The Word of God and Righteousness

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-19-2024

Psalm 119:137-144

 

Introduction: Reiteration or Reinforcement! The work of the Pastor.

 

A. Psalm 119: 176 verses broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza correlating with one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. Each stanza is made up of 8 verses which, in the Hebrew Bible, each verse begins with the associated letter of the Hebrew Alphabet forming an Acrostic. What a wonder that we hold in our hands tonight!

 

B. Psalm 119 was written for two reasons: 1) To Magnify the Word of God and 2) To show the importance of each believer having a relationship to the Word of God so that the Word of God can have a relationship with each believer. God has magnified His Word above ALL His name, and we are to magnify the Word of God also!

 

C. I know that we do not have to know Hebrew and Greek to understand the Word of God, but Psalm 119 gives us Hebrew letters in each of the 22 stanzas. This leads me to understand that the interpretation of each of these letters is important in understanding where the stanza is leading us.

 

D. Tonight, we will look at TZADDI ץ (pronounced Sau-di), the 18^th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. TZADDI means “righteous” and “the path of the righteous.” In the Hebrew, by righteous it means man in his original state before sin. The goal of the Word of God is to help fallen man be restored back to God through salvation spiritually, and back to a righteous state through sanctification.

 

E. To put TZADDI (Sau-di) in perspective, I want to look at two passages in the New Testament that beautifully describe the ultimate goal of the Word of God.

 

Romans 8:28-30 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. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 

1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

F. The will of God for His children is that:

 

1. They be scripturally saved. I know this is a little factious since you cannot become a child of God with a spiritual or new birth. So many church people never have a relationship with God through His Word because, as unsaved, they have no desire to read what they cannot understand.

 

1 Corinthians 2:11-14 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

2. They continue to grow spiritually.

 

2 Peter 3:18 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.

 

3. They systematically conform to the image of Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

G. This stanza is broken down into 3 parts when speaking of a righteous path.

 

1. Verse 137. The Righteousness of God’s Path.

 

a. “Righteous art thou, O LORD” The Righteousness of God is manifested in His Person and His path is a righteous one.` God never leads in an unrighteous way because of His name’s sake.

 

b. God is completely righteous as holiness in all His works are displayed. This creation declares the glory of God in both the heavens and on the earth. Perfectly designed to meet every need of billions of people. As knowledge on earth grew, the resources were already there to carry out their progress.

 

c. “and upright are thy judgments.” The Righteousness of God is manifested in His Judgements. The judgements of God perfectly set for the wicked’s punishment and for the godly’s protection. Israel used a system of “Retribution” instead of “Incarceration” and the penalty suppressed the lawlessness.

 

d. The path of righteousness begins with Salvation and ends with Death.

 

Psalms 23:1-3 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

2. Verses 138-140. The Righteousness of God’s Word.

 

a. Verse 138. “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.” The Word of God holds testimonies to be read and observed; testimonies to be followed; faithfulness to be found. We can trust the Word of God to always led right.

 

b. Verse 139. “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.” A zeal to exercise. We live in days of apathy and spiritual carelessness. Zeal: enthusiasm, passion, intention, and fanaticism. We are called fanatics (devoted, followers, zealots) simply because we have a zeal for God’s Word. In a world that has “forgotten thy words,” fanatics stand out. We may be nuts, but we are screwed onto the right Bolt!

 

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

c. Verse 140. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” You will never follow the Word of God fully until you recognize it for what it is, THE WORD OF GOD! Every child of God needs to love the Word of God! And “thy servant loveth it!”

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

 

d. We that stand for an unchanging Bible. The path of righteousness found in salvation continues in God’s Word.

 

3. Verses 141-144. The Righteousness of the Believer. Now that we have gotten our salvation right, the Word of God right, the believer has a clear path to personally follow.

 

a. Verse 141. “I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.” God’s people who follow the Word of God do not forget its precepts as they are right. The poor are rich in faith and God chose to use “ignorant and unlearned men” in Acts, chapter 4.

 

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, 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.

 

b. Verse 142. “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.” The righteous path of God NEVER changes. Often, people tell me how times have changed and that we need to change with the times. Religions are changing and I have seen much of that change in my short lifetime. I do not find the precept of change in my Bible. Right is still right and wrong is still wrong. The Word of God is truth!

 

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

c. Verse 143. “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” There will be days of trouble ahead for the Biblical believer and there will be anguish (pain and suffering) because of it, but we need to understand that God’s ways are right and following the path of righteousness brings delight instead of shame and guilt. Remain in the Old Paths of our Fathers and you will be alright in the end.

 

d. Verse 144. “The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Through understanding of the Scriptures and the following thereof, we find life more abundantly.

 

True rightness has a path that begins with salvation in a Righteous God then trusting in a Righteous Word of God and ending up following a clear, righteous path for God!

Those That Be Planted

Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2020

Psalm 92

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 92 contrasts the wicked with the righteous. 

1.  The righteous love God!

2.  The unrighteous are the enemies of God!

B.  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.

C.  It is interesting that the Holy Spirit used the word “planted” when referring to the faithfulness of God’s people to the house of God.  That word is normally used when speaking of trees, flowers, etc. being permanently placed into the ground.

1.  I only plant specific plants.  I pick and choose what kind of plants that I buy because my yard is limited in area.  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 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!

D.  Several kinds of plants come to mind when looking at them considering 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, we give them away to someone who will take them home and care for them.

c).  You cannot lead them, and you cannot feed them because they are a type of the “natural” man who cannot receive or know the word of God.  They just never seem to get it!  They are satisfied with a little religion that soothes them a few days out of the year but 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. 

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 sitting in the same places nor indicting them because they are always there.  I say a sign that said, “Visitors welcome, members expected!”  I actually pay them little attention because they require none.  Every now and then, Marty will replace them or dress them up a little and they are beautiful but dead.

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 pruning; 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. 

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 as not to damage them.  They must be watered and fed continually or they will die.  They constantly have to be moved for cleaning or other purposes. 

d)  Unfortunately, I always kill 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 that come to get in, not get out. 

a)  They become a vital, living part of the local church.  I have been a member of only three churches in the 43+ 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 was 33 years. 

b)  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.

d)  Planted plants stay planted.  We have a Windmill Palm in our front yard that is app. 20 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 put them!

e)  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!”

E.  We need to remain or to become “planted plants” in 2014! 

1.  Planted Plants are Faithful Plants – vs. 1-2    Psalms 27:4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

2.  Planted Plants are Happy Plants – vs. 4  Psalms 122:1   I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

3.  Planted Plants are Protected Plants – vs. 9  Psalms 27:5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

4.  Planted Plants are Fruitful Plants – vs. 14  Psalms 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

5.  Planted Plants are Satisfied Plants – vs. 14  Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

F.  Now, the question is, “How do we become planted?”

1.  Planted comes through Realization!  There are no perfect churches!  There are no perfect pastors!  We will never agree with everything that we see or hear!  We will not get our way!    People are imperfect and no two will ever agree on everything.  Where there are people, there will be problems and this includes the pulpit!  If we do ever find the perfect church and pastor, we need to leave them along because joining it will mess it up which leads up to point number 2.

2.  Planted comes through Remembering!  We are not perfect!  We are not always right!  God knows best and faithfulness to the local church is not a request!  When you join a church, you join it—it does not join you!  We are not there to change the church; we are placed there to enhance it!  When we fail to remember that we are flawed and often hard to get along with, then we hold others to a standard that we are not willing to live with ourselves.  Critical people not only hurt others but also hurt themselves.

3.  Planted comes through Resolve!  We are joining because we love the Lord and the church is His design and will for us!  We are joining the church because it takes the combined effort and talent of the corporate body to get the job done!  We are joining the church, not to be seen or to be somebody, but to be a blessing and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ!  We have ability to be used for the Lord and the Holy Spirit places me in a church that needs us.

Deciding Questionable Things, or When Doing Right Becomes Wrong

Temple Baptist Church - 4-7-2019

Romans 14:1-12; 1 Corinthians 8:12-13

Introduction: 

A.  Last week, we looked at the danger of Phariseeism.  The message was not meant to demean the importance of personal conviction that leads to a personal relationship with God.  I believe that convictions are important in the life of the believer.

B.  We saw the problem with judging based upon argument over convictions or the lack thereof.  I find no where in the Bible where we go around telling people what our convictions are.  We are to LIVE our convictions and others will know without us having to tell them what they are.

C.  I see the problem expressed in chapter 14 that is prophetic of these last days of Laodicea: The Rights of the People.  We need to know that what we do or do not influences everyone around us.  “No man is an island unto himself” is an old saying that is biblically based.

D.  In a day when the world has had a marked affect upon the believer and the local church, we need to know how to decide questionable things.  These things are such as stand between us and our Lord that we have been convicted about and demand either obedience or lack of obedience.

E.  There are many things that are questionable things.  No questionable between me and you, but questionable things in my life that I am not sure of but want God’s answer, not mine or the world’s. 

F.  A good “Rule of Thumb” is this:  always err on the side of right.  I have often said that, as God’s children, we need to give God the benefit of doubt, not the world.  If unsure about something, stay away from it until you are assured one way or the other. 

Philippians 1:9-10  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  (Excellent – a superlative: in good, better, or best—always choose the best.)

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  (22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.

G.  How am I to know what is right and what is wrong?

1.  Not everything is spelled out in the Bible so there are decisions that need to be made.

2.  Is it right to do anything not spelled out in the Bible?  The answer is an obvious “NO.”

3.  Do not follow what man says as he may be wrong.

4.  Do not follow your conscience as conscience is decided by individual beliefs and you may believe wrong.

5.  Follow God’s Word.  It may not give specific details concerning every area of question, but it does give specific guidelines.  FOLLOW THEM!

HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ANSWER THAT WILL HELP IN DECIDING QUESTIONABLE THINGS.

1.  Have I earnestly prayed about it? 

a.  Many times we do not want to know what the truth is.

John 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

b.  Many times, we pray like this:  Lord, let me know whether this is right or wrong, and I will decide if I will do right.”

c.  We should pray like this:  “Lord, I don’t know whether this is right or wrong, so I’ll not do it until you let me know for sure.  Then I will do right regardless of my preferences.”

2.  Do I have the leading of the Holy Spirit?

John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3.  Can I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus?

Colossians 3:17a  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

4.  Can you thank God for it?

            Colossians 17b  “giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 

5.  Does what I do please God the Father?

2 Corinthians 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  (Never do anything unless thoroughly convinced that it will please God.)

6.  Does what I do bring glory to God?

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

7.  Does what I do edify the brethren?

Romans 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

8.  Will what I do offend other brethren?

1 Corinthians 8:13  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

9.  Will what I do possibly keep a sinner from coming to Christ?

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            1 Thessalonians 4:12a  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,

10.  Am I fully persuaded that what I am doing is right?

Romans 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.