Praise Ye The LORD

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-28-2025

Psalm 135

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 135 marks the end of the Songs of Degrees and enters into the Songs of Praise or Hallelujah Psalms. 

 

B.  Praise and Prayer should be a daily practice for God’s children, as God is good all the time.  I know that He has been gracious and merciful to us. 

 

C.  In this Psalm, we find Israel’s call to praise God for His mighty acts on their behalf.  Israel is the “Apple of God’s Eye,”  His Peculiar people. 

 

D.  We, as God’s children, are also the “Apple of God’s Eye,” His peculiar people.  God loves Israel, God loves His Church, God loves the local church, and God loves His children!

 

E.  Let’s take a short look at the breakdown of the Psalm.

 

1.  Verses 1-4.  A Call to Worship.

 

a.  The Person of Worship.  The LORD.  God is so good that He makes everyone else “none good” when compared.

 

b.  The People of Worship.  Ye servants of the LORD.  It is hard to praise the One whom we do not served.  Our lives are built around selfish things instead of the one thing that truly matters.

 

c.  The Place OF Worship.  The House of the LORD.  I can never fully express what the local church means to my family.  It has been our refuge from the world and all its troubles.  Our “hiding place.”

 

d.  The Praise of Worship.  Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.  I love to sing!  Sing in private, public, congregation, and choir!  What a joy it has been and continues to be.  That’s why I sing in the choir.  I have never had a pastor who sang in the choir.  I love it!  It keeps the rest of the choir humble!

 

e.  Praise Him for His Selection.  For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.  The Nation of Israel and the Church, the Body of Christ.  He chose me!  This is not Calvinism.  He chose me through my repentance and faith in Him.  We who are saved are in the great minority!

 

2.  Verses 5-7.  Praise God for His Greatness.

 

a.  His Position.  Above all gods.  He sits on the throne of heaven as he rules the earth.  A mighty God.

 

b.  His Pleasure. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.  God is not selfish, as He gave His best to us before we ever came to know Him.  What God pleases to do is always best and perfect.

 

3.  Verses 8-12.  Praise Him for His Power.

 

a.  Power in Deliverance.  Egypt, one of the most significant world powers.  No power can stand before Him.

 

b.  Power in Disputes.  Pharaoh, Sihon, Og, Kings in Canaan.  No man on earth or angel in heaven can stand before Him.

 

c.  Power in Dominion.   And gave their land for a heritage, a heritage unto Israel his people. Sovereignty in dominion as He owns it all and gives to those whom He chooses. 

 

4.  Verses 13-14.  Praise Him for His Permanence.

 

a.  His Eternality.  Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever.  This is one of the greatest attributes of God, eternality.  And, because He lives forever, we also have eternal life.  We will never grow old again, so enjoy the trip here.

 

b.  Hie Equity.  For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.  He can use me, He can use you, He can use us all at the same time. I want to say this respectfully: God is an equal opportunity employer!

 

5.  Verses 15-18.  Here, the Psalmist speaks of the gods of this World.

 

a.  The Work of Men’s Hands. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.  I cannot imagine carving out or forming up a “god” and then bowing down to it in worship and adoration!

 

b.  The Weakness of Men’s Idols.  They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;  (17)  They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.  Your statue or other idol cannot speak to you, support you, encourage you, or save you.  It is inanimate! 

 

c.  The Witness of Men’s Deception.  They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.  Enough said here. Get your little statue to protect you, and let me know how that works out for you. I am not being disrespectful at this point, but the worst deception remains self-deception.

 

6. Verses 19-21.  The Blessing of the Saints.

 

a.  The People of Blessing.  Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:  (20)  Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

 

b.  The Praise of Blessing.  Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation - Part 2 - The Righteousness of God

Temple Baptist Church - 9-28-2025

Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:1-5

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Virtually nothing is said about the life of Abel in either the Old or New Testaments.  In Genesis chapter 4, we find that the offering Abel made pleased God, but it also cost him his life at the same time.   I want you to notice the word “And” mentioned seven times in our text, showing the continuation of the context.

 

Genesis 4:1-8  And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.  (2)  And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  (3)  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.  (4)  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:  (5)  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  (6)  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  (7)  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.  (8)  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

 

B.  Abel’s offering pleased God.  Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

 

1.  “By faith.” Early in the Bible, we see that salvation was by faith. Abel’s faith was not in the sacrifice he offered, but in the prophesied “seed of the woman,” the coming of the Messiah mentioned in Genesis chapter 3. 

 

2.  “A more excellent sacrifice than Cain." The sacrifice that Abel offered was a continuation of the Old Testament’s practice of Atonement (to expiate or cover sins).

 

3.  “By which he obtained witness that he was righteous.”  The faith of Adam and Eve was passed on to their children to be either accepted (Abel) or rejected (Cain).

 

4.  “God testifying of his gifts.”  The sacrifice of Abel was pleasing to God. 

 

C.  Abel’s offering to God cost him his life.  Salvation will always cost you your life!  Spiritually, the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.  I love the song that says this world is not my home, I’m just a passing through!  Physically, look back through the millennia at God’s people who were martyred for their faith in Christ alone. 

 

Genesis 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him.

 

1.  After Abel’s acceptance and Cain’s rejection, we find them talking in the field.  I am sure that the brothers discussed many things over the years preceding this event, with no mention of division or hatred.

 

2.  “And”  In this one conjunction, we find the continuation of the preceding verses.  The context had not changed.  They discussed the acceptance of Abel’s gift and the rejection of Cain’s.  The division between the brothers continues to this day.

 

3.  Genesis chapter 4 gives a vivid picture of what righteousness God rejects, and what righteousness God accepts.

 

D.  Self-righteousness is called the way of Cain, which God rejected and continues to do so to this day. 

 

Jude 11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

 

1.  One of the age-old problems with people being saved is that of ignorance of what it takes to get to heaven. 

 

a)  Self-righteousness in Salvation. Christianity has become a generic term for all religions that teach about Christ. Many faiths use His name, but the only way to heaven is through His name.

 

Acts 4:11-12  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. 

 

b)  Self-righteousness manifested itself in personal merit.  Those who believe that they are good enough to go to heaven or need to do something other than accept grace alone.

 

b)  Self-righteousness also manifests itself in those who believe that they are good enough to maintain their salvation through personal merit or good works. 

 

c)  Both doctrines are heretical!

 

2.  Personal righteousness is completely done away with in this one verse. 

 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  (Notice with me the word “all” found twice in this verse.)

 

a)  “all as an unclean thing.”  There is none righteous, no not one!  We are all sinners.  We are all unclean.

 

Romans 3:10-12  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  (11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  (12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

b)  “all our righteousnesses.”  Notice that the word “righteousnesses” is plural.  It covers everything that can be done to merit (works-based) salvation.  Religion does not understand the biblical teaching that works, and grace destroy each other.

 

Romans 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

 

c)  Abel’s righteousness was the imputed righteousness of God! 

 

d)  What God begins, God finishes!

 

1)   God’s Counsel and Purposes Cannot Fail.

 

Isaiah 46:10  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:

 

Job 23:14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

 

2)  God as the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

 

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

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

 

3)  God Always Completes His Work.

 

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

Ecclesiastes 3:14  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

 

Psalm 138:8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

 

4)  In the First Mention of salvation and restoration in Genesis chapter 3, it was all of God and all of grace.

 

5)  What God did for Adam and Eve, He did for Cain and Abel, and He has also done it for us. 

 

E.  Followers of the “Way of Cain” are ignorant of the righteousness of God necessary for salvation. 

 

Romans 10:1-4  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  (2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  (3)  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

 

1.  Ignorance of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “not according to knowledge…ignorant of God’s righteousness” 

 

Psalms 71:19  Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

 

Religion tries to bring God down to man’s level while elevating man to God’s level.

 

2.  Impeccability of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “God’s righteousness”  The Bible declares that God dwells in a light that no man can approach unto.  He is impeccably holy.  He is immutably holy.  He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.”

 

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.

 

Salvation must always be by grace through faith because God demands absolute holiness, and He alone is impeccably holy.

 

3. Impossibility of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “going about to establish their own righteousness.” 

 

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

 

4.  Insubordination to God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “have not submitted themselves” 

 

Galatians 3:1-3  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  (2)  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  (3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

 

God’s demand: obedience to the gospel.  Vs. 16.  Romans 1 shows the progression of the knowledge of God rejected:  a)  When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God - God gave them up)  b)  They changed the truth of God into a lie - God gave them up again  c)  They did not like to retain God in their minds - God gave them over to a reprobate mind.

 

5.  Imputation of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 4.  “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  Salvation is a result of God’s righteousness being imputed to the believer through propitiation and faith. 

 

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. 

 

“Dressed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne.”  “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I AM!”

 

6.  Invitation of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 13.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”   

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Resolving Personal Conflicts

Temple Baptist Church - 9-24-2025

1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Matthew 18:15-20

 

Introduction:

 

A. Within the Body of Christ, we find individuality, which is meant to be a blessing to the church but can become problematic at times.  We are all human!  Though our bond is perfectly joined in Christ Jesus, we are all perfectly different in our human nature.  

 

1.  The Blessing of Individuality within the Body of Christ.  The blessing of our individuality is found in our necessary and individual use within the body of Christ.  Each individual has specific responsibilities within the church to ensure its proper functioning.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-18  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  (13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  (14)  For the body is not one member, but many.  (15)  Ifthe foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (16)  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  (18)  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 

If every member were a Pastor, we would have a multitude of churches with NO congregations.

 

2.  The Potential of Individuality within the Body of Christ.    Though there is no problem intended in the Body of Christ by God, we are all human!  And Humanity is born in sin with a sin nature.  Therefore, we choose to do either the right or the wrong.

 

3.  The Problem of Individuality within the Body of Christ.  When personal conflict does come, and it will, we do not handle it Biblically!  We often, when settling or battling in personal conflict with another brother or brethren, rely on our own wit or desires to resolve the problem to our individual benefit.  

 

4.  The Correction of Personal Conflict with the Body needs to be done according to the Scriptures.  I have too often found that one party is good with Biblical intervention, but the other party is not.  This is normally because the one who will not come to the “table” is afraid of the outcome!

 

B.  Throughout the Bible, we find examples of personal conflict between brethren.  I will not deal with all this, but here are two specific areas of personal conflict that we will address.  

 

1.  Conflict in Fellowship.  Here we find the possibility that either or both parties may be wrong.  Do not enter into mediation without understanding this principle.  There is an old saying that “You cannot see the forest for the trees.”

 

Matthew 18:15-22  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  (16)  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  (18)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  (19)  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  (20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ofthem.  (21)  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

a.  Verse 15.  First, try to resolve the issue with your brother or sister in Christ.  The fewer people involved, the easier it is to fix and the better the outcome.

 

b.  Verse 16.  Second, involve a trusted brother or sister who can be unbiased with you.  This will establish step three if it is necessary.  If it can be resolved through an impartial third party, then keep it quiet and move on.

 

c.  Verse 17.  Third, if the offended or offender refuses to listen to reason, bring the matter before the church, starting with pastoral involvement and proceeding to Church Discipline if necessary.

 

d.  Fourth, if the offender will not listen to you, the unbiased brother, or the church, FORGIVE HIM OR HER!  Be instant to forgive.  Learn to forgive and forget, even if the other is the guilty one or the unforgiving one.  Forgiveness is for you as well as for the other.

 

2.  Conflict in Finances.  This should never be an issue between brethren!

 

a.  Is it wrong for a Christian to go to court?  The answer is both yes and no.

 

1)  It is not wrong for a Christian to rightfully use the law.

 

a)  We are to obey the laws of the land, thus giving us the right to live within the protection of that law - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.

 

2)  The Apostle Paul used Roman law as a means of self-protection - Acts 22:25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

 

Acts 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

 

3)  This chapter deals with lawsuits between Christians, not the unsaved.  A Christian has the right to protect both himself and his interests in judicial law.

 

b.  It is wrong for a Brother or Sister to take another before a civil court.  I think that we are to understand also that these believers were of the same church and knew each other in both person and Christian testimony.  

 

1)  We live in a day of “generic” Christianity were everyone in the United States is supposedly one.  By the term Christian, I mean those with a Christian testimony.

 

2)  In dealing with the court system and the inability to know if someone is actually a Christian or not, we are to stay away from any civil suit that will in any way reproach the name of Christ.

 

b.  How then are we to protect ourselves against such disputes?

 

1)  It is not wrong for a Christian to rightfully use the law.

 

a)  We are to obey the laws of the land, thus giving us the right to live within the protection of that law - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.

 

2)  The Apostle Paul used Roman law as a means of self-protection - Acts 22:25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

 

Acts 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

 

3)  This chapter deals with lawsuits between Christians, not the unsaved.  A Christian has the right to protect both himself and his interests in judicial law.

 

c.  It is wrong for a Brother or Sister to take another before a civil court.  I think that we are to understand also that these believers were of the same church and knew each other in both person and Christian testimony.  

 

1)  We live in a day of “generic” Christianity were everyone in the United States is supposedly one.  By the term Christian, I mean those with a Christian testimony.

 

2)  In dealing with the court system and the inability to know if someone is actually a Christian or not, we are to stay away from any civil suit that will in any way reproach the name of Christ.

 

d.  How then are we to protect ourselves against such disputes?

 

1)  Never loan without being willing to suffer loss and forgive - Deuteronomy 23:19  Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy in brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thingthat is lent upon usury:

 

Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

2)  Never borrow from a brother without making prompt payment - Proverbs 3:27-28  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

 

3)  If you are a Christian businessman, do the best work that you can, but require payment under law - 1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

4)  If you are dealing with a Christian businessman, make sure that payment is prompt - Luke 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

 

5)  Never deal with another Christian without being willing to suffer defraud.

 

1)  The sin of defrauding - 1 Thessalonians 4:6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  

 

Some will borrow and fail to repay promptly or not at all. I would reconsider his salvation for openly defrauding a brother who is commanded not to take him before a judge.

 

Mark 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Donot commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

 

2)  The suffering of defraud - Luke 6:34  And if ye lend tothem of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  

 

If you cannot lend without risking fraud, do not lend!

 

Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

Conclusion:  Learn to settle disputes within the boundaries of the Bible to be beneficial, not detrimental to the local church.  

LORD, Teach Us To Pray

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-21-2025

Psalm 86

 

A.  “A Prayer of David” is the only key to understanding what this Psalm is about. The Bible, which is the Word of God, provides us with a pattern of prayer. I believe that our prayer life should include specific aspects that, although they are to be repeated often, are not merely vain repetitions as the Lord alluded to in the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Matthew 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

 

B.  This is a simple Davidic! It provides a personal glimpse into the prayer closet of this great man of God. A king who had everything knew that everything came from God. 

 

1.  I think that this is essential to the prayer life of each of us.  The Book of James teaches us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights, how has no variableness nor shadow of turning. 

 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

2.  As the moon shows us only its lighted side, God has no dark side, so He is the Father of Lights to us. God also does not vary “one degree” as is alluded to in “shadow of turning.”

 

3.  God only gives us good things.

 

C.  In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray, which the world calls “The Lord’s Prayer.”  It is not “The Lord’s Prayer,” as that is taught in John chapter 17, but rather “The Model Prayer.”  The Lord established for His disciples a pattern of praying that is good to follow. 

 

Luke 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

 

D.  King David gave no specifics about the time of life when he prayed this prayer or the circumstances surrounding it, only that he was communing with God.

 

E.  Here is a brief outline that I believe is key to both this prayer and Psalm, and should also be central to our prayers.

 

1.  O LORD, Hear Me!  Verse 1.  “Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.” 

 

David was a poor, needy man, though the greatest, most powerful King that ever lived.  Here, we find no pride in this man after God’s own heart!

 

2.  O LORD, Preserve My Soul!  Verse 2.  “Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.” 

 

David was doing his best to be right with God and trusting Him with the affairs of life.

 

3.  O LORD, Be Merciful To Me!  Verse 3.  “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” 

 

David understood that cleansing came through daily confession of sinfulness.

 

4.  O LORD, Rejoice My Soul!  Verse 4.  “Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” 

 

David understood the spiritual wealth of rejoicing always.  Mind over matter!

 

5.  O LORD, Forgive Me!  Verse 5.  “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” 

 

David was well acquainted with the weakness of his flesh (weights and sins that so easily beset each of us.  Confession, repentance, and restoration in righteousness are a way of life for the believer.

 

6.  O LORD, Be Not Silent!  Verses 6-7.  “Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.” 

 

I think it is right to ask God to answer prayers. We have not because we ask not, therefore, we ask and must receive.   Jeremiah 33:3

 

7.  O LORD, Allow Me To Praise Thee!  Verses 8-10.  “Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.”

Let everything that hath breath, praise the LORD!  Quit praising, quit breathing!

 

8.  O LORD, Teach Me!  Verses 11-12.  “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”

 

Please help me to be a learner before I become a teacher.  Here we find a continual search for the truths of God openly hidden in the Bible.

 

9.  O LORD, Be Merciful To Me!  Verses 13-15.  “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

 

I need Thee every hour, most precious LORD!  Help me to see myself in the light of God’s Word and in honesty confess and forsake the sin in my life.

 

10.  O LORD, Turn Me!  Verse 16.  “O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.”

 

Wilt thou no revive ME again and again and again.

 

11.  O LORD, Shew Me!  Verse 17.  “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.”

 

LORD, I know your love for me but show me your love for me. 

Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation - Part 1 - The Common Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 9-21-2025

Jude 1-3

 

A.  The importance of the Doctrine of Soteriology?  Because there is so much confusion on the subject, as most major denominations view salvation in different ways, and if you do not get salvation right, nothing else matters!

 

1.  Religion is comfortable, as you can live a sinful life and be right with God.

 

2.  Look at the results of religion in the Bible Belt.  From godliness to “Sipping and

Strolling on the Square.”

 

3.  Nudity instead of Modesty. Witness to them, and they all profess to belong to a church.

 

4.  Unfaithfulness instead of Faithfulness to the Church on Sunday.

 

5.  The list could go on, but I think that we all get it.

 

B.  I chose a familiar text to begin the Doctrine of Salvation that gives us two words that tell us that everyone, in all dispensations, gets saved the same way!  Like it or not, the “common salvation” is a doctrinal truth that is well established in the Bible.  We are Biblicists!  The Bible is the FINAL AUTHORITY for both faith and practice.  Therefore, leave your denominational teachings on salvation outside and listen to what God says on the subject.

 

1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

C.  Our day is full of spiritual confusion.  I want to read a couple of verses and apply them to our lesson on Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation.

 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (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.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 

D.  It is imperative that we understand that salvation is the same for all.  It is a “common salvation.” 

 

E. The Book of Jude is one of the epistles written concerning the apostasy both present then and prophetic of our day. 

 

1. Apostasy was already prevalent in Jude’s day – almost 2,000 years ago.  2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

 

2. The spirit of Antichrist was there, and disciples were being drawn away.  1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 

F. The very foundation of our faith is now under satanic attack from both without and within.  Jude is all about infiltration! 

 

1.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches is saved. 

 

2.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches loves the Lord. 

 

3.  Not everyone sitting on the pews of churches loves the Word of God.

 

G. Look again at the description of the saved in these opening verses.  “When I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation.”

 

1. True Biblical salvation is indeed “common” to all of God’s children. 

 

a)  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something cheap or inexpensive.  Salvation is free, not cheap.  It cost God His Son!  Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

b)  By “common,” the Bible is not referring to something plenteous.  Supply and demand.  Too much supply is cheap while too much demand brings a rise in worth.  There is still a remnant according to the election of grace! 

 

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

c)  By “common,” the Bible means that salvation is the same for all of God’s children! 

 

2. If you listen to the voices of “Christendom,” you will be completely confused!  There are so many “voices” out there that are clamoring for people’s attention.  Radio, Television, the internet, etc., are full of false doctrine and have very little truth. 

 

3. Hidden Gospel.  In religion, the Gospel is there in most cases but hidden among the ritual.  Jesus Christ is hidden among the idols. Satan has blinded the minds of the religious to hide the “Glorious Gospel of Christ!”

 

2 Corinthians 4:1-6  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  (2)  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  (3)  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (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.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

4. The result is churches full of lost members?  The answer is straightforward: people changed Biblical salvation to fit their own religion or personal experience instead of following God’s way, a plain path of salvation found in the Bible.  I have often said that we MUST conform our doctrine to the Bible, not make the Bible conform to our doctrine.  Now, we have many different ways to heaven instead of one way: God’s way that is found in the King James Bible.

 

5. The hiding of the Gospel produces a false salvation of works or personal merit; some say that salvation is a mixture of works or personal merit and faith; some say that salvation requires water baptism; some say that salvation requires you to be a member of their church; some say that salvation can be through Christ or Mary; some say that you must endure to the end to be saved; the few, who are correct, say that salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ alone.

 

H. They have the same characteristics because they are born into the same family.  They have the same genetics or spiritual DNA!

 

1.  All are called from Sin to Christ!

 

2.  All are called from Vanity to Purpose!

 

3.  All are called from Ungodliness to Holiness!

 

4.  All are called from Dishonor to Honor!

 

J.  How are we saved?  By a new, spiritual birth, which is by grace (UNDERSERVED) through faith alone!

 

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  (Salvation is a birth!  And, there are no exceptions to the rule!)

 

John 3:16-18  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (The birth is a faith in the finished work of Christ.)

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (The birth and faith are Bible based!)

 

Acts 16:30-31  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  (31)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

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.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (Repentance from dead works and faith are necessary for salvation.  “Dead works” is man’s effort to obtain salvation through personal merit.  Works that cannot save are dead works.  Faith that does not work is dead faith!  We do not work to be saved, but our salvation creates within us a desire to serve and live for Christ.)

 

K. All is changed from the old man and conformed to the new man.  We are all being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  Not to be changed and conformed is not to be saved.  I understand that there are varying degrees of obedience among God’s children, but all have the Holy Spirit and all have desire.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

L. Our Common Salvation is a finished work!  Since it is God who begins a good work in us, it is He who carries it out. This is what makes us similar despite our differences. It is also what sets us apart from “Christendom.”

 

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.  (The mercy and grace of God are both the spring and fountain of everything that we have or ever hope for.)

 

M.  We all share the same salvation, the same Spirit, the same witness, and the same testimony. Notice with me the reversal of order in verses 1 and 2.

 

1.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Sanctification – The means of sanctification is Multiplied Mercy (to separate from and to consecrate to) – vs. 1 (Sympathy)

 

a. We Are Sanctified Through His Will - John 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 

b. We Are Sanctified Through His Word - John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

2.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Security – The fruit of our security is Multiplied Peace (to attend to and to take care of) – vs. 1  (Serenity)

 

a. We Are Powerfully Kept - 1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

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

 

c. We Are Perfectly Kept - Jude 1:24  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,

 

d.  We Are Peacefully Kept - 1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

3.  In Our Common Salvation We Find Seeking – The basis of our calling is Multiplied Love – vs. 1  (Sovereignty)

 

a. There Was A Sovereign Call (Do not let the word “sovereignty alarm you. God is completely sovereign, but in His sovereignty, He extended His call to salvation through grace alone. By sovereign call, the Bible says that God chose to save us through His marvelous grace, not by our works.)

 

1) The Call Came Through Grace Alone - 2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

 

2) The Call Came Through the Gospel Alone - 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. There Was A Sovereign Choice – Matthew 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.  (My Bible says that, though the many are called, few are saved!  The difference is the choice! God’s sovereign choice was to save those who came to Him by faith!)

 

Proverbs 1:24  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;  (Man has the choice to come to God or to reject Him!)

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (God’s choosing came through our “belief of the truth.”)

 

c. There Was A Sovereign Conversion - Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (It is God’s way or the “highway” to hell!  Our salvation is a “common” salvation because it is inclusive to only those who come to God His way.)