Brethren, Pray For Us

Temple Baptist Church - 7-31-2016

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Introduction:

A.  Here, we find a direct reference to praying for God’s man. 

1.  Every one of us is important and we are continually under satanic attack.  Satan would love nothing more than to see any one of you get out of the will of God and commit sin or become apathetic and unfaithful. 

2.  You can look around you tonight and see the empty places that were once filled.  These people were once a part of us and helped to win souls and support missions.

B.  Tonight, I want to take a look at God’s men and the importance of praying for them.  Pastors, evangelists, missionaries!

Zechariah 13:7  Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Mark 14:27  And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

C.  Because of the importance of these positions (this does not mean that these men are more important than you), Satan concentrates upon pastors, evangelists, and missionaries.  If Satan can defile or discourage these men, our churches will become ineffective in the work of the ministry and the weaker brethren will begin to fall to the wayside.

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;

D.  I want to look at this next verses closely:

Romans 15:30-32  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;  (31)  That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;  (32)  That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

1.  Pray for their Protection – Romans 15:31a “That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea;”

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men:for all men have not faith.

2.   Pray for their Work – Romans 15:31b “and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptedof the saints;”

3.  Pray for their Spiritual Well-being – Romans 15:31c “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God”

4.  Pray for their Exhortation – Romans 15:31d “and may with you be refreshed.” 

5.  Pray for their Boldness - Ephesians 6:18-19  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

6.  Pray for their Preaching - 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  (2)  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Storms

Temple Baptist Church - 7-31-2016

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction:

A.  We have just read one of the more well-known of our Lord’s miracles as He stills the storm. 

1.  Storms were a common occurrence on the Sea of Galilee and fishermen were well aware of this.  Such storms result from differences in temperatures between the seacoast and the mountains beyond.

2.  The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level. It is bounded by hills, especially on the east side where they reach 2000 feet high. These heights are a source of cool, dry air. In contrast, directly around the sea, the climate is semi-tropical with warm, moist air.

3.  The large difference in height between surrounding land and the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes. This results in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills.

B.  I said that to say this, some of the disciples were fishermen by trade and their fear of this particular storm showed its danger!  They were not “land lovers” like this preacher.

C.  Storms in the Bible are a type of troubles in this life.  Some troubles are small in nature and quickly pass while others, like this one, become quickly perilous.  Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)  We are normally going into trouble, in trouble, or coming out of trouble and—thank the Lord—there is the most of the time of peace.

1.  Songs in our song book were written about storms and trials:  Page 94 - Stand By Me; Page 119 - Till The Storm Passes By; Page 120 - Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me; Page 145 - It Is Well.

2.  Some things that storms do: Storms get our attention; Storms interrupt our plans; Storms show us our weakness; Storms correct our sinfulness; Storms prove our foundation; Storms re-introduce us to our Saviour.

D.  I want to look at our text and quickly pull out some truths that will help us when we encounter troubles in our lives.

1.  The Presence of the Lord – vs 35 “let us”  There are times when it seems that the Lord hides Himself and the heavens seem made of brass but He is always there.

2.  The Promise of the Lord – vs 35 “pass over unto the other side”  God told us our end in this life.  We will all make it and none of his will perish in the crossing.

3.  The People of the Lord – vs 36 “sent the multitude away … they (disciples) … took him (the Lord) … other ships”  All in boats though not all in the “same boat!”  Everyone has a different “boat” in life but the sea is the same and the storms just a violent.

4.  The Province of the Lord – vs 37 “there arose a great storm of wind … the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full”  There are good times in this life and there are hard times.  Storms easily handled and storms from which we try to flee.

5.  The Prayer of the People – vs 38 “they awake him … the say unto him, Master”  They waited until they had done all that they could to bail and chose to call upon the Lord as a last resort.  Sounds a little like us?  Though the physical body of our Lord slept, the divine side of Him never sleeps.

6.  The Perplexity of the People – vs 38 “carest thou not that we perish?”  Why do bad things happen to God’s people?  I do not pretend to have all of the answers and neither do you—so I guess we will just have to leave that in the hands of the One who does care for us.

7.  The Power of the Lord – vs 39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”  With God, all things are possible and nothing is too hard for Him.

8.  The Purpose of the Lord – vs 40 “Why are ye so fearful?  how is it ye have no faith?”  I want my life to glorify the Lord in life or in death.  I know Whom I have believed and I believe that He loves me!

9.  The Person of the Lord – vs 41 “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  His majesty and His mastery!  How often do we forget just Who He is?

10.  The Passing Over of the People – vs 5:1 “And they came over unto the other side of the sea”  God never said that life would be easy or the road smooth.  But, every disciple and all that were in the other boats safely crossed.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Danger Of Falling

Temple Baptist Church - 7-27-2016

Jude 24-25

Introduction: 

A.  Verse 24-25 is what we would in Theology call a Doxology: a usually liturgical (used during public worship) expression of praise to God.  There are several found in the Bible but I want to begin dealing with this one as we conclude our study of Jude.

B.  It is important to break the doxology down and interpret in within its context.

1.  It is found in the context of our common salvation.

2.  It is found in the context of contention for the faith once delivered.

3.  It is found in the context of wicked men who are trying to destroy the faith.

4.  It is found in the context of the impending judgement of God upon these wicked men.

5.  It is found in the context of weaker brethren who will not contend and, therefore, become a part of the problem instead of a part of the solution.

6.  It is found in the context of our attempting to restore the fallen without becoming tarnished by or entangled in their sinfulness.

C.  In our verse, we find the possibility of our falling!  I want to look at some verses that go along with our text.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  (12)  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (Ensamples – instances; Admonition – criticism or warning concerning behavior)

D.  There is a possibility but, thank God, not a probability of our falling.  Also, there is a possibility but, thank God, not a probability of our church falling.  Look at the people who once stood with us that no longer stand.  Look at the churches that once stood for truth that no longer stand.  We must take notice and we must continue to take our spiritual and Biblical temperatures! 

E.  “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling” We must rely upon God to help us to “be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  The responsibility to put the armor on is ours!

1.  The Praise - “unto him”

2.  The Power - “who is able”

3.  The Problem - “from falling”

F.  How do we fall?

1.  We Can Fall By Allowing Our First Love To Grow Cool - Revelation 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhatagainst thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (It is easy to be so busy serving the Lord that we forget to have a relationship with Him.  Not to love Him right is not to love the things of God right!  Sinners, saints, supplication, and service!)

2.  We Can Fall By Allowing Apostates To Feel Welcome In Our Midst -  Revelation 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  (We must continue to judge their unrighteous works and purge them from our fellowship.)

3.  We Can Fall By Allowing Sinfulness and Worldliness To Destroy Our Testimony In The Community - Revelation 2:14-15  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

4.  We Can Fall By Allowing A Spirit Of Ecumenism To Grow Among Our People  - Revelation 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

5.  We Can Fall By Allowing The Deadness Of Formality To Become Our Way Of Worship - Revelation 3:1-2  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

6.  We Can Fall By Allowing Contentedness and Satisfaction To Destroy Our Hunger For Righteousness And Our Passion For Souls - Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Conclusion:  I once read this on the bumper of a car: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”  If we fail to examine ourselves in light of both God’s Word and past history, then we too will fall.  May the Lord help us to remain in the will of the Lord until He comes for His Church!

The Faithfulness Of God

Temple Baptist Church - 7-24-2016

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Introduction:

A.  We have spent a long time preaching through the Book of Thessalonians and I find no better verse to begin ending this study with than verse 24. 

1.  I fear that we get so busy trying to the work of God that we begin to depend upon our flesh to get the work done.  Salvation is the work of God!  Sanctification is the work of God!  Sinners saved is the work of God!  Building the church is the work of God! 

2.  It is not that God does all of this without using us but we need to understand that the arm of flesh will fail but God will not!  God chooses to use us to do His work but let us never forget that it is still His work.  1 Thessalonians 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

B. Based upon God’s faithfulness, we now can trust our future into His loving hands.  Does this mean that we will never have a problem or be disappointed?  No, it means that He will be there with us and for us. 

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I hav e redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  (2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Lamentations 3:22-26  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul thatseeketh him.  26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

When I fall, He lifts me up!

When I fail, He forgives!

When I am weak, He is strong!

When I am lost, He is the way!

When I am afraid, He is my courage!

When I stumble, He steadies me!

When I am hurt, He heals me!

When I am broken, He mends me!

When I am blind, He leads me!

When I am hungry, He feeds me!

When I face trials, He is with me!

When I face persecution, He shields me!

When I face problems, He comforts me!

When I face loss, He provides for me!

When I face Death, He carries me Home!              

                          

C.  Just how much can God be depended upon?  He is everything, for everybody, in every place, in every situation, in every time frame.  He is God and He is faithful!  I am His and He is mine!

1.  He Is Faithful In His Word - Psalms 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me   wrongfully; help thou me.

            a.  His Prophecies will not fail

b.  His Promises will not fail

            c.  His Preservation will not fail

2.  He Is Faithful In His Purposes - Isaiah 25:1  O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy    name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

            a.  His Plan has not changed - salvation by grace

            b.  His Person has not changed – holiness follows true salvation

            c.  His Purpose has not changed – to conform us to His image

3.  He Is Faithful In His Salvation - 2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

a.  In His Confirmation - 1 Corinthians 1:8 - Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

                                                                  

b.  In His Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

4.  He Is Faithful In Protection - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God   commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

5.  He Is Faithful In Answered Prayer - Psalms 143:1  Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

6.  He Is Faithful In His Mercy - Lamentations 3:21-22  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.       

Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us   according to our iniquities.

7.  He Is Faithful In His Chastisement - Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou   in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

a.  Faithful to warn - 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

            b.  Faithful to correct

(1)  Sign of eternal life – 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

(2)  Sign of eternal love - Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

(3)  Sign of eternal sonship - Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8.  He is Faithful In Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What Kind Of Church Would The Lord Look For?

Temple Baptist Church - 7-24-2016

Hebrews 10:25

Introduction: 

A.  In this verse, we find “The Importance of God’s House to God!”  In these last days, the religionists are de-emphasizing the importance of God’s house and attendance and, yet, the Bible re-emphasizes the importance of God’s house and attendance in the light of what is coming!!

Hebrews 10:25 says, “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. 

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

B.  The result of this de-emphasizing show the lack of love that most people have for the local church. 

1.  What you love, you do; what you love, you attend!  To many, the church has become a “minor inconvenience” that basically ruins their entire weekend. 

2.  A place that they feel obligated to attend but look forward to getting out and going home.  A place where a preacher preaches a message that they either do not want to hear or do not want to conform to.

3.  I fear that our church attendance can be of discipline, habit, drudgery, which will make it sporadic!  There are fewer and fewer faithful and more and more unfaithful to church.

C.  There has been a change in the purpose of the church.

1.  The local church was created by God for the assembly of the saints!  The word church means a called out assembly.  It was meant for God’s people, not lost people, to gather for worship, teaching, fellowship, and encouragement.  The local church was to be a holy place.  That is the reason for the Pauline or Church Epistles.  It is not a building; it is not a denomination; it is a gathering of believers.

2.  The local church of our day has become a place of evangelism!  A place to which you invite lost sinners so that they can hear the gospel and be saved.  I thank God for sinners that get saved in the local church, but evangelism is not what the church is for.  Because of this, churches (if they will admit to it or not) have become seeker sensitive in order to make a place of comfort and acceptance for the sinful.  I do not preach heavily on salvation as every one of you profess to be saved and that is as it should be.

D.  There has been a change in the attitude of the church.

1.  The fear of God is, for the most part, gone.  People of the churches no longer hate and separate from sinfulness.  Today’s “god” understands and is not critical of sin; today’s “god” is a “god” who turns both the other cheek and the other way.

2.  The respect for God, for the most part, is gone.  I have often stated that the modern day church has gotten casual with God.  Instead of meeting with God on His terms, people expect God to meet with them on their terms.

E.  Therefore, there needs to be a right attitude toward the local church, our place of worship. 

1.  It should be a focal point of our lives and the lives of our families. 

2.  It should be a place where the people that we love come together to worship the God that we love.

3.  A multitude has come and gone but a nucleus has always remained.

F.  There is a “smorgasbord” of churches in our day: churches of every kind are popping up on every street corner.   There are denominations galore with each teaching a different doctrine, standing for anything while standing for nothing.

G.  God loves the local church and wants us to love it also.  Have you ever thought of what kind of local church the Lord would look for?   If He loves the church, and He does, what kind of a church would He look for?  It does matter to the Lord because He is in the midst!

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

1.  He would look for a Biblically Grounded Church!  I fear that most churches have gone from Bible based to “denominationally” based.  Though I am a fundamental, independent Baptist preacher in a fundamental, independent Baptist Church, I am and will remain a Biblicist first!  Churches can carry the right “tag” but not be Bible based and properly grounded.  It does not matter what the “tag” says unless it lines up with the Bible!  I have heard for years that it does not matter where you go to church as long as you go.  That is satanic, not Biblical!

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

2. He would look for a Christ Glorifying Church!  Praise from the lips and lives of those who know what the Lord did for them.  Knowing where they are now and understanding where they might have been if He had not intervened. 

Psalms 30:10-12  Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.  (11)  Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;  (12)  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 22:3  But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

3.  He would look for a Grateful Church!  I often ask the Lord to help us to keep our hearts and minds stayed upon Him as we leave the world with all of its troubles in the parking lot.  

Psalms 100:3-4  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we arehis people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

4.  He would look for a sacrificially Giving Church!  One of the greatest proofs of our love for God is how we give.  Giving out of a heart of thanksgiving. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-2  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

5.  He would look for a Glad Church!  The Lord loves it when His people are excited, expectant, and encouraged because it is “church day.” 

Psalms 122:1  I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

6.  He would look for a Gathering Church!  He loves it because He is in the midst of it!  I kn0w that I love being in church so I can only imagine how much the Lord loves it.  I believe that churches that gather less and less grieve the Lord because He cannot be in the midst.  Our assembling should be “and so much the more!”

Acts 2:46-47  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.