not Deceived; God Is Not Mocked
Temple Baptist Church - 1-20-2010
Galatians 6:7-10
Introduction:
A. The verses that we read tonight are so plain; so clear that even a fool should be able to understand them. And yet, we consistently fall prey to Satan’s device of sowing and reaping. God has set certain laws that are automatics. What goes up must come down. For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.
B. God has set spiritual laws in place that are also what we call “automatics.” One is found in these verse and we need to take a close look at what we already know!
C. Let me give you a little scenario that will make perfect sense out of these verses. Say that I decided to plant a little garden in the back of the house. I cleared, plowed, and prepared the ground. Then, I went to the seed store and carefully looked over all of the possible kinds of seed that I could plant. After much scrutiny, I chose to buy some Silver Queen corn to plant. I picked it out, carried it to the counter and paid for it, took it home and carefully planted it, watered it and worked the ground for a couple of months, and—finally—harvest time came. I began to harvest and suddenly realized that I was harvesting corn! I became perplexed! The more I harvested, the more corn I got. Finally, I get mad! I am mad at the store owner! I go back down to the seed store and complain because I bought good corn seed and did not get one pole bean out of it; only corn! We get the same way with God! I sow to the flesh; reap corruption; and I am mad at God! I am mad at the world because neither was corn expected nor was it wanted! I wanted Pole Beans! What a foolish scenario!
D. Foolish? Yes, we would laugh at that and say that I was crazy to expect beans when I had intentionally, knowingly planted corn. Thus it is with sin! We pick it out, pay for it, plant it, water and plow it, then get mad at God when we do not reap blessings and good things.
E. Let us take a careful look at what everyone of us knows concerning the sowing to both the flesh and the Spirit.
1. The Deception of Sin – Corn and beans do not deceive us but there is just something about sin that makes us think that things will be different. We can sow to the flesh and, instead of reaping corruption, we expect to reap the blessings of God and happiness in this life!
a. Deceived By Satan – He is just so subtle! Slicker than “Slick Willie!”
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
b. Deceived By Sin – It just looks so good and makes for so much fun.
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
c. Deceived By Self (the worst of all deceptions) – Bad things happen to other people, not to us. We can sin and get by with it while others have to pay the price.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2. The Workings of Sin
James 1:14-16 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
a. Sin’s Character – “own lust”
b. Sin’s Conception – “lust hath conceived”
c. Sin’s Culmination – “death”
3. The Reaping of Sin – Galatians 6:7-8 “Be Not Deceived; God Is Not Mocked”
Laws of Sowing and Reaping or “Laws Of The Harvest”
a. The Principle of Sowing - “lust hath conceived” - You always sow before you reap
b. The Product of Sowing - “bringeth forth sin” - You always reap what you sow
c. The Payoff of Sowing - “tempted - lust - sin - death” - You always reap more than you sow
d. The Period of Sowing - “when it is finished” - You always reap later than you sow
e. The Perplexity of Sowing - “Do not err” - You are always shocked at the harvest
Galatians 6:7-10
A. The Sorrow Of Sowing - 7-8
1. The Deception Of Sowing To Corruption – 7 “Be not deceived”
Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
2. The Discovery Of Sowing To Corruption – 7 “God is not mocked”
Romans 2:6-10 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
3. The Deciding Of Sowing To Corruption - 7-8 “Whatsoever a man soweth ... soweth to his flesh” - our decision
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
4. The Destruction Of Sowing To Corruption – 8 “Shall of his flesh reap corruption”
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
B. The Satisfaction Of Sowing - 8-9
1. The Direction Of Sowing - 8 “To the Spirit”
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
2. The Desire Of Sowing – 8 “Shall of the Spirit reap”
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
3. The Dividends Of Sowing - 8 “Life everlasting”
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
4. The Discipline Of Sowing - 9 “Let us not be weary ... faint not”
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
5. The Dereliction Of Sowing - 9 “Weary in well doing”
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
6. The Duty Of Sowing – 10 “Good unto all men ... especially ... household of faith”
1 John 3:13-19 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
Galatians 6:7-10
Introduction:
A. The verses that we read tonight are so plain; so clear that even a fool should be able to understand them. And yet, we consistently fall prey to Satan’s device of sowing and reaping. God has set certain laws that are automatics. What goes up must come down. For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.
B. God has set spiritual laws in place that are also what we call “automatics.” One is found in these verse and we need to take a close look at what we already know!
C. Let me give you a little scenario that will make perfect sense out of these verses. Say that I decided to plant a little garden in the back of the house. I cleared, plowed, and prepared the ground. Then, I went to the seed store and carefully looked over all of the possible kinds of seed that I could plant. After much scrutiny, I chose to buy some Silver Queen corn to plant. I picked it out, carried it to the counter and paid for it, took it home and carefully planted it, watered it and worked the ground for a couple of months, and—finally—harvest time came. I began to harvest and suddenly realized that I was harvesting corn! I became perplexed! The more I harvested, the more corn I got. Finally, I get mad! I am mad at the store owner! I go back down to the seed store and complain because I bought good corn seed and did not get one pole bean out of it; only corn! We get the same way with God! I sow to the flesh; reap corruption; and I am mad at God! I am mad at the world because neither was corn expected nor was it wanted! I wanted Pole Beans! What a foolish scenario!
D. Foolish? Yes, we would laugh at that and say that I was crazy to expect beans when I had intentionally, knowingly planted corn. Thus it is with sin! We pick it out, pay for it, plant it, water and plow it, then get mad at God when we do not reap blessings and good things.
E. Let us take a careful look at what everyone of us knows concerning the sowing to both the flesh and the Spirit.
1. The Deception of Sin – Corn and beans do not deceive us but there is just something about sin that makes us think that things will be different. We can sow to the flesh and, instead of reaping corruption, we expect to reap the blessings of God and happiness in this life!
a. Deceived By Satan – He is just so subtle! Slicker than “Slick Willie!”
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
b. Deceived By Sin – It just looks so good and makes for so much fun.
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
c. Deceived By Self (the worst of all deceptions) – Bad things happen to other people, not to us. We can sin and get by with it while others have to pay the price.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2. The Workings of Sin
James 1:14-16 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
a. Sin’s Character – “own lust”
b. Sin’s Conception – “lust hath conceived”
c. Sin’s Culmination – “death”
3. The Reaping of Sin – Galatians 6:7-8 “Be Not Deceived; God Is Not Mocked”
Laws of Sowing and Reaping or “Laws Of The Harvest”
a. The Principle of Sowing - “lust hath conceived” - You always sow before you reap
b. The Product of Sowing - “bringeth forth sin” - You always reap what you sow
c. The Payoff of Sowing - “tempted - lust - sin - death” - You always reap more than you sow
d. The Period of Sowing - “when it is finished” - You always reap later than you sow
e. The Perplexity of Sowing - “Do not err” - You are always shocked at the harvest
Galatians 6:7-10
A. The Sorrow Of Sowing - 7-8
1. The Deception Of Sowing To Corruption – 7 “Be not deceived”
Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
2. The Discovery Of Sowing To Corruption – 7 “God is not mocked”
Romans 2:6-10 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
3. The Deciding Of Sowing To Corruption - 7-8 “Whatsoever a man soweth ... soweth to his flesh” - our decision
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
4. The Destruction Of Sowing To Corruption – 8 “Shall of his flesh reap corruption”
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
B. The Satisfaction Of Sowing - 8-9
1. The Direction Of Sowing - 8 “To the Spirit”
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
2. The Desire Of Sowing – 8 “Shall of the Spirit reap”
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
3. The Dividends Of Sowing - 8 “Life everlasting”
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
4. The Discipline Of Sowing - 9 “Let us not be weary ... faint not”
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
5. The Dereliction Of Sowing - 9 “Weary in well doing”
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
6. The Duty Of Sowing – 10 “Good unto all men ... especially ... household of faith”
1 John 3:13-19 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Walking After Paul’s Example
Temple Baptist Church - 1-17-2010
Philippians 3:17-4:9
Introduction:
A. As we begin the New Year, I want to encourage and exhort every one of us to be the very best that we can be for Christ. In today’s “Christianity,” we have very few godly examples to pattern ourselves after. One of the greatest Christians of all time was the former Saul of Tarsus or the Apostle Paul as we know him.
1. He was great in his conversion – From Saul to Paul
2. He was great in his desire – He preached Christ at the risk of his life.
3. He was great in his fervency – He was bold and Spirit filled.
4. He was great in his walk with God – He said “For to me to live is Christ.”
5. He was great in his finishing – He fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.
B. He was great in his example – Here, we come to Philippians 3:17.
1. The child of God is marked by a walk of obedience. 3:17
2. The child of the world is marked by a walk of disobedience. 3:18-19
C. The walk of the lost:
1. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ – vs. 18
2. Their god is their belly – vs. 19
3. Their glory is their shame – vs. 19
4. They mind earthly things – vs. 19
5. Their end is destruction – vs. 19
D. He told the Philippians believers to “be followers together of me.” Not just to follow Paul’s walk personally but corporately. Let us look at these next few verses for a few minutes and look at that Corporate Walk.
1. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Faithfulness – 4:1 Stand in the old paths wherein lies the good way: the way of peace and spiritual rest.
2. They Were To Stand Corporately in Their Fellowship – vs. 2 To keep down division and confrontation while being of the same mind and Spirit.
3. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Labor – vs. 3 “yokefellow” In the same yoke doing the same work in unison.
4. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Worship – vs. 4 Rejoicing in both the good and the bad times.
5. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Actions – vs. 5 “be known unto all men” Let your light so shine among men!
6. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Faith – vs. 6a “be careful for nothing!”
7. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Prayers – vs. 6b For each other, family, friends, missionaries, souls.
8. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Holiness – vs. 8 If you think right, you do right!
9. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Obedience – vs. 9 Follow God’s man as he follows Christ.
Philippians 3:17-4:9
Introduction:
A. As we begin the New Year, I want to encourage and exhort every one of us to be the very best that we can be for Christ. In today’s “Christianity,” we have very few godly examples to pattern ourselves after. One of the greatest Christians of all time was the former Saul of Tarsus or the Apostle Paul as we know him.
1. He was great in his conversion – From Saul to Paul
2. He was great in his desire – He preached Christ at the risk of his life.
3. He was great in his fervency – He was bold and Spirit filled.
4. He was great in his walk with God – He said “For to me to live is Christ.”
5. He was great in his finishing – He fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.
B. He was great in his example – Here, we come to Philippians 3:17.
1. The child of God is marked by a walk of obedience. 3:17
2. The child of the world is marked by a walk of disobedience. 3:18-19
C. The walk of the lost:
1. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ – vs. 18
2. Their god is their belly – vs. 19
3. Their glory is their shame – vs. 19
4. They mind earthly things – vs. 19
5. Their end is destruction – vs. 19
D. He told the Philippians believers to “be followers together of me.” Not just to follow Paul’s walk personally but corporately. Let us look at these next few verses for a few minutes and look at that Corporate Walk.
1. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Faithfulness – 4:1 Stand in the old paths wherein lies the good way: the way of peace and spiritual rest.
2. They Were To Stand Corporately in Their Fellowship – vs. 2 To keep down division and confrontation while being of the same mind and Spirit.
3. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Labor – vs. 3 “yokefellow” In the same yoke doing the same work in unison.
4. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Worship – vs. 4 Rejoicing in both the good and the bad times.
5. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Actions – vs. 5 “be known unto all men” Let your light so shine among men!
6. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Faith – vs. 6a “be careful for nothing!”
7. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Prayers – vs. 6b For each other, family, friends, missionaries, souls.
8. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Holiness – vs. 8 If you think right, you do right!
9. They Were To Stand Corporately In Their Obedience – vs. 9 Follow God’s man as he follows Christ.
What It Means To Be Saved
Temple Baptist Church - 1-17-2010
Psalms 40:1-3
Introduction:
A. In these verses, we see the word “salvation” found 3 times. The word “salvation” is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Normally, in the Old Testament, the word gives the meaning of deliverance and safety. When either Israel or an individual encountered a problem, they cried unto the Lord and He delivered them to a place of safety. David found himself often in such a case and many times cried unto the Lord for deliverance. He found God to be faithful!
B. In the New Testament, the normal use of the word speaks of redemption and security. God does deliver us in our circumstances on occasion and place us in a place of safety but I want to use these verses to illustrate just what happens to the child of God when they are redeemed.
C. Those of us who are saved will find within these verses the marvelous wonders of our salvation. I fear that we often forget just what God did for us when He redeemed us. It is of no wonder that the Holy Ghost called it “so great a salvation” in the second chapter of the Book of Hebrews.
D. I just want to look at these verses and spend a little time thanking God for His wonderful goodness to this preacher. This morning, while the world is going mad, I am saved—secured—and satisfied with my Saviour!
1. The Dilemma Of The Sinner – vs. 2 The sinner must realize where he is before he can be saved. If you never get lost, you will never get saved. So many people believe that they are alright and have always been alright with God.
a. The Unsaved Are In A Low Place – If you are unsaved this morning you are in a low place. This wicked world will eat you alive. Your wicked flesh will eat you alive.
b. The Unsaved Are In A Horrible Place – King David said “there is but a step between me and death!” What a horrible place to be in if you are unsaved. I am in the same place but that last step will begin my eternity with the Lord.
c. The Unsaved Are In A Miry Place – If you are unsaved this morning, you cannot pull yourself out of where you are. You may become a millionaire but you will still be lost. You may become famous but you will still be lost. You may even be what we call a good person but you will still be lost.
2. The Call Of The Hopeless – vs. 1
a. There Was A Recognition Of Need – The psalmist saw where he was: a horrible pit. There are two reasons why people do not get saved. Some simply do not want the Lord Jesus Christ and love their sin. Others never realize that they are lost and have need of salvation. Their religion makes them feel good about themselves.
b. There Was A Realization Of Hopelessness – The psalmist recognized his inability: miry clay. If you are lost this morning, you will never get saved as long as you think that you have the slimiest hope of making it by yourself.
c. There Was A Resolve To Cry Out – The psalmist turned to the only One who could help: the Lord. If you are lost this morning, your only help and hope is Jesus Christ.
3. The Deliverance Of The Saviour – vs. 1-2
a. He Inclined His Ear – The Lord awaits with anticipation for the cry of the lost. He is not willing that any should perish. His ears are open and waiting for the repentant sinner to call.
b. He Heard The Cry – The Lord hears their faintest cry. He hears both the cry of their lips and the cry of their hearts. He has never turned away anyone who has come to him by faith and he never will. You whisper a sinner’s prayer and he hears.
c. He Brought Him Out – There is not one sinner, no matter what he has done and no matter where he is, that the Lord cannot immediately and completely save. He is able to bring them out of whatever situation that they are in.
4. The Position Of The Saint – vs. 2-3
a. He Set His Feet Upon A Rock – What a standing! A Rock so secure that no power in heaven or on earth can move it. Jesus Christ is the Rock of our salvation and we are so secure that nothing past, present, or future can move us or remove us!
b. He Established His Goings – We that are saved are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. I will deal a little more with this in a few moments but, He establishes our goings, not we ourselves did so. It is God and all of God!
e. He Filled His Heart With Joy – The Lord brought a new life to each and every believer. A “new song” that is different from the songs of the world. A joy unspeakable and full of glory!
5. The Change Of The Redeemed – vs. 4
a. It Is An Inward Change – We become new creatures. An old preacher once said, “If you ain’t changed, you ain’t saved!” I whole heartedly agree. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It all begins with a heart change.
b. It Is An Outward Change – The child of God begins to conform to the image of the Son of God. To be Christian is to be like Christ. “Christian” has become a generic term to represent anyone and everyone who has any religion where the name of Christ is mentioned. God’s people act like God’s people.
c. It Is An Observed Change – You confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus for sure but your life will reflect the Lord Jesus and the world will know that you are saved. They not only will observe your life change but they will also fear. The life of the saved “shows up” the lives of the lost in a right way and points them to Christ.
Psalms 40:1-3
Introduction:
A. In these verses, we see the word “salvation” found 3 times. The word “salvation” is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Normally, in the Old Testament, the word gives the meaning of deliverance and safety. When either Israel or an individual encountered a problem, they cried unto the Lord and He delivered them to a place of safety. David found himself often in such a case and many times cried unto the Lord for deliverance. He found God to be faithful!
B. In the New Testament, the normal use of the word speaks of redemption and security. God does deliver us in our circumstances on occasion and place us in a place of safety but I want to use these verses to illustrate just what happens to the child of God when they are redeemed.
C. Those of us who are saved will find within these verses the marvelous wonders of our salvation. I fear that we often forget just what God did for us when He redeemed us. It is of no wonder that the Holy Ghost called it “so great a salvation” in the second chapter of the Book of Hebrews.
D. I just want to look at these verses and spend a little time thanking God for His wonderful goodness to this preacher. This morning, while the world is going mad, I am saved—secured—and satisfied with my Saviour!
1. The Dilemma Of The Sinner – vs. 2 The sinner must realize where he is before he can be saved. If you never get lost, you will never get saved. So many people believe that they are alright and have always been alright with God.
a. The Unsaved Are In A Low Place – If you are unsaved this morning you are in a low place. This wicked world will eat you alive. Your wicked flesh will eat you alive.
b. The Unsaved Are In A Horrible Place – King David said “there is but a step between me and death!” What a horrible place to be in if you are unsaved. I am in the same place but that last step will begin my eternity with the Lord.
c. The Unsaved Are In A Miry Place – If you are unsaved this morning, you cannot pull yourself out of where you are. You may become a millionaire but you will still be lost. You may become famous but you will still be lost. You may even be what we call a good person but you will still be lost.
2. The Call Of The Hopeless – vs. 1
a. There Was A Recognition Of Need – The psalmist saw where he was: a horrible pit. There are two reasons why people do not get saved. Some simply do not want the Lord Jesus Christ and love their sin. Others never realize that they are lost and have need of salvation. Their religion makes them feel good about themselves.
b. There Was A Realization Of Hopelessness – The psalmist recognized his inability: miry clay. If you are lost this morning, you will never get saved as long as you think that you have the slimiest hope of making it by yourself.
c. There Was A Resolve To Cry Out – The psalmist turned to the only One who could help: the Lord. If you are lost this morning, your only help and hope is Jesus Christ.
3. The Deliverance Of The Saviour – vs. 1-2
a. He Inclined His Ear – The Lord awaits with anticipation for the cry of the lost. He is not willing that any should perish. His ears are open and waiting for the repentant sinner to call.
b. He Heard The Cry – The Lord hears their faintest cry. He hears both the cry of their lips and the cry of their hearts. He has never turned away anyone who has come to him by faith and he never will. You whisper a sinner’s prayer and he hears.
c. He Brought Him Out – There is not one sinner, no matter what he has done and no matter where he is, that the Lord cannot immediately and completely save. He is able to bring them out of whatever situation that they are in.
4. The Position Of The Saint – vs. 2-3
a. He Set His Feet Upon A Rock – What a standing! A Rock so secure that no power in heaven or on earth can move it. Jesus Christ is the Rock of our salvation and we are so secure that nothing past, present, or future can move us or remove us!
b. He Established His Goings – We that are saved are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. I will deal a little more with this in a few moments but, He establishes our goings, not we ourselves did so. It is God and all of God!
e. He Filled His Heart With Joy – The Lord brought a new life to each and every believer. A “new song” that is different from the songs of the world. A joy unspeakable and full of glory!
5. The Change Of The Redeemed – vs. 4
a. It Is An Inward Change – We become new creatures. An old preacher once said, “If you ain’t changed, you ain’t saved!” I whole heartedly agree. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It all begins with a heart change.
b. It Is An Outward Change – The child of God begins to conform to the image of the Son of God. To be Christian is to be like Christ. “Christian” has become a generic term to represent anyone and everyone who has any religion where the name of Christ is mentioned. God’s people act like God’s people.
c. It Is An Observed Change – You confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus for sure but your life will reflect the Lord Jesus and the world will know that you are saved. They not only will observe your life change but they will also fear. The life of the saved “shows up” the lives of the lost in a right way and points them to Christ.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Burden Bearing
Temple Baptist Church 1-13-2010
Galatians 6:1-5
Introduction:
A. In the same context as restoring a fallen brother, we find the mention of bearing one another’s burdens. What a burden to be shared! Helping our dear brother or sister when they are “down for the count” and ultimately bringing them back to a place of fellowship and usefulness.
B. I want to look at burdens in general though as I deal with these verses. In all of my 33 years of being saved, I have never seen such malicious attacks being made against God’s people. If God’s people ever need each other and the fellowship of the church, it is today. It is of no wonder that the Holy Spirit said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching!” DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS MAN MADE; DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS INCORRECT; DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS INCORRECT!
C. Satan hates you; Satan hates the family; Satan hates this church! He does not worry about the liberal churches or the apostate churches. He controls those. He hates conservative, fundamental, bible believing, sin hating, soulwinning, straight preaching churches because, if he can destroy the church, he can destroy you. If he destroys you, he can destroy your family, and he can destroy the church.
D. I need you, you need me, we all need each other! That is why this portion of scripture is in the bible. Two different statements are found in the context concerning burden bearing. Verse two says that we are to bear one another’s burdens while verse 5 says that we are to bear our own burdens. No, there is no contradiction found here. I want to look at these two verses tonight and give all of us some help.
E. I do not have the power, in most instances, to take them away but I can help the burdened in bearing some of them. I heard this somewhere: “A burden shared is half a burden.” There are times though when I cannot help you, either because of the magnitude of the burden or because of the privacy of the burden.
1. There Are Burdens Of Sin
2. There Are Burdens Of Sickness
3. There Are Burdens Of Sorrow
4. There Are Burdens Of Poverty
F. We Have Been Called To Serve One Another - Galatians 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (We were not set at liberty so that we could fulfill the desires of the flesh.)
1. We Can Serve One Another By Having Compassion
2. We Can Serve One Another Through Prayerfulness
3. We Can Serve One Another By Giving Comfort
4. We Can Serve One Another Through Exhortation
5. We Can Serve One Another By Sustaining
6. We Can Serve One Another By Strengthening
7. We Can Serve One Another By Simply Listening
8. We Can Serve One Another By Weeping With Those Who Weep
1. Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens – This is a command. This is the fulfillment of the “Law of Christ.” “The Royal Law” mentioned in the Book of James is that we love one another.
a. There Are Some Burdens That I Can Bear With You – I can be there for you in them.
1) Through Fervent Prayer - James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (It is the best thing that I can do for you.)
2) Through Just Being There - 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
3) Through Our Experiences We Can Share - 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
b. There Are Some Burdens That I Can Bear By Sharing With You – I can help relieve them.
1) Sometimes I Can Help The Physically - Isaiah 41:6-7 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. 7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
2) Sometimes I Can Help Financially - 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
2. Every Man Shall Bear His Own Burden
a. Be Careful Not To Be Burdensome - 2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (Some folks are always complaining to the point that you dare not ask them how they are doing! Some “poor mouth” all of the time hoping to gain something. Be a blessing, not a burden.)
b. Be Careful Not To Place Your Confidence In Man - Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Man can help you to a great extend and we need to learn to lean upon one another but man also has his limitations!)
c. Be Careful To Place All Your Care Upon The Lord - 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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) God Can Stabilize Us
2) God Can Strengthen Us
3) God Can Sustain Us
Galatians 6:1-5
Introduction:
A. In the same context as restoring a fallen brother, we find the mention of bearing one another’s burdens. What a burden to be shared! Helping our dear brother or sister when they are “down for the count” and ultimately bringing them back to a place of fellowship and usefulness.
B. I want to look at burdens in general though as I deal with these verses. In all of my 33 years of being saved, I have never seen such malicious attacks being made against God’s people. If God’s people ever need each other and the fellowship of the church, it is today. It is of no wonder that the Holy Spirit said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching!” DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS MAN MADE; DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS INCORRECT; DON’T TELL ME THIS BIBLE I HOLD IN MY HAND IS INCORRECT!
C. Satan hates you; Satan hates the family; Satan hates this church! He does not worry about the liberal churches or the apostate churches. He controls those. He hates conservative, fundamental, bible believing, sin hating, soulwinning, straight preaching churches because, if he can destroy the church, he can destroy you. If he destroys you, he can destroy your family, and he can destroy the church.
D. I need you, you need me, we all need each other! That is why this portion of scripture is in the bible. Two different statements are found in the context concerning burden bearing. Verse two says that we are to bear one another’s burdens while verse 5 says that we are to bear our own burdens. No, there is no contradiction found here. I want to look at these two verses tonight and give all of us some help.
E. I do not have the power, in most instances, to take them away but I can help the burdened in bearing some of them. I heard this somewhere: “A burden shared is half a burden.” There are times though when I cannot help you, either because of the magnitude of the burden or because of the privacy of the burden.
1. There Are Burdens Of Sin
2. There Are Burdens Of Sickness
3. There Are Burdens Of Sorrow
4. There Are Burdens Of Poverty
F. We Have Been Called To Serve One Another - Galatians 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (We were not set at liberty so that we could fulfill the desires of the flesh.)
1. We Can Serve One Another By Having Compassion
2. We Can Serve One Another Through Prayerfulness
3. We Can Serve One Another By Giving Comfort
4. We Can Serve One Another Through Exhortation
5. We Can Serve One Another By Sustaining
6. We Can Serve One Another By Strengthening
7. We Can Serve One Another By Simply Listening
8. We Can Serve One Another By Weeping With Those Who Weep
1. Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens – This is a command. This is the fulfillment of the “Law of Christ.” “The Royal Law” mentioned in the Book of James is that we love one another.
a. There Are Some Burdens That I Can Bear With You – I can be there for you in them.
1) Through Fervent Prayer - James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (It is the best thing that I can do for you.)
2) Through Just Being There - 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
3) Through Our Experiences We Can Share - 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
b. There Are Some Burdens That I Can Bear By Sharing With You – I can help relieve them.
1) Sometimes I Can Help The Physically - Isaiah 41:6-7 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. 7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
2) Sometimes I Can Help Financially - 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
2. Every Man Shall Bear His Own Burden
a. Be Careful Not To Be Burdensome - 2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (Some folks are always complaining to the point that you dare not ask them how they are doing! Some “poor mouth” all of the time hoping to gain something. Be a blessing, not a burden.)
b. Be Careful Not To Place Your Confidence In Man - Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Man can help you to a great extend and we need to learn to lean upon one another but man also has his limitations!)
c. Be Careful To Place All Your Care Upon The Lord - 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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) God Can Stabilize Us
2) God Can Strengthen Us
3) God Can Sustain Us
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Even So, Come, Lord Jesus!
Temple Baptist Church
Revelation 22:10-21
Introduction:
A. As we come to the end of an old year and have begun a new year. I wanted to use these verses to come to the end of the Inscribed Word of God and the beginning of our life with the Incarnate Son of God. There are several things in this portion of Scripture that are relevant to the times in which we live.
B. What a wonderful prospect we find in these verses along with a formidable warning to both the unsaved and the sleeping saint.
1. To the unsaved I say, “Today is the day of salvation behold now is the accepted time!” If you are unsure of your salvation, you had better get it eternally settled today for you have no promise of tomorrow. Either by death or the sudden coming of our Lord, you will meet a thrice holy God without the extended grace of God and our God is still a consuming fire! Hell is both hot and eternal!
2. To the sleeping saint I say, “It is high time to awake out or your sleep!” The Bible admonishes us to redeem the time. Sinners are perishing and the Judgment Seat of Christ is approaching. What must be done must be done now while there is time.
C. Let us look at these verses that bring to an end the revelation of God to man.
1. The Time Is At Hand – vs. 10
a. There Is A Falling Away
b. There Is A Gathering Of Israel
c. There Are Perilous Times
2. There Are No Second Chances – vs. 11
a. What You Are Is What You Will Be
b. Left Behind Is Just That
c. Lost Is Lost Forever
3. Eternity Will Be Wonderful For The Saint – vs. 12-13
a. The Former Things Are Passed Away
b. The Future Things Are Reserved Forever
c. Eternity Will Be Eternal
4. Eternity Will Be Dreadful For The Sinner – vs. 15
a. Death Is Sure
b. Judgment Is Certain
c. Hell Will Be Hot
5. God’s Invitation Still Stands – vs. 16-17
a. The Spirit Is Calling
b. The Saints Are Witnessing
c. God’s Salvation Is Free To All
6. Judgment Awaits Those Who Defile Or Reject God’s Word – vs. 18-19
a. To Change It Is Fatal
b. To Reject It Is Fatal
c. To Ignore It Is Fatal
7. Jesus Christ Is Coming Just Like He Said – vs. 20
a. His Coming Will Be Quickly
b. His Coming Will Be Surely
c. His Coming Will Be Quietly
8. God’s Grace Will Be Sufficient Until He Does – vs. 21
a. Grace To Suffer
b. Grace To Serve
c. Grace To Survive
Revelation 22:10-21
Introduction:
A. As we come to the end of an old year and have begun a new year. I wanted to use these verses to come to the end of the Inscribed Word of God and the beginning of our life with the Incarnate Son of God. There are several things in this portion of Scripture that are relevant to the times in which we live.
B. What a wonderful prospect we find in these verses along with a formidable warning to both the unsaved and the sleeping saint.
1. To the unsaved I say, “Today is the day of salvation behold now is the accepted time!” If you are unsure of your salvation, you had better get it eternally settled today for you have no promise of tomorrow. Either by death or the sudden coming of our Lord, you will meet a thrice holy God without the extended grace of God and our God is still a consuming fire! Hell is both hot and eternal!
2. To the sleeping saint I say, “It is high time to awake out or your sleep!” The Bible admonishes us to redeem the time. Sinners are perishing and the Judgment Seat of Christ is approaching. What must be done must be done now while there is time.
C. Let us look at these verses that bring to an end the revelation of God to man.
1. The Time Is At Hand – vs. 10
a. There Is A Falling Away
b. There Is A Gathering Of Israel
c. There Are Perilous Times
2. There Are No Second Chances – vs. 11
a. What You Are Is What You Will Be
b. Left Behind Is Just That
c. Lost Is Lost Forever
3. Eternity Will Be Wonderful For The Saint – vs. 12-13
a. The Former Things Are Passed Away
b. The Future Things Are Reserved Forever
c. Eternity Will Be Eternal
4. Eternity Will Be Dreadful For The Sinner – vs. 15
a. Death Is Sure
b. Judgment Is Certain
c. Hell Will Be Hot
5. God’s Invitation Still Stands – vs. 16-17
a. The Spirit Is Calling
b. The Saints Are Witnessing
c. God’s Salvation Is Free To All
6. Judgment Awaits Those Who Defile Or Reject God’s Word – vs. 18-19
a. To Change It Is Fatal
b. To Reject It Is Fatal
c. To Ignore It Is Fatal
7. Jesus Christ Is Coming Just Like He Said – vs. 20
a. His Coming Will Be Quickly
b. His Coming Will Be Surely
c. His Coming Will Be Quietly
8. God’s Grace Will Be Sufficient Until He Does – vs. 21
a. Grace To Suffer
b. Grace To Serve
c. Grace To Survive
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