Are You Planted or Just a Plant?

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2021

Psalm 92

 

Introduction:  **Read verses 12-15.

 

A.  Psalm 92 is a very precious psalm as it describes the intended condition, position, and future of the "righteous."  The introduction of the Psalm is "A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath."  The emphasis of the Psalm is the importance of the Lord's Day and the house of God.

 

B.  In our day of a "general forsaking" of God's house, the local church, this Psalm can be one of great help to God's people as it shows what God thinks about both the House of God and the "planting" of the righteous.

 

C.  I have often said that there are several different types of "plants" found in or around the local church.

 

1.  There are Artificial Plants.  These are always found in churches but, though pretty outwardly, have no life within.  These never got in.

 

2.  There are Outside Plants.  These are planted all around the local church but never found within.  They are never found in the local church.

 

3.  There are Occasional Plants.  Poinsettias, Easter Lilies, etc. that find their way to the local church on "special days" but disappear quickly.  They just never seem to be able to stay in.

 

4.  There are Flourishing Plants spoken of in Psalm 92.  Flourishing with life and productivity.

 

D.  The Flourishing Plant.

 

1.  Verses 1-4 – Flourishing Plants have Faith.  These verses line up with Psalm 100.  Come into His presence with singing, into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. 

 

a. Verse 1 – What are we to do.  Thanksgiving and Praise.

 

b.  Verse 2 – When are we to do it.  In the morning for His Unfailing Love and in the evening for His Faithfulness throughout the day.

 

c.  Verse 3 – How are we to do it.  Singing and music on instruments.

 

2.  Verses 4-15 – Flourishing Plants have Faithfulness. 

 

a.  Verses 4-5 – Because of Who He Is. 

 

1)  Verse 4 – Because of His Person. 

 

2)  Verse 5 – Because of His Performance.  His works and thoughts.

b.  Verses 5-15 – Because of His Provision.

 

1)  Verses 5-9.  He provides us with Warning.  The ways of the ungodly will not prosper and ultimately be destroyed.  Through the eyes of the Bible, the prudent man forseeth the evil afar off.

 

Proverbs 22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

 

Psalms 73:17-19  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.  (18)  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.  (19)  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

 

2)  Verses 10-11.  He provides us with Joy.  Anointing with oil in the middle east was a sign of approval and blessing.  God blesses the righteous with a good life while He subdues our enemies.  Joy despite our circumstances.

Psalms 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 

3)  Verses 12-15.  He provides us with Testimony.  Easily seen by the world.

 

a)  Verse 12.  The Growth of the Righteous. 

 

b)  Verse 13.  The Flourishing of the Righteous.  Productive. Fruit bearing.  No just an empty profession but a blessed possession.

 

c)  Verse 14.  The Endurance of the Righteous.  Continual.  Faithful.  Dependable.

 

d)  Verse 15.  The Testimony of the Righteous.  To show forth the mercy, graciousness, and goodness of God.

 

Isaiah 46:4  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

 

Psalms 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

Conclusion:  The Flourishing Plants love God, and they love God’s church!

 

1.  They will be faithful where they are planted.

 

2.  They will be thankful where they are planted.

 

3.  They will be flourishing where they are planted.

Why Christmas?

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-12-2021

Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-11

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year and yet most who celebrate it do not truly understand its meaning. 

 

B.  If I asked the question this morning, “What is the real meaning of Christmas?”, I would get all kinds of answers and most of them would be at least partially right. 

 

1.  Some say that Jesus is the Reason for the season. 

 

2.  Some say that sinners are the reason for the season. 

 

3.  Some would say that it is a time for families to get to gather, while others would say it is a time of gift exchanging.

 

C.  To the world, the reality of Christmas goes virtually unnoticed. 

 

D.  Philippians 2 gives a full explanation of what Christmas is all about.  This chapter says it all!

1.  Who He Was – 6  (He was and is the Almighty God of the Bible!  Not just a Babe in a manger.)

 

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

 

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

2.  Who He Became – 7  (God became a Man and dwelt among us!  All man and all God!  The God-man!)

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

 

Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

 

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

3.  How He Behaved – 5  (He was the sinless God-man!  He was not at all like you and I.)

 

1 Peter 2:21-25  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:   Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

Matthew 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

4.  What He did – 8  (He came to die!  We die because we have no choice.  He died because He desired to!)

 

a.  His Humility – "humbled himself"

 

b.  His Obedience - “obedient”

 

c.  His Suffering - “death”

 

d.  His Shame and Reproach - “cross”

5.  What he Deserves – 9  (He is to be worshipped and praised!)

 

Ephesians 1:20-22  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,   Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

 

6.  What He Desires - 10, 11a  (That all the world be saved!)

 

Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto    salvation. 

7.  Why He did It - 11b  (One:  because He loves you!  Two:  to glorify the Father!)

 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.      

 

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:

A Wedding Made in Heaven

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-12-2021

Revelation 19:7-10

 

A.  What a wonderful place heaven will be.  The judgement of the great whore, the end-time religious system, and Babylon the Great (the end-time political system) is over.  The Lord God omnipotent (this is the only use of the word "omnipotent" found in the Bible.  He is all powerful and nothing could thwart His purpose nor prevail against Him.

 

B.  Heaven has erupted with rejoicing and Alleluias.  What a day this one will be!  It excites me to know that we who are saved will be THERE to experience it.

 

C.  Verse 7.  There will be gladness, rejoicing, and honour to the Lord God because there is going to be a wedding: the marriage of the Lamb is come.  Notice that the Bible refers to the Lord God omnipotent as the Lamb.  We will be there with Him because He was there for us.  In His incarnation, He became flesh and dwelt among us.  In His life, He was the sinless Son of Man and the wonderful Son of God.  100% man on His mother's side and 100% God on His Father's side.  In His death, He died for all mankind; He died for every sin; He died for you and me.  In His resurrection, He justified fully every born-again child of God and declared Himself to be the Son of God with power.  In the Rapture, He came for His bride and not one believer was left on earth to fend for themselves.

 

The first institution that God made was marriage.  The two became one.

 

Genesis 2:22-24  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  (23)  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  (24)  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

The last institution that God will make is marriage.  The first and last mentions being constant.  The two will become one.  This does not mean that we will be "gods" but that we will forever be one with the One who died for us.

 

Revelation 19:7  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.

 

D.  The bride is now called "His wife!"  This is a reference to the New Testament Church, the Body of Christ.  The New Testament Church is called the Lamb's wife which implies consummation.

 

In the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as the wife of Jehovah.

 

Isaiah 54:5  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.

 

Jeremiah 3:14  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:

 

Hosea 2:16  And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi (husband); and shalt call me no more Baali (master).

 

E.  In verse 7, His wife has made herself ready.  She has been to the Judgment Seat of Christ and was rewarded for her works on earth.  She is now a perfected Bride.  Paul referred to her future state as a "chaste virgin." 

 

2 Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

F.  In Ephesians, chapter 5, Paul stated that the wife of Christ would be perfect in that day.  She has now been purified and made ready.

 

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

G.  Verse 8.  The wife of Christ, the Church, is now granted to wear the wedding garments: fine linen, clean and white, the righteousness of the saints.  Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless—glorious—not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing—holy and without blemish.  There is nothing more beautiful than a bride, beautifully washed and clean, dressed in the modesty of her white gown, coming down the aisle for all to see.  What a beautiful, perfected bride will be presented to the Lamb of God who gave Himself wholly for her.  He held nothing back; He paid the dowery required.  The Lamb and His bride will be eternally together in this blessed union.  The twain shall become one.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:17  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.

 

Matthew 19:4-6  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,  (5)  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  (6)  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 

H.  There are three phases of the Jewish wedding found in the relationship of the Lamb and His bride.

 

1.  Betrothal.  Here, the Bride to be is chosen, the dowery paid, and the preparation made.  Chosen through salvation; paid for at Calvary, and the preparation made when the blood was applied.  This was something like what we know in the west as an engagement. However, the major difference lies in the fact that this was a binding agreement! In the Jewish tradition, when a couple was betrothed, they were considered married!

 

2.  Presentation.  The Father of the Son says, "Go get your bride."  The Groom goes and brings His bride to the marriage.  A beautiful type of the Rapture of Christ's Church.  In the Jewish tradition, when the time of the wedding arrived, the Father of the groom would send the bridegroom and his friends to the bride’s home. They would get her and bring her back to the groom’s house, which he had prepared for her, with great celebration and joy. 

 

Jude 24-25  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  (25)  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

 

3.  Consummation.  The marriage where two are united and then become one.  Song of Solomon 2:16  My beloved is mine, and I am his …  Following the wedding, the couple, their friends and their families would enter a time of celebration.  The Groom would then take His bride home and the marriage consummated.

 

J.  Verse 9.  They which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb is a beautiful picture of those saved under the Old Covenant and in the Tribulation Period.  John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament Prophets who prepared the way of the Lord.  When questioned about who he was and who Christ was answered:

 

John 3:28-29  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  (29)  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

 

K.  Verse 10.  "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 

We who are saved have the testimony of Jesus.

 

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.

 

L.  What God has promised was prophesied and what was promised came to pass.  Worship God!