To The Only Wise God Our Saviour - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 8-31-2016

Jude 25

Introduction:

 

A.  As we continue to look at this last verse of Jude’s doxology, I want to look at the first of 4 things not only ascribed to God but given to God: “Now unto Him … be … glory.” 

 

1.  As a general rule, when we think of giving God glory, we think of the element of praise.  To praise the Lord with our lips is a good thing.  Giving such praise to the Lord should be a daily part of our lives but, in the Book of Psalms, we find that the Sabbath for the Old Testament saint and the Lord’s Day or first day of the week in the New Testament, is a special time of thanksgiving and praise.

 

Psalms 92:1  A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.

 

Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 

2.  When Moses asked to see Jehovah God’s glory, God did not allow him to see the Shekinah glory but placed him in a clift in the rock and covered him with His hand.  But the Lord showed Moses, not what He looked like but rather what He was.

 

Exodus 34:6-8  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.  (8)  And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

 

3.  When Jude speaks of the glory of God, it is true that all that we do in this life should bring glory and honor to His wonderful name.  It is also true that all that we are or can be for God is because of His grace and therefore for His glory. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

B.  God’s glory can be seen in both the good times and the hard times of our lives.  Jude, staying within the context, is speaking of the glory of God in the hard times that the people of God were experiencing.  Though told to earnestly contend, Jude wanted them to know that, if anything was accomplished, it would be to God be the glory, not self. 

 

1.  We are what we are by the grace of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 15:9-10  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  (10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

2.  Lest our contending turn into conceit or pride, we need to remember that all that is done is of God, through God, and to God. 

 

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

3.  All of the Glory belongs to God.

 

Psalms 29:1-2  Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  (2)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 

 

4.  Our crowns will be cast at the feet of the One who is worthy to wear them. 

 

Revelation 4:10-11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  (Four and twenty elders typify both Old Testament—the twelve tribes of Israel—and the New Testament—the twelve apostles.)

 

Revelation 19:12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

 

C.  But Glory is more than just the praise that comes from our lips.  These Thessalonian believers glorified God in their walk with God and in their sufferings for God.  It was much more than just lip service; it was life service.

 

1.  We should glorify God in our Praise - Psalms 22:23  Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

 

2.  We should glorify God in the fires - Isaiah 24:15  Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.

 

3.  We should glorify God in our Deliverance - Psalms 50:15  And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

 

4.  We should glorify God in our walk with Him - 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.

 

5.  We should glorify God in bowing to His will in our lives - John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

 

6.  We should glorify God in our Sicknesses - John 11:3-4  Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.  (4)  When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

 

7.  We should glorify God in our Persecution - 1 Peter 4:14, 16  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified … (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

8.  We should glorify God in our Commitment - 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.

 

9.  We should glorify God in our Contending - Jude 3  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.   (Notice it is contending “for” and not contending “with.”  The tendency is to take the battle for the Bible personally.  It is between them and the Lord!  We are not here to battle the apostate but rather to make sure that we stay with the King James Bible and not be moved.  The right kind of battle fought in the right kind of way!)

Blessed Are The Meek

Temple Baptist Church - 8-28-2016

Matthew 5:5

 

Introduction:  

 

A.  The Beatitudes, conditions or statements of blessedness, in the Christian’s life are often what we call an oxymoron: a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect or to convey a truth.  This morning, I want to look that the Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

 

B.  As we begin, I want to look at a mistake that is too often made: that meekness and weakness are synonymous terms!  In our text for this morning, we find that it is the meek that will inherit the earth.   Never mistake meekness for weakness!  There is an old saying that I often use in reference to my wife.  You that know her well know that she sweeter than sugar, quieter than a mouse, and is lovable to all.  She brings me pride when she is with me. 

 

C.  Let me give you Bible examples that prove that meekness is not weakness.

 

1.  Our Lord Jesus Christ, Almighty God in the flesh, was meek.  Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (He was not weak.)

 

Matthew 21:5  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

 

2.  Moses, the deliverer and leader of Israel, was meek.  Numbers 12:3  (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) (Moses was not weak.)

 

3.  The Apostle Paul, possibily the greatest Christian in the New Testament Era, was meek.  2 Corinthians 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: (Paul was not weak.)     

 

D.  Let me give you Bible examples that prove that meekness is not pacifism.

 

1.  You have an obligation to self-protection as well as the protection of your family and home.  Luke 22:36, 38  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one ... (38) And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. (Verse 36 is a command, not an option.  God’s people have a Biblical command and a moral obligation, let alone a Constitutional right.)

 

2.  You have an obligation to protect your family and home.  Proverbs 17:12  Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.  (God made animals naturally protect their young at the risk of their lives.  I personally have no use for a man who will not protect his family.)

 

3.  You have an obligation to protect your nation.  Psalms 144:1  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

 

 

2 Samuel 17:8  For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

 

E.  Spiritual meekness is not something that comes naturally.  Colossians 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

 

F.  Meekness defined:  mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness - Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.

 

1.  Meekness is being weak to defend one's own opinions, but strong to defend God and His Word;

 

2.  Meekness is being weak to promote self, but strong to promote God and His Way

 

3.  Meekness is being weak toward fulfilling one’s own will, but strong toward doing His Will

 

G.  The blessings of meekness:

 

1.  The Meek are content with God’s Dealings.  Psalm 22:26  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. (Contentment with godliness.)

 

2.  The Meek follow God’s Leading.  Psalm 25:9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

 

3.  The Meek find their Joy in the Lord.  Isaiah 29:19  The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

 

4.  The Meek are Spirit Filled.  Galatians 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

5.  The Meek realize their own Limitations.  Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

 

6.  The Meek are Longsuffering.  2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

 

7.  The Meek are not Brawlers.  Titus 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

 

8.  The Meek are Doers of God’s Word.  James 1:21-22  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able

to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The Church In God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-28-2016

2 Thessalonians 1:1

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I am reversing the order of my preaching today because of the importance of the message that I would normally preach on Sunday night. 

 

1.  The book of 2 Thessalonians is noted for the impending apostasy, chapter 2, that precedes the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the Tribulation Period, also called Jacob’s Trouble. 

 

2.  We that know the Bible understand the times in which we live but still have a tendency to “sleep” as others sleep instead of “watching” as the Lord commanded.

 

B.  2 Thessalonians – A greatly persecuted, poor church that is now getting ready for the attack of wickedness through the impending apostasy or “falling away.”  Paul writes to the Church of Thessalonica to let them know of the hard spiritual times to come. 

 

C.  The local church is of great importance to the children of God.  In our day of minimizing the importance of the local church by the worldly religionists, God does just the opposite.

 

Hebrews 10:25  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.  (And so much the more instead of so much less!  Though we know this verse, quote this verse, and understand this verse—the “as the manner of some is” crowd continues to grow.)

 

D.  Good families with precious children fail to see their spiritual condition decline and the price for that decline will be great one day.  Church attendance, to so many, has become a matter of preference instead of conviction and obedience to the Bible. 

 

E.  1 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles written to young pastors setting the parameters for the Biblical operation of the local church.

 

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. 

 

F.  In this verse, we find the importance of God’s Word in the local church.  I know that I preach much on the subject but, if you noticed, God not only magnified His Word above all His name, He continually elevates the Word of God and shows its importance in light of the apostasy that is to come.

 

1.  The Word of God is our Foundation upon which our faith stands.  We must realize that the Bible is right and stand firm upon it.

 

2.  The Word of God is the Measuring Stick upon which all things are measured.  If the Bible says that something is right, it is and remains right.  If the Bible says something is wrong, it is and remains wrong.

 

3.  The Word of God is our Anchor in the Shifting Sands of Human Theology.  Everything spiritually, morally, socially, and otherwise is a condition of entropy, a gradual decline from order to disorder.  Everything is a closed system tends to decay and so goes the theology of the world.  The song writer had it right when he said, “Change and decay in all around I see.”

 

4.  The Word of God is the Glue that brings Unity to the local church.  The liberals and apostates bring division and confusion.  It is the unchanging Truth that holds the local church together and brings unity and peace.

 

G.  Six times Paul mentions the “church of God” and twice, both times are in first and Second Thessalonians, he uses the words “church in God.”  I know that this difference may or may not mean anything to many but I believe that every word of the Bible is important and has significance.

 

1.  “Of God” means that God has built that church!  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.  (This is the true child of God that, though he is not perfected now, remains positionally saved for ever and will one day be presented to Christ without spot nor blemish.)

 

2. “In God” means that the church that God built has remained in God!  1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.  (This is a church that, though the people are not perfect, still remains consistent with the Bible.)

 

H.  Now, let’s look at the relationship between the local church and the Bible.

 

1.  The Local Church is the Ground of the Truth.  The local church’s foundation is the Bible and the Bible alone!  It matters not what man says about the Bible; it only matters what the Bible says about man.

 

2.  The Local Church is the Pillar of the Truth.  The local church not only is held up by the Bible, it is to uphold the Bible.  Pulpits across this land are changing their preaching.  Too often, the change is not found in the messages that they preach but in what they will no longer preach.

 

3.  The Local Church’s wall is the Parameters of the Truth.  The local church must maintain strict adherence to the Old Paths and carefully reject the modern worldliness of so-called churches.  Our positions cannot change; they must not change.  These are walls of safety for God’s people.  The walls must not be either missing or moving.

 

4.  The Local Church’s roof is the Protection of the Truth.  The local church not only stands for or protects the Truth, but is also protected by the Truth.  As the roof on our homes protects us from the elements of nature, so also the Bible protects us from the storms of life.  It is our refuge in times of trouble.

 

I.  Two things that Paul will encourage the Thessalonians about:

 

1.  Do not be a part of the Falling Away – Jude dealt with this in verses 23-24.

 

a.  Stand fast in the Faith.  1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

b.  Stand fast in Liberty.  Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

c.  Stand fast in One Spirit.  Philippians 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

d.  Stand fast in the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 3:8  For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

 

e.  Stand fast in the Old Paths.  2 Thessalonians 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

 

f.  Stand fast in Persecution.  Ephesians 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

2.  Do not let the Falling Away be a part of the Local Church.  Liberals will try to infiltrate and then their opinion will be made known.  There is a good “rule of thumb” on this subject:  liberals infiltrate, Bible believers separate!  Confusion and Division will be the result and the church will be hurt or destroyed.

 

a.  If there is a “church of God,” then there has to be a “church not of God!” 

 

1.  Churches who no longer adhere to the Old Paths of Scriptural purity are not “of God!”  I make no apology for that statement.  No Bible, no church.  No adherence to the Bible, no church.  No uncompromised preaching, no church.

 

2.  If the church is made up of people, then there are people who no longer stand for inerrancy and infallibility of the truth.  As a general rule, these are people who have “fallen away.”  Most of them have known Truth but now, for whatever reason, deny it.  These people will cause confusion and division within the local church.  They will make their unbelief in inerrancy and infallibility known.  These people MUST be kept out of the local church.  The “whatever reason” is normally that they went to some liberal church, liberal school, of hobnob with some liberal theologian.  It is learned behavior because the Bible only speaks of inerrancy and infallibility!

 

3.  Horatius Bonar—Scottish churchman and song writer—said, “I looked for the church and I found it in the world; I looked for the world and I found it in the church.” (December 19, 1808 - July 31,1889)

 

4.  The “church of God” must keep the “church not of God” out of the “church of God.”

To The Only Wise God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2016

Jude 23-24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we finish up the Book of Jude, the Holy Spirit calls our attention to the wisdom of God our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

 

1.  Sinful man always tries to figure God out or to exalt man’s wisdom over the wisdom of God.  They go about to establish their own righteousness instead of submitting to the righteousness of God. 

 

2.  Sinful man tries to reason out the Scriptures instead of simply believing the Scriptures.  The Holy Ghost draws our attention back to God in this last verse because God does not have wisdom; God is Wisdom.

 

3.  God once delivered the faith to the saints and gave grace to keep it.  We have been born for such a time as this and are privileged to be chosen to withstand and having done all, to stand in these last days.  To the only wise God who, in His wisdom, gave us His Word once!  It must be received, believed, protected, published. And shared 

 

4.  God has been and will always be victorious in all things.  He will be victorious in these end times also.

 

B.  Many have questioned the wisdom of God and blamed Him for sin to start with. 

 

1.  I have been asked, “If God did not want man to sin, why did He place the temptation to sin in the Garden of Eden?” 

 

2.  This has led to the statement, “If God is omniscient and knows the end from the beginning, then He knew that man would sin and a Sacrifice would have to be offered.  Therefore, God is responsible for sin entering into the world.”

 

C.  This leads us to the message for tonight. 

 

1.  To just use a trite saying, “Leave God’s ‘toys’ to God,” does not get the job done. 

 

2.  God is absolutely sovereign and can do anything that He wants.  This is true but the Bible also declares that is good, loving, kind, and compassionate as well as holy, righteous, and just.  Therefore, God cannot sin nor can He be tempted with sin and neither can God do any wrong. 

 

3.  I am not going to try to explain this away without giving a good reason for it.  God could have chosen not to place the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil out of the garden and Adam and Eve would have lived forever in a state of innocence. 

 

4.  Now for a little “Johnstonology” at this point because this is what I think made God to choose between leaving man in innocence or having him to come to God by faith unto salvation.

 

5.  If God had chosen innocence over salvation, Adam and Eve would have never know the wonderful Lord and Saviour that you and I know tonight! 

 

D.  I am sure that some theologians could add to this message and are welcome to do so as long as they send me their copy.  Wisdom will not die with me!  Here are some things that I want us to look at for a few minutes.

 

1.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve would have never known the love of Calvary or the longsuffering of God with sinners. 

 

2.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve would have never known the peace that comes through sins forgiven and the righteousness of God imputed. 

 

3.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve have known the intercession of our High Priest when fail or the advocacy of our Advocate who not only forgives but also stands on our side. 

 

4.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve and though they walked with the Voice of God in the garden, they would have never known the joy of walking with the Son of God in His fullness. 

 

5.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve and though they lived in a peaceful garden, they would have never known the peach of God as He calms the waves and stills the storm in your soul. 

 

6.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve and though they would have lived in a perfect garden, they would have never known the wonder of the Earth restored and the New Jerusalem to live. 

 

7.  Had there been no such tree as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve and though they would have had the Tree of Life at the center of the garden, they would have never known Jesus Christ as the center of heaven in a Utopia that could have only been dreamed of.

 

Conclusion: 

 

1.  Now, let me tie this quickly back to our context.  God gives man both the ability and the responsibility to choose and to choose right. 

 

2.  In Jude, we find the choice of the apostate to reject the Word of God as the authority and base their authority in what man says about the Bible.  God gives believers their choice of either contending or not contending. 

 

3.  In the wisdom of God, God wanted us to choose Him, not Him just choose us!  God wanted us to love Him for all that He is and ever will be!  “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Praying for Grace for Others

Temple Baptist Church - 8-21-2016

1 Thessalonians 5:28

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Paul ends 1 Thessalonians in his normal manner.  He signed every epistle virtually the same.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:17-18   The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.  (18)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

B.  Fourteen times in fourteen epistles, Paul mentioned the grace of God to those who suffered or would soon suffer.  By the end of the Apostolic Period, every church was paying a high price for their confession of Jesus Christ as Lord.  In each instance of writing to these precious people, he reminded them of the abounding, manifold, ever present, and all sufficient grace that only God can give.

 

C.  I told a man yesterday that, when you think that you have it bad, just look around you and it won’t take you long to realize just how blessed that you are.

 

D.  These Thessalonians were in a deep trial of affliction and deep poverty according to Paul’s writing to the Corinthians.  In Paul’s second epistles to the Thessalonians, we will see the spiritual conditions that they contended with along with the physical persecutions that they endured.

 

E.  I believe that we need to not only pray for the deliverance of those in trouble but also pray for the grace of God to be manifested in them.  As a pastor, I cannot always alleviate your problems.  I wish that I could.  I wish that I could remove your sickness, your suffering, and your sorrow.  I think God that where I cannot go, He can go; what I cannot do, He can do; what I cannot comfort, He can comfort.

 

F.  Paul understood these things and, therefore, 14 times in 14 epistles, he spoke of the grace of God that would keep and protect the church and God’s men.  Paul has been called the Apostle of Grace.  I am not going to take the time to look at everything that Paul had to deal with in the Pauline or Church Epistles but here are a few.

 

1.  In Romans, the Church battled persecution beyond measure.

2.  In 1 Corinthians, the Church battled carnality, division, and sinfulness.

3.  In 2 Corinthians, the Church battled un-forgiveness.

4.  In Galatians, the Church battled infiltration and apostasy.

5.  In Ephesians, the Church battled idolatry and sensuality.

6.  In Philippians, the Church battled dwindling finances.

7.  In Colossians, the Church battled worldly philosophy.

8. In 1 Thessalonians, Church battled affliction and apathy.

9.  In 2 Thessalonians, Church battled apostasy.

10.  In 1 Timothy, the Church battled misbehavior within the Church.

11.  In 2 Timothy, the Church battled an ear tickling Church.

12.  In Titus, the Church battled the circumcision.

13.  In Philemon, Paul reconciled a run-away slave to his master.

14.  In Hebrews, Paul battled transitioning the Jewish believers.

 

1.  When Paul could not be with them, God’s grace would be there.  1 Corinthians 1:4  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

 

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:

 

2.  When Paul could not be with them, God’s peace would be there.  Psalms 29:11  The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

3.  When Paul could not be with them, God would remain faithful to them.  Revelation 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

 

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.

 

4.  When Paul could not be with them, God’s Spirit would still live within them.  1 Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

 

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

 

5.  Because, when Paul could not be with, the God who loved them would always be there.  Psalms 27:10  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

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.

Blessed Are They That Mourn

Temple Baptist Church - 8-21-2016

Matthew 5:4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Beatitudes: a condition or statement of blessedness. 

 

1.  Once again, blessed is not necessarily happiness.  Happiness is based upon “happenings” or circumstances; blessed is in spite of circumstances.  If you think that everything is going to work out and life will be easy, you will not last long emotionally or spiritually.

 

2.  Blessed and mourn in the same “mouthful” would constitute an oxymoron: a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect.  We use such phrases as “black and white” or “night and day.” It is important to understand the Biblical perspective of the two.

 

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4  It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.  (3)  Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.  (4)  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

 

B.  One pastor called sorrow and suffering the “Classroom of Life.”  The Bible is a very honest Book.  It does not “paint” the Christian’s life as a “bed of roses.”

 

1.  The Book of Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible.  Job’s commentary on life is found in chapter 14.  Job 14:1-2  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  (2)  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

 

2.  In the Book of Genesis, Jacob’s commentary on life is found in chapter 47.  Genesis 47:8-9  And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?  (9)  And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years

0of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

 

3.  Psalms 90:9-10  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.  (10)  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

 

4.  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.

 

C.  The promise of sorrow is that, for the most part, it will come to an end and there will be joy to follow.

 

John 16:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

 

Psalm 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

D.  The promise of comfort: “for they shall be comforted.”

 

1. We find comfort in our Heavenly Father - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  (As the sons of God, we have a heavenly Father who loves us and cares about all of our cares.)

 

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:  (Not just peace but PERFECT PEACE!)

 

2. We find comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ - Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

3. We find comfort in the Comforter - John 14:15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 

Acts 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

 

4. We find comfort in the Bible - Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

5. We find comfort in God’s men - 2 Corinthians 7:5-6  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.  (6)  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;  (Have you ever noticed who much better things seem when God’s man comes?  Not that he can change the situation but it just seems to be better when he is there.)

 

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;  (2)  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

 

6. We are comforted by the church 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

 

Romans 1:12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

 

Romans 12:15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

 

Galatians 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 

7. We are comforted by hope - Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  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.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.