The Value of Patiently Waiting for Jesus

Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2015

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Introduction:

A.  As we close out the first chapter of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, we find a church that was fully engaged in the work of the gospel.

1.  They followed the Apostle Paul’s example (1:5) and teachings (1:5-6).  They were confident concerning the men of God who led them to Christ.  They were confident in the Word of God that powerfully worked in their lives and wrought a great change.

2.  They were ensamples (1:7, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5) of suffering coupled with joy, poverty coupled with liberality, giving themselves to the Lord first and then to the missionary.

3.  They were burdened for the souls of men (1:8), both in their “Jerusalem” and the “uttermost part” of the world.

4.  They were a living testimony of the saving grace of God before the people of Thessalonica (1:9).

B.  They were dedicated to the Lord and busy in the work of the gospel.  They were “turned to serve,” not sit!  God saves His people to work and uses them to carry the burden of the work of the gospel because “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

C.  Now, I want us to notice the important word “and” in verse 10.  It is a conjunction that shows the equality of the joined phrases.  It is vital that we know that we are saved to work but it is just as important to know that we are saved to wait!  The church at Thessalonica understood the necessary balance of these two aspects of the Christian life.

D.  I want to look at the value of waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.  We live in the last days: days that show us the eminence of His coming.  Jesus Christ could come today but, unfortunately, as the Israel slept when He came the first time—the church sleeps today.

E.  I wonder how many of us either prayed “Even so come, Lord Jesus” or looked up to heaven this morning and asked the question, “Will this be the day our Lord returns?”  I would probably be safe is saying that very few saved people ever do that.  We work but we do not wait!

F.  It is of the utmost importance to us spiritually and also to the world that we expectantly wait for the Lord’s return.  What does waiting do for God’s children?

1.  Waiting on Jesus Christ causes the believer to keep his priorities right.  1 John 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2.  Waiting on Jesus Christ causes the believer to have comfort in loss.  1 Thessalonians 4:17-18  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

3.  Waiting on Jesus Christ teaches the believer patience in tribulation.  James 5:7-8  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.  Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

4.  Waiting on Jesus Christ brings about a burden for the lost.  2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

5.  Waiting on Jesus Christ produces self-judgment in sinfulness.  1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

6.  Waiting on Jesus Christ keeps a peace of heart.  John 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

7.  Waiting on Jesus Christ keeps the believer in love with God.  Jude 21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

8.  Waiting on Jesus Christ will renew the strength of the believer.  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

9.  Waiting on Jesus Christ will keep expectancy and excitement in the heart of the believer.  Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (A new body, new heaven and earth, and the New Jerusalem.)

1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (The older we get; the more problems that we endure; the more we long for home!) 

The Message

Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2015

Matthew 3:1-3; 21:23-46

Introduction:

A.  Over the past few weeks, we have been taking a biblical look at one of the greatest men every born of woman, John the Baptist, the fore runner of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1.  We looked at John, God’s messenger.

2.  We looked at John, the man.

3.  This morning, I want to look at The Message.

B.  As with any First Mention, God will never change His mind on the subject so the message of Christ MUST never change!  In verse 3, we find the two points to the message that John preached:

1.  The Way of the Lord.

2.  Make His paths straight.

C.  In Matthew 21:32, our Lord Jesus indicted the Pharisees with these words: “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

1.  The message: “the way of righteousness.”

2.  The choice: “Ye believed him not.”

3.  The indictment: “when ye had seen it … repented not … that ye might believe.”

D.  John the Baptist’s message actually had two points and they were not even alliterated!  His message was Repent and Behold!  In the First Mention Principle, we find the same message.

Genesis 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.  (1.  Repent – “doest well” vs. “doest not well.”  2.  Behold – “well” was to bring the right sacrifice which was an atonement that looked forward to the Lamb of God at Calvary.)

E.  God’s message preached by John the Baptist was called the “way of righteousness” and it has never changed!

Acts 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

1.  Repent - Matthew 3:1-2  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  (2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  (The argument has raged over the past few decades over repentance.

a.  Is repentance necessary for salvation?  Yes!  Jesus said, in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  No repentance, no salvation!

b.  Is repentance a work?  No!  Therefore, biblical repentance is not the sinner quitting sin because that would constitute works being necessary for salvation.  If repentance was quitting sin, then it would be a good work because it would be something that you did.  Salvation is an act of God, not man.

c.  What is biblical repentance? 

1)  Repentance is not quitting anything.  Repentance is a change of heart and mind that always results in a changed life.  It is a realization of what and who you are coupled with a knowledge of personal helpless in relation to salvation. 

2)  In Hebrews 6:1, Paul speaks of “repentance from dead works.”  A person will never be saved as long as he/she is trying to be saved.  Sinners are bankrupt or destitute of personal righteousness for salvation.    “Dead works” cannot save! 

3)  Repentance calls for an acknowledging of the truth.  (2 Timothy 2:25)Knowing that the Word of God is right so that hearing can be done in faith.

4)  Repentance is also a turning to God for salvation.  Acts 20:21 says, “Repentance toward God.”  That show a turning from the world to God since they are “polar opposites.”  Once again, lest anyone not understand, repentance is not a work but a condition of belief toward God.  When a sinner realizes that he/she is a sinner, repentance is a change of direction as they turn to God. 

5)  The Bible calls true repentance “godly sorrow” not to be repented of.  (2 Corinthians 7:10) Once you repent, you will never change your mind!  You do not repent, be saved, change your mind and sin, be lost again, repent, and be saved again.

2.  Behold - John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

a.  One cannot turn to God in repentance until that believe that He is!

1)  He is the one and only God!  Isaiah 44:6  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

2)  He is the only Way to heaven.  John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3)  His finished work—His death, burial, and bodily resurrection—called the gospel, is full, free, and the final payment for the sin of the world.  Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

4)  He will eternally save all who come to Him by faith.  Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Conclusion:  John’s message is the same message that Bible preachers preach today!  It not only is the only way to heaven, it is still the only thing that will get you there.

Ensamples

Temple Baptist Church - 5-24-2015

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Introduction:

A.  We have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks looking at the beginnings of a great church. 

1.  The church at Thessalonica started in the fires of persecution but these new believers were willing to pay the price of existence.  Satan, under the power of Rome, did his best to stamp the life out of the church but failed! 

2.  This a tribute to the caliber of believers found in the church.  In our day, you find few older believers willing to stand for right and the things of the Lord.  These in Thessalonica were babes in Christ!  Though they were young in the Lord, they had a heart for God and a desire to follow the truth of God’s word.

3.  They also had a passion for souls because they knew where they came from, what God had done for the and in them, and what they had been saved from (hell) and what they had been saved to (heaven).

B.  Ensample is a pattern to be exemplified or followed.  As a norm, the elder sets the example for the younger to follow but here the role is reversed which paints a picture of this great church.

1.  They were an ensample in faith.  Vs 3  Their eyes were neither upon their affliction nor their poverty.  Their eyes were on the Lord.  This may seem simplistic but they just believed God!  Great churches follow God’s Word and God’s will.

2.  They were an ensample in love.  Vs 3.  Their labor was not out of necessity alone.  They labored (which means worked hard) because they loved the Lord, loved each other, loved God’s Word, and loved the souls of men.

3.  They were an ensample in endurance.  Vs 3.  “Patience of hope” shows their durability in the face of adversity.  They faced troubles, they fought troubles, and they existed in spite of troubles.

4.  They were an ensample in unity and fellowship.  Vs 4.  They were beloved brethren.  Churches should be family!  We are more than just believer, we are a family along with believers everywhere.  The greatest enemy of the local church is division.

5.  They were an ensample in doctrinal purity.  Vs 5.  They received the Word of God as it was; they stood with the Word of God; they stood for the Word of God.  They heard, they believed, they heeded, and they shared it.

6.  They were an ensample in obedience to leadership.  Vs 6.  They followed God’s men and God’s men followed Christ.  God gave them under shepherds or pastors to lead, guide, feed, comfort, and love the flock of God.  They loved each other and they loved the men of God given to them.

7.  They were an ensample in missions.  Vs 8.  God’s Word not only sounded out from their pulpits, it also sounded out and was heard around the world.  To whom much is give, much is required.  They were glad for their salvation and tried to win others to Christ.

8.  They were an ensample in changed lives.  Vs 9.  They turned from idols to God.  Turned shows the repentance in their hearts as they gave up the world for their Lord.  A salvation that does not work is one that will not save!

9.  They were an ensample in priority.  Vs 10.  They traded the temporal (the things that they could not keep) for the eternal (the things that they could not lose).

Memorial Day – 2015

Temple Baptist Church - 5-24-2015

2 Samuel 1:17-27

Introduction: 

A.  First of all, I want to recognize all of our church members who served in the Armed Forces with their branch of service.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to both this nation and my family.

B.  Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  I like to recognize our service men and women but tomorrow is not about us.  It is a day set aside to remember our war dead.  Each one of you who served in our armed forces gave some but those we recognize and remember tomorrow gave all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971. On this day we need to pause and thank God for the men and the women who served our Armed Forces to bring Liberty and Justice for all to our country. May we truly pause and remember their sacrifice, their service, and their blood.

C.  In all of the American wars, either by our country or within our country, over 45,000,00 men and women have served in wartime with app. 1,200,000+ war dead and over 1,500,000 wounded in action.  That is a tremendous number of young lives that have been given and forever changed while affording us the freedom that we now enjoy.

D.  Freedom is a privilege, not a right!  There are many in this country that enjoys the freedoms while misusing them.  We do not have the freedom to do wrong in this land.  We do not have the freedom to live here and defame this land.  America has had some sordidness in its history and still is not a perfect land, but it is my country and I say, “Love it or leave it.”

E.  War is not something that any sane man or woman wants, but war is sometimes a necessity.  Men who will not fight will not remain free.  Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death!”  It is the cry of the patriot!  It is the prerequisite for freedom!  New Hampshire’s moto is “Live free or die!”  In order to live free, men must sometimes die.  The question has been asked, “Why cannot men live in peace?”  I certainly wish that they would or could but peace is not an option that they choose.

F.  I want to look at the subject of “War” as found in the Scriptures for a while this morning.  God has much to say on the subject of war, both physical and spiritual.  And, by the way, there are causalities in both kinds of war.  Men and women have died to give us our Bible as well as our country.  Men and women have died in order to give us religious liberty.  Our spiritual heritage has been paid for by the blood of Christ and the blood of believers through the ages.

G.  I want to key in on our spiritual warfare as we are all called to be soldiers for Christ.  King David was a man after God’s own heart and was a man of war!  Because war is a reality and the Bible says that the Lord is a “man of war.”  In our text, we find David lamenting the death of Saul and Jonathan.  Why?  Because losses in war are a reality!

1.  We must war with the right Armor – Ephesians 6:10-11  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (Spiritual, not physical.  Armored with the Word of God, salvation, faith!)

2.  We must war with the right Attitude – 2 Corinthians 1:8-10  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:  (9)  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  (10)  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.  (A willingness to die in order to be free.  New Hampshire’s slogan is “Live Free or Die!”  There are some things worth living for and some worth dying for.  Going into battle is as much mental as it is physical.)

Philippians 2:5-8  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

3.  We must war with the right Action – Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (You pick your battles!  God soldiers are good strategists!  Choose the high ground!  Take the battle to Satan!  The best defense is a good offense!)

4.  We must understand that there is Attrition in War – Hebrews 12:1-3  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (3)  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  (It can and will wear on you.  You are either a combatant or a causality!  Satan never gives up and quits.  He is a lot like ISIL.  You cannot reason with him; you cannot negotiate with him because he wants to destroy you, not compromise with you.)

5.  We must have Anticipation in the right outcome of War – Romans 8:36-37  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  (37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (Always remember that the battle is the Lord’s!  The final victory is assured!  We are conquerors.  We are overcomers.  We are victors.  We are not in our spiritual warfare to either lose or draw.  Good losers are just that: losers!)

Daniel 3:16-17  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  (17)  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

John The Baptist - The Voice Of One Crying In The Wilderness - God’s Man Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 5-17-2015

Matthew 11:1-15

Introduction:

A.  Over the past few weeks, we have been taking a biblical look at one of the greatest men every born of woman, John the Baptist, the fore runner of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

B.  John was God’s Messenger.

1.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness.  Notice the importance of one!  What a difference that one can make.

2.  In a land of spiritual darkness, the voices of God’s men had fallen in silence.  In a land where few remained faithful to the promise of God concerning the “seed of the woman,” the Messiah! 

3.  In a land where biblical salvation had apostatized into the self-righteousness of the Pharisees and Sadducees!

C.  Then we took a look at John as God’s Man.  Most churches of our day have no biblical knowledge of just what a God called preacher should be.  What things did not make John great in the sight of the Lord.

1.  John was not charismatic.   Compelling, magnetic, fascinating, captivating, appealing.  John drew no attention to himself.  He pointed men to the Lamb of God!  John was God’s man!

2.  John was not social.  He was not there to please men.  John pleased God!

3.  John was not elegant.  Stylish, chic, well dressed.  He did not impress men but he did impress God!  God called him great.

4.  John was not well to do financially.  John could not be bought!  He was fed in the wilderness by his God and was satisfied with what he was given.

5.  John was not a compromiser.  God’s Word was just that, God’s Word, and was not to be compromised!  John was true to the message.

D.  What Did Make John Great In The Sight Of The Lord

1.  John was a Chosen Man - John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (To be commissioned for a special task or mission.  John answered the call of God to be unpopular and rejected in this world as he preached God’s Word.  The Bible says that many are called but few are chosen.  Some would have you to believe that John had no choice about serving God but he did.  John was no “robot” who had no desires.  John was God’s man because John belonged to God by choice.)

2.  John was a Clean Man - Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (As the leper was the living symbol of sin, so was the Nazarite of holiness.  I do not know for sure that John was a Nazarite but he lived the separated life of one.  His life was one that could not be rebuked.  John lived for God!)

3.  John was a Consumed Man - John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (Before John could shine for God, first, he had to burn for God. He was willing to put all his energy into the work of God.  Burning speaks of his desire and effort.  His energy was not just potential, it was kinetic!  Energy in action.  So many people are wasted potential but John was not one of them.  He was consumed with his calling.)

4.  John was a Contented Man - John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (John had no earthly aspirations.  He was a simple man who sold out to God and His will.  He wanted no honors; he wanted no wealth; he wanted no fame; he cared nothing about being called “Rabbi, Rabbi” or “Doctor, Doctor.”  His only desire was to decrease and his Lord increase.)

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

5.  John was a Courageous Man - Matthew 3:7-8  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  (John was not politically correct in his preaching.  In our day, people become offended when God’s men point their spiritual “finger” under the noses of lost preachers.  John feared not what men could do to him.  John feared God!)

Matthew 11:7  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?  (John did not shake!)

Mark 6:17-18  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.  (18)  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.  (John lost his head, not his integrity!)

6.  John was a Candid Man - Matthew 3:10-12  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.  (John was what we would call a “blunt” or “outspoken” man.  John was not afraid to preach the truth of God’s Word to the unsaved.  He did not mince words nor did he “skirt around” spiritual truth.  He preached God’s Word as it was to men as they were.  When John got through preaching, people knew where they stood with God.)

Matthew 21:32  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

7.  John was a Committed Man - John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  (He had been send to bear witness of the true light, Jesus Christ, and that is exactly what he did. It is one thing to be called to preach and another to accept it with commitment.)