They That Be Planted

Temple Baptist Church - 1-4-2026

Psalm 92:12-15

 

Introduction:

 

Psalms 92:12-15 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; (15) To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

 

A. “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.” This morning is the first Sunday of the New Year. 2025 is behind us, and 2026 stands before us.

 

1. A clean year, with its pages empty. The passing of time is relentless, and no one can slow its march. “Time waits for no man!” We can neither speed time up nor can we slow time down. The “clock” just keeps on ticking.

 

2. Therefore, the question for this first Sunday in January 2026 is not “Will time pass?” It will. The question is, “How will you and I pass the time?”

 

B. Psalm 92 contrasts the wicked with the righteous.

 

1. The righteous love God!

 

2. The wicked are the enemies of God!

 

C. If the righteous love God, then they will love God’s church!

 

1. They will be faithful where they are planted.

 

2. They will be thankful where they are planted.

 

3. They will be flourishing where they are planted.

 

D. In verse 12, God uses two trees to show His will for God’s children in the passing of time.

 

1. The Palm Tree that withstands great storms of wind. They survive. Hurricanes come and go, but the Palm Trees remain. Palm Tree Christians survive the storms of this life.

 

2. The Cedars of Lebanon, though they grow slowly, are known for their strength and longevity. They not only survive, but they also thrive! God wants us to survive but not to just survive. God wants us to survive while continuing to thrive spiritually.

 

3. God wants us to survive in the hard times, but even more, God wants us to thrive in the hard times.

 

E. It is interesting that the Holy Spirit used the word “planted,” not attended, when referring to the faithfulness of God’s people to the house of God. That word is commonly used to describe trees, flowers, etc., that are permanently planted in the ground. Permanent fixtures that you see every time you come to church.

 

1. I only plant specific plants in my yard. I pick and choose which plants to buy because my yard is limited in size.

 

a) If they do not thrive, I usually dig them up and either plant something else that will thrive there or leave that place empty.

 

b) I remember well that my mom would plant anything and everything in our yard when I was growing up, and I had to mow around them. Most of them just looked like weeds and did not have flowers. Dad would mow them down.

 

2. I only plant in specific places. I try to plant them where there will be the fullest sun, which is hard in my yard, as I live in the woods. I try to plant them in an orderly fashion so that they will look well.

 

3. I only plant for specific reasons. For beauty and fruit!

 

F. Several kinds of plants come to mind when looking at them in light of God’s people and the church.

 

1. Special Occasion Plants – Easter Lilies and Poinsettias!

 

a) Some people only come to church on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. We are always glad to see them when they come, and evidently, two or three times a year is plenty for them to get their “religion” for the year.

 

b) We leave them in the church for as much as a month around Christmas, but eventually, they begin to wither and drop their leaves, so we give them away to someone who will take them home and care for them.

 

c). You cannot lead them or feed them because they are a type of the “natural” man who cannot receive or know the word of God. They never seem to get it! They are satisfied with a little religion that soothes them a few days out of the year, yet they have neither love nor desire for fellowship with God’s people.

 

2. Artificial Plants – These are plants with no life in them that we buy that remain in certain places in the church. I have actually tried to water them because they often look so real. They cannot be watered with the Word of God!

 

a) They just “adorn” the church but never produce or grow. These are the unsaved that never get right with the Lord. They never get saved and become spiritually alive through the new birth.

 

b) They always sit in the same place, and they are always there. I am not knocking our people on sitting in the same places, nor am I indicting them for always being there. I saw a sign that said, “Visitors welcome, members expected!” I pay little attention to them because they require none. Now and then, Gracelynn will replace them or dress them up a little, and they are beautiful but not alive.

 

c) I have actually tried to water them at times because I took them for the real thing, but, alas, that never helped them. They never grow; they never need to be pruned; they never accept your efforts to care for them; they are just there and lifeless. You cannot lead them and you cannot feed them because they are the “natural” man who cannot receive or know the word of God.

 

3. Potted Plants – These plants do have life, but, like the Artificial Plants, are moved around quite a bit and eventually are replaced. Potted plants are high maintenance.

 

a) They cannot be planted because they are not able to withstand the elements. When it gets cold, you have a frost, or it becomes snowy, they must be brought in for the winter or they will die.

 

b) These are people, and many are true believers (because they do have life), who can never get settled and, continually, for always a “good reason,” move on. They will never get settled because they do not like problems or imperfections in the environment. Spring and summer (good times) are their favorites but fall and winter (hard times) are not.

 

c) Potted Plants need special care. You must be careful how you handle them so they don't get damaged. They often get root bound and their growth is stunted. They must be watered and fed continually or they will die. They constantly have to be moved for cleaning or re-potted.

 

d) Unfortunately, I have a brown thumb and almost always end up killing potted plants. I try my best to get them to live but everything I do with my “Brown Thumb” turns out wrong and they eventually die. I cannot lead them nor can I feed them because they have no need of either a pastor or a church family.

 

4. Planted Plants – These are the believers who come to get in, not get out.

 

a. They Are Righteous. “The righteous” Saved and know it; saved and show it! They are a vital part of the local church! These planted ones have an inward and outward testimony of God’s saving, changing, keeping grace.

 

b. They are Flourishing. “shall flourish” Not might but alive and flourishing in Christ Jesus, vibrant and serving in the local church.

 

c. They are Planted. “that be planted” Nothing moves or shakes them. They are with the local church through thick and thin. Through prosperity or poverty. I can’t run them off or preach them out! These are the faithful nucleus of the local churches that give the church life.

 

d. They are Faithful. “In the courts of our God” They can be counted on. I don’t worry about them showing up. I only get worried when they do not show up! I start calling the funeral homes and hospitals?

 

e. They are Fruitful. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age” These add to the services, back their preacher, honor the Word of God, and are a blessing to all who are here.

 

f. They are a Blessing. “in old age” They are the heart and soul of the local church. I am so thankful for the people that God has given to us over the years who served until they went home to be with the Lord. The salt and light of the earth. People who have never required to be blessed but have endeavored to be one.

 

g. They are Happy. “fat and flourishing” A reflection of the of God. Love, kindness, goodness, and holiness.

 

1) They become a vital, living part of the local church. I have been a member of only three churches in the 49+ years since I was saved. I joined the church I was saved in and remained there until God called me into the ministry. I joined the church where I spent my Bible College years and remained faithfully there until God called me to pastor Temple Baptist. I joined Temple Baptist and have remained here. In March, it will be 39 years.

 

2) As a general rule, these planted plants feed and water themselves. I may have to pour a little water on them in drought or fertilize once a year, but they are self-feeders. About once a year, I prune them so as to help natural growth. I am careful in my pruning because they can be cut back too hard. They will still grow but may skip a year in fruit production. I prune as to leave buds for natural growth and buds for fruit.

 

c) I thank God for our people as most of you have been here for years and can be depended upon in both good and bad times. Planted plants are buried deep in the soil and survive because they can withstand the elements in the area in which they are planted. You can lead them and you can feed them.

 

4) Planted plants stay planted. We have a Windmill Palm in our front yard that is app. 25 feet tall now. It is a thing of beauty and adds so much to the overall décor of our yard and home. I never come home and find that my Palm tree has moved over to the neighbor’s yard or somewhere else. Planted plants are always where the planter puts them!

 

5) Planted plants will still be flourishing in old age! These “planted plants” are the “heart and soul” of the local church! It is them that carry on the work of the ministry. It is them that support the local church with their tithes and offerings. It is them that help missionaries get on the field and stay on the field with their missions giving. You cannot support new missionaries with inconsistent support! You cannot pay bills and maintain the church with inconsistent tithes and offerings. God bless these “planted plants!”

 

Conclusion: We need to remain or to become “planted plants” in 2026!

Ignorant of God’s Choices

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-19-2024

Acts 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

 

Introduction:

A.  What man thinks impresses God normally does not!

 

1.  We do not see as God sees nor what God sees!  Therefore, our “Measuring Stick” must be the Bible! 

 

2.  In Acts, chapter 2, we find the amazing portion of Scripture that records the fullness and power of the Holy Ghost that fell upon, indwelt, and impowered men to finish the word of the Messiah, Christ Jesus.

 

John 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

B.  We are making a short study of the word “ignorant” in the Bible. 

 

1.  The word “ignorant” is found 17 times in your Bible: 3 times in the Old Testament and 14 times in the New Testament.  I guess that the Old Testament saints were not as ignorant as the New Testament saints.

 

2.  Ignorance defined: a lack of knowledge or information.  In our days, the word “ignorance” has become a word for lack of intelligence. 

 

3.  The Bible does not use “ignorance” in that way.  Ignorance can be importance if the ignorance is not willful.

 

4.  Ignorance is the foundation for discovery and invention.  Without ignorance, there would be no desire to learn and obtain knowledge.

 

C.  Our verse for this morning tells us of the astonishment of these highly revered and educated men: the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Lawyers.  There amazement in that God would use “ignorant and unlearned men” is found in Acts 4:13.

 

1.  God could not use these men who prided themselves as “students of the Word of God” who MISSED the coming, death, burial, and resurrection: the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, their MESSIAH, and our LORD Jesus Christ.

 

2.  God could not use these men of great knowledge and education but rather chose the men in question who had no formal education.  They “marvelled” at them!  This morning, I want to take a biblical look at the people that God chooses to use in the Bible.

 

3.  Though they saw the power of God upon these men and knew that they had been with Christ, their education and pride still would not accept the words that these chosen men of God spoke.

 

4.  As often as not, education has become a “stumbling block” with men and women, not a “steppingstone.”  Look at the results of this in secular colleges and universities of our day.  Anti-God, anti-Israel, and anti-America.  Let me be political for a moment.  Look at the difference between Blue and Red states or the “fly over states.”  The ruckus is being found in the Blue states, not the Red ones. 

 

5.  Look at this in so-called Bible Colleges and Universities of our day.  Many mock Bible believers, calling us cultic while correcting and changing the Word of God without knowledge of what they are doing or no care for what they are doing!

 

6.  I am not just “going off” on people this morning, but we need to see that God has never used many wise, noble, or mighty people in the Bible. 

 

7.  If God did not use them in the New Testament, I believe that we can justly say that He does not use many in our day either.

 

D.  In I Corinthians 1:18-31, we find that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God and the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world.

 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (19)  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  (20)  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  (21)  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  (22)  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  (23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  (24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  (25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

 

(26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that a) not many wise men after the flesh, not b) many mighty, c) not many noble, are called: 

 

(27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

 

(28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 

 

(29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

E.  I want to look at these three classes of people in reverse this morning.

 

1.  Verses 26, 28.  God chooses to use the “base things of the world” instead of the “noble.” 

 

a.  The “noble” are people of social and political status that cause them to rise above the “base” people.  The words “base things” in the underlying Greek mean “without kin” or “without descent.”  There is an old saying, “The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.” 

 

b.  Believe it or not, America is quickly developing a “caste system” such as is found in many third world counties.

 

c.  God has chosen to use the baser sort of people because the socially and politically elite believe that their social and political elevation trumps the poor and hard working people of this world. 

 

d.  God chooses the baser sort of people.  The “noble” people choose the “First Churches” instead of the smaller Bible believing churches that are “getting the job done.”

 

2.  Verses 26, 27.  God chooses the “weak things of the world” instead of the “mighty.”

 

a.  By “mighty,” we are not talking about physical strength but rather powerful clout.  You would think that the rich would be thankful to God for the possessions, but they are not.  They normally use their financial clout to leverage their will over others.

 

b.  By “weak,” we are talking of people without the financial means or political pull of the “mighty.”  There are not many millionaires in small, Bible believing churches.  But Gods uses the tithes of the poor and the offerings of the faithful to do the work of the church and missions!

 

Matthew 19:23-24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  (24)  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

Luke 21:1-4  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  (2)  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  (3)  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:  (4)  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

 

c.  I often tell people of how God has used a small church in Laurens, SC to support almost 200 missionaries and put millions of dollars on the mission field.  It amazes the church going people, but they never come to our church to see and have a part of such an amazing work.

 

James 2:5-6  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?  (6)  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

 

3.  Verses 26, 27.  God chooses to use the “foolish things of the world” instead of the “wise.”  In our text, God used “ignorant and unlearned men” to confound the wise men of that day.

 

Matthew 23:7-8  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  (8)  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

 

a.  Rabbi, Rabbi!  Doctor, Doctor!  These are used to show the education of men and tend to elevate these men over the uneducated.  Today, we find many who precede their names with this title, Doctor.  Our Lord said, “But be not ye called!”

 

1)  Education is not to Exalt Position.

 

2)  Education is there to Enhance Preaching.

 

b.  In the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we find the “deeds of the Nicolaitans” turned into the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans” during the Church Age.  This “doctrine” simply explained is the clergy over the laity.  The elevation of the clergy in the human sense is to bring division between the pulpit and the pew!

 

c.  Secular so-called Wisdom.  Secular Colleges teach Evolution instead of Creation.  God calls their wisdom foolishness.  The Fool

 

d.  Spiritual so-called Wisdom.  Seminaries today teach Errancy instead of Inerrancy.  Multiple “bibles” teach lack of inspiration through preservation which makes ALL “bibles” the work of men.  They are all different which teaches of errancy instead of inerrancy.

 

1 Peter 1:23-25  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

e.  These liberally educated people do not believe these verses.  I do!   Their teachers want them to have confidence in them as to what the original autographs said or meant when they do not own one and have never seen one.  All that they correct are preserved documents.  I do not want your confidence in me but rather in the precious Word of God, the King James Bible!  It is your final Authority for both faith and correction. 

 

f.  The wisdom of the least esteemed in the church.  1 Corinthians 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

 

Conclusion: 

 

1.  Many people are ignorant of whom God chooses as the want to fill the church with the wise, mighty, and noble.  I have heard it said that these are the kind of people that we want in our churches.  These are not the people (though God can use those of them who get saved and right with Him) that God has chosen to get the work of the ministry done.

 

God has always used small things such as the woman with the cruse of oil in the Old Testament and Mary Magdalene who anointed the feet of her Lord with oil in the New Testament.

 

(26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that a) not many wise men after the flesh, not b) many mighty, c) not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the d) foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the e) weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And f) base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  (29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Three Sevens in the Christian Life - Part 3 - Seven Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth

Temple Baptist Church - 11-27-2022

2 Peter 1:8-15

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  We saw:

 

1.  Seven things that God left the Saints.  The Lord has given to us all things pertaining to both life and godliness.  Verse 3.

 

2. Seven things that we need to Add to our Faith.  These are spiritual building blocks that lead to spiritual maturity.

 

3.  This morning, I want to look at the 3^rd set of sevens: Seven Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth.

 

B.  Spiritual growth is both a responsibility and a blessing.

 

1.  Verse 8.  The blessing.  If we add these things that God gives us the ability to all, we will abound in Christ.

 

2.  Verse 9.  The lack of blessing.  If we fail to add these things, we are blind to spiritual things and the rewards that go along with spiritual growth.  Therefore, we live in the days of 2 Timothy 3 where the professing “believers” have:

 

(a)  Verse 13.  Complacency where they are comfortable and having no desire for change.

 

2 Timothy 3:5-9  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

 

(b)  Verse 15.  Instability where they cannot seem to become faithful or useful.

 

Proverbs 20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

 

C.  The Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth:

 

1.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Barrenness.  Verse 8.  “barren”  John 15:1-2  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  (2)  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

 

God wants us to produce spiritual fruit.  John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (God wants us to be productive.)

 

2.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Ignorance.  Verse 8.  “unfruitful of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”  2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (God wants us to grow in knowledge.)

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

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,

 

3.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Blindness.  Verse 9.  “blind”  Revelation 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (God wants us to see afar off.  Short sightedness vs. Long sightedness.)

 

4.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Fearfulness.  Verse 9.  “and cannot see afar off”  Psalms 53:5a  There were they in great fear, where no fear was:

 

1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  (God wants us to rest in Him.)

 

5.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Lack of Assurance.  Verse 9.  “hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins”  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.

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  (God wants us to know that we are saved and saved forever.)

 

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.

 

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

 

6.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Spiritual Failure.  Verse 10.  “shall … fall”  2 Peter 3:17-18  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  (18)  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

Ephesians 6:13  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.  (God wants us to stand.)

 

7.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Loss of Reward.  Verse 11.  “entrance … abundantly”  Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

2 John 8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (God wants us to receive a full reward.)