The Martyr’s Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-12-2026

Psalm 44:1-26

 

Introduction:

A. Psalm 44 is one of the Maschil Psalms, a psalm of teaching and instruction. There are 13 Maschil Psalms in the Book of Psalms. In biblical numerology, 13 is associated with ill omens. Every psalm is for our admonition and instruction, but the Maschil Psalms are directed to the teaching of the suffering of the saints of God in all ages.

 

B. Psalm 44 has been referred to as the Martyr’s Psalm. Biblically defined, a martyr is a believer who bears witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and suffers death rather than deny Him. Though the word “martyr”, like “trinity” or “rapture”, is not found in the Bible, the root word for “martyr” is found 34 times in the New Testament.

 

C. In Acts chapter one, when speaking to His disciples (Acts 1:2), the Lord Jesus said that they would be “witnesses” (μάρτυς martus, a martyr). These men, with the exception of John the Beloved, would pay the ultimate price for their faithfulness to the truth.

 

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

D. That being said, I want to tie this psalm to Hebrews chapters 11-12. Hebrews chapter 11, “The Hall of Faith,” gives us a history of the price of faithfulness from the death of Abel to our day. With that in mind, let us look at the psalm.

 

1. Verses 1-3. The Martyr’s Record. God’s faithfulness in hardship was taught by our fathers.

 

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

a. God has always been faithful. Throughout history, God has stood with His people.

 

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

 

b. God continues to be faithful! Whatever we face, God will be there with us and for us.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

c. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, we can rest assured that God is in complete control of our lives and circumstances.

 

2. Verses 4-8. The Martyr’s Confidence. God’s faithfulness inspires confidence in His children.

 

a. There are times when our confidence is misplaced.

 

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

b. Confidence well placed.

 

Proverbs 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

c. Verse 8 says, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” “Selah” means to pause and weigh something. Meditate upon that!

 

BUT! Verse 8 didn’t last long, did it?

 

3. Verses 9-16. The Martyr’s Suffering.

 

a. There will be times when God is silent, and we will seemingly be defeated. I can tell you, from personal experience, that life is hard and often unfair to all of us.

 

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

 

b. A dear pastor friend of mine had this written in the front of his Bible: “A faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.”

 

c. Throughout the Bible, we find the suffering of God’s children that often leads to a questioning of God. “Why” and “How long” are frequently found in the hearts and mouths of the best of us.

 

d. Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 

e. They did not die because of sin! They died for living a righteous life!

 

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

4. Verses 17-22. The Martyr’s Submission. Though not understanding, bows to the will of God in suffering.

 

a. The martyr’s faithfulness to God. Though not always understanding, they maintained their spiritual integrity.

 

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

 

b. The martyr’s following the lighted path of God.

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 

c. Verse 22, The martyr’s suffering.

 

Psalms 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

5. Verses 23-26. The Martyr’s Promise.

 

a. God does not sleep.

 

Psalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 

b. God has not forgotten.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

b. God will be on time.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

I Want to Finish Right

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-28-2025

2 Timothy 4:6-8

 

Introduction:  A Charge Left!  “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

“I (Paul-our predecessors), charge (passing the torch to the next generation), thee (those who remain faithful to God), therefore (because Paul’s race has been run and ours has begun), before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (A debt owed to God, the Gospel, and the world).”

 

A.  Christmas is over, and a New Year is at hand. 

 

1.  2025 has been a year of uncertainty, along with blessings and challenges that have almost become history. 

 

2.  God was good to us last year; God protected us; God fed us.  God has been SO good to us!

 

B.  The new year is on the horizon now.  We see it quickly approaching, and next week, 2026 will be here, the birth of a new year, a time of future history.  A tale to be written; a tale to be told.

 

1.  Some of us are getting old; all of us are getting older; the time of His appearing or our departure is nearing.  One way or the other, we will be leaving for home soon. 

 

2.  I want to finish right!  Paul finished right through all of life’s toils and snares.  What an example he left for all of us to follow.

 

a)  Every life moves steadily toward an appointed end.

b)  Every journey has a final step.

c)  Every race has a finish line.

 

C.  The question is not whether we will finish, but how will we finish.

 

1.  Second Timothy 4:6–8 brings us to one of the most sacred moments in all of Scripture—the closing testimony of the Apostle Paul. One day, I will stand where Paul stood.  One day, you will stand where Paul stood.

 

2.  These are not hurried words, nor are they spoken in fear. They are measured, deliberate, and Spirit-guided. Paul stands at the edge of eternity, looking back over a life marked by suffering, sacrifice, and service to Christ.

 

3.  He has been beaten, imprisoned, rejected, and misunderstood. Yet now, with death approaching, Paul does not speak of what he has lost—he speaks of what he has kept. He does not mourn what he endured, he rejoices in what he has finished. He does not dread what lies ahead—he anticipates the crown awaiting him.

 

D.  This passage shows us that a faithful Christian life is not defined by comfort, applause, or longevity, but is marked by faithfulness to Christ from his salvation until the end.  Paul was martyred in app. 65 AD.

 

E.  As we near the close of another year—and as each of us draws closer to the close of our own earthly course—these verses call us to sober self-examination. They remind us that the Christian life is not a sprint, but a lifelong race that must be run to completion.

 

F.  Paul finished right.  And by the grace of God, so must we.  In these verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us how a believer can face the end of life:

 

1.  Not with fear, but with confidence,

 

2.  Not with regret, but with assurance.

 

3.  Not with uncertainty, but with hope.

 

G.  Let us now hear the testimony of a man who could say, by God’s grace, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

 

H.  As I read 2 Timothy, chapter 4, I see the end of a great life, a life spent for Christ.  The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest Christians who ever lived.  He fought a good fight; he finished his course; he kept the faith.

 

1.  The apostle Paul writes these words from a Roman prison, knowing that his execution is near. This is not the language of despair, but of settled confidence.

 

2.  Paul looks back without regret, looks within without fear, and looks ahead with assurance. These verses teach us how a believer is to finish well.

 

3.  In an age that emphasizes starting strong, Scripture emphasizes ending faithfully. The Christian life is not measured merely by enthusiasm at conversion, but by endurance unto the end.

 

J.  That is what I desire.  That is what you should desire.  The world’s problems and America’s problems stem from one thing—a rejection of God, His Son, Christ Jesus, and salvation.

 

K.  How to finish right?  I believe that Paul gave us several things in these verses to help us answer that question in the affirmative.

 

1. A Life Willingly Offered – Verse 6.  “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

 

a.  Paul views his death as an offering. The word carries the idea of a drink offering poured out upon the sacrifice.  Paul illustrates this well in the Philippian Epistle.

 

Philippians 2:16-17  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  (17)  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

b.  The Lord compared His life’s end to “drinking the cup.”

 

Matthew 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

 

c.  Libation – Drink Offering poured out for the Lord.  His life has been steadily poured out for Christ, and now the cup is nearly empty. Best illustrated in the Old Testament.

2 Samuel 23:15-16  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!  (16)  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. 

 

d.  In verse six, we see:

 

1)  Paul’s readiness – “I am now ready.” Paul is not surprised by death, nor afraid of it. A life lived for Christ prepares a man to die in peace.

 

2)  Paul’s resignation — “the time of my departure is at hand.” The word “departure” was used of loosening the moorings of a ship or striking a tent. Death for the believer is not destruction, but transition to the next world which is eternal.

 

3)  Paul’s resolve — Paul does not speak of escape, but of offering. His concern is not self-preservation, but faithfulness. 

 

2. A Battle Faithfully Fought – (Verse 7a) – “I have fought a good fight…”  The Christian life is a conflict. Paul never portrays it as easy, but he does call it good. Paul does not say he fought a famous fight or a successful fight, but a good one — fought according to God’s rules, for God’s cause.

 

a.  It is a necessary fight — against sin, false doctrine, the world, and the flesh.

 

b.  It is a noble fight — fought for truth, righteousness, and the glory of God.

 

c.  It is a personal fight — “I have fought.” Paul did not borrow another man’s convictions.

 

3. A Race Faithfully Finished – (Verse 7b) – “…I have finished my course…”  The Christian life is not only a battle; it is a race. Each believer has a course, a God-appointed path. Many start the race, but Scripture commends those who finish it.

 

a.  The course assigned by God — Paul did not choose his own ministry; he fulfilled the one given to him.

 

b.  The course requires endurance — finishing matters more than starting.

 

c.  The course had an end — and Paul reached it without turning aside.

 

 

4. A Trust Faithfully Kept – (Verse 7c) – “…I have kept the faith.”  This speaks both of personal faithfulness and doctrinal preservation. Keeping the faith requires vigilance, courage, and love for the truth.

 

a.  He guarded the gospel — Paul did not alter the message to suit the times.

 

b.  He persevered in belief — trials did not shake his confidence in Christ.

 

c.  He remained loyal — when others departed, Paul stood firm.

 

5. A Crown Graciously Given – Verse 8) – “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”  Paul looks ahead, not to Caesar’s sword, but to Christ’s judgment seat.

 

a.  The certainty of the reward — “there is laid up.” It is already reserved.

 

b.  The character of the reward — “a crown of righteousness,” not self-earned merit, but reward consistent with God’s righteous judgment.

 

c.  The giver of the reward — “the Lord, the righteous judge.” Earthly courts failed Paul, but heaven’s court will not.

 

d.  The scope of the reward — “not to me only.” This promise is for all who “love his appearing.”

 

Conclusion:  Paul’s testimony is not the boast of a proud man, but the confidence of a faithful servant. He was offered, he fought, he finished, he kept, and he will be crowned. May God grant us grace to say at the end of our days what Paul said at the end of his:  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Standing in the Night

Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2025

Psalm 134

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Psalm 134 is the last of the “Songs of Degrees,” and therefore a very important one.  These were Psalms of Song that were to be sung as the Jews journeyed to Jerusalem and the Temple for each of the three feast days that all males were required to attend.

 

B.  The Psalm speaks of the people or priests who worked the “Night Shift” in the Temple.  When we think of the Temple, we think of the myriads of sacrifices that took place each day as the people of Israel offered sin offerings, thank offerings, etc.  In the Book of Leviticus, we find many different offerings listed that were both requirements and “love offerings.”

 

C.  When we think of the work that went on in the Temple, we never give thought to those who served after the end of each day until the next, Night Shift.  The work of the Temple, in one form or another, never stopped.

 

When I worked in the coal mines of Western Kentucky, we usually mined coal during the first and second shifts. A few mines tried to operate on all three shifts but faced serious problems with their equipment. Mining equipment endures heavy wear during a shift and needs regular, thorough maintenance. These mines started to “patch up” the equipment instead of repairing it properly, and eventually, they produced less coal than the “two shift” mines because of equipment failures. Although they did not produce any coal during the third shift, it was just as important as the first two because it kept those shifts running smoothly with minimal breakdowns or downtime.

 

D.  This Psalm pronounces a blessing on those “which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”

 

E.  Now, the question could be asked, “Why the Psalm?”  Here are two things that I want to look at tonight by way of introduction.

 

1.  This Psalm shows Reminder and Responsibility.

 

a.  A Reminder that Night will come.

 

1)  In real time, of the 24 hours of the day, at least 8 (or one-third of those hours) are spent working in darkness.  The history of Israel is one of good and bad times.  There are times of blessing and times when there is little blessing.  These Jews were expected to travel to Jerusalem regardless of whether the year was good or bad!

 

2)  Prophetically, in our lives, possibly one-third of our years are what I would call “darker” years or harder years.  This Psalm is a reminder that the work of the Lord does not diminish in those darker or more complex years of our lives.  The Lord never said that we were to serve in good times but were excused in the bad times.

 

b.  A Responsibility that the God’s work is to continue. 

 

1)  God’s work never diminishes until He is done with us.  That’s why Paul’s life-ending statements of fighting a good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith are so important to us all.  When God is done with us, we will know it and then be excused from our service.

 

2)  Our work or “Light” is essential to the work of the Lord.  This is not of my choosing or yours; it is God’s!  We are to let our “lights” shine in both the good and bad times!  It is in the bad times of our lives that our lights shine more brightly.

 

F.  Now, look around you.  If there was ever a time of spiritual darkness or “Night,” we live in it.  Noah’s Day, Lot’s Day, a Day of Falling Away, and Laodicea all combined.  You and I work the Night Shift spiritually.

 

G.  Here are some things that the “Night Shift” at the Temple had to do before the break of day (in our case, the coming of the Lord).

 

1.  They Protected The Holy Things of The Sanctuary – We must protect the Old Paths of both doctrine and practice.  So many churches have become more worldly than holy, and it is up to us to keep holiness within our church.

 

1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 

 

2.  They Cleaned The Sanctuary For The Morning Worship – We must keep not only worldliness out of the local church, but also keep our pews clean from sin that is to be censured.  We are all just sinners saved by the grace of God, but there are things that the Bible commands the local church to censure.  Most churches in our area allow sin to sit on their pews and, therefore, make it acceptable.

 

1 Corinthians 5:1- 7 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, … In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, … Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

 

3.  They Kept The Fires Burning on The Altar – We must keep our worship a priority in our services.  Church worship begins in the personal lives of its people and is manifested in our corporate worship.

 

Leviticus 6:12-13  And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.  The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. 

 

4.  They Kept The Candlesticks Trimmed And Burning Brightly – We must keep the testimony of our church clean and bright in the community.  Once a church gets a bad name, it takes years to live it down.  We have a good name in Laurens County and are well respected.

 

Hebrews 1:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

 

5.  They Baked Fresh Bread For The Table of Shewbread – I try to give you something every time you come to church.  Sound doctrine with practical application is a necessity for continued communion with our Lord Jesus Christ and each other.

 

2 Timothy 2:14-16  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 

 

Conclusion:  The threefold exhortation to the “Night Watch.”

1.  Be Sure And Be Thankful - vs. 1 “Bless ye the Lord”

 

a.  Because That Out of So Many Lost, You Are Saved 

b.  Because Of The Task That God Has Entrusted You With 

         

2.  Be Sure And Stand - vs. 1 - “Stand in the night”

a.  A Time of Spiritual Watchfulness 

b.  A Time of Spiritual Weariness 

c.  A Time of Spiritual Weaklings 

 

3.  Be Sure God Will Bless You For Standing - vs. 3

I Thank God for You

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2024

Philippians 1:1-6

 

Introduction: 

A. The Apostle Paul had a great love for the people that he associated with in the ministry.  They certainly were not a perfect people, but they were God’s people. 

B. Often, in his epistles, Paul had to “straighten out” problems that hindered the spiritual growth and work of the gospel but always did so with love and longsuffering. 

 

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 

 

1. The first three aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are inward, the second three are outward, and the third three are upward.

 

2. Notice with me the outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit:  longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness.  Paul was certainly a Spirit filled preacher!

 

C.  Paul thanked God for them upon “every remembrance.”  Often, we pray for each other and our known needs, but how often do we thank God for each other?  As we take for granted the blessings of life, we are also often guilty of taking each other for granted. 

 

1.  We are not perfect people.  We are not a perfect church.  I am not a perfect pastor. 

 

2.  But, through the Holy Spirit of God, we are a loving people.  We are a forgiving people.  We are a unified people. 

 

3.  We are an inclusive people, and everyone is welcome at Temple Baptist Church.

 

D.  The Apostle Paul was thankful for the Lord’s people!

 

1.  Paul Thanked God For Their Faithfulness - Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

 

2.  Paul Thanked God For Their Obedience - Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 

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.

 

3.  Paul Thanked God For Their Graciousness - Romans 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 

4.  Paul Thanked God For Their Helpfulness - Romans 16:3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

 

5.  Paul Thanked God For Their Loyalty - Romans 16:4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

 

6.  Paul Thanked God For Their Maturity - 1 Corinthians 1:4-5  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

 

7.  Paul Thanked God For Their Prayers - 2 Corinthians 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

 

8.  Paul Thanked God For Their Caring - 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

 

9.  Paul Thanked God For Their Unity - Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

10.  Paul Thanked God For Their Love - 2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

 

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

Conclusion:  I thank God for each of you tonight.  We are not a perfect people, but we are a special people because we are God’s people!