Peter’s Amen

Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2018

2 Peter 3:18

Introduction:

A.  The book of 2 Peter speaks of the perils and blessings of the end time.

1.  The Peril of False Teachers.

2.  The Peril of Science Falsely So-Called.

3.  The Peril of Wrestling with the Word of God.

4.  The Peril of Falling Away.

B.  It also speaks of the excitement of God’s people.

1.  The Excitement of seeing the Scripture Fulfilled.

2.  The Excitement of having God’s Word in hand.

3.  The Excitement of Spiritual Growth.

4.  The Excitement of Standing in the Old Paths of our Fathers.

C.  2 Peter ends with a short Doxology, or praise.  To God be the glory, Amen!

D.  I want to take a short look at the word Amen tonight. 

1.  Amen is found 78 times in your Bible, if you have the right Bible.  27x in the Old Testament and 51x in the New Testament.  The words Amen, Amen” or “Amen, and Amen” are found 5x in the Old Testament.  There are no instances in the New Testament.

2.  Amen, in the Old Testament, means faithful, trustworthy, or right.  The Hebrew word Amen is transliterated into the English language because we have no such word.

3.  Amen, in the New Testament, means faithful, trustworthy, or right.  The Greek word Amen is also transliterated into the English because there is no such word in English.

4.  The word Verily is found 140x in your Bible.  16x in the Old Testament and 124x in the New Testament.  words “Verily, Verily” are found 25x and all instances are in the New Testament.  Verily means truly.

5.  The word Truly is found 42x in your Bible.  24x in the Old Testament and 18x in the New Testament.  Truly means verily!

E.  The center letters of the Word Testament are “amen.”  Amen comes from a root word that means “so be it” or “let it be so” as we would normally say. 

1.  Amen is both an agreement with God and a godly desire that agrees with what God says. 

2.  Most of the time, Amen is used as an interjection that we say when we agree with something someone has said that agrees with what God has said.

3.  Basically, what we are saying is “Let it be so!”

f.  We use “Amen: to:

1.  To Confirm the Accuracy of our Praise.  An enthusiastic, “That’s right!” Romans 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

2.  To Affirm our Desire in our Praise.  “Let it be so!”  Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

3.  To Enter into Another’s Praise.  “I agree with what you said!”  Nehemiah 8:6  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

g.  Allow me to use “Amen” tonight considering these usages.

1.  I am Enthusiastic about what’s coming.  Esther 4:13-17  Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.  (14)  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (15)  Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,  (16)  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  (17)  So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. 

a.  We live in perilous times.  The world has gone mad because they have rejected God.  No God equals no Purpose in life.  No God equals Humanism or the “god of self.”  People are wicked and the world is whacko!  I do not like it but say “AMEN” to it.

b.  We live in lonesome times.  Very few people remain with the Old Paths of Biblical Purity, Biblical Sanctification, or Biblical Separation.   We that stay with the old ways are maligned as legalists or just plain old fashioned.  I do not like it but I can certainly say “AMEN” to it.

c.  We live in disappointing times.  Everything is upside down: good is bad, bad is good, injustice often trumps justice.  God’s people have learned to “withstand” in the evil day and having done all, “to stand.”  I do not like it but I can certainly say “AMEN” to it.

d.  We live in exciting times.  As we see the fulfillment of Scripture and understand the times, there is a silent cry in our hearts, “Even so come, Lord Jesus!!  It’s just about home time!  I can certainly say “AMEN” to that.

2.  I agree with what is coming.  Revelation 21:1-5  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  (3)  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  (4)  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  (5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

a.  I am tired of this old sinful world.  Change and decay in all around I see.  People who reject God and creation, have the false notion that things are evolving upward.  I have been young and now I am old.  I have seen America at its best and now compart that to its worst and say with conviction that the evolutionists are WRONG!  I am leaving this old world behind.  I can certainly say “AMEN” to that.

b.  I am tired of this old sinful body.  Again, change and decay in all around I see.  Paul asked, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”  My body is corrupt through sin and decaying with age but one day just like today, I will get a new one wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Never tired, never old, never hungry, fit for eternity.  I can certainly say “AMEN” with that.

c.  I long for my long home.  In my Father’s house are many mansions and I have one with my name written on it.  Biltmore wouldn’t make a good “dog house” in heaven.  I can certainly say “AMEN” to that.

3.  I agree when men preach God’s Word in Truth.  2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Church people today look for churches that only preach certain doctrines.  My Bible says to reprove and rebuke with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Then, the ones that are left will be exhorted!) 

Romans 10:14-15  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?  (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!

a.  Give me an old-fashioned salvation.  I do not like these professions of faith that do not change the convert!  I can certainly say “AMEN” to an old fashioned conversion.

b.  Give me an old-fashioned church.  I do not like churches that have gone the way of the world.  I like ones that still reverence God’s House.  I like ones that still have right music.  I can sit on the pews of an old-fashioned church and say “AMEN” to that.

c.  Give me an old-fashioned preacher.  I do not like the modern preachers.  Pretty boys who have little or no conviction in their lives.  I believe that God’s men and their wives should set a proper example before both the flock and the world.  I can certainly say “AMEN” to an old-fashioned preacher.

d.  Give me an old-fashioned Bible.  If you have not noticed, I am King James Bible without apology!  I only let King James Bible men in my pulpit!  I only go to hear King James Bible men preach!  I love the Word of God and it is the King James Bible, not version, in English!  I can certainly say “AMEN” right there.

The Pastor - Your Gift

Temple Baptist Church - 8-26-2018

Ephesians 4:18-16

Introduction:

A.  When the Lord ascended from Abraham’s Bosom, He gave gifts to the church to be used in carrying on the work in His absence.  Verse 11.

1.  These gifts were both passing and permanent as the Old Testament and New Testament met in the days of Christ. 

2.  In the transitional period of the early church, before the completion of inspired scripture (1 Corinthians 13:9-12), certain passing or partial gifts were necessary.  When the canon of scripture was complete, the passing or partial gifts were no longer necessary.

3.  The apostles and prophets (to foretell, not to forth tell) were passing gifts while the evangelist and pastor-teacher were permanent gifts.

B.  Apostles and prophets were gifts to the early church but ceased to exist in the First Century.  Two permanent gifts remain to this day:  the evangelist (missionary) and the pastor-teacher.

1.  These gifts were different in nature and yet merging in their work. 

2.  The evangelist, or missionary – evangelist means to bear good news.  It also comes from a root word that means to pastor.  The evangelist carries the gospel to places where it has never been heard and then does “the work of the pastor” as he becomes the pastor of the church that he starts.

3.  The pastor-teacher – pastor means shepherd.  To oversee both the people and the affairs of the local church.  He is to be an example to the flock, feed the flock, protect the flock, rule over the flock, and guide the flock.  He is also to evangelize or do “the work of an evangelist”.

C.  Many churches no longer desire pastors. 

1.  They want preachers, hirelings, who will “cherry pick” the Bible.  Men who are heavy upon exhortation and light on sanctification.  Men who neither oversee or rule as Deacon Boards and Trustees now have dominion.  Notice that I am saying men, not women as many now have women for pastors and deacons.

2.  Reproving and rebuking are just as much a part of preaching as exhorting but must be done with longsuffering and doctrine.  Because of the sinfulness of our nature and the perfectness of the Word of God, this sharp—two-edged sword must be allowed to do its work in our lives.

D.  I want to look at what Paul said about the pastor-teacher’s ministry.  Vs. 12.  The Work of the Pastor-Teacher.

1.  For the Perfecting of the Saints.  Helping God’s people to grow in the Lord.  “Be no more children.”

2.  For the Work of the Ministry.  To oversee the local church by guiding and protecting, not to become a dictator.

3.  For the Edifying of the Body of Christ.  Educate, enlighten, exhort, and enrich.  To build up, not tear down.

E.  God set forth in our text how all of this is to be done.  Verses 13-16.

1.  It is a continuing work!  “Till” A space of time or to a certain point.  My work will never be done because of the word “all.” 

a.  Because people get saved and need to be taught; because new families come in who have never been taught!  Because our small children grow up and need to be taught!  Repeatedly, we cover the same material.  To refresh and re-enforce the teaching of God’s Word to us older folks lest we forget; to ground the incoming and upcoming in the Word of Truth. 

b.  Too many good pastors step down while they are still in good health and mind.  When they learn how to pastor a church, they turn it over to someone who is still learning.

2.  It is an inclusive work!  “We” As you grow, I grow. 

a.  I do not know it all and continue to make mistakes.  I continue to be enlightened as I study to enlighten you.  You do not know it all and continue to make mistakes.  The Bible corrects us.

b.  God gave me a church with 8 people because I was not an experienced pastor.  As the church grew, I grew.  We all made our mistakes, but we have survived.  The Bible “thoroughly furnishes” us.

3.  It is an equal work!  “All” From the back pew to the front pew, everyone is equally important. 

a.  I understand that not all will grow because not all want to grow.  Some are just slower to grow than others.  When raising our children, we speak of “growing pains.”  People have “growing pains” spiritually.

b.  Spiritual growth requires effort and obedience.  That is why the work of the pastor-teacher is a continuing work.

4.  It is a unifying work!  “Unity” The greatest enemy of the church sits upon its pews. 

a. Division, becoming offended or hurt, are normally caused by small petty things of no eternal value.  Petty things become the things that destroy the unity of the local church. 

b.  “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” should be our motto, our battle cry.  As we grow, we must remain unified.  Let nothing cause you to leave this church except apostasy and unrebuked sin.

5.  It is a faith work!  “Of faith” Churches must learn to be faith based. 

a.  I know that this church should be operated with fiscal responsibility, but it must also operate by faith.  We expect our people to live by faith, but the churches often walk by sight.  “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” applies to the local church also. 

b.  Learning to trust the Lord with all our heart is an ever learning work.

6.  It is relationship-based work!  “Knowledge of the Son of God” Paul said, “That I may know Him.” 

a.  The most important part of the work of the church takes place when its members grow closer to Christ Jesus.  Getting to know the One who died for us.

b.  I have often said that if we get closer to Christ, the questionable things of life are answered from within.  My work is not to separate God’s people from the world.  That is God’s work.  My work is to exhort you to grow closer to God.

7.  It is maturing work!  “Unto a perfect man” We, as older Christians, should carry with our hoary heads an infinite wisdom. 

a.  We white-haired Christians have been at this for many years and should be sterling examples to the younger ones.  They should be able to follow us as we follow Christ.

b.  Soon, they will be the white-haired Christians because we will be gone and our heritage must become their heritage for it to remain.

8.  It is a conforming work!  “The measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”  Not conforming to a set of rules or even to a set of values. 

a.  Conforming to the image of the One who loved us, saved us, and owns us.  Not to my measure, not to your measure, but to His measure!

b.  Then and only then, the word Christian becomes one of reality instead of just a title to be worn.

9.  It is a doctrinal work!  “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.” 

a.  Doctrine has become a dirty word to most religionists as they say that “doctrine divides, love unifies.”  God said that we are to study, now, and remain doctrinally pure.

b.  There can be no true brotherly love without true Bible doctrine.  As we are to worship in “spirit and truth,” we are to love in “spirit and truth.”

10.  It is a sharing work!  “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”  As we mature, we share our faith to a lost world that lies outside of the local church.

11.  It is a selfless work!  “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” When we become the perfect man or woman, we realize that it is not all about us.  The acrostic of the word JOY says it all.

J – Jesus first.

O – Others second.

Y – You last.

If God Be For Us

Temple Baptist Church - 8-19-2018

Romans 8:28-39

Introduction: 

A.  In our day of “religion,” there is much confusion among some as what eternal life is and is not.

1.  Eternal life is just that, eternal life.  I am not sure what it is about the word eternal that people do not understand.  Eternal and everlasting seem to be a family secret at times.  I have never thought that I was fit for heaven in myself.  I know what I am.

2.  “Falling from grace” and “losing your salvation” are heretical doctrines based upon lack of understanding by some saved people or lack of salvation by some religious people.

3.  Their foundation is based upon unbiblical perceptions of self, sin, and the holiness of God.

a)  Unbiblical perception of self.  That we can be good enough to be saved or remain saved.  Some even teach eradication of sin in this life. Though saved, we remain sinful. 

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

b)  Unbiblical perception of sin.  That some sins cause the saved to become lost while other sins do not.  Most who believe in the saved becoming lost again will agree that they still sin but think that they are still going to heaven.  Therefore, they must “color” sin.  Eating one piece of fruit plunged humanity into sin and, therefore, death.  This one sin sent God’s Son to the cross; that is what God thinks of sin.

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

c)  Unbiblical perception of the holiness of God.  That a thrice holy God will allow sinful man to come into His presence through personal merit instead of the blood of Christ.  Christ died because we are sinners and His blood is the only payment that God will accept.

1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

B.  These are powerful verses as they show the children of God that God IS FOR US!  I often quote Hebrews 13:5 because of its importance to us all, especially when we are facing trials and persecutions.

Hebrews 13:5-6  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.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1.  “I will never leave thee.”  Jesus Christ is always with us.  We never walk alone in this world.  We sometimes sing the song that says:

“If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go anywhere;

Tis heaven to me, where ’er I may be, if He is there!

I count it a privilege here, His cross to bear,

If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go anywhere!

2.  “I will never … forsake thee.”  Jesus Christ will always be there with us but He will also always be there for us.   He is on our side!

3.  “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Matthew 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

C.  Verse 37 speaks of the child of God being “more than conquerors.”  Not just conquerors but more than conquerors!  Every child of God knows that everything will turn out alright in the end.  This life will one day be over, and we will be eternally with the Lord.    The wording here is important.

1.  You can be a conqueror but pay such a price for the conquest as to deem it not worth it.  You can be a conqueror and wish that you had never engaged the enemy.

2.  More than conquerors carries the thought that the battle was worth the price paid and, if we had to do it all over again, we would fight the same fight expecting the same outcome.

D.  Unfortunately, the Christian life is painted as being a hard one with us—battered and beaten—finally arriving home. 

1.  Even some of the songs we sing such as “The Old Ship Of Zion” portray the church as beaten and battered.  Just making it to heaven by the “skin of our teeth!”  I have seen many fights where the conqueror looked much worse for wear than the defeated. 

2.  The Christian life is one of victory and joy.  I had rather be an old time Christian, Lord, than anything I know!

E.  Verse 37 teaches more than just “surviving.”  Many Christians are simply surviving in this life and hoping for the life to come.  We are “more than conquerors” in that we are victorious before the battle even begins.

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things thatpertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 1:18-19  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19  And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us–ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Romans 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

F.  These verses seem to indicate that we are doing far better than just scrapping by!  These verses should both enlighten and encourage the believer.  WHAT MAKES US “MORE THAN CONQUERORS?”

1.  Our Life Is Ordered – vs. 28-30

Job 23:10-14  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 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. 13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

Psalms 77:19-20  Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 20  Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

2.  Our Saviour Is Omnipotent – vs. 31-34

1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

3.  Our Problems Are Temporal – vs. 35-36

Job 20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

2 Corinthians 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

4.  Our Life Is Victorious – vs. 37

1 Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

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?

5.  Our Position Is Secure – vs. 38-39

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.