Spiritual Warfare

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-29-2025

1 Timothy 1:18-20

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Apostle Paul left Timothy in Ephesus, a city of great spiritual and moral decadence, to make sure that the church remained doctrinally and morally pure.  (Verse 3) 

 

1.  The believers at Ephesus were “born in the fire,” so to speak, as Ephesus was noted for the great Temple of Diana, the goddess of the Ephesians.  In Acts 19, the religious fervor of idolatrous Ephesians was made evident when—for the space of two hours—thousands chanted “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”

 

2.  Because of the greatness of idolatry and debauchery, these believers were greatly persecuted for their faith in Christ Jesus. 

 

B.  His charge to Timothy was a doctrinal one, as false teachers continually attacked the doctrines of the faith in the 1^st century A.D. 

 

1.  Paul was getting up in years at this time and committed to young Timothy a trust.  One of the most critical aspects of the pastorate is that of maintaining sound doctrine.  It is a constant battle because of our spiritual surroundings. 

 

2.  In those days, people who were saved did not have a choice of the different denominations, isms, and schisms of our day.  Turn the radio or TV on and hear just about anything and everything spiritually. Instead of marking and avoiding them, many of God’s people watch and listen to them.

 

Matthew 7:15-20  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

 

3.  False prophets produce fruit that is carnal, worldly, and unholy! Look at the churches of the Bible Belt and observe the changes over the past 50 years.

 

C. We cannot control the religion that surrounds us, but we can maintain our convictions at home and in church.  We are not only to seek and walk in the “Old Path” wherein is the good way, but we are to war for them.  Our fight is not against flesh and blood, though Satan uses people, but against satanic attacks upon all that we believe.

 

D.  By interpretation, the charge is to Timothy, but by application, it is to us who are “alive and remain” unto the coming of the Lord.  When our Lord returns, will He find faith?

 

E.  Let us look at our verses for tonight in light of the application made to today’s church.

 

1.  The Charge (a declaration or mandate)- Verse 18 – We speak much of the Old Paths which our spiritual fathers have taught us. 

 

a.  In 2 Timothy 3:13-17, Paul said, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 

 

b.  The “mandate” is the Word of Faith which we preach.  As Abraham dug and named the wells in Canaan’s land, Isaac later dug the same wells that the Philistines had stopped up and called them by the same names that Abraham had used.  We are still “digging where our daddies dug!”

 

2.  The Commitment (to deposit as a trust for protection) – Verse 18 – In these verses, Paul writes to Timothy and commits the safekeeping of doctrine to him.

 

a.  My pastors committed the safekeeping of doctrine to me, and God called me to do the same.

 

b. I now entrust its safekeeping to you.  You must continue to allow the Word of God to have “free course” from this pulpit for God’s men to be able to preach effectively!

 

3.  The Criteria  (canon –standards or principles) – Verse 18 – 1 Timothy, an epistle that is pastoral in nature, teaches a young pastor how to oversee and run the house of the Lord.  This is done by “rightly dividing” the word of truth. 

 

a.  This blessed old KJB that I hold in my hand is the embodiment of truth.  Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?” when Truth stood before him. 

 

b.  As Christ Jesus was the Truth, this bible that I hold in my hand tonight is Truth.  As He was pure, this blessed old book is pure and contains the doctrines of our faith that we hold dear.

 

4.  The Conflict  (military service in conflict) – Verse 18 – The Word of God was attacked at its inception into this world and has remained under attack for the past 6,000 years.  It is a planned attack by a wicked angel named Lucifer, and it is a manned attack by those who follow his leadership.  Anyone and everyone who either changes or makes a disparaging remark about the Word of God and those who uphold it is being used by Satan.

 

5.  The Confidence  (moral conviction of religious truth) – Verse 19

The Word of God has always been right; the Word of God is still right; and the Word of God will always be right

 

6.  The Conscience  (spiritual consciousness) – Verse 19 - If we let this charge slip, then our children’s children will never know the reality of faithfulness to the bible and the holiness that follows its teachings.

 

7.  The Consequence (shipwreck) – Verse 20 - The local churches are in bad shape spiritually because they lie in ruins doctrinally.  The families are in poor moral condition because they are spiritually in ruins. The nation is struggling both economically and morally because it is in deep biblical darkness.

The Prince of This World

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-27-2024

John 14:28-31

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  In verse 30, we find the prophecy of coming of the “accuser” to find fault in Christ Jesus.  Satan will find none!  After the crowd took Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, He spoke very little to His disciples or in His defense.  This will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7, which reads:

 

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

 

1.  The “prince of this world” led Israel to its demise.

 

2.  The “prince of this world” leads all who reject and accuse Christ Jesus to their demise.

 

B.  In the word “prince” we find Description.  Satan is called “the prince of this world.” 

 

1.  In the word “prince” we see Power - Luke 22:53  When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

 

2.  In the word “prince” we see Position - 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.  In the word “prince” we see Prominence - Ephesians 2:2  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:

 

4.  In the word “prince” we see Pleasure - Matthew 4:8-9  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  (9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

 

C.  In the word “prince” we find Delusion:

 

1.  He is “god” but only by permission - Matthew 4:9-10  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  (10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

2.  He has control, and he is not in control - John 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

 

3.  He is powerful and yet he is not omnipotent - Jude 9  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

 

4.  He is wealthy and yet he owns nothing - Matthew 4:8-9  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

 

Psalms 24:1  The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

D.  How did the arch enemy of both God and man become the “god of this world?”

 

1.  Because He Is Worshiped - 2 Corinthians 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (This prince is transformed into an angel of light; a thing of great beauty.)

 

Isaiah 14:12-14  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 

 

2.  Because He Is Adored - Matthew 4:9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (The world loves their prince because they love their sin.)

 

2 Corinthians 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

 

3.  Because He Is Emulated - Ephesians 2:2  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:  (The world conforms to image of their god just as we are to conform to the image of our God.)

 

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

 

4.  Because He Is In Control - John 8:43-44  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  (As a father controls his children, this prince controls his.)

 

Conclusion:  The world is deceived by the “prince of this world” but the redeemed are looking for to their “Prince” who is coming soon.

 

Revelation 1:5-8  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  (6)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (7)  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.

What Did The Sea See When The Sea Saw?

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-2-2023

Psalms 114

Introduction:

 

A.  Many times, in the Psalms, we find the perpetual struggle between good and evil; between Satan and God; between the people of God and the people of the devil.  It began in the Garden of Eden and will continue until Satan is cast into the lake of fire and all evil is purged from this world.  It is inevitable and unending!

 

B.  Let me say, at this point, that the devil is a defeated foe and his future in the lake of fire is assured!  He is neither a problem nor threat to the almighty God who created it all!

 

C.  Psalm 114 was written about the struggles of God’s people.  It seems that Satan never gives up and constantly causes problems for the child of God.  I could preach on the “Why” of these struggles but that is not the message tonight.  I am more interested in what the sea saw!  Verse 3.

 

D.  Two different but same accounts are rehearsed in verse 5.  Psalm 114:5 gives an account of the Lord bringing Israel out of Egypt and into Canaan with only one reference to the wilderness. 

 

1.  The Red Sea was opened for the benefit of the people of Israel when God delivered them from the most powerful nation in the world in the most impossible situation ever recorded.

 

2.  The Jordan River was cut off and the water heaped up to show that God could do the same for the next generation as they were going into battle with numerous Canaanite Nations in their homeland and in their walled cities.

 

3.  In Psalm 114, these two are rehearsed together to show us that the God of impossibility that delivered these two generations can still deliver in the most impossible situations of our lives.

 

E.  As humans, we are so often entangled in our circumstances that we fail to see just what is happening and what the Lord is doing.  “I can’t see the forest for the trees” is an old saying that is so true.  The Red Sea had no “dog in this fight” and was simply an observer.

 

1.  Sometimes, as humans, we find despair in adversity.

 

2.  Sometimes, as humans, we find disquietedness in continued tribulation.

 

3.  Sometimes, as humans, we find discouragement in heaven’s silences.

 

4.  Sometimes, as humans, we find dread in view of our enemy.

 

F.  I find at least 3 times where things in nature “fled” at the presence and power of an almighty, sovereign, holy God:

 

1.  Revelation 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (The heavens fled from the face of the Son of God at the Great White Throne Judgment:  The judgment of God upon the unsaved.)

 

2.  Revelation 16:19-20  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.  (20)  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.  (The islands fled from the judgment of God on the city of Rome, the Babylonish harlot.)

 

3.  Psalms 114:3  The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.  (The Red Sea fled from the judgment of God upon a Pharaoh who persecuted the people of God.)

 

G.  I want to deal with one of these miracles, the opening of the Red Sea.  The magnitude of this miracle is beyond human comprehension. 

 

H.  Here is what the sea saw when Pharaoh chose to destroy the people of God:

 

1.  The Sea Saw The People Of God – God’s chosen people.  A good piece of advice: “Don’t mess with God’s People!

 

a.  A People Purged – “went out”

 

b.  A People Prized – “house of Jacob”

 

c.  A People Peculiar – “from a people of strange language”

 

The sea saw the People of God.  When in trouble, remember that we are the people of God.  We are His chosen; we are His children; He sets His love on us; He cares about what we care about!  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  We are the people of God!  We are His and He is ours.  He loves us and cares for us.  He will put the angels on half rations in order to supply all of our needs. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF HIS CHILDREN!!!

 

2.  The Sea Saw The Purpose Of God – God’s Chosen Purpose.  He was bringing  them 0ut of Egypt to bring them into Canaan!   A good piece of advice: “Don’t mess with God’s Purpose!”

 

a.  For God’s People

 

1)  God Bringing Them Out of Egypt

 

2)  God Bringing Them Through the Wilderness

 

3)  God Bringing Them Into the Promised Land

 

b.  For God’s Rejecters

 

1)  To Deceive Them

 

2)  To Damn Them

 

3)  To Destroy Them

 

The sea saw The Purpose Of God.  God has purpose in our lives and He both can and will bring those purposes to pass.  All of the devils in hell cannot stop what God ordains for His children!  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  A sovereign God!  Pharaoh fought against a sovereign God!!!

 

3.  The Sea Saw The Place Of God – God’s Chosen Place - The Red Sea!  A good piece of Advice: “Don’t mess with God’s Place!”  Every good general picks his place and his time.  God is a “man of ways.”

 

a.  Pharaoh’s Purpose – Exodus 14:4-5

 

b.  Pharaoh’s Power – Exodus 14:6-7

 

c.  Pharaoh’s Pursuit – Exodus 14:8-9

 

The sea saw the Place Of God.  God brought Israel to the Red Sea!  In our lives, God both authors and allows circumstances in our lives where the devil tries his best to take us down.  God is in complete control of everything that touches the lives of the child of God.  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  I can trust God in my circumstances!  You can trust God in your circumstances!

 

4.  The Sea Saw The Protection Of God – The sheltering wings of almighty God! Pharaoh’s attempt to destroy Israel is frustrated.  A good piece of advice: “Don’t touch or hurt what God loves!”

 

a.  The Pillar Of God

 

b.  The Position Of God

 

c.  The Protection Of God

 

The sea saw the Protection of God.  Even Satan knows that God has hedged about the people of God.  We are in God’s hand and anything or anyone who tries to get to us must go through His fingers!  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  Pharaoh never touched Israel!  Nothing touches God’s children without God’s permission!

 

5.  The Sea Saw The Power Of God – In no other scenario did God show more power than at the Red Sea!  A good piece of advice: “Don’t mess with God period!”

 

a.  God’s Power Over Pharaoh

 

b.  God’s Power Over Predicaments – The blast of His nostrils opened the Red Sea

 

c.  God’s Power Over His People – He did not allow either Pharaoh or  the Sea to destroy Israel.

 

The sea saw the Power of God.  There is nothing either impossible or hard with God.  He can do anything, anytime, and anywhere.  Every situation that we face is a possibility with God.  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  God can meet our needs; God can bring us through our problems; God can overcome our enemies; God can DO ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANY WHERE!!

 

6.  The Sea Saw The Person Of God – What a sovereign God the sea saw!  A good piece of advice: “Don’t disobey God!”

 

a.  God’s Omniscience

 

b.  God’s Omnipresence

 

c.  God’s Omnipotence

 

The sea saw the Person of God.  He is the Creator and Sustainer of all heaven and earth.  We speak of God, believe in God, pray to God, and then doubt God!  He is always there with us and for us!  When in the midst of troubles, we fail to see what the sea saw!  Before anything was in eternity past, He was God!  After everything is done in eternity future, He will be God!  Between everlasting and everlasting where we dwell, He is God!

 

Conclusion:  We, as God’s children, need to see our seas of life, our impossibilities, as the sea saw!

 

When You Have the Devil for a Father - Who's Yo Daddy?

Temple Baptist Church - 4-26-2023

John 8:31-48

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Book of John portrays the Deity of Christ, the Eagle.  It begins with the eternality of Christ seen in chapter one and also 8:

 

John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.

 

John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

 

B.  We saw last week that many believed but, to be consistent with Matthew 7:12-14, many more did not believe.

 

Matthew 7:12-14  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  (13)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

C.  Verse 33.  Though they could have believed and chose not to, they continued to press Christ as to who He truly was. 

 

1.  Their answer to verse 32 was that were Abraham’s seed and did not need to be freed because they had never been in physical bondage.

 

2.  They never faced the fact that they were sinners by birth as well as by choice.  The seed of Abraham was to the lost just a sign of being a Hebrew by birth.  They though that gave the special merit with God.  The Nation of Israel was God’s covenant people, but individual Jews were only His by a new birth.

 

D.  Verse 39, 41.  They claimed Abraham as their father in verse 39 and God their Father in verse 41.  Their thought was that their relationship with God was established upon their physical birth family and national heritage.  This was a total rejection of both the Son of God and therefore God the Father.

 

E.  If they had known Christ, they would have known the Father. 

 

John 8:19  Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

 

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 

F.  Verse 44.  The Lord’s indictment.  “Ye are of your father the devil.”  I find only two fathers listed here so which one will be you father: the God the Father or the “god of this world,” the devil. 

 

G. When the devil is your daddy, you will have these 13 characteristics.  13 is the number of ill omens.

 

1.  Verse 34.  They will continually be in bondage to sin.  “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”  (God’s children will be free from the bondage of sin.)

 

2.  Verse 35.  They will eventually leave the church with some lame excuse.  “And the servant abideth not in the house for ever”…

 

3.  Verse 36.  They will never be truly free indeed.  “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (Indeed – to become clean)  (God’s children will become clean and not dirty.)

 

4.  Verses 37, 40.  They will become the enemies of God.  “seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.”  (God’s children will be friends of God, not His enemies.)

 

5.  Verses 39-40.  They will never have a saving faith in Christ.  “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  (40)  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”  (God’s children will have faith in Christ and Christ alone.)

 

6.  Verse 42.  They will never have a love for Christ Jesus.  “If God were your Father, ye would love me”  (God’s children, having not seen Him, will love Him.)

 

7.  Verse 43.  They will not hear the Word of God.  “even because ye cannot hear my word.”  (God’s children have both the outer and inner hearing of God’s Word.)

 

8.  Verse 44.  They take on the characteristics of the devil and the world.  “the lusts of your father ye will do.”  (God’s children will be transformed from glory to glory through the knowledge of God.)

 

9.  Verse 44.  They will reject everything that is spiritual.  “and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him”  (God’s children will not only accept truth, they will abide in God’s truth.)

 

10.  Verse 44.  They will lie to themselves and others.  “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar”

 

11.  Verse 45.  They will become blinded to the glorious gospel.  “I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”  (God’s children see Him and this world through spiritual eyes that behold and accept spiritual truth.)

 

12.  Verse 46.  They will speak evil of the Christ.  “Which of you convinceth me of sin?”  (God’s children will not speak evil of their wonderful LORD!)

 

13.  Verses 47.  They will have no love for the things of God and fall in love with the world.  “ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”  (God’s children may fail at times but they will continue to have a love for the things of God that will bring them to repentance and restoration.)

 

Who’s your daddy?