Temple Baptist Church - 11-27-2011
Luke 18:1-8
Introduction:
A. In the preceding chapter, our Lord described the end time and sequence of events leading up to the Second Coming. The 18th chapter begins with the word “and.” This shows a continuation of the same train of thought. The parable shows forth the persistence of the widow before the unjust judge.
B. Parable (faith) – An earthly story with a heavenly meaning. We see the predicament of her cry – our Lord did not disclose the pressing need of this woman but we do know that the need was great. The need was not necessarily food and raiment but it was the need of vengeance! This poor widow woman had been greatly wronged by someone and the wrong needed to be made right. Vengeance was not a right that she had so she petitioned the Judge.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Be ye angry and sin not!)
C. The Lord did not disclose the details so that you and I could make application to whatever our need happens to be. Let’s look at the parable:
a. Persons – A widow and an unjust judge.
b. Persistence – she never gave up but petitioned the unjust judge until he gave her the right answer.
c. Prize – she got her petition answered!
D. The application - A wonderful lesson for us is found in these verses. Never give up! We may not see workings of the Judge of all the earth, as the unjust judge of these verses considered—without her knowledge of it—her request, so our wonderful Lord considers and honors our requests. We may or may not see the workings of His hands but, rest assured, He hears and answers our prayers.
E. I quoted this verse last week but want to use it again as this message is just a continuation of last week’s message. I believe that the “moral of the story” is that it shows the power and persuasion of persistence. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
F. The lesson is faith! Faith is the basis for our faithfulness. We are faithful because it is commanded; because it is right; because it is rewarding! When Christ returns, will He find us with enough faith in Him to keep us faithful? Faithfulness is important.
1. Faithfulness is important to the Lord. Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (If we are faithful for no other reason, we should be so because it pleases the Lord! This should be our primary motive. Paul said, “For me to live is Christ!” Unfaithful people do not care what the Lord thinks.)
2. Faithfulness is important to the faithful. John 20:19-24 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (20) And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (21) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (23) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (24) But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. (Just look at what Thomas missed: Jesus, peace, seeing the wounds of our Lord, and receiving the Holy Ghost.)
3. Faithfulness is important to your family. Psalms 78:2-7 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (3) Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. (4) We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (5) For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: (6) That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: (7) That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (We want our families saved and serving but, often, we tell them with our lives, “Do not do what I do, do what I say do!” We cannot expect our families to love God if we do not love God; we cannot expect our families to be faithful if we are not faithful!)
4. Faithfulness is important to your pastor. Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (One of the most heartbreaking parts of pastoring is watching the unfaithfulness of God’s people. We have a great church with, for the most part, faithful people and it is an encouragement to this pastor. I work hard to prepare something to feed your souls each time I come to church and it discourages me when God’s people do not come faithfully to hear God’s message. Every service; every message is of the utmost importance to God’s people.)
5. Faithfulness is important to your church. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) 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. (The faithful are provoked unto loves and provoke others. (provoked – motivated or incited) The faithful are exhorted and exhort others. The faithful experience spiritual growth and edify the body. The faithful are blessed.)
6. Faithfulness is important to your missionaries. Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (When tithes and offerings are either not there are come in later, the missionary does without. I take care of missions support for two of our missionary members and see firsthand the ups and down of support each month.)
7. Faithfulness is important to the unsaved. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (If the unsaved see our unfaithfulness, they will not desire what we have nor will they “glorify” our Father which is in heaven!”
Conclusion: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Helmet of Salvation
Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2011
Ephesians 6:17
Introduction:
A. Our next piece of armor is the “helmet of salvation.” Once again, we find the emphasis of resisting Satan, withstanding our circumstances, and standing secure in the will of the Lord resting within the head. The first piece of the Christian’s armor was having our loins girt about with the truth. These two go together and yet are distinctly different.
B. Our loins girt with truth had to do with our dependence upon the scripture doctrinally. In the midst of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians 2, we need to know what the bible says, not what the “talking heads” of religion tell us. As there are “shade tree mechanics,” there are also “religious, liberal theologians!” These are the ones who:
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
C. I am a Biblicist! It matters not what the Baptist say (though I am an independent, fundamental, bible believing Baptist) nor does it matter what any other denomination or movement says. If we or anyone else is defined by their “denomination or movement,” then our definition of who and what we are is constantly changing. Look at every major denomination now and remember what it stood for 20-30 years ago. If we are defined by the bible, then who and what we are remains a constant in the face of a rapidly changing world. The bible is the final authority for both faith and practice. The bible is to correct our doctrine, not our doctrine correct the bible. This is the girting of the loins with truth.
D. The “helmet of salvation” also deals with the head (or the mind) but is completely different in its relevance and importance to the believer. I believe that this “helmet” that protects our minds or thinking has to do with the assurance of just what and who we are. It does not encompass the “truth” in all of its completeness as does the girting of the loins but zeros in on one important aspect of the truth. Our salvation!
E. One of the most important aspects of eternal salvation is that of assurance. Without assurance, the child of God is rendered virtually useless in the work of the Lord. So much is preached on this subject and needs to be so.
1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (A wise man once said, “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” In times of lack of assurance, never doubt what God did for you when He gave you assurance.)
F. Let us put this “helmet” on tonight and leave it on because:
1. The Helmet of Salvation defines who we are. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (Knowing that we are saved should give us assurance in some things.)
a. We are loved. 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
b. We are protected. Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
c. We are provided for. Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
d. We are accompanied. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Knowing who we are should give us confidence in the Lord to care for us.
2. The Helmet of Salvation defines what we are.
a. Fellow Helpers With Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
b. Soldiers Of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
c. Ambassadors For Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Knowing what we are should give us resolve for the Lord.
3. The Helmet of Salvation defines where we are going.
a. We Are Following In His Steps - Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
b. We Are Going Home - Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Knowing where we are going should give us encouragement in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:17
Introduction:
A. Our next piece of armor is the “helmet of salvation.” Once again, we find the emphasis of resisting Satan, withstanding our circumstances, and standing secure in the will of the Lord resting within the head. The first piece of the Christian’s armor was having our loins girt about with the truth. These two go together and yet are distinctly different.
B. Our loins girt with truth had to do with our dependence upon the scripture doctrinally. In the midst of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians 2, we need to know what the bible says, not what the “talking heads” of religion tell us. As there are “shade tree mechanics,” there are also “religious, liberal theologians!” These are the ones who:
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
C. I am a Biblicist! It matters not what the Baptist say (though I am an independent, fundamental, bible believing Baptist) nor does it matter what any other denomination or movement says. If we or anyone else is defined by their “denomination or movement,” then our definition of who and what we are is constantly changing. Look at every major denomination now and remember what it stood for 20-30 years ago. If we are defined by the bible, then who and what we are remains a constant in the face of a rapidly changing world. The bible is the final authority for both faith and practice. The bible is to correct our doctrine, not our doctrine correct the bible. This is the girting of the loins with truth.
D. The “helmet of salvation” also deals with the head (or the mind) but is completely different in its relevance and importance to the believer. I believe that this “helmet” that protects our minds or thinking has to do with the assurance of just what and who we are. It does not encompass the “truth” in all of its completeness as does the girting of the loins but zeros in on one important aspect of the truth. Our salvation!
E. One of the most important aspects of eternal salvation is that of assurance. Without assurance, the child of God is rendered virtually useless in the work of the Lord. So much is preached on this subject and needs to be so.
1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (A wise man once said, “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” In times of lack of assurance, never doubt what God did for you when He gave you assurance.)
F. Let us put this “helmet” on tonight and leave it on because:
1. The Helmet of Salvation defines who we are. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (Knowing that we are saved should give us assurance in some things.)
a. We are loved. 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
b. We are protected. Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
c. We are provided for. Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
d. We are accompanied. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Knowing who we are should give us confidence in the Lord to care for us.
2. The Helmet of Salvation defines what we are.
a. Fellow Helpers With Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
b. Soldiers Of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
c. Ambassadors For Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Knowing what we are should give us resolve for the Lord.
3. The Helmet of Salvation defines where we are going.
a. We Are Following In His Steps - Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
b. We Are Going Home - Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Knowing where we are going should give us encouragement in the Lord.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thanksgiving
Temple Baptist Church - 11-20-2011
Ephesians 5:18-20
Introduction:
A. Most people say “Thank you” simply because they have been trained to do so. I know that, personally, there have been times that I have blessed the food on our table and then had to ask my wife if I had blessed it already. Then I bow my head and really give to God thanks! There have been times when I have said, “Thank you” for something that I really did not want but did so out of courtesy. “Thank you for the beets?”
THANKSGIVING is defined as the act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies. A public celebration of divine goodness; also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness of God, either in any remarkable deliverance from calamities or danger, or in the ordinary dispensation of his bounties. The practice of appointing an annual thanksgiving originated in New England.
B. We have so much to be thankful for.
1. Our Great Salvation
a) Saved by grace
b) Saved eternally
c) A wonderful life here and heaven waiting!
2. Our Great families and friends
a) Your greatest possession outside of salvation!
b) Your church and church family!
3. Our Great Possessions
a) Our homes
b) Our transportation
c) Our everyday needs
4. Our Great Liberty
a) Freedom of travel
b) Freedom of speech
5. Our Great Opportunities
a) You can be anything that you want.
b) Your life is limited by your will to accomplish
C. We are to be thankful at all times. I, as a pastor, have difficulties in this area. Now, I can be thankful when the heavens are opened up, and God's blessings rain down upon me, and when everything is going well, and when there are no bumps in the road! But when problems come, I am more likely to complain. When things don't go my way, I am more likely to whine than to give thanks!
1. There is the realization of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (Everything that we have or ever hope to have is a gift from the Lord. He gives us the health, strength, and opportunity to earn a living.)
2. There is the gratitude of Thanksgiving – Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We need to learn to never take for granted what we have and return thanks to the One who gave it. What we have now we may not always have.)
3. There is the worship of Thanksgiving – Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (True thanksgiving is a magnification of a gracious, kind, gentle, loving and compassionate Lord.)
4. There is the song of Thanksgiving – Nehemiah 12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. (As we sing this morning, we should sing as unto the Lord. We are not here to be seen or heard but rather to give to the Lord the glory due His name.)
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
5. There is the voice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (It is a good thing to give thanks publically. The bible says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord in Psalm 50.)
Psa_107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
6. There is the sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: (I love to give back to the Lord not only my tithe but also a gift from a grateful heart. All that I have comes from Him and, as far as I am concerned, belongs to Him.)
7. There is the entrance of Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Faithfulness to come to the House of the Lord is a sign of true thankfulness. When we come to church, we are to approach Him in our entrance with thanksgiving.)
8. There is the prayer of Thanksgiving – Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (My wife and I bow our heads in public thanksgiving every time we go out to eat. It is also a blessing to personally thank Him in the prayer closet for His many blessings.)
9. There is the witness of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (It is a great testimony when the unsaved see us thank God for all that He does for us and gives to us. “Unthankful” is a word used to describe this generation in 2 Timothy 3. We should be an example of gratefulness.)
10. There is the continuation of Thanksgiving – Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Let us never forget to continually count our blessings while naming them one by one. God is good all of the time.)
Ephesians 5:18-20
Introduction:
A. Most people say “Thank you” simply because they have been trained to do so. I know that, personally, there have been times that I have blessed the food on our table and then had to ask my wife if I had blessed it already. Then I bow my head and really give to God thanks! There have been times when I have said, “Thank you” for something that I really did not want but did so out of courtesy. “Thank you for the beets?”
THANKSGIVING is defined as the act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies. A public celebration of divine goodness; also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness of God, either in any remarkable deliverance from calamities or danger, or in the ordinary dispensation of his bounties. The practice of appointing an annual thanksgiving originated in New England.
B. We have so much to be thankful for.
1. Our Great Salvation
a) Saved by grace
b) Saved eternally
c) A wonderful life here and heaven waiting!
2. Our Great families and friends
a) Your greatest possession outside of salvation!
b) Your church and church family!
3. Our Great Possessions
a) Our homes
b) Our transportation
c) Our everyday needs
4. Our Great Liberty
a) Freedom of travel
b) Freedom of speech
5. Our Great Opportunities
a) You can be anything that you want.
b) Your life is limited by your will to accomplish
C. We are to be thankful at all times. I, as a pastor, have difficulties in this area. Now, I can be thankful when the heavens are opened up, and God's blessings rain down upon me, and when everything is going well, and when there are no bumps in the road! But when problems come, I am more likely to complain. When things don't go my way, I am more likely to whine than to give thanks!
1. There is the realization of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (Everything that we have or ever hope to have is a gift from the Lord. He gives us the health, strength, and opportunity to earn a living.)
2. There is the gratitude of Thanksgiving – Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We need to learn to never take for granted what we have and return thanks to the One who gave it. What we have now we may not always have.)
3. There is the worship of Thanksgiving – Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (True thanksgiving is a magnification of a gracious, kind, gentle, loving and compassionate Lord.)
4. There is the song of Thanksgiving – Nehemiah 12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. (As we sing this morning, we should sing as unto the Lord. We are not here to be seen or heard but rather to give to the Lord the glory due His name.)
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
5. There is the voice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (It is a good thing to give thanks publically. The bible says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord in Psalm 50.)
Psa_107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
6. There is the sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: (I love to give back to the Lord not only my tithe but also a gift from a grateful heart. All that I have comes from Him and, as far as I am concerned, belongs to Him.)
7. There is the entrance of Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Faithfulness to come to the House of the Lord is a sign of true thankfulness. When we come to church, we are to approach Him in our entrance with thanksgiving.)
8. There is the prayer of Thanksgiving – Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (My wife and I bow our heads in public thanksgiving every time we go out to eat. It is also a blessing to personally thank Him in the prayer closet for His many blessings.)
9. There is the witness of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (It is a great testimony when the unsaved see us thank God for all that He does for us and gives to us. “Unthankful” is a word used to describe this generation in 2 Timothy 3. We should be an example of gratefulness.)
10. There is the continuation of Thanksgiving – Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Let us never forget to continually count our blessings while naming them one by one. God is good all of the time.)
Thanksgiving
Temple Baptist Church - 11-20-2011
Ephesians 5:18-20
Introduction:
A. Most people say “Thank you” simply because they have been trained to do so. I know that, personally, there have been times that I have blessed the food on our table and then had to ask my wife if I had blessed it already. Then I bow my head and really give to God thanks! There have been times when I have said, “Thank you” for something that I really did not want but did so out of courtesy. “Thank you for the beets?”
THANKSGIVING is defined as the act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies. A public celebration of divine goodness; also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness of God, either in any remarkable deliverance from calamities or danger, or in the ordinary dispensation of his bounties. The practice of appointing an annual thanksgiving originated in New England.
B. We have so much to be thankful for.
1. Our Great Salvation
a) Saved by grace
b) Saved eternally
c) A wonderful life here and heaven waiting!
2. Our Great families and friends
a) Your greatest possession outside of salvation!
b) Your church and church family!
3. Our Great Possessions
a) Our homes
b) Our transportation
c) Our everyday needs
4. Our Great Liberty
a) Freedom of travel
b) Freedom of speech
5. Our Great Opportunities
a) You can be anything that you want.
b) Your life is limited by your will to accomplish
C. We are to be thankful at all times. I, as a pastor, have difficulties in this area. Now, I can be thankful when the heavens are opened up, and God's blessings rain down upon me, and when everything is going well, and when there are no bumps in the road! But when problems come, I am more likely to complain. When things don't go my way, I am more likely to whine than to give thanks!
1. There is the realization of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (Everything that we have or ever hope to have is a gift from the Lord. He gives us the health, strength, and opportunity to earn a living.)
2. There is the gratitude of Thanksgiving – Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We need to learn to never take for granted what we have and return thanks to the One who gave it. What we have now we may not always have.)
3. There is the worship of Thanksgiving – Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (True thanksgiving is a magnification of a gracious, kind, gentle, loving and compassionate Lord.)
4. There is the song of Thanksgiving – Nehemiah 12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. (As we sing this morning, we should sing as unto the Lord. We are not here to be seen or heard but rather to give to the Lord the glory due His name.)
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
5. There is the voice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (It is a good thing to give thanks publically. The bible says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord in Psalm 50.)
Psa_107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
6. There is the sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: (I love to give back to the Lord not only my tithe but also a gift from a grateful heart. All that I have comes from Him and, as far as I am concerned, belongs to Him.)
7. There is the entrance of Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Faithfulness to come to the House of the Lord is a sign of true thankfulness. When we come to church, we are to approach Him in our entrance with thanksgiving.)
8. There is the prayer of Thanksgiving – Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (My wife and I bow our heads in public thanksgiving every time we go out to eat. It is also a blessing to personally thank Him in the prayer closet for His many blessings.)
9. There is the witness of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (It is a great testimony when the unsaved see us thank God for all that He does for us and gives to us. “Unthankful” is a word used to describe this generation in 2 Timothy 3. We should be an example of gratefulness.)
10. There is the continuation of Thanksgiving – Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Let us never forget to continually count our blessings while naming them one by one. God is good all of the time.)
Ephesians 5:18-20
Introduction:
A. Most people say “Thank you” simply because they have been trained to do so. I know that, personally, there have been times that I have blessed the food on our table and then had to ask my wife if I had blessed it already. Then I bow my head and really give to God thanks! There have been times when I have said, “Thank you” for something that I really did not want but did so out of courtesy. “Thank you for the beets?”
THANKSGIVING is defined as the act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies. A public celebration of divine goodness; also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness of God, either in any remarkable deliverance from calamities or danger, or in the ordinary dispensation of his bounties. The practice of appointing an annual thanksgiving originated in New England.
B. We have so much to be thankful for.
1. Our Great Salvation
a) Saved by grace
b) Saved eternally
c) A wonderful life here and heaven waiting!
2. Our Great families and friends
a) Your greatest possession outside of salvation!
b) Your church and church family!
3. Our Great Possessions
a) Our homes
b) Our transportation
c) Our everyday needs
4. Our Great Liberty
a) Freedom of travel
b) Freedom of speech
5. Our Great Opportunities
a) You can be anything that you want.
b) Your life is limited by your will to accomplish
C. We are to be thankful at all times. I, as a pastor, have difficulties in this area. Now, I can be thankful when the heavens are opened up, and God's blessings rain down upon me, and when everything is going well, and when there are no bumps in the road! But when problems come, I am more likely to complain. When things don't go my way, I am more likely to whine than to give thanks!
1. There is the realization of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (Everything that we have or ever hope to have is a gift from the Lord. He gives us the health, strength, and opportunity to earn a living.)
2. There is the gratitude of Thanksgiving – Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We need to learn to never take for granted what we have and return thanks to the One who gave it. What we have now we may not always have.)
3. There is the worship of Thanksgiving – Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (True thanksgiving is a magnification of a gracious, kind, gentle, loving and compassionate Lord.)
4. There is the song of Thanksgiving – Nehemiah 12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. (As we sing this morning, we should sing as unto the Lord. We are not here to be seen or heard but rather to give to the Lord the glory due His name.)
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
5. There is the voice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. (It is a good thing to give thanks publically. The bible says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord in Psalm 50.)
Psa_107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
6. There is the sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: (I love to give back to the Lord not only my tithe but also a gift from a grateful heart. All that I have comes from Him and, as far as I am concerned, belongs to Him.)
7. There is the entrance of Thanksgiving – Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Faithfulness to come to the House of the Lord is a sign of true thankfulness. When we come to church, we are to approach Him in our entrance with thanksgiving.)
8. There is the prayer of Thanksgiving – Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (My wife and I bow our heads in public thanksgiving every time we go out to eat. It is also a blessing to personally thank Him in the prayer closet for His many blessings.)
9. There is the witness of Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (It is a great testimony when the unsaved see us thank God for all that He does for us and gives to us. “Unthankful” is a word used to describe this generation in 2 Timothy 3. We should be an example of gratefulness.)
10. There is the continuation of Thanksgiving – Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Let us never forget to continually count our blessings while naming them one by one. God is good all of the time.)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Shield of Faith
Temple Baptist Church - 11-16-2011
Ephesians 6:16
Introduction:
A. “Above all!” The most important piece of God’s armor is the shield of faith. We need to protect our minds, hearts, and feet as we walk in this world but the one area that will defeat the child of God quicker than any else is that of faltering faith. It brings disappointment, discouragement, and—ultimately—defeat. We can think right, desire right, walk right, and still become a casualty in this spiritual war. Good people, yes even great people get discouraged and quit on God. I am preaching to my family tonight as much as I am preaching to you.
B. “Above all!” Why “above all?” Because Satan is constantly attacking our faith and our faith defines our resolve! If we quit in our minds, we are defeated already. We may continue to go to church and live right but our lives are ineffective because we have no hope.
C. I do not want to give you a homiletically correct sermon tonight; I do not want to give you a beautifully alliterated sermon tonight; I want to give you a sermon that will help both you and me to stay in the battle because our “ranks” have become thinner and there are “gaps” in the lines. God is still looking for a man or woman to stand in the gap and make up the hedge and what a sad commentary when the prophet said that he found none!
D. Let’s look at our text verse and break it down.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
1. The Importance of our Faith – “above all” 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Again, the most important thing that we can do is exercise our faith in God. Our faith is the “glue” that holds everything else together. You can protect your mind, heart, and feet but—if your faith wavers—you will crumble. Without faith, we cannot please God nor can we overcome the world. Our salvation, sanctification, and service are all faith based. It is the foundation upon which we stand.)
2. The Fiery Darts of the Wicked – Satan deceives; he defiles; he deters; he divides; he destroys; he is one wicked devil! Satan shoots or hurls his darts. Darts pierce and hurt. Can you imagine standing in front of a dart board? They are not “darts” that can be shrugged off; they are “fiery” in nature and are continual. They are fearsome and devastating in that they can cause great damage if not dealt with. Satan viciously attacks our faith. Not just attacks us through temptation but also attacks our faith in God! Does God love; Does God care; can God help; will God help; will God help; etc?
3. The Quenching of those Fiery Darts - Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Not merely, “ye may.” The shield of faith will certainly intercept, and so “quench, all the fiery darts!” Not stopping them for they will continually come because Satan never gives up. We sometimes give up! But, thank the Lord, God never gives up.)
4. The Wherewith All of Quenching The Fiery Darts - 1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (You can take everything away from a person but, if you cannot remove their faith, they can steadfastly continue. Satan attacks our faith because it is our faith that defeats him.)
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
The Definition of our Faith - Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Faith has Substance and Evidence! “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Our faith is not in what we see or the results of natural phenomena but faith is a trust of the One whom we cannot see to do things that cannot be humanly done in ways that we cannot understand or explain. Faith is just that, FAITH!)
5. The Shield of Faith - Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (Our greatest “shield” is still the Lord. Who cannot be seen protects us from what can be seen. Let us keep our faith solid in Him and Him alone. He will not fail us. I cannot fathom His great love and care for His children: “casting all your care upon him; for he CARETH for you!” Keep your faith in the Lord and you will come out the victor.)
Ephesians 6:16
Introduction:
A. “Above all!” The most important piece of God’s armor is the shield of faith. We need to protect our minds, hearts, and feet as we walk in this world but the one area that will defeat the child of God quicker than any else is that of faltering faith. It brings disappointment, discouragement, and—ultimately—defeat. We can think right, desire right, walk right, and still become a casualty in this spiritual war. Good people, yes even great people get discouraged and quit on God. I am preaching to my family tonight as much as I am preaching to you.
B. “Above all!” Why “above all?” Because Satan is constantly attacking our faith and our faith defines our resolve! If we quit in our minds, we are defeated already. We may continue to go to church and live right but our lives are ineffective because we have no hope.
C. I do not want to give you a homiletically correct sermon tonight; I do not want to give you a beautifully alliterated sermon tonight; I want to give you a sermon that will help both you and me to stay in the battle because our “ranks” have become thinner and there are “gaps” in the lines. God is still looking for a man or woman to stand in the gap and make up the hedge and what a sad commentary when the prophet said that he found none!
D. Let’s look at our text verse and break it down.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
1. The Importance of our Faith – “above all” 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Again, the most important thing that we can do is exercise our faith in God. Our faith is the “glue” that holds everything else together. You can protect your mind, heart, and feet but—if your faith wavers—you will crumble. Without faith, we cannot please God nor can we overcome the world. Our salvation, sanctification, and service are all faith based. It is the foundation upon which we stand.)
2. The Fiery Darts of the Wicked – Satan deceives; he defiles; he deters; he divides; he destroys; he is one wicked devil! Satan shoots or hurls his darts. Darts pierce and hurt. Can you imagine standing in front of a dart board? They are not “darts” that can be shrugged off; they are “fiery” in nature and are continual. They are fearsome and devastating in that they can cause great damage if not dealt with. Satan viciously attacks our faith. Not just attacks us through temptation but also attacks our faith in God! Does God love; Does God care; can God help; will God help; will God help; etc?
3. The Quenching of those Fiery Darts - Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Not merely, “ye may.” The shield of faith will certainly intercept, and so “quench, all the fiery darts!” Not stopping them for they will continually come because Satan never gives up. We sometimes give up! But, thank the Lord, God never gives up.)
4. The Wherewith All of Quenching The Fiery Darts - 1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (You can take everything away from a person but, if you cannot remove their faith, they can steadfastly continue. Satan attacks our faith because it is our faith that defeats him.)
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
The Definition of our Faith - Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Faith has Substance and Evidence! “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Our faith is not in what we see or the results of natural phenomena but faith is a trust of the One whom we cannot see to do things that cannot be humanly done in ways that we cannot understand or explain. Faith is just that, FAITH!)
5. The Shield of Faith - Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (Our greatest “shield” is still the Lord. Who cannot be seen protects us from what can be seen. Let us keep our faith solid in Him and Him alone. He will not fail us. I cannot fathom His great love and care for His children: “casting all your care upon him; for he CARETH for you!” Keep your faith in the Lord and you will come out the victor.)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Be Ye Steadfast
Temple Baptist Church - 11-13-2011
1 Corinthians 15:58
Introduction:
A. Chapter 15 deals with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our “gathering together unto him.” One way or the other, we will not be here long! Either by death or by the rapture, we are leaving out of here. “Yesterday,” I was a kid; a little later, a young man raising a family; now, in my 60’s and time is short.
B. The Holy Ghost admonishes the church to be heavenly minded in verse 58 because the real treasures are those that are eternal, not temporal. Everything that we have or hope to have will be left behind. The bible declares that we came into this world naked and we will leave it the same way. The Corinthian Church was a carnal (fleshly) church and spent both their time and resources upon their natural, temporal desires. The “therefore” ties this verse to the preceding verses and is a summation or conclusion. His plea is based upon our blessed position in the body of Christ and hope of His soon return in the rapture of the church.
C. “My” denotes ownership. “Beloved” denotes our dearness to both the Apostle and our Saviour. “Brethren” denotes a family relationship which is important because our dependence is not only upon the Saviour but also upon each other!
1. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Steadfastness – deals with the possibility of quitting - Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (People are quitting on every hand. Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, SS teachers, soul winners, church workers, etc. More and more professing Christians are now comfortable at home when the church assembles. They are out of church and, yet, not convicted?)
2. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Immovability – deals with the possibility of being swayed - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (We are in the midst of the “falling away.”)
3. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Abounding – deals with possibility of sitting down instead of serving - 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (The closer to the end of the church age, the more we should labor. Unfortunately, it is just the exact opposite is true. The 75/25 rule has now become the 95/5 rule. 5 percent of the people do all of the work while 95 percent do nothing.)
4. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Knowledge – deals with the understanding that our labor is not in vain - Matthew 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Though we are in the age of “gleaning” or the Days of Noe, God is still in control of the harvest!)
5. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Reward – God will certainly reward us with fullness - 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (full reward) for our labors (Parable of those who labored through the heat of the day for a penny while others entered the fields much later and received the same.)
ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TWO THINGS:
1. It Takes A Real Conversion – 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (The unsaved have nothing to hold them when the storms of this life begin to blow. They will fall away.)
2. It Takes A Real Conviction – 2 Timothy 4:10a For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world! (Too many of God’s people are in love with world and at enmity with God.)
SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN:
1. We Need To Continue In One Accord - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (We have an objective! One of the major travesties of our time is sending our military into hostile environments with no clear objective. You cannot win a war without an objective! We have an objective: to win souls, support missions, and raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.)
2. We Need To Continue In Prayer - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much! William Cowper (1731-1800), an English poet, said: “And Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.” Pray fervently and unceasingly!)
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3. We Need To Continue In Doctrine - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. (God’s Word has always been under attack and that attack has only increased in these last days. We have an anchor that holds fast in an ever changing world! The King James Bible!)
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
4. We Need To Continue In Fellowship - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (The greatest enemy of the local church is division. The enemy within is greater than the enemy from without and Satan knows how to attack the church. Have fervent charity one for the other and be at peace.)
5. We Need To Continue In The Grace of God - Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (Salvation’s Message has changed! As the world gets more “religious,” fewer and fewer people have God’s “common” salvation. We who are saved become the “right wing fundamentalist” and are maligned.)
6. We Need To Continue In Encouragement - Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Hebrews 10:25 commands our assembly with the purpose of exhortation! If you are not here, we cannot encourage you and you cannot encourage us. I have never seen so many families who were once faithful to God’s house sitting at home or our enjoying their weekend instead of being in church.)
7. We Need To Continue In Soul Winning (Both at home and abroad)
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great
8. We Need To Continue In Godliness - Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow! Live right and you will never be sorry.)
Conclusion: Standing in a physical fight is not nearly as difficult as standing in a spiritual one.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Introduction:
A. Chapter 15 deals with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our “gathering together unto him.” One way or the other, we will not be here long! Either by death or by the rapture, we are leaving out of here. “Yesterday,” I was a kid; a little later, a young man raising a family; now, in my 60’s and time is short.
B. The Holy Ghost admonishes the church to be heavenly minded in verse 58 because the real treasures are those that are eternal, not temporal. Everything that we have or hope to have will be left behind. The bible declares that we came into this world naked and we will leave it the same way. The Corinthian Church was a carnal (fleshly) church and spent both their time and resources upon their natural, temporal desires. The “therefore” ties this verse to the preceding verses and is a summation or conclusion. His plea is based upon our blessed position in the body of Christ and hope of His soon return in the rapture of the church.
C. “My” denotes ownership. “Beloved” denotes our dearness to both the Apostle and our Saviour. “Brethren” denotes a family relationship which is important because our dependence is not only upon the Saviour but also upon each other!
1. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Steadfastness – deals with the possibility of quitting - Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (People are quitting on every hand. Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, SS teachers, soul winners, church workers, etc. More and more professing Christians are now comfortable at home when the church assembles. They are out of church and, yet, not convicted?)
2. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Immovability – deals with the possibility of being swayed - 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (We are in the midst of the “falling away.”)
3. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Abounding – deals with possibility of sitting down instead of serving - 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. (The closer to the end of the church age, the more we should labor. Unfortunately, it is just the exact opposite is true. The 75/25 rule has now become the 95/5 rule. 5 percent of the people do all of the work while 95 percent do nothing.)
4. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Knowledge – deals with the understanding that our labor is not in vain - Matthew 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Though we are in the age of “gleaning” or the Days of Noe, God is still in control of the harvest!)
5. In our text verse, we find the admonition of Reward – God will certainly reward us with fullness - 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (full reward) for our labors (Parable of those who labored through the heat of the day for a penny while others entered the fields much later and received the same.)
ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TWO THINGS:
1. It Takes A Real Conversion – 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (The unsaved have nothing to hold them when the storms of this life begin to blow. They will fall away.)
2. It Takes A Real Conviction – 2 Timothy 4:10a For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world! (Too many of God’s people are in love with world and at enmity with God.)
SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN:
1. We Need To Continue In One Accord - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (We have an objective! One of the major travesties of our time is sending our military into hostile environments with no clear objective. You cannot win a war without an objective! We have an objective: to win souls, support missions, and raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.)
2. We Need To Continue In Prayer - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much! William Cowper (1731-1800), an English poet, said: “And Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.” Pray fervently and unceasingly!)
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3. We Need To Continue In Doctrine - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. (God’s Word has always been under attack and that attack has only increased in these last days. We have an anchor that holds fast in an ever changing world! The King James Bible!)
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
4. We Need To Continue In Fellowship - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (The greatest enemy of the local church is division. The enemy within is greater than the enemy from without and Satan knows how to attack the church. Have fervent charity one for the other and be at peace.)
5. We Need To Continue In The Grace of God - Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (Salvation’s Message has changed! As the world gets more “religious,” fewer and fewer people have God’s “common” salvation. We who are saved become the “right wing fundamentalist” and are maligned.)
6. We Need To Continue In Encouragement - Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Hebrews 10:25 commands our assembly with the purpose of exhortation! If you are not here, we cannot encourage you and you cannot encourage us. I have never seen so many families who were once faithful to God’s house sitting at home or our enjoying their weekend instead of being in church.)
7. We Need To Continue In Soul Winning (Both at home and abroad)
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great
8. We Need To Continue In Godliness - Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow! Live right and you will never be sorry.)
Conclusion: Standing in a physical fight is not nearly as difficult as standing in a spiritual one.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Your Feet Shod With The Preparation Of The Gospel Of Peace
Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2011
Ephesians 6:10-15
Introduction:
A. Notice with me the progression of the armor. Our loin girt with truth protects our minds; the breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts; now we come to the protection of our walk. A right mind and heart make for a right walk! The Lord says nor does anything randomly. His word is both progressive and purposed.
B. I am a “tenderfoot” in my old age. I remember, as a little boy, running barefoot over just about anything but, occasionally, I would get a “stone bruise.” Remember those things? They were painful for a long while. I would stub my toes often also. Wearing shoes became a way of life as I became a little older. Oven in my teen years I do not remember going barefoot a lot unless I was walking through the freshly tilled ground of our garden. Now, I cannot walk across the grassy front yard without flinching. Shoes protect our walk.
C. When wearing shoes, I do not have to constantly be looking down to see where my foot will land. I can walk with confidence while looking down the road and see where I am going. So it is with spiritual shoes. With our feet “shod,” we can walk without having to watch our every step and walk safely.
D. I want to look at the “shoes” and the “safety” for a few minutes tonight. If you do not have the right kind of shoes on, you cannot walk safely. Can you imagine a lady wearing “spike heel” shoes while hiking through the mountains? Occasionally, I go to my tool shed in house shoes and still walk like a “tender foot” because house shoe are made to walk in the house. You can be “shod” with the wrong kind of shoes and still get hurt or not be able to walk.
1. The Believer’s Shoes. “the preparation of the gospel of peace” Preparation simply means the foundation or the base upon which we walk. There are three words that I want to look at in relation to the “shoes” of the believer.
a. Preparation – Preparation begins with a mental preparedness:
1) We walk before God - Psalms 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. (Because we are His children, He watches us.)
2) We walk with God - Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Walking with God speaks of fellowship and communion.)
3) We walk for God – Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (We carry the gospel to those who will not come to us and hear it.)
b. Gospel – The gospel is the:
1) Way of God in salvation - 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
2) Power of God unto salvation - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
3) The only hope for both the sinner and this present evil world is the gospel!
c. Peace – The gospel brings to the sinner:
1) Peace with God - Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2) Peace of God - Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
3) Peace of mind - Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
2. The Believer’s Safety. “peace” Having our feet “shod” with the right spiritual “shoes” does several things to protect the believer.
a. They remind us of who we are as we walk. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (Obligation)
b. They direct us as we walk. Psalms 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Purity)
c. They protect us as we walk. 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (Testimony)
Ephesians 6:10-15
Introduction:
A. Notice with me the progression of the armor. Our loin girt with truth protects our minds; the breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts; now we come to the protection of our walk. A right mind and heart make for a right walk! The Lord says nor does anything randomly. His word is both progressive and purposed.
B. I am a “tenderfoot” in my old age. I remember, as a little boy, running barefoot over just about anything but, occasionally, I would get a “stone bruise.” Remember those things? They were painful for a long while. I would stub my toes often also. Wearing shoes became a way of life as I became a little older. Oven in my teen years I do not remember going barefoot a lot unless I was walking through the freshly tilled ground of our garden. Now, I cannot walk across the grassy front yard without flinching. Shoes protect our walk.
C. When wearing shoes, I do not have to constantly be looking down to see where my foot will land. I can walk with confidence while looking down the road and see where I am going. So it is with spiritual shoes. With our feet “shod,” we can walk without having to watch our every step and walk safely.
D. I want to look at the “shoes” and the “safety” for a few minutes tonight. If you do not have the right kind of shoes on, you cannot walk safely. Can you imagine a lady wearing “spike heel” shoes while hiking through the mountains? Occasionally, I go to my tool shed in house shoes and still walk like a “tender foot” because house shoe are made to walk in the house. You can be “shod” with the wrong kind of shoes and still get hurt or not be able to walk.
1. The Believer’s Shoes. “the preparation of the gospel of peace” Preparation simply means the foundation or the base upon which we walk. There are three words that I want to look at in relation to the “shoes” of the believer.
a. Preparation – Preparation begins with a mental preparedness:
1) We walk before God - Psalms 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. (Because we are His children, He watches us.)
2) We walk with God - Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Walking with God speaks of fellowship and communion.)
3) We walk for God – Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (We carry the gospel to those who will not come to us and hear it.)
b. Gospel – The gospel is the:
1) Way of God in salvation - 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
2) Power of God unto salvation - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
3) The only hope for both the sinner and this present evil world is the gospel!
c. Peace – The gospel brings to the sinner:
1) Peace with God - Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2) Peace of God - Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
3) Peace of mind - Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
2. The Believer’s Safety. “peace” Having our feet “shod” with the right spiritual “shoes” does several things to protect the believer.
a. They remind us of who we are as we walk. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (Obligation)
b. They direct us as we walk. Psalms 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Purity)
c. They protect us as we walk. 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (Testimony)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Landmark of Sound Doctrine
Temple Baptist Church - 11-6-2011
1 Timothy 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:13-17
Introduction:
A. As I finish preaching on “landmarks” this morning, I want us to continually realize where we are spiritually, what time it is spiritually, and what is coming spiritually.
1. We live in the midst of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians! It seems that true believers are becoming fewer with each passing day. People who once stood for the things of God are now sitting on the spiritual “sidelines” with little or no interest in the things of God.
2. We live in the midst of the “having a form or godliness” of 2 Timothy 3! The “Christians” of our day place everything above the Lord while they look and love like the world.
3. We live in the midst of the “ear tickling” of 2 Timothy 3-4 where teachers have replaced preachers and the people “love to have it so.”
4. We live in the midst of the “lukewarm” church of Laodicea, in Revelation 2, where the church is physically well fed and spiritually despicable to the Lord.
5. We live in the midst of the “as the manner of some is” of Hebrews 10 where the Lord’s Day and the house of God has taken a “backseat” to the desires of the unfaithful!
B. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are referred to the “Pastoral Epistles.” These books teach us how to pastor a local church. As far as I can discern, Timothy was the possibly the pastor of the church at Ephesus. In 1 Timothy, Paul told Timothy to remain with the charge of maintaining sound doctrine in the church. One of the most important aspects of the work of a pastor is defending the doctrines of the faith within the church.
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
C. Doctrine is simply the truth of the Bible set forth through the teaching or preaching of the local church. Doctrinal truth is the foundation upon which our faith is established. Sound doctrine is right and good for the believer. Sound doctrine is the meat of the word and not the milk! Churches built upon singing or emotions will not withstand the attacks of Satan. It is the grounding of the believer in truth that will hold him fast.
D. Satan attacks sound doctrine in different ways:
1. The device of infiltration. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (Apostates and Clowns instead of preachers who have changed the pulpits to fit the times that we live in.)
Jude 3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (We have had some over the years come to Temple that did not stand where we stand on either the bible or doctrines. I keep my “ear to the ground” at all times in order to protect both this blessed bible that we hold in our hands as well as the doctrines that in encompasses. False brethren, false teachers, etc. are continually invading the local churches.)
2. The device of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (Satan uses people who carry different versions or the using of materials that quote perverted versions. Satan also uses people who are in disagreement with the doctrines being taught by the pastor and spread their discontent to others.)
3. The device of ignorance. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Ignorance can be either a failure by the pastor to teach sound doctrine or the carnality of believers who will not accept sound doctrine.)
E. It is important that we teach sound doctrine.
1. Jesus Christ taught doctrine. Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (29) For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
2. The Apostles taught doctrine. Acts 2:41-42 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
3. Pastors are to teach doctrine. Titus 1:7-11 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
F. Why such emphasis on sound doctrine? 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1. We Are To Teach Sound Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
2. We Are To Continue Steadfastly In Sound Doctrine - 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
3. We Are To Heed Sound Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
4. We Are To Reject False Doctrine - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 John 9-10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
1 Timothy 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:13-17
Introduction:
A. As I finish preaching on “landmarks” this morning, I want us to continually realize where we are spiritually, what time it is spiritually, and what is coming spiritually.
1. We live in the midst of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians! It seems that true believers are becoming fewer with each passing day. People who once stood for the things of God are now sitting on the spiritual “sidelines” with little or no interest in the things of God.
2. We live in the midst of the “having a form or godliness” of 2 Timothy 3! The “Christians” of our day place everything above the Lord while they look and love like the world.
3. We live in the midst of the “ear tickling” of 2 Timothy 3-4 where teachers have replaced preachers and the people “love to have it so.”
4. We live in the midst of the “lukewarm” church of Laodicea, in Revelation 2, where the church is physically well fed and spiritually despicable to the Lord.
5. We live in the midst of the “as the manner of some is” of Hebrews 10 where the Lord’s Day and the house of God has taken a “backseat” to the desires of the unfaithful!
B. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are referred to the “Pastoral Epistles.” These books teach us how to pastor a local church. As far as I can discern, Timothy was the possibly the pastor of the church at Ephesus. In 1 Timothy, Paul told Timothy to remain with the charge of maintaining sound doctrine in the church. One of the most important aspects of the work of a pastor is defending the doctrines of the faith within the church.
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
C. Doctrine is simply the truth of the Bible set forth through the teaching or preaching of the local church. Doctrinal truth is the foundation upon which our faith is established. Sound doctrine is right and good for the believer. Sound doctrine is the meat of the word and not the milk! Churches built upon singing or emotions will not withstand the attacks of Satan. It is the grounding of the believer in truth that will hold him fast.
D. Satan attacks sound doctrine in different ways:
1. The device of infiltration. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (Apostates and Clowns instead of preachers who have changed the pulpits to fit the times that we live in.)
Jude 3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (We have had some over the years come to Temple that did not stand where we stand on either the bible or doctrines. I keep my “ear to the ground” at all times in order to protect both this blessed bible that we hold in our hands as well as the doctrines that in encompasses. False brethren, false teachers, etc. are continually invading the local churches.)
2. The device of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (Satan uses people who carry different versions or the using of materials that quote perverted versions. Satan also uses people who are in disagreement with the doctrines being taught by the pastor and spread their discontent to others.)
3. The device of ignorance. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Ignorance can be either a failure by the pastor to teach sound doctrine or the carnality of believers who will not accept sound doctrine.)
E. It is important that we teach sound doctrine.
1. Jesus Christ taught doctrine. Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: (29) For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
2. The Apostles taught doctrine. Acts 2:41-42 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
3. Pastors are to teach doctrine. Titus 1:7-11 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
F. Why such emphasis on sound doctrine? 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1. We Are To Teach Sound Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
2. We Are To Continue Steadfastly In Sound Doctrine - 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
3. We Are To Heed Sound Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
4. We Are To Reject False Doctrine - Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 John 9-10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Temple 11-2-2011
Ephesians 6:14
Introduction:
A. The first piece of the Christian’s armor was the truth. You will never be a good Christian until you both know and are saturated with the truth! Satan’s first attack upon mankind was to distort the truth to Eve. Truth has been attacked and distorted ever since. Truth girts the loins of the mind.
B. The second piece of the Christian’s armor is the breastplate of righteousness. As the “loins girt” with truth protects the mind, the “breastplate of righteousness” protects the heart. The breastplate is comprised of righteousness! There are three kinds of righteousness found in the bible with two being godly and one ungodly.
1. The ungodly “righteousness” is self-righteousness. In the story of the Publican and the Pharisee, we find the self-righteousness of the religious man contrasted with the contriteness of the sinner. The Publican left justified (or righteous) while the Pharisee prayed thus with himself and left self-righteous.
2. The godly “righteousness” of imputation. When the sinner comes to Christ, God imputes to him or her the righteousness of God. Perfect righteousness brings about positional salvation which is eternal life.
3. The godly “righteousness” of personal righteousness. The child of God living a life that is pleasing to the One who saved him or her. “For to me to live is Christ!”
C. I must note at this time that neither self-righteousness nor personal righteousness can save! Isaiah 64:6 declares that “all our righteousness are as filthy rags” when it comes to salvation. Not matter how righteously we live in this present evil world, we can only be right with God through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ!
D. Secondly, it is a breastplate. The breastplate protects the vital, especially the heart. Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart. As the metal breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteous breastplate protects the inner man or the seat of our affections.
E. When the Bible speaks of the heart, it is not speaking of the organ that pumps your blood, but of the very soul of man wherein lies the seat of his affections. Man was made in the likeness of God when created. Man is a trinity: body, soul, and spirit.
1. The body is world conscious with five senses: hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch. With our bodies, we perceive the world.
2. The soul is self-conscious: it is what we desire and what we desire is what we are. With our soul, we perceive our wants.
3. The spirit is God conscious: it is with the spirit that man seeks after God and worships in His presence. With our souls, we perceive our worship.
F. It is of no wonder that the Bible says to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (issue: going forth or outgoings)
1. The heart controls the body by either suppressing or encouraging its desires.
2. The heart controls the spirit by either turning to God or turning away from God.
G. I want to quickly deal with two areas concerning the heart: 1) Realization 2) Responsibility
1. A Realization concerning the Deceitfulness of the Heart.
a. The Sinfulness of the Heart - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
b. The Secrets of the Heart - Psalms 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
c. The Searching of the Heart - Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2. A Responsibility concerning the Diligence of the Heart.
a. The Diligence of Saturation - Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (God’s word is more necessary than physical nourishment!)
b. The Diligence of Limitation - Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
c. The Diligence of Meditation - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
d. The Diligence of Adoration - Psalms 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Ephesians 6:14
Introduction:
A. The first piece of the Christian’s armor was the truth. You will never be a good Christian until you both know and are saturated with the truth! Satan’s first attack upon mankind was to distort the truth to Eve. Truth has been attacked and distorted ever since. Truth girts the loins of the mind.
B. The second piece of the Christian’s armor is the breastplate of righteousness. As the “loins girt” with truth protects the mind, the “breastplate of righteousness” protects the heart. The breastplate is comprised of righteousness! There are three kinds of righteousness found in the bible with two being godly and one ungodly.
1. The ungodly “righteousness” is self-righteousness. In the story of the Publican and the Pharisee, we find the self-righteousness of the religious man contrasted with the contriteness of the sinner. The Publican left justified (or righteous) while the Pharisee prayed thus with himself and left self-righteous.
2. The godly “righteousness” of imputation. When the sinner comes to Christ, God imputes to him or her the righteousness of God. Perfect righteousness brings about positional salvation which is eternal life.
3. The godly “righteousness” of personal righteousness. The child of God living a life that is pleasing to the One who saved him or her. “For to me to live is Christ!”
C. I must note at this time that neither self-righteousness nor personal righteousness can save! Isaiah 64:6 declares that “all our righteousness are as filthy rags” when it comes to salvation. Not matter how righteously we live in this present evil world, we can only be right with God through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ!
D. Secondly, it is a breastplate. The breastplate protects the vital, especially the heart. Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart. As the metal breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteous breastplate protects the inner man or the seat of our affections.
E. When the Bible speaks of the heart, it is not speaking of the organ that pumps your blood, but of the very soul of man wherein lies the seat of his affections. Man was made in the likeness of God when created. Man is a trinity: body, soul, and spirit.
1. The body is world conscious with five senses: hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch. With our bodies, we perceive the world.
2. The soul is self-conscious: it is what we desire and what we desire is what we are. With our soul, we perceive our wants.
3. The spirit is God conscious: it is with the spirit that man seeks after God and worships in His presence. With our souls, we perceive our worship.
F. It is of no wonder that the Bible says to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (issue: going forth or outgoings)
1. The heart controls the body by either suppressing or encouraging its desires.
2. The heart controls the spirit by either turning to God or turning away from God.
G. I want to quickly deal with two areas concerning the heart: 1) Realization 2) Responsibility
1. A Realization concerning the Deceitfulness of the Heart.
a. The Sinfulness of the Heart - Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
b. The Secrets of the Heart - Psalms 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
c. The Searching of the Heart - Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2. A Responsibility concerning the Diligence of the Heart.
a. The Diligence of Saturation - Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (God’s word is more necessary than physical nourishment!)
b. The Diligence of Limitation - Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
c. The Diligence of Meditation - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
d. The Diligence of Adoration - Psalms 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
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