Blessed Are the Undefiled in the Way

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-31-2023

Psalm 119:1-8

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Psalm 119 opens with a three-fold blessing as does the Book of Revelation.  These two books of the Bible are tied together. 

 

1.  Revelation is descriptive of the revelation and second coming of the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ, and the beginning of the world to come. 

 

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

 

2.  Psalm 119 is descriptive of the relationship of the child of God with the written Word of God in this present evil world in which they live.

 

Psalms 119:1-2  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  (2)  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

 

3.  These Blessings pronounced come ONLY through a RIGHT relationship with the Word of God!  Obedience to God’s Word brings about Blamelessness through God’s Word which establishes our Relationship with God.

 

B.  As we begin the first stanza, verses 1-8, we find these words: “Blessed … undefiled … in the way”

 

1.  A Blessing pronounced.  “Blessed”  Once again, do not confuse “blessed” with happiness.  “Happiness” is based upon happenings.  Life is not living on a consistent high but has highs, lows, and in betweens.

 

a)  Job was an upright man according to the Bible: a man who perfect, upright, feared God, and eschewed evil.  A man whose life fell upon hard times.  Job described life in Job 14:1-2, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  (2)  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.”

 

b)  Blessed means just that: blessed!  You can be unhappy in life and still be blessed.  The 119^th Psalm rightfully began with the word “Blessed”.  “Blessed” is found only twice in 176 verses, in verses 1 and 2.

 

c)  We are so blessed to have our precious Bible, the key to life, great joy and rejoicing, salvation, and eternal life.

 

d)  We are so blessed to know the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation.

 

2.  A Condition described.  “the undefiled”  To be complete, sound, entire.  This is a long-term condition, not a singular event.  Everyone is defiled periodically because they are all sinners saved by grace, but this word refers to living in such a condition.

 

a)  Undefiled is not sinless perfection as God’s children will not eradicate sin in the flesh and, therefore, will at times sin.  The Book of 1 John, written to “my little children”, says:  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)

 

b)  Our Lord, when washing His disciples’ feet, told Peter that he was “washed”, speaking of salvation, but needed his feet only washed as would get his feet dirty and often tired in this life, thus, needing to be cleansed. 

 

John 13:8-10  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  (9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  (10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

 

C.  The description of the Blessed is found in verses 1-8.  There are several aspects of God’s Word given in these first 8 verses.

 

1.  Verse 1 – The Law of the Lord.  Law – torah is found 25 times in Psalm 119 and means to teach of to direct.  A single command or the whole body of the Law.  God’s Laws are our teachers that keep us walking in a directed path.

 

2.  Verse 2 – The Testimonies of the Lord.  Testimonies – found 23 times in Psalm 119.  Witnesses recorded for our examples or ensamples.  To show, to expose, to make public.

 

3.  Verse 3 – The Ways of the Lord.  Found 18 times in Psalm 119.  To tread, a road, a journey.  We are to walk the road of God’s Word to the end our life.

 

4.  Verse 4 – The Precepts of the Lord.  Found 21 times in Psalm 119.  A charge delivered or a mandate to be kept. 

 

5.  Verse 5 – The Statutes of the Lord.  Found 21 times in Psalm 119.  To write or to engrave.  Mentioned again in verse 8.  Here, we find the Psalmist’s recognition of human inability to live a perfectly directed life. 

 

6.  Verse 6 – The Commandments of the Lord.  Found 22 times in Psalm 19.  To give a direct or straight order.

 

7.  Verse 7 – The Judgments of the Lord.  Found 23 times in Psalm 119.  A sentence pronounced or a punishment indicated.  To aid in discerning right and wrong.

 

8.  Verse 8 – The Statutes of the Lord.  Tied to verse 5.  Here, we find a resolve to keep the statutes of the Word of God. 

 

D.  The Blessings incurred.

 

Verse 1.  The Blessing of a Clean Life.  Not having to look over your shoulder. 

 

Verse 2.  The Blessing of a Whole Heart.  Not divided or double in nature.  A heart for God!

 

Verse 3.  The Blessing of a Clear Conscience.  A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow. 

 

Verse 4.  The Blessing of Diligent Obedience to our Heavenly Father.  Paying attention to and obeying each command of God.

 

Verse 5.  The Blessing of a Directed Walk with God in well-trodden paths.

 

Verse 6.  The Blessing of Boldness in both Hope and Profession.

 

Verse 7.  The Blessing of a Righteous Worship. 

What I Have Written I Have Written

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-31-2023

Philippians 13:12-14

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Soon, 2023 will be written in the History Book! 

 

1.  2023 will be another year gone, never to be again.  “What I Have Written I have written.”  The key word “I” is found twice in the phrase.  It is “I” that have written, not what someone said that I have written or have written about me.  The pages of 2023 will be filled, and the year closed. 

 

2.  2024 is a New Year.  Its pages will be clean, its “ink pen” is filled and ready for us to begin writing.  The next couple of weeks, I want to look at both aspects: The Old Year and The New Year.

 

B.  When Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS”.  He had it written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.  There was no mistaking what it said!

 

1.  It was understandably written.  Once written, it was perfectly understood by all who read it.

 

2.  It was unmistakably written. Once written, there was no denial of what he wrote.

 

3.  It was universally written.  Hebrew – the language of the Jew; Greek – the language of the Jewish proselyte.  Latin – the language of the highly educated.  Once written, it was there for all to see and read.

 

4.  It was unreversibly written.  Once written, removing it, or changing it would not negate what Pilate said or what Pilate meant or what the people had already read.

 

C.  Our lives for 2019 will soon be just a superscription to be seen and read of men!  The Apostle Paul said,

 

Philippians 3:12-14  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Those who do not study history are certain to repeat it.

 

D.  We suffered loss this past year as some precious saints of God went home to be with the Lord: Bro. Harlod, Bro. Carroll, and Bro. Darrell.  We will possibly suffer loss this coming year, but we will let God be God to lead and guide us through it all.

 

E.  “Facing The Uncertain with Certainty” should be the theme of every New Year. 

 

1.  We did not get everything that we wanted last year and probably will not get all that we want this year.  Brother Harold always asked me the question, “Is everything going your way?”  My answer is always the same: “No!  But it doesn’t have to go my way.” 

 

2.  I did not do everything right last year!  Paul puts this in perspective for us.  “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.”

 

3.  We learn from our disappointments, our failures, and our successes.  But I will face this new year with the hope of God in my heart and my eyes upon Him. 

 

F.  The past can do one of two things:  it can either haunt you or it can help you!  Which one applies to you is your choice. We need to make right choices this coming year in order to maintain both our Christian testimony and influence.

 

G.  This morning, we need to put last year in its proper perspective.  That perspective is this:  last year is history and we cannot change it.  I want to give you two things that will help you to face the New Year in the right way.  I will try to keep this as simple as possible.

 

1.  Put The Past In The Past! 

 

2.  Put The Future In The Present!

 

PUT THE PAST IN THE PAST!  Forget those things that you cannot change!  LEARN FROM THEM!

 

1. Past failures not to be forgotten and not to be repeated.  You blew it at times.  I blew it at times.  I was not always a good Christian this past year.  May the Lord help me to be a better Christian in 2024.

 

Psalms 51:7-13  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

 

2. Past victories not to be forgotten but placed in a proper perspective.  There were times when you were a good Christian last year.  You grew up in the Lord and were blessed and rewarded for it. 

 

3. Forget your disappointments!  NO ONE gets everything that they want!  There were times when the enemy got the upper hand.  There were times when you had to do without some things.  There were times when you did not understand and probably still do not understand.  God never said to understand; He said to trust.

 

4.  Forget your hurt and forgive those who hurt you.  Hurt always turns to anger and anger to bitterness if not dealt with properly.  Forgiveness of our enemies is as much for our sake as it is for their sake.

 

Hebrews 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

Put the Future In The Present!  Reflect upon those things that will not change and change the things that can be changed in the future!

 

1. God was good to us this past year!  He will be good to us in the coming year.

 

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

2. God’s grace was sufficient this past year!  His grace will be sufficient in the coming year.

 

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.

 

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

2 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

 

3. God’s strength was made perfect in our weakness last year!  His strength will be there in the coming year.

 

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

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

 

4. God’s presence was with us last year!  He will be there this next year.

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

 

Isaiah 49:15  Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

 

5. God’s promises were made sure to us when we needed them last year!  We can rely upon them in the coming year.

 

2 Corinthians 1:20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 

 

6. Last year is history and next year will be history soon!  “And it came to pass!”

Next year is just “future history.” 

 

Psalms 90:9  For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

 

Happy New Year!  Face the New Year with hope and trust instead of doubt and fear.  The Lord will be the same tomorrow as He was yesterday and today!

Christmas, A Time of Great Joy

Temple Baptist Church - 12-24-2023

Luke 2:1-14; Matthew 1:21

 

Introduction:

A.  Today, is Christmas Eve!

 

1.  Two thousand years, the world lay in spiritual darkness.  Matthew 4:16  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 

 

2.  Jesus, the Messiah, was no longer expected as the people had turned from the promise of His coming.  Today is no different as the world has turned a “deaf ear” to the Bible.  The fear of God is a scarce commodity, and the philosophy of this world has taken its place in the hearts and minds of the multitudes.

 

3.  The people sat under the “shadow of death.”  The “shadow of death” is the physical death.  No matter how intelligent man has become, the limitations of life are still valid.

 

4.  The “second death,” or “Lake of Fire,” is a reality that the unsaved will soon face.

 

B.  Christmas should be a time of hope as God fulfilled His promise to send the Messiah: the Lamb of God who would die for the sins of mankind.  A blessed hope and a reality to be realized.

 

1.  The Promise of His Coming.  Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

2.  The Prophecy of His Coming.  Genesis 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

 

3.  The Person of His Coming. Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

4.  The Performance of His Coming.  Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 

 

5.  This Morning, The Purpose of His Coming. 

 

C.  Three things are found in verse 1o that I want to look at, but in reverse order.

 

 

1.  “Good Tidings.”  “I bring you good tidings” comes from one word in the Greek which transliterated means to “evangelize.”  I only said that because of how important it is that bring the same good tidings to a lost world. 

 

a.  It is the message of God’s love for sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

b.  It is the message that salvation is through Christ alone. Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

2.  “Great Joy.” 

 

a.  Great joy because there is hope in death and after death.  We that are saved can face death with the certainty that we will not die alone.  Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

b.  Great Joy because we that are saved will be finally home. A new body and a new home.  John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

 

3.  “Which shall be to all people.”

 

a.  The Gospel is not limited to a certain ethnicity!  Though salvation is to the Jew, it is also to the Greek (or gentile).  Salvation is every race of people in all locations.  The Gospel will work everywhere you take or send it.  Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

b.  The Gospel is not limited to certain people.  Salvation is to all mankind!  I do not need to spend a lot of time here but, if you lean toward Calvinism, feel free to contact me.  1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, John 3:16)

 

Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Colossians 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

Now, reverse the verse as we look back on what the angel said.

 

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

 

1.  Sins!  Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.  (It was just a simple command that the Lord gave to Adam and Eve.  They had the “run of the garden” and could eat whatever and whenever they desired.  Adam and Eve listened to the Serpent, discounted the command of God, ate of the forbidden fruit and plunged the whole world into sin.  What does God think of sin?  Read Genesis 5!  Satan said, “Thou shalt not surely die” and God punctuated “Thou shalt surely die” 8 times with “he died!”  God hates sin, not sinners!  It was sin that brought the Saviour to earth and the price of sin is death!)

 

2.  Their!  Romans 5:11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  (When the Bible uses the word “their” in this verse, it does not mean everyone except us but identifies humanity corporately.  It was Adam that caused sin to become inherent and the curse to come but it is each individual that chooses to sin and personal responsibility damns the sinner.  Poor old Adam ate a piece of fruit (I do not diminish its sinfulness) and he gets the blame for all that we do?) 

 

3.  From!  Jeremiah 7:10-11  And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?  (11)  Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.  (We are saved “from our sin,” not “in our sin” or “to sin!”  Too many professing believers’ lives never change as they continue to walk in the way of the world.  2 Corinthian 5:17 is a reality to those who have truly been born again.  Their lives are forever changed through Calvary.)

 

4.  His people!  Galatians 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  (2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (Though Christ died for all, not all will become His children by faith.  God, in His sovereignty, gave every man a free will to be exercised and saves only those who come to Him by faith.)

 

5.  Save!  Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  (Salvation is not probation!  When the Lord saves, He saves completely and eternally.  I have often said, “If you do not have eternal life you have no life at all.  Eternal life is the only kind that God gives.)

 

6.  Shall!  Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (When a sinner comes to Christ by faith, he or she is never turned away!  Salvation is “shall,” not “may!”)

 

7.  He!  Isaiah 43:11  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.  (Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners because there was no other way!  He is still the Way!)