Our Blessed Hope

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2026

1 Corinthians 15:19

 

Introduction: 

A.  I think, at this beginning point of this sermon, that it would be beneficial for me to define the word hope in relation to both the world and the believer. 

 

1.  The Hope of the world is a hopeless one.  Those who have a false hope have no hope.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

a)  Those who have a false hope.   A merit-based salvation.  When asked, “If you were to die today, are you sure that you would go to Heaven?” the typical answer is “I hope so!”  This is a hope with no real basis of expectation but, rather, the grasping of some spiritual “straw” by those who have no concept of biblical salvation. 

 

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

b)  Those who have no hope.  Atheists and agnostics.  The lost individual certainly hopes to go to Heaven but has no assurance or expectation.  The lost man has no real hope.  He has wishes and desires accompanied by pain and anxiety.  Either that there is no hereafter or that hereafter is neither knowable nor attainable.

 

Job 8:13  So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

 

2.  The Believer’s Hope is a living hope.

 

1 Peter 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

Lively - A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively): - life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick (made alive)

 

a)  When asked the same question, the believer says, “I certainly would go to Heaven!”  This is a blessed assurance that Heaven is his or hers through the grace of God and is not a matter of question. 

 

b)  This hope implies confidence coupled with both pleasure and joy. Hope: Expectation, confidence, trust.  Hope is the confident expectation of future good based on the promises and faithfulness of God.

 

1)  It is an assuring hope. It has substance and evidence.  Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

 

2)  It is a consoling hope.  2 Thessalonians 2:16  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

 

B.  There is little hope in this life of sorrow, and our hope and expectation are therefore eternal, not temporal.

 

Job 7:6  My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

 

C.  The Christian’s hope is not in a denomination or dogma but is found in the person and finished work of Christ Jesus alone.

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

1 Timothy 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

 

D.  Here are ten things that biblical hope brings to the life of the Christian.

 

1.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Confidence - Psalms 31:24  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

 

Job 14:7  For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

 

Psalms 16:9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

 

2.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Happiness - Psalms 146:5  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

 

Psalms 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

 

3.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Peace In The Face Of Death - Proverbs 14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

 

4.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Contentment - Jeremiah 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

 

Lamentations 3:21-26   This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22  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. 24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

5.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Patience - Romans 5:1-9  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

6.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Expectation - Romans 8:14-25  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint–heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

 

Ephesians 1:15-18  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 

7.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Loving Service - Philippians 1:19-20  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

 

Colossians 1:3-6  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

 

8.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Longing - Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

 

9.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Witness - 1 Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

10.  Our Blessed Hope Brings Purification - 1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

War No More

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-26-2024

Isaiah 2:1-4

 

Introduction:  Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  A day set aside to honor the memory of America’s war dead.  May we never forget those who died or were wounded in the fight for freedom and liberty.  May we never forget those who served our nation and continue to do so today.

 

A.  War has always been a way of life for people as there is no freedom or liberty without it!  The Bible says that there is a time for war!

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  3  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  6  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

 

1.  There are times when it is War or Slavery.

 

2.  There are times when it is Kill or be Killed.

 

B.  It has been estimated that in the last 5,900 years there have been an estimated 14,600 wars and less than 300 years of world peace. The hearts of people worldwide long for peace! People have talked a lot about peace over the centuries, but they have experienced precious little of it.

 

C. This Memorial Day, our nation will once again honor our war dead with the placement of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

 

1.  Our nation’s freedom and propriety have come at great cost!  People nowadays stake these things for granted because they have not had to pay the price for them. 

 

2.  They called the people of WWII the greatest generation.  Those who have paid the ultimate price have always been the greatest generation in their times.  What a tremendous price has been paid for the freedoms that we enjoy today! 

 

3.  These statistics are In all of the American wars, either by our country or within our country, over 41,892,128 men and women have served in wartime with app. 1,190,085 war dead and app. 1,430,290 wounded in action. 

 

4.  That is a tremendous number of young lives who gave their lives and future so that we could live and have a future of freedom, privilege, and joy.  “Live, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

 

5.  Freedom is a privilege, not a right!  There are many in this country who enjoy their freedoms while misusing them.  We do not have the freedom to do wrong in this land.  We do not have the freedom to live here and defame this land.  America has had some sordidness in its history and still is not a perfect land, but it is my country and I say, “Love it or leave it.”

 

6.  Coming to America is a privilege, not a right!  Come to America and be vetted.  Come right or stay where you are.

 

D.  This Memorial Day, we need to remember those in the Bible who gave their lives because of their commitment to God’s Word and Ways. 

 

1.  From the blood of righteous Able, the blood of the prophets who would not bow their knee to Baal, to the blood of God’s Son of died on the cross for the sin of the world, to the Apostles and New Testament saints who gave their lives for Christ’s name sake.  (Hebrews, chapter 11)

 

2.  To the saints throughout the Church Age (50 to 100 million of the) who died to bring to us the Word of God and the Old Paths,

 

3.  To the Christians in our day around the world who die daily for the cause of Christ and the sake of the Gospel.  Christians are persecuted worldwide as the hatred for Christ and His children continues. (Foxes Book of Martyrs; Trail of Blood)

 

4.  But it doesn’t end there as the Tribulation Saints will be martyred!  (Revelation6:9)

 

E.  But now, it’s our turn!  We who love God, love the Son of God our Saviour, love the precious Word of God that we hold in our hands, and try to live a life pleasing to the Lord through separation from the world are now hated because we stand for the Bible which condemns the satanic actions of this present evil world.

 

F.  This Memorial Day, we need to remember those that have gone on before, those who are dying now, and those who will continue to die after our days are done. 

 

President Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

 

G.  War and Peace are two sides to a revolving door with neither side being open permanently.  War is necessary!  War is a way of life and war is a right thing!  The first mention of war is in Genesis 14:2 and the last in Revelation 19:19.

 

1.  God taught David to War - Psalms 144:1  Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

 

2.  God taught Israel to War - Judges 3:1-2  Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;  16217  Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

 

3.  We must teach our children to war!  Judges 3:1-2  Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;  2  Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

 

H.  Isaiah is the Bible in miniature. 

 

1.  Sixty-Six chapters which correspond with the sixty-six books of the Bible.  There is a false teaching that the Book of Isaiah had two individual writers: Deutero-Isaiah. 

 

2.  The error of such teaching comes from ignorance of the division in Isaiah.  The first thirty nine chapters correspond with the thirty nine books of the Old Testament.

 

3.  The last twenty seven chapters correspond with the twenty seven chapters of the New Testament.

 

4.  Why this information?  Because in Genesis, chapter 2, we find the end of the six days of creation, and everything created is “very good”.  Isaiah chapter two is prophetic of the Millennium or one thousand years reign of Christ on the throne of David. 

 

5.  In that day, the earth will be much like it was in the beginning of creation.  It is here that we find Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the end of  learning to war. 

 

6.  One day all earthly wars will end except for the Battle of Gog and Magog which God will fight. 

 

Isaiah 2:4  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

J.  But, until that blessed day, we will have to continue to wage war.  War, since the fall of man, has been—is – and will be a way of life.

 

1.  Until Then We Will Have To Fight A War With Our National Enemies. 

 

a.  The enemies of peace understand only one thing:  strength!  You cannot negotiate peace from a position of weakness!  As long as sinful man is in control, wars will be fought. 

 

b.  Just before the Rapture of God’s Church, one of the signs of the Lord’s coming are wars and rumours of wars… For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

 

Exodus 15:3  The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

 

Psalms 24:8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

 

Psalms 45:3  Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

 

Revelation 19:11-15  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

2.  Until Then We Will Have To Fight A War With Our Flesh. 

 

a.  Until we get a new body at the coming of the Lord, our old nature will not be eradicated as we will have to continue to dwell in a sinful body! 

 

b.  Our Lord Jesus Christ will deliver us from the body of this death.  At His coming, we shall all be changed and our new body will have no sin.

 

Romans 7:23-25  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 

 

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 

3.  Until Then We Will Have To Fight A War With Satanic Foes.

 

a.  We live in perilous times with our enemy active while the church sleeps!  He devours us while we devour each other. 

 

b.  We are to “withstand” in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  “Withstand” means to take a punch.  Do not think that Satan is either retreating or giving up.  One day, he will be put in the bottomless pit. 

 

c.  One day, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire but—until then—we are in a battle for our very lives.

 

Ephesians 6:12-13  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

 

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

4.  Until Then We Will Have To Fight A War For The Faith.

 

a.  The Battle for the Old Paths of our Fathers.

 

b.  The Battle for the Doctrines of the Faith.

 

c.  The Battle for the Word of God.

 

d.  Until He comes, we are commanded to “fight the good fight of faith.”

 

1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. God’s men have always been fighters!  God’s people have always had to fight! 

 

1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

 

Jude 3-4  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.  (4)  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion:  God bless the memory of our War Dead.  God bless the memory of our Spiritual War Dead.  God bless America!

When Sorrow Turns to Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-22-2024

John 16:15-22

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Staying within the context of chapters 14-16, we find the sorrow that has filled the hearts of the disciples because of the impending departure of the Lord Jesus, their Friend, Mentor, Guide, Provider, Protector, and constant Companion. 

 

B.  We know a little about what they were feeling when we sit at the deathbed of a loved one knowing that shortly we will never seen them again in this life.  I thank God for pictures of these departed loved ones that bring back the pain of loss, the joy of remembrance, and in the case of the believer an assured hope.

 

C.  “A little while.”  This phrase is used 7 times in our text for tonight.  The Lord used “a little while” 4 times and the disciples used it 3 times.

 

1.  The phrase “a little while” refers to a short but indefinite time period.

 

2.  The “times” are in the Father’s hand.  Acts 1:7  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

 

1 Timothy 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

 

3.  To some degree, we can understand the times.  1 Thessalonians 5:1-2  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

 

D.  Our Lord was going away for “a little while” which means a “small space” or time.  The disciples wanted to know what “a little while” was. 

 

1.  When Bro. Harold Smith was in the Nursing Home, we would always tell him that we would be back shortly or after a little while because he would want to go home with us.  “Shortly” or “after while” he would be good with, but he got wise to us.  One day, I told him that I would be back in “a little while” and he asked, “Preacher, how long is little while?” 

 

2.  The disciples wanted a definite period of time!  No one likes “open ended waiting!”

 

E.  Verse 20, the Lord said that the “a little while” would be a time of weeping, lamenting, and sorrow while the world rejoiced.  BUT the disciples’ sorrow would be turned into joy!

 

F.  Life is hard at best for all people, but for the child of God, sorrow is increased.  The worldly belong in this sinful world but the children of God, though sojourning here on earth, are a heavenly people.

 

This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Refrain:

O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
If heaven’s not my home, then, Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.  (Anonymous)

 

1 Peter 2:9-11  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  (11)  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  (Strangers – foreigner, not belonging to; Pilgrims – resident foreigner)

 

G.  Our Lord knew sorrows and wept.  If Christ sorrowed and wept, we will not be exempted!

 

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

H.  Verse 21.  The Lord gave the disciples an analogy of suffering that turns into joy.  A woman who carries a child in her womb for 9 months and then faces the travail of childbirth.  After childbirth, the travail of delivery is forgotten because of the joy of a son or daughter being born into this world.

 

J.  Using Biblical Hermeneutics is one of the most beneficial ways to study your Bible.  I want to look at the First and Last Mentions of sorrow.  In the Bible, the First Mention and the Last Mention will always be consistent and will show you God’s mind on the subject.

 

1.  The First Mention of Sorrow is followed by Joy.  Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

John 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

 

2.  The Last Mention of Sorrow is followed by Joy.  Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

K.  There is much sorrow in life.  “Life is hard.”  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.

 

1.  The sorrow of sin.  So many people ruin their lives with sin.  Proverbs 23:29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

 

Ecclesiastes 1:16-18  I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.  (17)  And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.  (18)  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

 

2.  The sorrow of youth.  So many young people make bad choices in life.  Ecclesiastes 11:9-10  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  (10)  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

 

3.  The sorrow of the times.  “Change and decay in all around I see.”  A world gone mad because of rejection of the one true and living God.   Matthew 24:4-8  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (6)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  (8)  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

 

4.  The sorrow of the lost.  Family, friends, acquaintances, and the world.  Romans 9:1-3  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,  (2)  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.  (3)  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

 

5.  The sorrow of fainting and failure.  Jeremiah 8:18  When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.

 

Job 17:7  Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

 

6.  The list could go on, but I believe that we all get the point: sorrow is a part of life.

 

L.  The Bible gives the problem of sorrow.  2 Corinthians 2:7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

 

1.  “Overmuch sorrow” is a combination word expressing two things.  Much sorrow is a terrible state of mind and heart.  Overmuch means “over the top” or an unrealistic sorrow that discourages the heart to the point of spiritual desolation. 

 

2.  “Overmuch sorrow” is the lack of acceptance of the promised consolation and comfort of the Holy Spirit.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  (4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  (5)  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

 

M.  The Bible gives the promise of sorrow.  Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Joy follows weeping.) 

 

1.  The Joy of Repentance unto Life.  2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

2.  The Joy of Trials and Tribulations.

 

a.  The Old Testament.  Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 

b.  The New Testament.  1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

3.  The Joy of Death.  At life’s end, we “fly away!”  “One glad morning, when this life is over, I’ll Fly Away.  I’ll fly away, O Glory, I’ll fly away.  When I die, Hallelujah, I’ll fly away!” Though sorrow is a part of life, there will be joy for the child of God in the end of life. 

 

Psalms 90:10  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

 

4.  The Joy of the saints gone on before us.  We sorrow but we sorrow in hope.  You cannot lose that which is not lost.  They cannot come to us, but we can certainly go to where they are.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

 

5.  The Joy of “no mores!” Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

No more broken bones                          No more Dr. Kevorkians

No more incurable diseases                  No more heat by day

No more suffering                                No more cold by night      

No sightless eyes                                  No more hunger

No cripples                                           No fat bodies

No retarded children                            No crazy diets

No more jails to build                           No more poverty

No law officers                                     No more storms

No more guns                                       No more division

No more wars                                       No more thorns     

No more devil to annoy                        No more chiggers  

No more funeral homes                        No more mosquitos, ticks, fleas,

No more headaches                              No more heartaches

No more death                                     No more filth to see

No more nursing homes                       No more temptation to sin

No more disappointments                    No more fighting

No more Discouragements to hinder    No more inflation

No more dismal failures                       No more hurt feelings

No more wicked thoughts                     No more confusion

No more strife and contention             

No more broken families

 

6.  The Joy of Eternity.  WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE

 

Isaiah 51:11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.