Longsuffering

Temple Baptist Church - 6-26-2022

Romans 2:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

A. I have been preaching “sorta-kinda” through the fruit of the Spirit but from a different perspective. This morning, I want to look at longsuffering in the Bible. This is a very important message as it has to do with endurance outwardly which affects all of us.

 

B. First, the word “longsuffering” found in verse 4. A word easily understood when we break it down.

 

1. Long – over a long period of time. We live in days of shortness instead of longevity. I remember seeing on a child’s report card, “Gives up too easily.” It was not something written on an individual report but a standard question with a box in front of it to be checked or left unchecked. I have a feeling that if God had a standard report card issued to all His children that it would have the same question and box on it! “Gives up too easily!”

 

2. Suffering – suffer means to allow in a bad sense. We all know what it is to suffer. Suffering is a part of living and not one of us enjoy it. In the Bible, to suffer is to allow something that may or may not be enjoyable! When you are sick, you just have to put up with the suffering that goes along with it. With sickness, you have no choice but to suffer, but spiritually you can allow or not allow.

 

 

C. The first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in our outward demeanor is an important one: longsuffering!

 

1. Longsuffering defined: patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.

 

2. Longsuffering synonyms: Forgiving, selfless, accommodating, tolerant, patient, stoic, uncomplaining. I love the word stoic.

 

3. Stoic defined: not affected by or showing passion or feeling.

 

4. “Is everything going your way?” Longsuffering says, “No and neither does it have to go my way.”

 

1. The Longsuffering of the Saviour. The Lord is our example of longsuffering.

 

a. The Lord is longsuffering with Sinners. Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 

But the day will come when His longsuffering with not be there. 2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (Sinners need to be saved but God will not force His salvation upon them!)

 

b. The Lord is longsuffering with Saints. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

 

As I get to the message, I want you to think how longsuffering that God has to you and me! This is the example of longsuffering and His love is the basis of longsuffering.

 

2. The Longsuffering of the Saint. Longsuffering: simply stated is that you are going to have to put up with a lot of “junk” from a lot of people: sinners, and saints!

 

a. Long. We live in days where preachers have no longevity! We get the “glowing” prayer letters and then find out that they have already quit and gone home by the time that you get them. This tells me that they quit in their heart before they left their “post!” I have been here for over 35 years. I am not the man that I used to be so, for you to keep me here for that long, two things had to happen:

 

1) You had to put up with a lot of “junk.” 😊

 

2) I have had to put up with a lot of “junk.” 😊

 

3) HANG IN THERE! Don’t get you “Gives up too easily” box checked!

 

b. Suffering. People have good days and bad days. You just have to put up with a lot of “junk” in this life!

 

1) In the bad days, they may say dumb things, or otherwise transgress “your space” in some way so you can either ACT or REACT.

 

2) If you react, your response can fuel a fire than needs to be put out. Wrong reactions are like fighting a house fire with gasoline! Things fail to have a harmonious outcome.

 

3. The Good Results of Longsuffering.

 

a. Longsuffering protects the Unity within the Church. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and are to love one another with our whole heart fervently. Charity, or brotherly love, covers a multitude of sins.

 

b. Longsuffering protects the Purpose of the Church. When people get hurt and leave a church, missions giving is always the first thing that pays the price.

 

c. Longsuffering protects the Testimony of the Church. When people leave churches wrong, the world will soon know.

 

d. Longsuffering protects the Posterity of the Church. When people are miffed at one another, there is division, and our children know and are hurt by it.

 

e. Longsuffering protects our Prayer of the Church. When we are out of sorts with others, we are out of sorts with God and our prayers go unanswered.

 

f. Longsuffering protects the Praise of the Church. If we do not love our brother whom we can see, how can we worship our God whom we cannot see.

The Fruit of The Spirit: Temperance

Temple Baptist Church - 10-25-2020

Galatians 5:22

 

Introduction:  One fruit manifesting itself in 9 different aspects: three inward, three outward, and three upward.

 

A.  The word “temperate” is found only 3x in the New Testament and none in the Old Testament.  Though mentioned only 3x, the principle of temperance is found in many places.

 

Definition:  In control on one’s passions.  Moderation in action, thought, of feeling.

 

B.  Intemperance Is A Sign Of Our Times.  3 Timothy 3:1-5 – incontinent – without self-control.  (**Galatians 5:19-21 are all signs of intemperance!)

 

C.  Temperance is an aspect of the Fruit Of The Spirit – Galatians 5:22 – and should be manifested in the life of every Christian.  (We all have areas that need to be worked on)

 

D.  Temperance is something that must be added - 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 

E.  Temperance is essential to doing God’s will - 1 Corinthians 9:25 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.

 

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  (Testimony before the lost)

 

F.  The Bible Speaks Of The Importance of Temperance In Both Our Spiritual Life And Our Physical Life.  These two are intrinsically tied together.  

 

1.  Spiritual Temperance.  Ecclesiastes 7:16  Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

 

a.  What does this mean?  First, let explain what it does not mean. 

 

1a.  It does not mean that God accepts sinfulness.  God expects holiness from His children.

 

1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

1b.  It does not mean that the outward appearance does not matter.  Our outward is often a reflection of our inward.

 

Romans 12:1-3  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  

 

Now, most quote verses 1 and 2 while ignoring verse 3.

 

(3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

b.  “Be not righteous over much” means not to be “holier than thou.”  To look down on others through vain comparison.

 

Proverbs 26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. (Vanity-excessively proud of oneself.)

 

Proverbs 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

 

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

2 Corinthians 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

 

c.  Spiritual Temperance quells Phariseeism.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

2.  Physical Temperance.  1 Corinthians 9:27  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.

 

a.  We must control our Passions - 1 John 2:15-16  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

b.  We must control our passion for Possessions - 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

1a.  The Danger of Possessions - 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

 

1b.  The Destruction of Possessions - 1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  

 

1c.  The Deception of Possessions – 1 timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

c.  We must control our passion for Pleasure.

 

1a.  Worldly Pleasure is a sign of the times - 2 Timothy 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

 

1b.  Worldly Pleasure can become your master - Titus 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

 

1c.  Worldly Pleasure is short lived - Hebrews 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

 

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

 

d.  We must control our passion for Power or Position.

 

1a.  Self-Exaltation is a common problem - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

1b.  Self-Exaltation eventually leads to abasement - Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 

The Keys To Temperance

 

1.  There Must Be Crucifixion - Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

 

1 Corinthians 9:27  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.

 

2.  There Must Be Contentment - 1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 

1 Timothy 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

 

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.

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Meekness

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-18-2020

Galatians 5:22

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Fruit of the Spirit is one fruit that manifest itself in 9 different aspects.  3 Inward—love, joy, peace—3 Outward—longsuffering, goodness, gentleness—3 Upward—faith, meekness, temperance.

 

B.  Man is a trichotomy and a dichotomy.  A trichotomy in the image of God—soul, body, spirit—and a dichotomy—the natural man and the spiritual man.

 

C.  This morning, I want to look at meekness, a virtue that is missing in many people.  In days of a humanistic view of life (you are your own “god” and responsible mainly to self), I find little biblical meekness in this world.

 

D.  Meekness is our reaction to what others do to us.

 

E. The Opposite of Meekness is Pride:

 

MEE'KNESS,  Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.  In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness.

 

PRIDE,   Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

 

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

F.  I want to look at meekness in two areas:  Meekness toward the Lord and Meekness toward Men.

 

1.  Meekness before the Lord.  A recognition of who and what we are.  Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  (Meekness comes through humility.  Paul, who could have had much to glory in displayed meekness.) 

 

a.  Paul did not think that he was someone special-- 2 Corinthians 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

 

b.  Paul did not think that he was spiritual —1 Corinthians 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

c.  Did not think the was even a great Christian -- Ephesians 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

 

d.  Knew that what little he had accomplished was by the grace of God – 1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  (May the Lord help us as God’s men to have a meek attitude!)

 

b.  Meekness comes through ssubmission – James 4:6-7  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  (7)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

c.  Resignation – acceptance of the will of God.  James 5:10-11  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  (11)  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

 

1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

 

2.  Meekness toward Men.

 

Ephesians 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

 

Philippians 3:4-10  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  (5)  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  (6)  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  (7)  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

a.  We Should Not Have To Be Recognized - Luke 14:10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

 

b.  We Should Not Have To Be In Charge - 1 Corinthians 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

 

c.  We Should Not Have To Have Our Own Way - Philippians 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

d.  We Should Remember What We Were And We Would Be If It Were Not For The Grace Of God - Ephesians 2:3  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.  (May the Lord help us as Christians to have a meek attitude!)

 

Conclusion:  Things that meekness will do.

 

1.  Meekness Will Keep You Satisfied - Psalms 22:26  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

 

2.  Meekness Will Keep You In The Will Of The Lord - Psalms 25:9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.  (The proud know it all and cannot be taught.)

 

3.  Meekness Will Give You An Internal Peace - Psalms 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  (You have nothing to prove.)

 

4.  Meekness Will Elevate You In God’s Time - Psalms 147:6  The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

 

5.  Meekness Brings You Favor With The Lord - Psalms 149:4  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

 

6.  Meekness Brings Joy In The Lord - Isaiah 29:19  The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.  (We are nothing and He is everything.)

 

7.  Meekness Brings Rest - Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.