The Sovereignty Of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-31-2021

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  God is absolutely Sovereign.  The words “absolutely” and “sovereign” are synonyms instead of our usual oxymorons that I use that are antonyms.  My word processor tried to remove absolutely but I did not allow.  God is ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN!!  He does what He desires to do anytime He desires to do it!

 

B.  The word “sovereignty” or “sovereign” is not found in your Bible but neither are the words “trinity” or “rapture” found there either.  Since the word “sovereignty” is not a bible word, let us look at its definition for clarification:

 

Sovereignty – Free from all external control; reigning or royal authority; the dominion of a monarch, the complete authority to govern a state; exclusive in right to control one’s thoughts and actions; autonomous; greatest in status, authority, and power; supreme; exceptional in quality.

 

C.  The doctrine of the “Sovereignty of God” is one of both the least understood and the most misunderstood.  Many believe that things happen per chance instead of through divine providence.  I do not believe in luck.  I believe in the providence of an all-knowing, thrice holy God!

 

D.  Sovereignty is a doctrine that we have allowed the Calvinists to “hold hostage.”  Every time we use the word, we feel that we must give a disclaimer concerning Calvinism. 

 

E.  By the sovereignty of God, it is to be understood that—as Creator of all things both visible and invisible—God is both owner or and ruler over all things. There are many verses in the Bible that show God’s absolute sovereignty and I have listed some for you if you receive or want to receive this sermon in print.

 

Deuteronomy 32:39  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

 

1 Chronicles 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

 

Psalms 115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

 

Isaiah 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

 

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

Daniel 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 

Matthew 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

Matthew 20:15  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

 

Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

Revelation 4:11  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.

 

F.  Because God is sovereign:

 

1.  He Requires No Counsel - Romans 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

 

2.  He Seeks No Advice - 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

3.  He Lacks No Wisdom - James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

4.  He Asks No Permission – Job 33:13  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

 

5.  He Answers To No Man - Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

G.  In our text for this morning, we have another Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation.  If there had been no other of the afore mentioned verses in the Bible, these verses have said it all.

 

1.  Verses 10.  God is Sovereign in His Person.  “Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.”

 

 

1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (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.

 

There was none before Him, there will be none after Him, and there is none like Him! You cannot do anything about Him.  You cannot change Him.  You cannot circumvent Him.  You cannot ignore Him.  And you had better not die without Him!

 

2.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Power.  “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty”

 

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

 

3.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Possession.  “for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;”

 

Colossians 1:15-16  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

4.  Verse 11.  God is Sovereign in His Position.  “thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all”

 

1 Timothy 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

5.  Verse 12.  God is Sovereign in His Performance.  “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”  

 

Psalms 75:6-7  For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  (7)  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

 

6.  Verse 13.  God is Sovereign in His Praise.  “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

 

Revelation 4:9-11  And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,  (10)  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.

Considering The End Of Their Conversation

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-27-2021

Hebrews 13:7-8

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I know that I have spent several weeks preaching on these verses but they are so rich concerning the pastor/church relationship and desired biblical result of that relationship. 

 

B.  Tonight, “considering” the desired result or “end of their conversation.”  God has a plan for every child of God and every pastor needs to teach, preach, and lead accordingly.  This is not about the pastor; this is not about the local church; this is about you individually.

 

C.  Let us have a little Bible Study tonight as God says this so much better than I could ever say it.  I have been preaching this verse from left to right, the way that we both read it and see it but, tonight, I will look at the verse from right to left, the way that God sees it.

 

Verse 8.  Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

The end of the pastor’s conversation is:

 

1.  Jesus Christ.

 

2.  Jesus Christ the same.

 

3.  Jesus Christ the same yesterday.  The Past.

 

4.  Jesus Christ the same to day.  The Present.

 

5.  Jesus Christ the same forever.  The Future.

 

He is in the past, yesterday, looking forward; He is in the present, to day, looking on; He is in the future, for ever, looking back!

 

1.  The Lord’s Predestination.  “Jesus Christ the same”  The Lord sees the end desired from before the beginning; He sees the journey that must be taken; He sees the “clay” in its initial form.

 

Isaiah 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

a.  The Lord’s Initial Predestination – Romans 8:29-30  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  (30)  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

 

b.  The Lord’s Final Product - John 17:16-23  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (17)  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  (18)  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  (19)  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  (20)  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  (21)  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  (22)  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  (23)  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  

 

Ephesians 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  (4)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

2.  The Pastor’s Purpose.  “rule … conversation”  The pastor knows both the initial state and the end desired but leaves the path between the believer and the Lord.  He is the go-between.

 

a.  The Pastor’s Call - Ephesians 4:11-13  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:  

 

b.  The Pastor’s Confidence - 1 Corinthians 13:12-13  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  (13)  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

1 Corinthians 15:45-49  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  (47)  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

3.  The Believer’s Progression. “Remember … considering”  The believer sees his own lost condition, repents of sin, and places his faith in Christ.  Then embarks on the journey of a life lived in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

a.  The Believer Must Put Off - Ephesians 4:17, 22-24  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind … (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  

 

b.  The Believer Must Put On – Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

The Landmark Of Scripture

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-24-2021

Genesis 3:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw the necessity of spiritual “landmarks” that define all that we believe.  Once again, a “landmark” defines a boundary and is a point from whence all other points can be measured.  It is to be both stationary and unchanging!

 

1.  If these “landmarks” are removed, we will soon find ourselves drifting from the spiritual truths that we once held dear.  Today’s denominations have drifted far from the “moorings” of their founder’s intentions.  Most denominations were started by godly men who revered and feared the Lord while remaining true to the Word of God.

 

2.  If these “landmarks” are removed, these spiritual truths that we once held dear will not be known by our posterity.  Today’s children are a lost generation!  With little or no values, either spiritual or moral—the have become the children of apostasy!

 

B.  Eleven times in the first two chapters of Genesis it is recorded that “God said.”  The first times that what God had said was recorded.  What God commanded was done and stood fast.

 

C.  In chapter 3, we find the first mention of something questioning what “God said.” It was satanic in nature so to question what God has said is both evil and devastating to mankind.

 

D.  The first attack upon a scriptural “landmark” is found in our text as Satan questioned the Word of God thus deceiving Eve and causing Adam to fall. 

 

E.  I am preaching on the Landmark of Scripture first because of its importance.  Our Bible is the foundation upon which our faith stands.  Not upon the original manuscripts because we have never seen one much less owned one.  Not upon men who are quick to generate doubt and then constantly change their theology.  Our Foundation is the Bible that we hold in our hands this morning.

 

F.  Our text, found in 2 Timothy, tells us all that we need to know about God’s Word.

 

1.  The Word of God is inspired.  Verse 15-16.  Paul is speaking of the scriptures that Timothy had, not original autographs.  What Timothy had was called “holy scriptures.”  The Word of God declares that what Timothy held was “given by inspiration of God.”

 

2.  The Word of God is profitable.  Verse 16.  If the intent of verse 16 was to show that the original autographs were inspired, then—because Timothy did not have one—then Timothy could not profit from what he did not have.  The Bible is profitable doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

 

3.  The Word of God is perfecting.  It will “throughly furnish” God’s men and God’s people.

G.  I will stop with that because, if you do not believe that “all scripture” refers to “all scripture,” then nothing else that I have to say will convince you.

 

H.  The Bible is the foundation for our faith and the practice of our faith.  It is the ABSOLUTE FINAL AUTHORITY!

 

Psalms 11:3  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?  (The answer to this question is understood: WE CAN DO NOTHING!  If the Bible errs, then all that we know and believe becomes unsure.  If the Bible errs, then our authority must be shifted to those who translate and re-interpret.  To those who know where every error occurs and can “straighten us out?”  I THINK NOT!)

 

J.  The Bible is THE FINAL AUTHORITY FOR FAITH AND PRACTICE!  The Bible is not a man book, it is a God Book.  The Bible is our Foundation!

 

1.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Sovereign God.  Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  (He is, He was, and He will forever be the Creator and Owner of the universe.)

 

2.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Sinfulness - 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:  (From Adam to Self, the Bible is clear on the matter of sinfulness.)

 

3.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Saviour - Psalms 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, (All we need to know about God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ is found there.)

 

4.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Salvation - Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Saving faith is found in the Bible through repentance and belief.)

 

5. In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Security - John 10:27-28  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (Salvation is eternal life.)

 

6.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Satisfaction - Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  (How sweet to the taste is the Word of God.)

 

7.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Stability - 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  (In the Bible, we have all that we need to live for Christ in this life.)

 

8.  In The Landmark of Scripture We Find Our Surety - Revelation 22:20-21  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  (21)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Our Lord is coming, we are leaving, and everything will be alright.)

The Second Parenthetical

Temple Baptist Church - 1-24-2021

Revelation 10:1-11

 

A.  In chapter 7, we saw the first “parenthetical” as God sealed the 144,000 Jews and a Great Revival broke out on earth as “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands … These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

 

B.  By “parenthetical,” I do not mean that the Tribulation Period on earth came to a standstill.  It means that, during all that is going on upon the earth, God gives another vision of great importance that happens simultaneously.

 

C.  In the last two verses of chapter 9, we find—despite the plagues of locusts from hell and the horsemen from the Euphrates River—man continues to refuse the Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus Christ, and his gracious and free salvation to all mankind.  The greatest reason for people not being saved is that they want heaven or the “pie-in-the-sky” without repentance.  Without repentance, there is no salvation because there is no desire for the sinner to change.

 

Revelation 9:20-21  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  (21)  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

D.  Verse 1-2.  Here we find another “mighty angel” from heaven.  Angels have a myriad of purposes for existence but one of the main purposes is that of messengers.  This angel is clothed with a cloud.  The first mention of the word “cloud” or “clouds” in found on Mount Sinai.  God has always used clouds to hide and to guide.  Clouds speak of great glory, power, and fearfulness.  Mankind has rejected God because they believe that they can defeat God’s purposes.  Nothing can defeat God! 

 

Exodus 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:  (The Guidance of the Lord)

 

Clouds express The Glory of the LORD - Exodus 16:9-10  And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.  (10)  And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

 

Leviticus 16:2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

 

Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

Clouds express The Power of the LORD - Psalms 104:1-3  Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  (2)  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:  (3)  Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 

 

Deuteronomy 4:11  And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

 

Psalms 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

 

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

 

Philippians 2:10-11  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

The Rainbow expresses The Promise of the LORD - There is the “rainbow” of God’s promise upon his head.  There is a rainbow around the throne of God, like unto an emerald, in chapter 4.  What God has promised shall come to pass.

 

His feet show the unrelenting Judgment of the LORD - upon both land and sea.  In chapter 13, we will see two “beasts.”  The first beast coming from the sea and the second beast coming from the earth.  God’s power is greater than all that mankind can bring forth.  God’s judgements are both righteous and appropriate.

 

E.  Verses 3-4.  The angel cries out and the “seven thunders utter their voices.”  Thunder occurs when a lightning bolt splits the atmosphere causing a void and then, as the atmosphere comes back together, it makes a thunderous noise.  Sometimes the lightening is visible, and at other times, it is not.  The seven thunders spoke in a voice that was heard and understood by John.  What these said was not to be recorded, therefore, something either took place or was to take place that God does not want us to know.  They are sealed to be opened later.

 

Psalms 29:3-9  The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.  (4)  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.  (5)  The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.  (6)  He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.  (7)  The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.  (8)  The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.  (9)  The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

 

F.  Verse 5-7.  The angel swears by Him who created all things that God will now finish His work of judgment and time, as we know it, will cease to exist.  How often do we ask God “how long” or “why?”  God, in His grace, has held off the final judgment for sin, giving time for every man to repent.

 

2 Peter 3:7-10  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  (8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (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.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

 

Amid eternity’s “eternal moment,” God said, “In the beginning” which indicates the start of time as we know it measured in 24-hour days periods.  One day, God will end time as we know it, and we will enter that “eternal moment” where God lives, and time does not exist.

 

G.  Verses 8-10.  The angel holds a “little book” which is open which John is commanded to take and eat.  The contents of the book are sweet as honey to the taste but bring bitterness to the belly.  Judgment is a bitter/sweet thing.  We desire and ask for things to be made right and ultimately, they will be, but it also brings about a bitterness afterward when we see that mankind has rejected the grace of God which brings about destruction.  A mystery in the Bible is something that cannot be understood by the natural man but is revealed to the spiritual man through revelation.

 

H.  Though exiled on the Isle of Patmos, John has God’s promise that he will write and preach again both in word and through the Revelation.  The book contained the prophecy of things to come during the end time and are the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Book of the Revelation that we now have.

 

Revelation 10:11  And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.