Art Thou He That Should Come? or Look We for Another?

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2024

Luke 7:14-23

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  As we begin the Christmas Season, we want us to know what the Bible says about Christ.  Not what man says about Christ but what the Bible says about Christ.

 

B.  There is much religious confusion concerning the First Advent and coming of Israel’s Messiah and the Saviour of the world.  I will not try to refute all the false conceptions and teachings concerning Christ but will try to biblically answer a question asked by the “greatest prophet born of woman,” John the Baptist.

 

C.  I find it interesting that the forerunner of Christ, the Voice on one crying in the wilderness, the identifier and baptizer of the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin or the world,” questioned who Christ was.  John the Baptist had the completed cannon of Scripture in the Old Testament that pointed mankind to the Person of the Christ along with the call to be “One Crying in the wilderness.”

 

Matthew 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

1.  The Christ Identified by the Scripture.  Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

2.  The Christ Identified by the Forerunner.  John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

3.  The Christ Identified by the Father.  Matthew 3:16-17  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  (17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

4.  The Christ Identified by His works.  “And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.”

 

Luke 7:14-17  And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.  (15)  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.  (16)  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.  (17)  And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

 

D.  And yet the question was asked: “Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?”  No man’s faith is always in a state of perfection because it is held in a body and mind of imperfection.  On his “death bed,”  John needed reassurance.  We are not better than him!  Here we find:

 

1.  John Re-Checking.  “Go ask”  Nothing wrong with asking God to strengthen or renew our faith. 

 

2.  John Reassured.  “Go … tell John”  Now, John could face death with anticipation.

 

E.  I also find it interesting that Christ did not reprove or rebuke John the Baptist for his honest question.  It is still a question that is relevant in our day. 

 

1.  Jesus simply said, “Go your way, and tell John!” 

 

2.  This statement shows us that Jesus Christ wants both us and the world to know for certain who He is, why He came, and what He did for us.

 

F.  The most prophesied event in history is the prophecy of the coming of Christ Jesus.  According to how scholars count them, there were somewhere between 300-570 prophecies that Christ Jesus fulfilled.  Using the mathematics of statistics and probability, for Christ to just fulfill 8 of these prophecies would be 1 in 10²⁸ or 1 with 28 zeros after it. 

 

G.  In these last days, there is so much confusion and outright heresy concerning Christmas, the birth of Christ, and who He was and is. 

 

1.  There are many who choose to ignore the story of Christ’s Birth and focus on Santa Clause (a fat little man who could never slide down a chimney), reindeer that have a red nose and can fly.

 

2.  Commercialization that leads to disappointment and despair.  Suicides are all too common this time of the year.

 

3.  Then there are those who know that it is a celebration of Christ’s birth but still do not fully understand who He was or why He came.

 

4.  Christ’s birth is the most recognized event in the history of mankind.  Though our calendar once had 1 BC was the year before Christ’s birth and AD 1 was the year of His birth.

 

5.  Along with these, we find the controversy and strife over Christmas (Christ’s Mass) and December 25^th.  To celebrate the birth of Christ in this manner or at this time of the year.  I understand the Bible teaches a mid-Fall of the year birth but do not find anyone celebrating Christ’s birth at that time.

 

6.  I am not ignorant of what and why of both of these things but choose to celebrate Christ’s wonder birth this month.  My celebration is that: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:11) 

 

7.  A Christmas song asks the question, “What Child is this?”  This was the question that John the Baptist asked.

 

H.  I said all that to say this, the Bible perfectly, completely identifies the Messiah, our Saviour, and though John knew that he still did some Biblical checking up. 

 

J.  The Bible prophesies the Person of Christ, the Performance of the birth of Christ, the Purpose for which Christ was born, the Power of Christ to do what no human could ever do, and the People who chose to accept and place their trust in Him.

 

K.  How did Christ Jesus choose to reassure John?

 

1.  What John was Shown.

 

Luke 7:15-17  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.  (16)  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.  (17)  And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. 

 

a.  Though the Lord Jesus did what no man had ever done, John did not place his trust in the miracles. 

 

Matthew 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

 

b.  Faith’s Description.  Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

c.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.  We cannot trust either our eyes or emotions.  We can only Trust what God says.

 

2.  Who John asked.

 

Luke 7:19a  And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus …

 

a.  Faith’s Direction.  Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

b.  John asked his question of Jesus, the Word of God.  Christ Jesus was and is the Word of God and therein lies the Truth to be sought. 

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

b.  Saving faith is hearing what God says in His Word, not what comes from the mouths of sinful men.z    

 

c.  If the world wants to know who this Child was, born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, the Truth of God’s Word will fulfill their desire.)

 

3.  What John asked.

 

Luke 7:19  … Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

 

a.  Faith’s Desire.  John did not ask for physical deliverance which would probably be the first thing that you and I would ask for.

 

b.  John wanted the reassurance that brings about blessed assurance: that the Christ whom we worship this month was the Son of God, Emmanual (God with us), Israel’s Messiah and our Saviour. 

 

4.  What Jesus performed. 

 

Luke 7:21  And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 

 

a.  Faith Rewarded.  Because of John’s faith, Christ evidenced to him the power that only God could have.

 

b.  Though we walk by faith and not by sight, I thank that our faith is not an empty one as it has substance (physical material) and evidence (proof and confirmation)

 

5.  What Jesus said. 

 

Luke 22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 

 

a.  Faith Enduring.  John willingly lost his head because he knew that His Saviour was born and lived.

 

b.  The gospel is mentioned by the Lord Jesus, though not yet fulfilled, believed on from Adam’s day to the present, was the way of salvation to all who believed or will believe.

 

6.  What Jesus did.

 

a.  Christ reassured John.  It is still a question that is relevant in our day.  Jesus simply said, “Go your way, and tell John!”  This statement shows us that Jesus Christ wants both us and the world to know for certain who He is, why He came, and what He did for us.

 

b.  I find it interesting that Christ did not reprove or rebuke John the Baptist for his honest question. 

 

Luke 7:24-28  And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?  (25)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.  (26)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.  (27)  This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  (28)  For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

 

Conclusion:  “Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?”  Christ was born 2,000 years ago and He was the One!  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!  This Christmas Season, let us be focused on Jesus Christ and Him alone.  “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

 

2 Peter 1:12-13  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  (13)  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-14-2022

John 1:6-23

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I believe that God’s people understand the times in which we live.  I am not necessarily talking about the wickedness, etc., but rather the “hour” in which we live.  Preachers have been fervently preaching about the coming of the Lord for years. 

 

B.  We understand from the Bible that God allotted 7 thousand years of time from the beginning until eternity begins.  There were 4 thousand years until the coming of Jesus Christ which is 4 days in God’s time.  There have been 2 thousand years since Jesus Christ which is 2 days in God’s time.  There will be a one-thousand-year Kingdom Age which is 1 day in God’s time.  That shows me that we are at the end of the 6^th day and the Rapture is eminent. 

 

C.  There were 400 “silent years” from Malachi to Matthew leading up to the First Advent.  There have been 400 “silent years” since the translation of the King James Bible leading up to the Second Advent.  The Bible also says that Israel will “sleep” for 2 days or 2 thousand years and that God would raise them up to walk in His sight which is the Millennial Reign of Christ.

 

D.  Malachi prophesied of the coming of the “spirit of Elijah” just prior to the First Advent and it was fulfilled in John the Baptist in these verses that we read.  I believe that there will also be such a “spirit” just prior to the Second Advent.  God has always had His voice and it is being heard today. 

 

E.  I have several Old and New Testament heroes that stand out to me personally with John the Baptist being one of them.  John was not acceptable in his day as far as his person.

 

1.  John was a man who was prophesied.  To fore-tell what is to be given.  Isaiah 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 

2.  John was a man who prophesied.  To forth-tell what is given.  Matthew 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

3.  John had a miracle birth.  His mother was called “barren.”  Luke 1:36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

 

4.  John had a special calling.  He was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb.  Luke 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

 

5.  John was martyred.  John was faithful until his death.  John never flinched nor capitulated. Matthew 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

 

6.  John was not Charismatic – John did not miracles.  He was a preacher, not a performer!  John 10:41  And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

 

7.  John was not Social – John lived in the wilderness.  He ate locust and wild honey.  He was a preacher, and he was not popular but was popular with God!  Matthew 3:3-4  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  (4)  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

 

8.  John was not Elegant – John dressed in leather and camel’s hair.  He was a plain man!  Matthew 3:4  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

 

9.  John was not Popular – John did not compromise the message.  He was a preacher, not a man pleaser!  Matthew 3:7-8  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

 

10.– John was fearless.  He rebuked Herod.  Mark 6:17-18  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.  (18)  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

 

F.  Not only is he a hero of mine, but he was highly regarded by our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Matthew 11:7-15  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 

G.  We live in a day of “plastics,” but John was REAL!  He was the “real deal” of that day and the Lord used him to prepare the way for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

H.  I believe that the “spirit of Elijah” is still evident in these last days just prior to the Second Advent.  I want to be a part of that voice!  I want you to be a part of that voice!

 

1.  It Was The Voice!  Not a voice but THE voice.  There are a lot of voices clamoring for our attention in these last days.  A myriad of voices crying out with different messages.

 

Matthew 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

 

Matthew 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

 

I have never seen as many “churches” springing up as we have today.  There are little signs everywhere in front of home with the names of their ministries on them.  Denominations galore can be found, especially here in the “Bible Belt.”  Someone asked me one day, “How do I know which one is right?”  We want to be God’s Voice, speaking from God’s Word.  In order to be to be God’s Voice, you must have the right message and our message is right.  We are the Voice of God in these last days.

 

2.  It Was The Voice Of One!  We are not the only ones who are “holding the ropes” in these last days.  Those who preach the right message are one voice with many messengers.

 

1 Kings 19:14  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  (Elijah thought that he was the only one standing but the Lord had others.  I do not know where they were when Elijah went to Mt. Carmel but they were where God wanted them.)

 

1 Kings 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

 

I thank the Lord that there are men of God who still stand in the “Old Paths.”  These are men who, though they may be scattered around the world, still preach from the right Bible.  They are God’s Voice, and their Voice is ONE with ours.

 

3.  It Was The Voice Of One Crying!  It is to be a distinct cry.  It is to be a loud cry.  It is to be a persistent cry.

 

Isaiah 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

 

It is so easy to get discouraged in the way and, in so doing, our voices become quieter and less persistent.  The numbers are not our business, they are God’s.  Our work is to continuing to cry loudly in these last days.  Someone will hear and heed!  It is a cry of urgency; a cry of compassion; a cry of salvation.  Cry aloud and lift up your voices.

 

4.  It Was A Voice In The Wilderness!  A wilderness is a dry place where there is little water.  A wilderness is a non-productive place of little value.  There is little water of the Word being preached as the gospel has become a social one; the message of salvation has been compromised; the Word of God has been hidden among the hundreds of new versions; sin has become popular while holiness has become old fashioned and rejected.  Atheism and agnosticism have arisen from the roots of secular humanism. 

 

Amos 8:11-12  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (12)  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

 

Zechariah 7:8-14  And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,  (9)  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:  (10)  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.  (11)  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.  (13)  Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:  (14)  But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

 

We live in a time when people refuse to hear the Word of the Lord.  Their hearts have been hardened through sinfulness.  So many people have become reprobate at early ages.  This world has such a pull and Satan has blinded the minds of the people to the things of God.

 

5.  It Was The Voice Of The Straight Way! 

 

Matthew 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

Zechariah 7:11-13  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.  (13)  Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

 

In John’s day, God’s way was a singular way; God’s way was a narrow way; God’s way was not the popular or easy way; but it was still God’s Way?  It was God’s Way and the Only Way to Heaven!

 

Nothing has changed.  The voice is still of one crying in the wildeness.

 

Conclusion:  In the 400 Silent Years, Phariseeism became the rule of the day with salvation becoming of works and not of grace! We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!  We are the “voice of one crying in the wilderness” saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

John The Baptist Walked With God In Expectancy

Temple Baptist Church - 8-27-2017

Luke 1:39-45

Introduction:

A.  This morning, I want to look in the New Testament at the last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist.  First, let me set the background for the message.

B.  For 4,000 years, since the first Messianic Promise in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of Christ, the world waited for the promised “Seed of the Woman.” 

C.  For 400 years between Malachi’s prophecy and the beginning of the New Testament, God spoke not one word!  These have been called the “400 Silent years.” 

1.  As the Old Testament prophecy came to an end, hope declined and religion took its place.   Now they had both the temple and synagogues. 

2.  They had priests as well as Pharisees and Sadducees.  Israel went from the purity of an inward righteousness to the impurity of an outward righteousness. 

D.  At the time of our Lord’s birth, Israel and the world sat in spiritual darkness and bondage to Rome.  Few looked for the long-promised Messiah and his birth was shrouded in obscurity.

Matthew 4:16  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

E.  In fulfillment Isaiah 40:3, Zacharias and Elisabeth begat a son whom God named John. 

Matthew 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

F.  John the Baptist was a second cousin to our Lord Jesus Christ and six months older.  John and the Lord Jesus grew up together.  He grew up with the Lord and knew not that it was Him that was promised.

G.  There are many similarities between the first and second comings of our Lord.  There are also many similarities between the forerunner, John the Baptist, and the church.

1.  John Was Great Because He Was A Chosen Man - John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (To be commissioned for a special task or mission.  We are a chosen generation.)

2.  John Was Great Because He Was A Godly Man - Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (John lived a clean life for the Lord.  We are to live a clean life for the Lord.)

3.  John Was Great Because He Was A Burning Man - John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (Before John could shine for God, first, he had to burn for God. He was willing to put all his energy into the work of God.  We are to shine for God as the light of the world.)

4.  John Was Great Because He Was A Preaching Man - Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (John preached the way of salvation and the coming of the Messiah.  We preach the way of salvation and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.)

5.  John Was Great Because He Was A Humble Man - John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.  (John knew that he was not there to place himself on a pedestal but to glorify and point people to Christ.  We that are saved are to glorify Christ and point sinners to Him.)

6.  John Was Great Because He Was Just A Man - Luke 7:19  And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

1.  As John the Baptist walked with God in expectancy, he was “the voice of one.”

a.  Not “a” voice but “the” voice.  There were many voices of religion in John’s day but only one voice of salvation.  Thus, it is with our day. 

b.  Many religions and denominations clamor for the attention of the world, causing much spiritual confusion.  Their “voice” is always the Bible plus or minus something.  These make the Bible adapt to their doctrines instead of adapting their doctrines to the Bible.  God has always had one voice and one way of righteousness, God’s Word.

c.  Today’s religion attacks the Word of God by reducing it to a manmade version instead of a God made Bible!

2.  As John the Baptist walked with God in expectancy, he cried aloud in a world that was a spiritual “wilderness.”

a.  Crying means to proclaim loudly.  John the Baptist was a prophet and a preacher.  Until the day of our Lord’s public appearance, John continue to be the voice of righteousness crying in the spiritual wilderness of this world.

b.  We who are expecting the soon return of our Lord are to be crying aloud in the sinful wilderness that we live in.  How shall they hear without a preacher and that preacher is you; that preacher is me.

c.  As in Noah’s day, they may not listen but they will know who we are and what we preach.

3.  As John the Baptist walked with God in expectancy, he “prepared the way of the Lord.”

a.  John the Baptist was the plowman.  He prepared the ground for the seed to be planted.  That preparation is repentance of sin.  First, it takes a recognition of what sin is and a godly sorrow for that sin.

b.  John the Baptist was the sower as he prophesied of the Lord’s coming and point the people to “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”

c. We who expect the Lord to come need to continue to preach and stand against sinfulness, preach and teach repentance, and point the world to Christ.  We must decrease while our Lord Jesus Christ increases.

Conclusion:  We are to occupy until He comes.  We look for Him expectantly as His coming is imminent. 

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (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.