The Holy Spirit and the Believer

Temple Baptist Church - 3-23-2011

Ephesians 4:30

Introduction:

A. I will not spend weeks dealing with the doctrine of Pneumatology at this time because of the length of the subject matter but I do want to give a concise picture of His person and work in relationship to the believer.

B. We find in our text verse that the Holy Spirit is a Person with personality. I do not say this in a frivolous manner. He it Almighty God in the person of the Holy Ghost: co-equal with God the Father and God the Son in both power and attributes.

C. The Holy Ghost indwells every believer from the moment of salvation “until the redemption of the purchased possession, which is the Body of Christ.. If you have not the Spirit of God, then you are none of His according to the Bible. Not only does the Holy Ghost indwell every believer, He also does the same work in each of us.

D. I feel that, at times, we fail to realize His presence as we go through our day.

1. Everywhere we go, the Holy Ghost goes with us.

2. Everything we do, the Holy Ghost sees.

3. Everything we see, the Holy Ghost sees.

4. Everything we say, the Holy Ghost hears.

5. Everything we think, the Holy Ghost knows.

E. The Holy Ghost can be:

1. The Holy Spirit Can Be Resisted - Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

2. The Holy Spirit Can Be Grieved - Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

3. The Holy Spirit Can Be Vexed - Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

F. Here is a short synopsis of His work that is vital to our saving, safety, and security!

1. He adopts us - Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2. He indwells us - John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

3. He assures us - Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

4. He teaches us – John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

5. He guides us - John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

6. He produces within us - Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

7. He prays for us - Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

8. He seals us - Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Shrove Tuesday, or A See Food Diet

Temple Baptist Church - 3-20-2011

Genesis 9:1-3

Introduction:

A. As I drove through our city while going to church Wednesday night, I noticed the churches that had a cross with purple cloth draped over them. This signaled the beginning of Lent (40 days of penitence leading up to Easter Sunday). They were Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal churches. I know that many other churches in our city have those same crosses in their front lawns.

B. I want us to have a good understanding of just what “Lent” means.

Lent in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving, penance, and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan. Thus, Lent is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. This practice is common to much of Christendom, being celebrated by Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. Lent is increasingly being observed by other denominations as well, even such groups that have historically ignored Lent, such as Baptists and Mennonites.

In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat.

Roughly speaking, the western Church consists of Protestants, Catholics, and Anglicans. The Eastern Church consists of the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Oriental Orthodox churches, and the eastern-rite churches affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

C. I stand amazed that so-called Baptist churches are involved. We do not do penance for our sins because our sins were paid for at Calvary and without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Sin can only be paid for by the precious blood of Christ.

D. I finally saw a sign in front of the Episcopal (Anglican in origin) that I enjoyed. It said that March 8 was “Shrove Tuesday” and “all you can eat pancakes” were going to be served (at a price I am sure). It is also called “Fat Tuesday!” It does not mean that you can “get fat” but rather that “fat” and sweets are on the menu because they are curtailed during Lent. I did love the part of the sign that spoke of all you can eat pancakes though. IHOP, Look out! A cup or two of sinful coffee would go with well with pancakes.

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is related to the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD. The popular celebratory aspect of the day had developed long before the Protestant Reformation, and was associated with releasing high spirits before the somber season of Lent. It is analogous to the continuing Carnival tradition associated with Mardi Gras (and its various names in different countries) that continued separately in European Catholic countries. In the United States, the term Shrove Tuesday is less widely known outside of people who observe the liturgical traditions of the Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic churches.[4][5] Because of the increase in many immigrant populations and traditions since the 19th century, and the rise of highly publicized festivals, Mardi Gras has become more familiar as the designation for that day. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

E. I love to have a little fun but, on a serious note, I want to deal with an unusual subject tonight. “A See Food Diet!” Believe it or not, it is a serious subject!

Because It Involves The Correction Of False Doctrine!

1. The False Doctrine Taught By Roman Catholicism

a. Forbidding of Meat - 1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3) Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (In public school, as a child, I remember having fish on the menu every Friday. I did not understand why other than the fact that we had Catholic children in our classes.

b. Penitence and Lent – Hebrews 9:7-10 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: (8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

2. The False Doctrine Taught By Some Independent Baptist

a. False Doctrine Taught In Bible Colleges – While finishing up my schooling, I was required to take a course on Dietary Law. The text book was written by an independent Baptist preacher and was full of doctrinal, biblical ignorance! I actually laughed out loud at the verses of scripture that the author took and twisted to make his point.

1) There was doctrinal error concerning the relevance of Old Testament Dietary Law and the age of Grace. Clean vs. Unclean animals and our day. The Author claimed that the unclean animals under the Law were still unclean in the Church Age. Acts 10:9-15 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: (10) And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, (11) And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: (12) Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. (13) And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. (14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. (15) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (The Lord, speaking to a saved Jew, said that these animals were cleansed! The interpretation was to the cleansing of the animals and the application was to the Gentiles.)

2) There was doctrinal error concerning “every creature of God” and what that phrase meant. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5) For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (His statement was that only clean animals were creatures of God. “Every creature of God” means exactly what it says, not what he interpreted it to so. Every creature that God made is clean if it is sanctified by prayer. If you can bless it, you can eat it!)

b. False Doctrine Taught In Pulpits!

1) I have heard some great men of God preach that certain foods were sinful to eat. That coffee and tea were sinful to drink. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Anything eaten or drank in excess can be harmful but to call these things sinful in themselves is biblical ignorance. We hear about Halleluiah Diets, etc. and—as a rule—these can be traced back to the same sources and pulpits. It does not bother me if you ear Barley Green or straw! You can graze with the cows if you like and I think that is wonderful. If it is healthy for you then it is the way to go. A Halleluiah Diet for me is the buffet at Golden Corral!)

2) Prior to the flood, there were no meat eaters! After Noah came out of the Ark, God gave him dietary privileges. Genesis 9:1-4 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (2) And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (3) Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (4) But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. (If it moved, you could eat it! The Dietary Law was given to the Jews under the Law! We are not under Dietary Law. We are under Grace and if you can bless it, you can eat it!)

Because It Involves The Liberty Of The Believer

1. There Needs To Be Teaching In Diet - Romans 14:14-17 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

2. There Needs To Be Thanksgiving In Diet – 1 Timothy 4:3-5 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5) For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

3. There Needs To Be Temperance In Diet - 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

4. There Needs To Be Thoughtfulness In Diet - Romans 14:15-16 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Conclusion:

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. (25) For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? (26) For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 3 - Woman, behold thy son!

Temple Baptist Church - 3-20-2011

John 19:25-27

Introduction:

A. In the first saying from the cross, our Lord dealt with the forgiveness of sin; in the second saying, He dealt with the salvation of an individual; in this third saying, it is interesting that He dealt with the family unit.

B. Our Lord took care of His earthly mother before He died on the cross. Mary, the one who gave Him birth; Mary, the one who nursed Him on her breast; Mary, the one who swaddled and took care of Him; Mary, the one who raised Him during His informative years; Mary, the one who pondered His being while He was growing up; Mary, the one who accompanied Him during His earthly ministry; Mary, the one who stood by Him while other forsook Him.

C. “Woman (not mother) behold thy son!” Jesus never referred to Mary as His mother for a reason. She was the mother of His earthly body but as God, He had no mother! He called her woman. It was not out of disrespect but with all of the tenderness, respect, and honour in the world. And to His disciple, “Behold thy mother!”

D. In the Lord’s impending absence, He committed the care of His earthly mother into the hands of the disciple whom He loved. All earthly ties to His physical mother ceased that day as the Son of God died for her sins as well as for the sins of the world. He also committed the care of John to His wonderful mother! Now, they needed one another. The Lord is interested in every detail of our lives and one of the most important is that of our family unit. In His absence, he has given to us the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and the local church.

E. I want to look at the importance of the family unit and the local church for a few minutes this morning. There is an old saying, “When you have nothing else, you have your family.” I have also found that when you need them, you have the people in your church.

1. The Family Unit. God ordained three institutions: marriage, church, and government with marriage being the first. All three are important for the total welfare of mankind and are—in theory—to work together for that cause. The family unit was instituted before the church came into being. The strength of the church is the family unit. The strength of the nation is in the family unit. It is of no wonder that Satan has so aggressively attacked the family! What God loves, Satan hates and the family is always in the devil’s sights.

a. We Find Order - God made man in His image and in that day He made Adam both male and female - Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

b. We Find Unity - God then made Eve from the rib of Adam and brought her unto him. Genesis 2:21-23 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (The Lord brought the woman to the man, not the man to the woman. This order was God’s order. The proper order is the man first and the woman under authority to him. Today, the men follow the women instead of the women following the men.)

c. We Find Safety – Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (The family unit is separate from everyone and everything else.)

d. We Find Beauty - Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

e. We Find Strength - Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

2. The Local Church. God established marriage first, worship secondly, and government last. After the family unit, the local church is the most important entity in the world. In the absence of the Lord it is:

a. A Place Of Spiritual Order - 1 Peter 5:2-3 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; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

b. A Place Of Spiritual Unity - 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

c. A Place Of Spiritual Safety - Psalms 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

d. A Place Of Spiritual Beauty - Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

e. A Place Of Spiritual Strength - Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The Church And Revival

Temple Baptist Church - 3-13-2011

Psalms 85:6

Introduction:

A. Why do we need revival? Revive means to bring back to life or consciousness; to resuscitate; to restore to use; to renew in the mind; to regain health or effectiveness.

B. Revival is hard to get, tough to maintain, and easy to lose! The Psalmist said, “Wilt thou not revive us again." “Again” means that they had been revived before.

C. Why the importance of revival?

1. Some would say that we need revival in order to have more zeal for the Lord.

2. Some would say that we need revival in order to initiate soul winning in the church.

3. Some would say that we need revival in order to increase the giving of God’s people.

4. Some would say that we need revival in order to love one another more fervently.

5. The Psalmist said that we need revival in order to “rejoice in thee.”

6 Revival means to come alive.

D. David understood the need of God’s people.

1. They need more zeal, but it comes through rejoicing.

2. They needed more soul winning, but it comes through rejoicing.

3. They needed more giving, but it comes through rejoicing.

4. They needed more love, but it comes through rejoicing.

E. David understood the consequences of a lack of Joy – Psalms 51:12-15 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

F. When we fail to have revival:

1. We lose the freshness of salvation – the excitement and wonder is gone.

2. We lose our burning love for a wonderful Saviour.

3. We lose our desire for service – we become mechanical and go through the motions.

G. Joy is an important ingredient to the Christian life: Are you rejoicing or enduring?

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1. Rejoicing Invigorates Soul Winning

Psalms 51:12-13 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Psalms 107 21-22 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

2. Rejoicing Improves Our Service

Acts 5:41-42 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

3. Rejoicing Increases Spiritual Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

4. Rejoicing Produces Testimony

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 2 - Today Thou Shalt Be With Me In Paradise

Temple Baptist Church - 3-13-2011

Luke 23:32-43

Introduction:

A. As we continue toward Easter Sunday, I want to continue looking at the 7 distinct times that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross. Each of these 7 says are independent of each other and, yet, together—they speak v0lumnes about the heart of the One who died for our salvation.

B. Last week, we looked at “Father forgive them.” He came to die for sin and to bring about reconciliation to mankind. This morning, I want to look at the 2nd saying and possible the most notable: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” In these verses, we find a true death bed profession. Most people who are dying are just too busy dying to trust Christ. I believe that some do truly get saved just before they die but, as a general rule, how you lived is how you die!

C. Here we find two thieves who were to die with Christ.

1. One Mocked Christ – vs. 39 He asked Christ to save them and still died lost. A prayer will not save the sinner. Salvation is a heart condition! This thief died unrepentant and lost. His prayer was to save “us.”

2. One Recognized Christ – vs. 40 This thief recognized who Christ was; recognized what he was; and asked for salvation. Vs. 41-42

D. What a bold request! “Lord, remember me!” He was a convicted thief with nothing to offer. He was condemned to death with no reprieve. Helpless, hopeless, he was now to die. He had lived his life for self and now requested salvation?

E. What a glorious reply! “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!” Our Lord answered his request in the affirmative. I am so glad that we serve a merciful God who does not give us what we deserve. What a wonderful Lord and Saviour is Jesus Christ.

F. Notice that the grace of God extended was singular in number: “thou.” A nameless, condemned thief, helpless thief! Helpless but, thank God, not hopeless! Let us look at that statement for a few minutes.

G. The Request Of The Sinner – “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”

1. Realization – “fear God”

2. Repentance – “indeed justly”

3. Recognition – “Lord”

4. Request – “remember me”

H. The Reply Of The Saviour – “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

1. Recognition – “unto thee”

2. Reliability – “Verily”

3. Reassurance – “shalt thou be”

I. His salvation was instantaneous: “today!” His salvation was assured: “thou shalt be!” His salvation was eternal: “in paradise!”

1. The heresy of Good Works was refuted – for there was nothing that the thief could do as death was imminent.

2. The heresy of Sacrementalism was refuted - for the thief was saved without recourse to baptism, the Lord's Supper, church, or ceremony.

3. The heresy of purgatory was refuted - for this vile sinner was instantly transformed into a saint and made fit for paradise apart from his personal expiation of a single sin.

4. The heresy of universalism was refuted - for only one was saved of all who might have been saved. Jesus did not say, "Today shall ye be with me in paradise", but "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

5. The heresy of soul-sleep was refuted - for the clear implication of the entire incident is that the redeemed thief would be in conscious fellowship with his Saviour in paradise even while his body disintegrated in some grave.


1. This saying shows the Love of God for sinners. He saved this thief because He loved him! It matters not who you are or what you have done, God loves you. He is truly a Friend of publicans and sinners. He loves me, He loves, He loves me this I know! The Bible tells me so.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 3:16 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.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

2. This saying shows the Individuality of salvation. He saved the thief because He was dying for HIM! Salvation will never belong to a person until he or she realizes that Christ died for them personally. Yes, He did for the sins of the whole world but He died for me makes salvation personal.

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

3. This saying shows clearly the Way of salvation. Not many ways but one way and that way is through faith in Christ and faith alone.

a. Salvation is not by works - Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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;

b. Salvation is through Christ alone - 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.

c. Salvation is a free gift - Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

d. Salvation is for the asking - Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4. This saying gives Hope to all of mankind! He saved a thief so that men might not despair. The BLESSED HOPE gave the thief hope! There is hope in Christ.

a. Some might say, “It is too late for me.” It was not too late for the thief. If you are breathing, you are a candidate for salvation.

b. Some might say, “I have done too much wrong to be saved.”

c. There is hope in Jesus Christ for even the vilest sinner on his way to his death.

5. This saying Warns mankind not to presume! Oh, preacher, I’ll make it some way. I have plenty of time. I will one day give my life to Christ!

a. The Presumption of Salvation - Christ only saved one of the thieves! They presume that they will “slip into heaven” at the last moment. Two men; two choices; and two destinies!

b. The Presumption of Judgment. That God will not put you in Hell. Most people do not think that they will perish I hell. Bad things always happen to other people.

Conclusion

One thief railed on Christ. “If thou be Christ.”

On Thief wailed to Christ. “Lord, remember me.”

On was nailed for their sin. He was nailed for my sin. He was nailed for yours!

7 Sayings Of The Cross – Part 1 - “Father, Forgive Them”

Temple Baptist Church - 3-6-2011

Luke 23:26-34

Introduction:

A. As we approach Easter, I normally preach on the cross of Christ. In 24 years, I have never preached on the 7 sayings of Christ from the cross until now. There is so much to preach about concerning the cross that it would take a lifetime to deal with the subject in its entirety. I do not believe that we can fully comprehend all that transpired at Calvary.

Russell B. Jones, “Gold From Golgotha”

“This is the place where the contrast between the Savior's heart of grace and man's heart of rebellion is most striking. Golgotha is the focal point of revelation and history and experience. There God did His best and man did his worst. There, faith is justified, hope assured, and love conquers."

Ralph G. Turnbull, “The Seven Words From the Cross”

“In the harrowing experience of Jesus, the seven cries are like the opening of the windows for the soul. We gaze with reverence and awe as we dare to look in. We see bared before us the inner thoughts and secrets of that bleeding heart of incarnate love."

B. Seven times our Lord spoke from the cross. These seven sayings speak volumes concerning our salvation. The first saying of Christ from the cross was a petition for forgiveness. How appropriate! The cross of Christ is all about the reconciliation of sinful man with a thrice holy God.

C. At Calvary, we find the love of God for each and every one of us. Calvary is the ultimate proving of the love of God for sinful mankind. If you want to know how God feels about you, go to Calvary! Greater love hath no man than this: the one should die for his friend. Calvary’s love is the greatest and most compelling of all loves as the Worthy died for the unworthy; the Holy died for the unholy; the Righteous died for the unrighteous.

D. The reason for forgiveness is sin. The fact of sin is what compelled the Father to send forth His only begotten Son. This morning, I want to look at the forgiveness of God.

1. The Purpose Of Forgiveness - The foundational truth of forgiveness is this: sin has taken place! Those who have not sinned have no need of forgiveness. Those who are not sick have no need of a physician. The truth of sin is that we are all guilty and have need of God’s forgiveness. I believe that virtually all of mankind would agree that sin takes place but the problem is not the fact of sin but rather the direction of sin. Yes, we can sin against each other; yes, we can sin against mankind but the direction of sin is toward the laws and person of God. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Most of the world will acknowledge the reality of sin but not the direction.

Psalms 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (In order to have forgiveness, we must acknowledge that our sin is against God and He gave His only begotten Son—Jesus Christ—for that sin.)

2. The Person Of Forgiveness – Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary! There is much deception concerning the remission of sin in the religions of the world. Forgiveness is not found in the church or in our confession to man. Forgiveness of sin is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Eternal forgiveness is found only in the shed blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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.

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. (If a sinner ever finds true forgiveness, it will be found in the person and work of Christ alone: plus nothing, minus nothing, and mixed with nothing.)

3. The People Of Forgiveness – Christ died for all! I love the fact of a “whosoever will” gospel. I am glad that I am one! The thief on the cross , who died beside of Christ, was glad to be a “whosoever will!” I really don't want to go into much depth with this man because the second saying of the cross is dealing with him. He received these words from the One who had the power to give them. The Roman centurion needed those words. He glorified God. He would never know what forgiveness was if it had not been for this day. He was used to cursing, spitting and hatred given from the cross. He was not hearing words of forgiveness like this. I would probably correct to say he never heard before or after words like "Father forgiven them, for they know what they do."

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

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. (If you want forgiveness, come to Christ! He and He alone can forgive and He has already paid for yours.)

4. The Power Of Forgiveness – Christ died for and can forgive all sin! No sin too large and no sin too small; no matter how many our sins are—Christ died once for all!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I’m glad that He came into the world to saver sinners! From the “guttermost” to the “uttermost!” At this point, my mind goes back to Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:18. If you stopped reading there, Manasseh was as wicked as a man could get and died without further commentary. In 2 Chronicles 13:12-20, we find the Manasseh got right with the Lord in his latter days and God blessed him. God is able to save the wickedest man in the world.)

5. The Permanence Of Forgiveness – what God forgives, He forgets! We may remember our past sins and people, as well as the devil, may remind us of them but God is faithful and just in His forgiveness.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Confess your sin, get your sin right, and put it in its place—your past!)
6. The Prerogative Of Forgiveness - this prayer is not a blanket pardon. That would go against the freewill nature of man. God never forces Himself upon anyone who does not want Him. When a person goes to hell, they go to hell with their sins died for!

Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Conclusion: The first of Christ’s sayings from the cross was that of forgiveness. Aren’t you glad that He died in your place?

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.