The Elijah Syndrome

Temple Baptist Church - 12-9-2018

Romans 11:1-6; 1 Kings 19

Introduction:

A.  Paul begins this chapter with a question that he immediately answers for the believers in Rome.  “Hath God cast away His people?”  “God forbid!”

B.  We need to remember that chapters 9-11 deal with the Nation of Israel.

1.  Chapter 9 – The Election of the Nation of Israel.

2.  Chapter 10 – The Rejection of the Nation of Israel.

3.  Chapter 11 – The Restoration of the Nation of Israel.

C.  Though the Nation of Israel became “marred” in the hands of the Potter, the Potter did not throw the clay away. 

Jeremiah 18:1-6  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,  (2)  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  (3)  Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  (4)  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  (5)  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  (6)  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

D.  Last week, we saw that God has saved a remnant in Israel and is saving a remnant in our day.  GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD HIS REMNANT!

E.  I want to leave Israel for a few minutes tonight to look at what I call “The Elijah Syndrome.”  Something that none of us are exempt from.  Paul takes us back in time to the condition of the Nation of Israel in the days of Elijah, the prophet.  (1 Kings, chapter 19)

James 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are …

F.  Often, in this time of apostasy, when most churches and preachers are “falling away” from the Old Paths, we find out selves seemingly alone in the fight.

G.  I use the word “seemingly” because of God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5 to NEVER leave us nor forsake us.  Never is often referred to as an absolute negative. It means never for any reason or at any time.

H.  We often forget this in these last perilous days.  Bible believing, Bible following people are once again a remnant in our day.  Little hands full of people gather around America and the world worshipping God in the old ways of the fathers.

I.  I want to look at Elijah for a few minutes because we now sit where this great prophet of God once sat.

1.  In 1 Kings, chapter 18, Elijah stood alone on Mount Carmel against the 450 prophets of Baal and God stood with him. 

a.  God wrought a great victory that day through a solitary prophet.  God still controls and victory in our day is assured.

b.  You would have thought that Elijah would now be bold enough “to go bear hunting with a switch!”  Instead of defeat,

2.  In 1 Kings, chapter 19, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah telling him that on the morrow, he would be as dead as the 450 prophets of Baal.

1 Kings 19:1-2  And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.  (2)  Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

3.  Elijah fled from the face of Jezebel though God was still with him.  “He requested for himself” implies that he was speaking to God.

1 Kings 19:3-4  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.  (4)  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: (Elijah left his servant and went alone.  No one is invited to a “Pity Party” because they may tell you their problems instead of listening to yours.  This messes up the party!)

4.  Elijah says that “It is enough.”  Spiritually, Elijah was done.  He had had enough and wanted to die.

1 Kings 19:4 and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.  (Both religious people and the world have always “killed the prophets … tore down the altars” of God.  Sometimes, people of God and men of God come to the point of quitting because their eyes are upon their surroundings instead of upon God.)

5.  God’s patience with Elijah.  God sent an angel, ministers to the heirs of salvation, to attend to feed Elijah.

1 Kings 19:5-7  And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  (6)  And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.  (7)  And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.  (God understands what it is to feel lonely at times.  Just look at our Lord Jesus’ life.  You can be alone in a crowd!  God knows our frame and is very gentle with us.)

6.  Elijah’s journey to come.  “The journey is too great for thee.”  We often sing the little song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.”  One verse says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”  Are we willing to live for the Lord if we must do it alone?

7.  God gave Elijah all that he needed to carry on.  1 Kings 19:8  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

8.  God’s question for Elijah. 

1 Kings 19:9  And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?  (The will of God for us in these days is not hiding in a cave but standing openly for the LORD.)

9.  God’s reminder to us that we are not alone in the battle.

Romans 11:4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.  (As in Nehemiah’s day, we may be scattered upon the wall, but we are not alone.  Live each day for Christ as if it is you last day on earth.)

Where to find encouragement:

1.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Lord - 1 Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

a.  There Is Encouragement In His Person - Habakkuk 3:17-18  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

b.  There Is Encouragement In His Presence - Hebrews 13:5  Let yourconversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

c.  There Is Encouragement In His Power - Romans 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

d.  There Is Encouragement In His Purpose - Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

e.  There Is Encouragement In His Protection - 2 Corinthians 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2.  You Will Find Encouragement In the Word - Psalms 119:28  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 

a.  There Is Encouragement In Its Promises - Deuteronomy 1:21  Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Its Preaching - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Church - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

           

a.  There Is Encouragement In Your Pastor

1)  To Continue - Deuteronomy 3:28  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

2)  To Contend - Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

3)  To Conform -  Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Your People

1)  There Is Visual Encouragement - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (It encourages me just to see them!)

2)  There Is Vocal Encouragement - Hebrews 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  (It encourages me just to hear them!)

What Happens When You Sell The Farm

Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-2018

1 Kings 21:1-16

Introduction:

A.  We have just read an old familiar story about a man of integrity.  A man who thought that his heritage was of far greater worth than money.  Naboth died for his decision to not “sell the farm.”

B.  First, I want to give a little typology found in this story.

1.  Ahab, a wicked king, is a type of Satan and the world.

2.  Naboth is a type of the people of God.

3.  The vineyard is a type of church.

4.  The “inheritance of my fathers” is the antiquity of his forefather’s vineyard.

5.  Naboth’s death is a type of the price paid for the inheritance of the vineyard.

C.  A wicked King desired to buy an old vineyard that was adjacent to the palace. 

1.  I wonder how many times Ahab looked out at this beautiful vineyard and desired it.  Ahab was not a vine dresser!  There came a day when Ahab decided to make Naboth an “offer that he could not refuse.”  I do not think that Ahab offered him less than it was worth because money was no object to the king.  He thought that Naboth would certainly sell to him because he was the king and the offer seemed fair.  Naboth refused!  He refused because it was his inheritance of his family’s heritage. 

2.  Naboth’s refusal was a “slap in the face” Ahab.  Ahab was sad in spirit because of Naboth’s refusal.  Jezebel devised a plan to end Naboth’s life and take the vineyard.

D.  I want to give an analogy of our day that represents this story well.

1.  Harrison Bridge Road intersects with Fairview Road in Simpsonville.  Fairview Road has been one of the fastest growing in the upstate as businesses have jumped up everywhere.  There are quite a few new housing developments along the road:  homes, condominiums, and apartment complexes.  High dollar property!

2.  In close proximity to the intersection that I referred to, there was a huge farm.  Beautiful rolling hills, a pond, a home, completely fenced in with plenty of cattle.  For a number of years, I watched that farm with interest because of the rising price of acreage and the dwindling amount of open property for builders to buy and sell.

3.  I was thrilled every time that I took the back way home and passed that old farm!  I knew that numerous offers had probably been made and the price, no doubt, in the millions.  I knew that some older people probably lived there, and it was the homeplace that children were raised in and not grown children and grandchildren still visited.

4.  Every time I saw it, I thought, hold out!!  I made mention of it to Barbara more than once and I did not want the owners to “sell the farm.”  It was a constant reminder of a time now gone and a family home place that could be visited.

5.  Now, the farm is gone, and condos, apartments, and housing are on the land.  Home gone, pond gone, cattle gone, fences gone, and family gone.  Someone “sold the farm.”

E.  Just bear with me for a few minutes.  

1.  I was raised at 710 Railroad Street in Earlington, KY.   I little coal mining town nestled in the “heart of the coal fields.”  Our home was rundown when Dad bought it.  I remember Dad sitting on the floor joists working as he leveled the floors (as much as could be leveled) and put down beautiful hardwood floors. 

2.  In size, it was a modest home with just four rooms and a bath.  Dad took a walk-through closet and made a small bedroom.  It was home to Mom and Dad along with three boys and one special little girl.  The year that Barbara and I married, Dad sold the house and bought one in Morton’s Gap, KY but—to me—it was never home.  I never lived there. 

3.  I still go by the old house on Railroad Street that needs to be bulldozed, stop and try to look in the windows.  The memories of my childhood flood back but it is now just an old empty shell of a house that has become an eyesore.  To the world, it is just an old house that is no longer inhabitable because dad “sold the farm!”  But, while it stands, it will always be home.

4.  Around 1990, mom sold our little farm.  I now go back, and the old cabin is gone and all is in ruins.  The memories flood back with a bitter-sweet feeling of the glory of its past and the ruins of its present.  Mom “sold the farm!”

F.  Throughout the Bible, we find people who “sold the farm.”

1.  Adam and Eve sold out for the knowledge of good and evil.

2.  Esau sold out for a bowl of pottage.

3.  Achan sold out for a wedge of gold, a bag of silver, and a Babylonish garment.

4.  Samson sold out for a loose living woman.

5.  Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver.

6.  Demas sold out for the love of this present world.

G.  Why can we not “sell the farm” at Temple Baptist Church.  Satan wants to destroy it and the world would love to have it!

1  Because of the Change.  Verse 2.  “that I may have it for a garden of herbs”  a “Herb Garden” instead of a fruitful vineyard.  I am not against herbs, but I believe that the change from a well dressed vineyard to a garden of herbs was a serious downgrade.  If Temple Baptist Church ever decides to accept the price offered by the world (more people, more money), there will be a swift—radical change. 

a.  The music will change.  There will be a “praise leader” and “praise band” to disgrace our pulpit.

b.  The Old Paths of our fathers will give way to the New Paths of this modern age. 

c.  Casualness will replace respectfulness and the sanctuary will become a place of multi-tasking.  The hallowedness of the church grounds will be gone.

d.  The “must” of worship in spirit and truth will become the worship of “another” spirit with little or no truth.

e.  The “Gold Standard” of the King James Bible will give way to the corruption of the new versions that add to, take away, and diminish the Word of God.

2.  Because of the Cost.  Verses 2, 6.  “Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.”  Money cannot buy what we have: the best church that I have ever been a member of. 

a.  A unity that have not found in any other.  The peace of God here that passeth all understanding.  A fellowship so sweet that we consider each other family with a bond that cannot be broken.  A love and fellowship that cannot be bought at any price.  If we ever “sell the farm,” what we now enjoy and take for granted will change.

1 John 1:3-7  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  (4)  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  (5)  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

b.  A pulpit that will not be compromised.  Men who ascend into this pulpit are clean men, King James Bible men, God’s men!  I thank God for a people who will allow God’s man to preach the unsearchable, unchanging truth of an old King James Bible.  If we ever “sell the farm,” the pulpit will be gone!

c.  Missionaries that know, love, and pray for us will be gone.  We have supported many of these missionaries for over 30 years, many over 20 years.  We know them, and they know us!  Good missionaries will drop Temple Baptist Church if we ever “sell the farm.”

d.  If we “sell the farm,” the cost will be greater than we could ever imagine.

3.  Because of the Children.  Verse 3.  “The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.”  

a.  As the vineyard once belonged to the fathers, now belonged to Naboth, it also belonged to Naboth’s posterity!  “Fathers” is plural and is to be understood that the vineyard had been in the family for many generations. 

b.  Though they are young and have little or no say, Naboth would be selling “the children’s farm!”  The place of their childhood; the stability of their spiritual well-being; their roots.  Though some move off, some stay and will raise their children here.

c.  Thus it is with the church if we “sell the farm.”   When our children and grandchildren decide to visit, the church that they were brought up in will only be a memory.  I wonder what the little farm family’s children and grandchildren think when they drive by the old homeplace on Fairview Road? 

d.  Our church is not the most beautiful or the most expensive, but it is ours!  It is not only ours but also belongs to our children and grandchildren.

Conclusion:  The farm on Fairview Road is but a fading memory; our family home in Kentucky along with the little farm are but a fading memory.  Let us keep our church for ourselves, our children, and for a light along the highway.

Being Faithful In 2017 - Faithfulness In Finances

Temple Baptist Church - 1-8-2017

1 Kings 17:1-16

Introduction: 

A.  As we face a New Year, I am preaching of a subject which many do not like: “Being Faithful in 2017.” 

1.  Unfortunately, “as the manner of some is” in Hebrews 10:25 has become “as the manner of most is.” 

2.  In our day, we find the culmination of the days of Noah (eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage), the days of Lot (they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded - pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness which led to sodomy), the days of 2 Thessalonians 2 (a falling away), and the days of Laodicea (lukewarm and supposedly having need of nothing).

3.  Personally, I do not want to be affected by this world!  I had rather be an old time Christian with old time thinking while standing in the old time Old Paths of our forefathers.

B.  I want to look at faithfulness in finances for a few minutes.  I know that most of our congregation tithes and gives above the tithe.  The number of people divided into the weekly offerings are proof of it.  BUT, so much emphasis has been put on money in our days that it has become the main concern of our nation.  Not morality, money!  It has also affected some people within the church.

1 Timothy 6:6-10  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  (9)  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  (10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

C.  The Bible teaches the exact opposite of the world’s thinking about finances.  The Bible calls money “the least” and the “unrighteous mammon.”  It also declares that you cannot serve God and mammon at the same time.  Therefore, our thinking about finances dictates our love of and service for the Lord!

Luke 16:10-13  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  (11)  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  (12)  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?  (13)  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

D.  As a pastor, I have found that, as a general rule, if you are not faithful in that which God calls the “least,” you will not be faithful in anything else.  People who do not tithe are normally unfaithful to attend services on a regular basis.  People who do not tithe are normally unfaithful to witness.  People who do not tithe are normally not faithful to their families (to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord).

E.  Let us take a short look at our text: God taught Elijah to trust the Lord and then taught the widow to do the same.

1.  Vs 1-9 – The Establishment Of Testimony.  God had to teach Elijah before Elijah could teach others.  We that are tithers and givers can attest to the fact that it is both right and works!  

2 Corinthians 9:15  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2.  Vs 11 – God’s Reasonable Demand.  God owns it all and only requires a “morsel” to be given back. 

Leviticus 27:30  And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

3.  Vs 12 – Man’s Faithless Response.  People watch as others obediently tithe but then think “There is not enough to go around, how can I give a part of what I have back to the Lord?” 

Malachi 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

4.  Vs 13-14 – God’s Promised Provision.  Trust me with your “morsel” and I will take care of your needs.  With faithful obedience comes the promise of proving.  The old saying is that “the proof is in the pudding.” 

Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

5.  Vs 15 – Man’s Faithful Response.  I will trust the Lord with that which is least and depend upon Him to do as He has promised. 

Malachi 3:10-11  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (11)  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

6.  Vs 16 – God’s Promise Fulfilled.  God gave the widow much more than she had to begin with.

Malachi 3:12  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.