Judgment

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-27-2025

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

 

Introduction: 

A.  As Paul, through the moving of the Holy Ghost, continues to write the Corinthians Epistle to a baby, carnal church, he deals with a problem among new converts.  Division.  Not division concerning who they choose to follow in 1 Corinthians 1:12-14, 3:3-9.  Division because of personal division. 

 

B.  In every church and in every believer, there is a time to “grow up” by realizing that not everyone who disagrees with you is wrong, nor are they not on your side.  We are labourers together with God and need to keep this in mind.

 

C.  I find the problem of judging an important one because the Book of 1 Corinthians lists many different judgments.  Don’t worry, I will not deal with them tonight! 

 

1. The judgment of others’ motives.  1 Corinthians 4:3  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

 

2  The judgment of self.  1 Corinthians 11:28-32  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  (29)  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  (30)  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.  (31)  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  (32)  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

 

3.  The judgment of hidden things.  1 Corinthians 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

 

4.  The judgment of sinful believers by the local church.  1 Corinthians 5:4-5  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

5.  The judgment of angels by the saints.   1 Corinthians 6:3-5  Know ye not that we shall judge angels?

 

6.  The judgment of quarrels among brethren.  1 Corinthians 6:3-5  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?  (4)  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.  (5)  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

 

7.  The judgment of the world by the saints.  1 Corinthians 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

 

D.  Judgment can be a right thing, or it can be a wrong thing.  There are three kinds of judgments found in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 that need to be discussed tonight: judgment of others, judgment of self, and Judgment by God.

 

1.  The judgment of others.  There are things that we can judge, and some things that we cannot. 

 

a.  The unrighteous judgment of others.  1 Corinthians 4:3  “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment …” 

 

1)  I have often said that I care what others say about me but, I also do not care.  This is what Paul is saying in verse 3.  Paul was doing what God wanted him to do, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and apologizing for nothing. 

 

2)  I too am careful how I answer others and simply tell them what God says.  At that point, I will not back up.  Don’t ask the question if you are not ready to allow the Bible and Holy Ghost to answer it.

 

3)  If the answer is biblical, “it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment!”

 

4)  Be careful when you judge the motives instead of the act.  Paul said that this was a “very small thing” because there will be things that we do that others will not understand and judge in the wrong manner.

 

Matthew 7:1-2  Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

 

5)  There is an old saying that goes like this:  “Never judge another until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”  People are so prone to making quick judgments without all the facts.  They are also prone to making quick judgments without knowing the motive.

 

6)  In a court of law, one cannot use hearsay nor can they attest to what another person is thinking or has thought because these two things cannot be considered as factual.

 

7)  Both Paul and James declared that the only judgment that counted was God’s! 

 

Romans 14:12-13a  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  (13)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more …

 

James 4:11-12  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.  (12)  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

 

b.  The righteous judgment of others.  Now, having said that, there can and will be unrighteous judgment; there are things that we can righteously judge.  Not all judgment is wrong or unrighteous.  Righteous judgment is when we witness an evil deed and judge the act, not the perpetrator, according to God’s law or man’s righteous law.

 

1 John 5:16-17  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  (17)  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

 

1)  This is an act that we witnessed as wrong and should not have been done.  I have personally seen saved people do things that are not right to do and know for a certainty that it was not right.

 

2)  We can, to some degree, judge the act, be it done in ignorance or willfulness.  We set judges in place for just such a time to make righteous judgments.  They seat a jury in both criminal and civil cases at times to make a righteous judgment.

 

3)  Just make sure that what you judge is right.  Another old saying, “Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see.”  Great advice.

 

2.  The judgment of self.  1 Corinthians 4:3-4  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.  (4)  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

 

a.   Let me begin by saying that personal self-inventory is an essential part of our walk with and before God.  As we walk with God, we need to understand that we also walk before God.

 

1 Corinthians 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

 

1)  Examine your Salvation.  2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

2)  Ask God to examine your integrity (honesty, veracity, truthfulness).  Psalms 26:1-2  A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.  (2)  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

 

3)  Ask God to examine your inner self.  Psalms 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  (24)  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

b.  Paul said, “I judge not mine ownself.”  Self-judgment can also be wrong. 

 

1)  There are times when we believe that what we are doing is right, only to find out that it was wrong.  Once again, we often do not have all the information when we make decisions and, though we want to do right, they may turn out wrong.

 

2)  Then there will be times when we are harder on ourselves than need be and slow to forgive ourselves when God has already forgiven us.

 

3.  The righteous judgment of God!  1 Corinthians 4:4-5  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  (5)  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

 

a.  The ultimate judgment is to be of God.  “For I know nothing by myself.”  Paul said that his knowledge was limited and may not have all the facts or information needed to judge rightly.  Things are working in the background that we know nothing about; therefore, we must allow God, who knows it all, to become our righteous judge.

 

b.  “Therefore judge nothing before the time.”  The ultimate judgment of God will come at the right time, as the issues may not yet be resolved.  Often, things appear right or wrong, but their continuation may prove to be different.

 

c.  “the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.”  We do not know the thoughts and motives of others because they are “hidden.”  God understands their thoughts afar off and, when judging, will bring these hidden things to light.

The Judge is Coming

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-29-2025

Psalm 82

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 32 is a Psalm written by Asaph.  Asaph was a prominent Levite, a musician, and a seer (prophet) during the time of King David, and he played a key role in the worship and music of the temple.

 

1. Asaph the Chief Musician.  He was appointed by King David to head up the music of worship in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon’s Temple.  (1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 15:16-19; 16:4-7)

 

2.  Asaph was a Psalm writer.  He is credited with having written Psalms 73-83.  These Psalms are ones of reflection or remembrance and strong faith in times of doubt.

 

3.  Asaph was a Seer.  A spiritual prophet with the ability to see into the future concerning the coming of the Messiah and the Nation of Israel.  (2 Chronicles 29:30)

 

B.  Psalm 82 is prophetic of the Coming of the King or kings and the Lord of lords to set up His kingdom at the end of the Tribulation Period, Jacob’s Trouble.  The Judge of all the earth!

 

Genesis 18:25  That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

 

C.  The Psalm:

 

1.  Verse 1 – Prophetic fulfillment of the Second Coming of the Lord.  “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty”

 

a.  In Revelation, chapter 1, the Bible speaks of the Second Coming when every eye shall see Him. 

 

Revelation 1:7-8  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.  (8)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

b.  This is not the Rapture of the Church because then, only the saints of God will see Him when He comes to take us home.  Eschatology. 

 

1)  The Rapture of God’s Church.  All of the saved of the Church Age will be going Home.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

a)  The Judgment Seat of Christ.

 

b)  The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

 

2)  The Beginning of the Tribulation Period or Jacob’s Trouble.  Seven years of “hell on earth.”

 

a)  The introduction of the Anti-Christ.

 

b)  The Abomination that maketh Desolate in the middle.

 

c)  The Battle of Armageddon.

 

3)  The Visible Second Coming of Christ with all His saints as the King of kings and the Lord of lords

 

4)  The Beginning of the one thousand-year Millennial Reign of Christ.

 

c.  In the Millennium, the Lord Jesus Christ will stand in judgment “among the gods.”  I will deal with that phrase in verses 6-7.  In that day, God will make things right!  Today, they are not right.

 

d.  The Lord’s judgment and justice will be swift and sure.

 

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 ...  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.  Verses 2-5.  The ungodly “gods” of this world indicted.

 

a.  “gods” – Both God and gods are derived from the Hebrew word “Elohim.” 

 

1)  In the New Testament, we also find interchangeable words in the proper translation of such words.  In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we find the phrase “the god of this world.” 

 

2)  The Greek word for “god” is Theos, which is also used when referring to Almighty God himself. But is used in this manner when speaking of magistrates or judges in this verse. A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate. 

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

3)  Referring to civil authorities, rulers, or officials responsible for maintaining order, administering justice, or executing government laws. He is not Almighty God, but a magistrate: one given power.

 

4)  Our Lord referenced these verses John 10:34  Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?  “gods” – Theos.

 

b.  Verse 2.  Respect of Persons.  Their Injustice. “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.” 

 

2 Samuel 23:1-3  Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,  (2)  The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.  (3)  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

 

a)  In today’s world, we hear the phrase “liberty and justice for all,” but that’s not always the case. In politics, there seems to be a different standard of justice that favors “the poor … fatherless … poor … needy.” 

 

b) Influential people in high offices are free to break laws and walk away when the poor, etc., would be put in jail. 

 

Illustration:  the handling and destruction of classified documents.  When in the military, I would sometimes carry documents from the Army to the Air Force.  This was back in the primitive days, before cell phones or email.  They would have put me in jail and thrown the key away if I mishandled, opened them up to read, or left them unattended in my jeep.  There is one law for the rich and powerful and another for the poor and weak.

 

3.  Verse 3-5.  Admonishment of Judicial Justice. 

 

1)  Verse 3.  Defend the Poor.  “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”  When the Lord Jesus, as Messiah, reigns on this earth, He will defend the poor and the fatherless, the afflicted and the needy. Today, judges are standing in God's place, and they are to do the same thing.

 

I am not sure what they call them today, but the poor who could not afford to pay big money for defense would be appointed “forty-dollar lawyers” by the court.  The poor only had to pay forty dollars, but, unfortunately, often just got what they paid for.  The rich could afford to hire the best of the best.

 

2)  Verse 4.  Deliver the Poor.  “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”  Often, when bail is set for defendants, the same bail amount is given to everyone, both rich and poor.  The rich pay up and walk while the poor try to scrounge around to find the money to get out of jail.  The rich go free and the poor remain in jail too often. 

 

3)  Verse 5.  Delusion and Darkness. 

 

1)  Delusion.  They are blinded to true justice because they do not know God, do not follow His laws, and do not rightly judge within society's laws.  We often here the word “Lawfare” today.  To use the Law unlawfully.  They have no conscience and often get away with Lawfare.

 

1 Timothy 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

 

2)  Darkness.  These false magistrates are in darkness as the light of right and justice has been turned off in their minds and hears.

 

Matthew 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

 

4.  Verses 6-7.  The Warning.

 

a.  Verse 6.  “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”  God has raised up the judges of this world.    It is God who raises up men to do His work on earth and it is God who can and will take them down.  

 

Acts 12:21-23  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  (22)  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  (23)  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

 

b.  Verse 7.  “But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”   One day, the judges will stand before the Judge and give an account of their judgments on earth.  The fall of a prince is a terrible thing as he is in a place of authority.  Thus, the fall of these “gods” will be.  To whom much is given, much is still required.

 

5.  Verse 8.  A Prayer for Justice on Earth.  “ Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” 

 

a.  One glorious day, the Lord will return and restore justice and equity for all.

 

b.  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  (Revelation 22:20)

The Judgment Seat of Christ

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-18-2025

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In this portion of 1 Corinthians, we have seen that Paul, the masterbuilder, has laid the “Foundation” upon which every child of God builds their lives.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of living a consistent life for Christ, as He is the Foundation on which we must build, good or bad. 

 

1.  In the Second Corinthian Epistle, the Holy Ghost clarifies this judgment.  The best commentary on the Scriptures is the Scriptures! It is here that we find the phrase “the judgment seat of Christ.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

B.  Many preachers and teachers refer to the Judgment Seat as the Bema Seat.  Bema is the Greek word for “judgment seat.”  One word in the Greek but two words in English. 

 

1.  Bema - a step, that is, foot breath; by implication a rostrum, that is, tribunal (a place of judgment): - judgment-seat, set [foot] on, throne.

 

2.  Millions of viewers watched this year’s Olympics and were amazed at the feats achieved by the bronze, silver, and most notably gold medal winners. The medal ceremony models a practice begun by the ancient Greeks, who instituted the Olympics in the eighth century B.C. A judge sat at what they called the Bema Seat at a respective race’s finish line. It was that judge who determined the winner and gave him an award immediately after the completion of the race.

 

3.  The Judgment Seat Is: 

 

a)  A place of elevation – in a large Olympic arena, there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat.

 

b)  A place of reward – the bema seat was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat.

 

C.  There has been much confusion concerning this judgment because of careless preaching on the subject.  Many, though not specifying it as a judgment for sin, leave hearers not fully informed on the subject.  Therefore: What The Judgment Seat Is Not:

 

1.  The purpose of the Judgment Seat is not to determine whether a particular individual enters Heaven or not.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Galatians 3:11-14  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of od, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

2.  The purpose of the Judgment Seat is not to punish believers for their sins committed before or after their salvation.

 

Psalms 103:10-12  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 44:22  I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

 

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

 

Hebrews 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

 

D.  The Fact Of The Judgment Seat:  Every believer will stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat.  As one old preacher once said,  “There’s gonna be a great recompensing day!”

 

Romans 14:10-12  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

1 Corinthians 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

 

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

E.  The Purpose Of The Judgment Seat:

 

          1.  In the past, God dealt with us as sinners.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

Romans 5:6   For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

          2.  In the present, God deals with us as sons.

 

Romans 8:14-15  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  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.

 

Hebrews 12:5-8  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

1 John 3:1-2  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.  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.  In the future, God deals with us (at the Judgment Seat) as stewards.

 

F.  The Material To Be Tested At The Judgment Seat

 

          1.  Those that are indestructible – gold, silver, and precious stones.

 

          2.  Those that are destructible – wood, hay, and stubble.

 

G.  The Works To Be Judged:

 

          1.  How we treat other believers.

 

Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

Matthew 10:41-42  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

          2.  How we employ our God-given abilities.

 

1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

Matthew 15:14-29 – The parable of the Talents.

 

Luke 19:11-26 – The parable of the Pounds.

 

          3.  How we use our money.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-10  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

 

4.  How we suffer for Jesus.

 

Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

1 Peter 4:12-13  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

          5.  How we spend our time.

 

1 Peter 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

 

          6.  How we run that particular race which God has chosen for us.

 

1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

 

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

          7.  How we control the old nature.

 

1 Corinthians 9:25-27  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

8.  How we witness to and help bring souls to Christ, either by planting or watering.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.

 

Daniel 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 

Proverbs 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.   

 

9.  How we continue to be faithful to Christ.

 

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

          10.  How we look forward to His glorious appearing.

 

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

A God That Judgeth in the Earth

Temple Baptist Church - 12-4-2022

Psalm 58

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 58 is one of the many Imprecatory Psalms. 

 

Psalms 5, 6, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 94, 109, 137, 139 and 143 are considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."

 

B.  The large number of imprecatory Psalms show us that such praying is not an anomaly but somewhat a norm in certain instances.  Imprecatory is both like precatory praying but with the intent of the opposite outcome.

 

1.  The majority of our praying is precatory in nature.  Precatory – an expression of a wish or a request.  A prayer in the form of supplication, a wish or desire for someone.  In a will - expressing a wish or intention of the testator. 

 

LII (Legal Information Institute) - Precatory means recommended, expected, or expressing a hope or wish.  Precatory expressions are commonly used in wills and trust and are not binding.  The word “supplication” is found 60 times in your Bible.  One verse that we use often is:

 

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

2.  Imprecatory – to invoke evil upon or a curse.  To call down calamity, destruction, and or God’s anger upon somebody or something perceived to be an enemy of God.  Psalm 58 is a classic example of imprecatory praying.

 

Psalms 58:6-9  Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.  (7)  Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.  (8)  As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.  (9)  Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.

 

C.  This Psalm may seem contrary to the New Testament as we read these verses:

 

When I think of Psalm 58:6: “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth,” I think of the time when I was preaching on loving your enemies and inadvertently said to turn to this verse.  Some of the congregation beat me to the verse and began laughing and so did I when I read it.  I said, “No, don’t do that!”

 

Matthew 5:43-44  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  (44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

Luke 6:35-37  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (36)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  (37)  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

 

D.  I believe that the Bible gives a clear directive that there are times when imprecatory praying is warranted. Let me show you a few examples of how and when to pray imprecatory prayers.

 

1.  When there is a constant refusal and mockery of the gospel.  We need to be careful at this point as we do not know if or when God is done with someone spiritually but, there is a time to move on which leaves this area or person void of have the gospel presented again.

 

Luke 10:11-12  Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.  (12)  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

 

Acts 26:28-29  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.  (29)  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 

 

Neither Festus nor Agrippa were given another chance as far as we can discern.  Paul moved on!  There comes a time to just move on.

 

2.  When someone continually preaches a perverted gospel and troubles the people of God with it.

 

Galatians 1:7-9  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

 

When they did not learn better or repent of this, Paul twice said, “Let him be accursed.”  There comes a time when these false teachers and preachers become willfully ignorant or rebellious to the truth of the gospel.

 

3.  When certain people or nations continue to persecute those who preach the gospel.  

 

Galatians 5:11-12  And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.  (12)  I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

The gospel becomes an “offense” to them, and they refuse to change their minds toward both the gospel and God’s preachers.

 

4.  When men withstand and mistreat God’s men who preach the truth of God’s word to them.

 

2 Timothy 4:14-15  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  (15)  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

 

3 John 9-11  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.  (10)  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.  (11)  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

 

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;  (7)  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  (8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

 

Revelation 6:9-10  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  (10)  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

There are some people who hate and try to destroy both the man of God and the work of God (the local church).  These become enemies of the gospel of God and put to death His people.

 

5.  In reference to God haters in general!  Not just people who have not heard of the love and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

1 Corinthians 16:22  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

 

I apply this also to those who depict our Lord in a sinful way such as the recent “transgender Jesus.”  These people are probably reprobate and as wicked as they can get.

 

6.  In asking God to bring about His wrath upon ungodly religions that damn the souls of people to hell with their heresies. 

 

Revelation 19:1-3  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:  (2)  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.  (3)  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

 

Conclusion:  There are times when we righteously call for God’s Justice when things will not change that must to be changed both people and circumstances.