Sunday, March 28, 2021

A Great Wonder In Heaven

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-28-2021

Revelation 12:1-6

 

Introduction:  Here, in chapter 12, we find another parenthetical or digression from the sequential events or chronological order in the Book of Revelation.  Parentheticals in prophecy give an overview of what is to take place before returning to the actual time of the events.

 

A.  Chapter 11 signaled the mid-period of the Tribulation Period, or the end of the first 3 ½ years of this 7-year period. 

 

B.  We get the title “The Tribulation Period” from 2 New Testament verses:

 

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Revelation 7:14 dispels the theory that the first 3 ½ years of this period will be light tribulation while the second 3 ½ years will be severe tribulation.  These saints found in this verse were martyred and the Bible says (not a man says) that they came out of “great tribulation.”

 

C.  The Tribulation Period is also called:

 

Jacob’s Trouble - Jeremiah 30:4-7  And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.  (5)  For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.  (6)  Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?  (7)  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

 

Daniel’s Seventh Week - Daniel 9:24-27  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  (25)  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  (26)  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  (27)  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

D.  Heretofore, nothing has been said about Israel, though they have suffered through the first 3 ½ years just as the rest of the world has. 

 

In the process of both the present and also the first half of Jacob’s Trouble, Israel has been re-gathered to their homeland, the land of Promise. 

 

During this time, they have also re-built the “third temple” and re-established worship through sacrifice which was stopped in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the “second temple.” 

 

The Abomination of Desolate has occurred, the daily sacrifice stopped, and the outer court overrun by the Gentiles.

 

E.  The “great wonder in heaven” is that of a “woman.”  This “woman” is not to be confused with the women mentioned in Revelation, chapters 2 and 17.  I believe that these two “women” are the same: The Roman Catholic Church.

 

Jezebel, in Revelation, chapter 2, who seduced the church at Thyatira (Historically 606-1320 A.D. – The Papal Age) – Revelation 2:20-22  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.  (21)  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  (22)  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

 

The Great Whorethe end time religion of the spirit of antichristin Revelation, chapter 17 - Revelation 17:1-6  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:  (2)  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.  (3)  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  (4)  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:  (5)  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.  (6)  And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

 

F.  This “woman” is Israel, also referred to as the wife of Jehovah in the Old Testament.  As Jesus will be wedded to the Church of the New Testament, Jehovah was wedded to Israel in the Old Testament.  Israel rejected Christ and is now blinded but will accept Christ and be eternally glorified.

 

Jeremiah 3:12-14  Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.  (13)  Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.  (14)  Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

 

Isaiah 54:1, 5-6  Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD ... For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.  (6)  For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

 

G.  “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet.”  Israel’s Preeminence with God.  Clothed with the light of the Son of God.  Israel, not as we see them now but as God sees them in eternity when they are restored; the natural branch once again grafted in to the Olive Tree.

 

God’s Election Of Israel – Israel’s Election – Romans 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

God’s Blessing Upon Israel – Genesis 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God’s Protection Of Israel – I saiah 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

God’s Perception Of Israel – Zechariah 2:8  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

God’s Restoration Of Israel - Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

 

Romans 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

 

H.  “the moon under her feet.”  The moon shines only when it reflects the light of the Sun.  Israel, God’s Peculiar People.  His Chosen People.  In heaven because in God’s predetermination, Israel as a nation, was always on His mind.

 

Isaiah 45:17  But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

 

J.  “and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.”  Representing the 12 tribes of Israel found in the Old Testament and also referenced in heaven along with the 12 apostles as the 24 elders around the throne.

 

Genesis 37:9b  … behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

 

Revelation 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  (The 12 Tribes of Israel of the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of the New Testament.)

What Shall I Do Then With Jesus?

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-28-2021

Matthew 27:1-2; 11-26

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, our thoughts need to go to the place called Calvary.  Almighty Jehovah God became flesh and dwelt among us.  There at Calvary, the Son of God suffered and died for the sins of the world.

 

1.  The Purpose of the Cross – “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind! 

 

Romans 5:6-8  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  (8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Christ chose to die for the sins of the world: every man or woman who ever lived.  The Scripture is plain at this point.  Calvinism or Reformed Theology is a damnable heresy and needs to be rejected entirely.

 

2.  The Price of the Cross – Explained in one verse, Mark 15:34:

 

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

 

Though Jesus suffered as no man has ever suffered, the greatest suffering was that, for the first time in eternity past, we see the Godhead divided because He became sin for us.

 

3.  The Pleasing of the Cross – The satisfaction of God the Father in sin’s ultimate payment!

 

Isaiah 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

 

Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

4.  The Pardon of the Cross – Though we who have come to Christ through the Gospel, we are still just sinners saved by grace!  Through the Cross of Christ, we are washed whiter than snow!  When God the Father sees us, He sees us through the blood that was shed and applied!

 

5.  The Praise of the Cross – The Apostle Paul said it all in Galatians 6:14: 

 

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

 

Hallelujah, What a Saviour!

 

B.  This morning, our text asks the question.  Mankind’s personal answer to this question settles his/her individual eternity!  I would venture to say that this is the most important question ever asked.

 

Matthew 27:22a:  “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” 

 

1.  More Important Than “What will I do for a living?”

 

2.  More Important Than “Who will I marry?”

 

3.  More Important Than “Where will I live?”

 

4.  This is the only question that deals with “HOW WILL I DIE?”

 

C.  It is a question that DEMANDS a response from all!  Everyone who hears the gospel makes one of the three following responses.

 

1. The Damnable Response of Rejection.  For the most part, the world wants nothing to do with Christ!  I would like us to notice 3 groups of people who responded to this question by rejecting Christ.

 

a.  The Religious Crowd Rejected Christ – Mark 15:10  For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.  (The priests were the instigators.  They were the religious people of that day.  They studied the Scriptures and yet rejected the One who died for them.  Christ disrupted their religious system!)

 

b.  The Macho Crowd (Soldiers) Rejected Christ – Matthew 27:27-31 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

 

They simply did what the world told them to do!  The Chief Priests were the instigators. The soldiers carried out their duties.

 

John 19:2-3 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,  And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

 

c.  The Wicked Crowd Rejected Christ – Matthew 27:22-25  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.  And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 

If our response to Christ this morning is that of rejecting Christ, we are no better than the soldiers who drove the nails into His hands, or the crowd who cried out, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"

 

2. The Unacceptable Response of Neutrality Found In Pilate.  Most people in the Bible Belt have heard the gospel and know who Christ is but make no decision at all concerning Christ!  (Pilate illustrates this response.) We will discover that a response of neutrality is in essence a response of rejection.

 

a.  Pilate was a Coward – Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.  (What will the people think of me?)

 

b.  Pilate was a Compromiser – John 19:12-13  And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 

 

c.  Pilate was Condemned – Matthew 27:24 Matthew 27:24  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

 

I have often said that there is no benign state of neutrality with God!

 

3.  The Wonderful Response of Acceptance.  I am thankful that Scripture shows us some people who were courageous and accepted Christ.  I thank God every day for my salvation!  I not only have heard about Christ, know who Christ is, but have placed my faith in Christ!

 

a.  The Thief on the Cross – Luke 23:42-43  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  (43)  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

b.  Joseph of Arimathea – Matthew 27:57-60  When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:  He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

 

Though he was saved earlier, he made public his profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

 

c.  The Roman Centurion – Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 

 

He was the highest-ranking soldier at the crucifixion. It was a rejection of Caesar’s divinity and could have cost him both his job and his life.

 

Conclusion:  Albert B. Simpson wrote a poem, which has been put to music about this question. Listen to the words:

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall,
friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
hearken! what meaneth the sudden call?
What will you do with Jesus?

Refrain:
What will you do with Jesus?
neutral you cannot be;
some day your heart will be asking,
"What will he do with me?"

Jesus is standing on trial still,
you can be false to him if you will,
you can be faithful through good or ill:
what will you do with Jesus? Refrain

Will you evade him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose him, whate’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from him to hide:
what will you do with Jesus? Refrain

Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus? Refrain

"Jesus, I give thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow thee all the way,
gladly obeying thee!" will you say:
"this I will do with Jesus!" Refrain

 

a.  What will you do with Jesus this morning?  You must either crucify Him or crown Him.  Ask Him to come into your life as Savior, your Lord and King.

 

b.  How do you respond to His call?

Sunday, March 14, 2021

The Seventh Angel: The Second Half

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-14-2021

Revelation 11:15-19

 

A.  Last week, we saw the end of the first 3 ½ years, marked by the building of the Temple-the Abomination of Desolation-the trodding under foot the outer court of the Temple-and the two witnesses.

 

B.  This week, we will prophetically see the beginning of the last 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation Period.

 

C.  It begins with the sounding of the Seventh Angel’s trumpet.  An announcement of things to come.  God has judged the nations of the world in the first part of Jacob’s Trouble but notice with me the title of the Tribulation Period: Jacob’s Trouble.

 

D.  From this point on, the primary target of God’s judgement (though it will continue to affect the world) will be the Nation of Israel.  Daniel’s Seventieth Week is about the judgment and restoration of the Nation of Israel.  The Lord has preemptively gathered them back into their homeland of Israel for such a time as this.

 

E.  Today, we see them blinded and spiritually sleeping as their rejection of their Messiah and our Saviour, Jesus Christ has blinded their eyes and veiled their hearts to the gospel.  Peter preached Christ to the Jews at Pentecost.

 

Acts 4:10-12  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  (11)  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  (12)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

F.  I am glad that the Second Half begins in heaven, totally protected from all that has and will transpire during this terrible time.  As God’s people, both Old and New Testament, will be with the Lord and not have to endure the wrath of God on earth.

 

The Old Testament Saints - Ephesians 4:8-10  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  (10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

 

The New Testament Saints - 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:  (17)  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.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  (10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

 

G.  We hear “great voices from heaven,” pronouncing the beginning of the end, “saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

 

H.  Because of sin, rejection of Christ, and rebellion against God—God has given this world to its own desires and the consequences thereof.  Eden was destroyed by sin and mankind became sinful.  Choices have consequences.  The Kingdoms lost until Righteousness once again reigns.

 

The Kingdoms of this World are of Satan – Matthew 4:8-9  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  (9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

 

The “god” of this World is Satan – 2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

The People of the World are Disobedient - Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

 

The Governments of this World are Satanic – Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

J.  Verse 15.  The kingdoms of this world will once again become the property of God the Father and God the Son for ever and ever!

 

K.  Verses 16-17.  Here we see the worship of both Old and New Testament Saints found in the four and twenty elders.

 

Representing the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of the New Testament.  On their faces before the throne of God worshipping Him for:

 

Who He is – “O Lord God Almighty”  The Person of God!

 

Psalms 24:1  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

What He is – “which art, and wast, and art to come”  The Immutability of God!

 

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

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

 

What He will do – “because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned”

 

L.  Verse 18.  “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged.”  The impending judgment of God upon the Earth because the nations were still angry with God.  Unrepentant!

 

M.  Verse 18.  “and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.”  The Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place in this time.

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  (13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  (14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  (15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

Revelation 19:6-9  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  (7)  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  (8)  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  (9)  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

 

N.  Verse 18.  The destruction of this humanistic, satanic world so as to set up the Kingdom Age or Millennial Reign of Christ and Eternity.

 

O.  Verse 19.  The “temple of God was opened in heaven” where the “ark of his testament” is.  The place where the precious blood of Christ is applied shows our eternal security and position.

 

Hebrews 9:11-14  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (13)  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  (14)  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

P.  Verse 19.  “and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail”  Now, the Second Half of the Tribulation begins!

Holding Up Your Pastor’s Hands

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-14-2021

Exodus 17:9-16

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The Amalekites were the perpetual enemies of Israel.  They ALWAYS fought them.  The Amalekites are a type of both the devil, the world, and our flesh in this regard. 

 

B.  This passage is an excellent example of the church/pastor relationship. Just as Israel needed Moses, the church needs a pastor.  But just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur, the pastor needs men to hold up his hands. 

 

C.  This is a message of how much we need one another at Temple Baptist Church.  The pastor needs the people as much, if not more, than they need him.  Our is a reciprocal relationship.  I want to look at the story for a minute and then draw some biblical conclusions that we help our church.

 

          1.  The War

 

a)  Against The Flesh -  Romans 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

 

b)  Against The Devil - Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

          2.  The Weariness

 

a)  God’s People Get Weary - 2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

 

b)  God’s Preachers Get Weary - Jeremiah 20:7-9  O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8  For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9  Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

 

          3.  The Warning

 

a)  The People Could Not Prevail Without God’s Preacher - Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

 

B)  The Preacher Could Not Persevere Without God’s People - Romans 16:1-6  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6  Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

 

          4.  The Winning – Together they overcame Amalek!

 

                    a)  Israel Needed Moses During The Battle

 

                    b)  Moses Needed Israel During The Battle

 

          5.  The Witness – vs. 14-15

 

a)  God’s Men Need To Realize It – “Rehearse it in the ears of Joshua!” 

 

b)  God’s People Need To Realize It – “And Moses built an altar”

 

D.  It is important that the pastor realize his importance to the spiritual well being of his people.

 

          1.  Moses Guided Them – vs. 9

          2.  Moses Watched Over Them – vs. 10

          3.  Moses Prayed For Them – vs. 11

E.  It is important that God’s people realize their importance to the spiritual well being of their pastor. 

          1.  Aaron And Hur Accompanied Him – vs. 10

          2.  Aaron And Hur Comforted Him – vs. 12

          3.  Aaron And Hur Steadied Him – vs. 12

          4.  Aaron And Hur Stayed With Him – vs. 12

    

Ecclesiastes 4:7 –12   Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

1.  You Need To Hold Up Your Pastor In Prayer – You pray for me as I pray for you!

 

          a.  I pray for you and your individual needs.

 

          b.  You pray for me and my individual needs.

 

2.  You Need To Hold Up Your Pastor In Encouragement – Do not always have to be encouraged, but be an encouragement!

 

          a.  We find our encouragement in the Lord.

 

          b.  We also find our encouragement in each other.

 

3.  You Need To Hold Up Your Pastor In Faithfulness – You be as faithful to me as I am to you!

 

          a.  You do not have to come find me at services times.

 

          b.  You be as faithful as you can be to attend.

 

4.  You Need To Hold Up Your Pastor In Service – Help with both the physical and spiritual work of the ministry!

 

          a.  There are things that need to be done at the church.

 

          b.  There are people to be called and visited.

 

          c.  There is a gospel to be shared.

 

5.  You Need To Hold Up Your Pastor In Battle – Be there for me when trouble comes.  I will be there for you!

 

          a.  There will be times when you are in trouble.

 

          b.  There will be times when I am in trouble.