Pure Religion

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-29-2021

James 1:21-27

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we come to the end of the first chapter of the Book of James, the Holy Ghost ties up all loose ends.  He gives us the example of one religious man and one man with pure religion.

 

B.  Last week, I erroneously said that there were nine mentions of religion in one form or the other in the Bible.  There are only five!  It behooves us to look at these five mentions to get an understanding of how they are used.

 

1.  The first three mentions speak of the Jew's religion.  These three could be classified as false religions. 

 

Acts 26:5  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.  (Saul of Tarsus lived a life above reproach yet was unsaved!)

 

Galatians 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:  (Saul's deception.)

 

Galatians1:14  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.  (Saul's zeal.)

 

Though these three mentions speak of God's covenant people, Israel as a nation had rejected the Messiah and fell into spiritual darkness.

 

Matthew 4:16  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.  (There were a few, when Christ was born, who sat in light—awaiting His coming.  All these people, sitting and looking, had the same Word of God.  Some chose darkness over light while others chose light over darkness.  Personal choice.)

 

2.  The fourth mention speaks of vain religion.  The word "vain" means to no avail. 

 

James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 

3.  The fifth mention speaks of pure religion.

 

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

C.  Types of "religion" mentioned in these two verses, 26-27: one vain or "religious" verses one pure and undefiled before God "religion."  We will look at the difference between the two words and their manifestations.

 

1.  Religious.  Verse 26 uses the word "religious."  Religious is worship done before man and not necessarily before God.

 

a.  The word "religious" only occurs once in the Bible and it is used in a bad light.  Religious comes from a root word meaning "to wail" or "clamor."  It is an outward expression in a bad sense because it is not backed up with an inward reality: all show.

 

b.  Religious: demonstrative or pious.  Ceremonious in worship.  Liturgical or sacramental in tradition.  People within local churches who always must be seen, be in charge, receive praise. 

 

c.  Religious: the result given is both vain and vocal.  Vain: to no avail.  It does not impress either God or man.  Vocal: it manifests itself in self-glory and praise: I, me, my, or myself.  It is simply show.

 

2.  Pure and Undefiled before God Religion.  Verse 27 is the only place where "religion" in any sense of the word is found to be pleasing to God and man.  Pure means to be clean or clear.  Undefiled means to be uncontaminated and is an expression of continuation.  Pure and undefiled religion are done "before God," Who looks upon the inward, not the outward man.

 

a.  The example of Pure Religion is an interesting one.  To visit the fatherless (orphans) and widows (widows indeed) in their affliction.  To come to the aid of those who can neither pay nor reward your services.  By visiting!  Spending his or her time to relieve the suffering or loneliness of those who are helpless and needful.  JOY – Jesus first, Others second, and You last. 

 

b.  The second example of Pure Religion is to keep oneself unspotted from the world.  A love of Christ that compels one to live righteously, holy, pure, unspotted from contact with the world (we must live in this sinful world) and also unspotted before the world so as to have a delightful testimony.

 

Conclusion:  This all goes back to the context of either "enduring temptation" in verse 12, or giving in to temptation in verses 13-15.  Either being "doers" of the word or being "hearers only," deceiving ourselves but not deceiving either God of man.

Eternal Life: Are You Sure That You Have It?

Temple Baptist Church - 5-5-2013

John 10:27-31

 

Introduction: This morning, I want to look at one of my favorite portions of scripture!

 

A.  John 10 is one of the “great” chapters in the New Testament as our Lord explains so simply the way of salvation verses the way of religion.  He called the religionists “thieves and robbers” because they rejected the “Door” of salvation. 

 

1.  You cannot have eternal life until you have life!  Every true believer can sing with Fanny Crosby, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!”

 

2.  Religion is man-made and involves a devilish mixture of faith and works!  I emphasize the word “devilish!”  Religion is Cain worship with man’s goodness meriting favor with God and, therefore, salvation.  Galatians 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

B.  Religion hates true salvation because true salvation changes the repentant believer and exposes the religionist.  Verse 31 shows the true heart of the religionist:  “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.” 

 

1.  My, how the religious crowd hated the Lord Jesus!  They still hate Him today and the “Jesus” that they worship is “another Jesus!”  The Jesus of the bible indicted the religionists of the day as He said, “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites!”  It was this crowd who cried, “Crucify him!”  In a parable, He spoke of them:  “We will not have this man to reign over us!”

 

2.  Religion is an enemy of the Christ of the Bible for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is set forth in these verses:  the blessed doctrine of “Eternal Life.” 

 

C.  It is one if not the most hated of all doctrines found in the Bible because it destroys the goodness of man and man’s ability to both earn and keep his salvation.  One famous so-called God called preacher called the biblical doctrine eternal security a doctrine of devils.  I do not like the preceding term “eternal security” because it is not a biblical term.  The bible says, “Eternal life.”  Eternal life is the only kind of life that God gives.

 

D.  You would think that “eternal life” is something that every sinner would love to have but  this is not the case.  Man believes that he is essentially good and that God should accept his “offering.”  This thinking is as old as time and is described in the New Testament as the “way of Cain:”  It is man offering to God his goodness and merit instead of bowing to the righteousness of God which no man can measure up to.

 

Genesis 4:1-8  And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2  And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

 

E.  I thank God for salvation through the finished work of Christ.  I thank God for life more abundantly.  I thank god for His mercy and grace to this poor old sinner.  I thank God for a salvation that is eternal: “Eternal Life!” 

 

1.  I am the least of all saints and the worst of all sinners!  I am so glad this morning that salvation is of the Lord and I will go to Heaven on day by the amazing grace of God!!

 

2.  The words everlasting and eternal are used many times in the Bible:  Everlasting Life” 11 times,  “Eternal Life” 26 times.  A man once said that “One who does not believe in ‘eternal security’ is doomed to live in ‘eternal insecurity.’" 

 

1. The Meaning Of The Word Eternal – it means for ever and for ever and for ever…

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

1 John 5:11-13  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12  He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

2.  Eternal Life Is An Unconditional Covenant Of God – this means that it does not depend upon us but upon His promises!

 

John 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

John  10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

 

Romans 8:1  [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

1 John 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

 

3.  Eternal Life States The Sufficiency Of Christ’ Death – His sacrifice is sufficient to not only save but to save eternally.

 

Hebrews 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

4.  Eternal Life Depends Upon The Ability Of God To Keep That Which Belongs To Him – Eternal Life is the responsibility of God, not man!

 

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

5.  Eternal Life Is Our Lord’s Prayer For Us – His prayers always get answered!

 

John 11:41-42  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

 

John 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

 

Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

6.  Eternal Life Is A Product Of The Integrity Of God’s Word – if God said it, you can “take it to the bank!”

 

Matthew 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

1 John 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

 

7.  Eternal Life Is The Fidelity Of God’s Love For Us – He has loved us with an everlasting love!

 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Romans 5:8-11  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

Romans 8:34-39  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

8.  Eternal Life Has The Seal Of The Indwelling Holy Spirit – we that are saved have the Spirit Of God living in us until the day He takes us home!

 

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

 

Ephesians 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Conclusion:  Not wonder the Devil hates the doctrine of Eternal Life!  He may try to rob you of your peace and profitableness but he CANNOT rob you of your salvation!  Glory to God!  We are saved!  We are secure!  We are safe!  FOREVER!  Eternal life is the only kind that God gives and not to have it is not to be saved!

The Knowledge Of The Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 7-8-2012

1 Timothy 2:4

Introduction:

A. Verse 4 corresponds with “The Great Commission” or, as it is often called, either The Great Commandment” or “The Apostolic Commission.” The last time I preached out of this verse, we saw that the Lord wants every man who has or will ever be born to be saved. Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world and that includes every one everywhere in every time.

B. This second part of the verse also corresponds with the second part of the commission: after they are led to the Lord, they are to be taught: “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have command you.” Last week, we saw that the Lord wants every man who has or will ever be born to be saved. 

C. This second part of the verse also corresponds with the second part of the commission: after they are led to the Lord, they are to be taught: “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have command you.” Teaching is as important as preaching in the local church. Most church goers in the Bible Belt have very little scriptural knowledge and become a prey to the cults, neo-evangelicals, charismatics, and worldly churches. The churches that make an attempt to “teach” make sure that they only teach those things that are palatable to their members. They are afraid to teach and preach the whole counsel of God therefore leaving their people babes in Christ.

D. Preachers and churches go directly against the clear teachings of the Bible and these church members think that it is great. Just look at our small city! In the past couple of years, we have had half a dozen of these “contemporary” churches spring up and they are not gaining their membership through visitation and soul winning. They are proselyting from the more traditional churches.

E. Seven times, the Apostle Paul—in one form or another—used such terminology as “I would not have you to be ignorant brethren.” Biblical ignorance was a real problem in the early days of the church and has certainly escalated in these last days.

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

F. There are several reasons for biblical ignorance:

1. There is a lack of structured Bible teaching and preaching in many churches. Many churches in our area have gone to Quarterlies over the past 60-70 years. These Sunday School lessons have a lot of incorrect doctrinal teaching to go along with the shallowness of the writers. The best Sunday School material is the Bible. In many churches, either the pastor is afraid to preach or the people will not allow him to preach. God’s Word must have free course and be glorified.

Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

a. Teaching must be doctrinally sound – vs. 9

b. Teaching must be structured – vs. 10a

c. Teaching must be systematic – vs. 10b

2. There is a lack of willingness to hear doctrinal preaching and teaching. People who are looking for a church to attend are generally looking for all of the wrong reasons. Their interest is shown in such questions as “what do you have for the young people?” If I were looking for a church, my first questions would be doctrinal in nature. You can have something for the young people and what you give them be wrong.

Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

a. They must hear the truth – vs. 11

b. They must desire the truth – 12

c. They must grow in the truth – vs. 13

3. There is a lack of saved people in many churches. We have to be careful in this area because there is little difference between the untaught saved and the taught unsaved! People can get saved and not grow because of being in the wrong churches. People can be in the right churches and not learn because they have no Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth. The natural man still cannot receive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. The Bible says, “Neither can they know them.” 

1 Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

a. Spiritual truth is beyond human experience - vs. 9

b. Spiritual truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit – vs. 10-13

c. Spiritual truth cannot be either understood or received by the natural man – vs. 14

Conclusion: It is important to be saved and know it but it is also important to grow up and show it!

I Believe With All Mine Heart!

Temple Baptist Church - 7-31-2011

Acts 8:35-37

Introduction:

A. Once again, we take a short look at the salvation experience of a man from Ethiopia. It is important at this point to say that everyone must have a salvation experience! A time and a place where we personally came to the Lord Jesus Christ as a lost sinner in need of a singular Saviour! A New Birth is necessary for salvation and, eventually, being with the Lord eternally in heaven.

B. Saving faith is much more than just a mental assent to the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. True saving faith always produces a new life in Christ accompanied by a life change. Many claim to know Christ but their lives do not reflect the validity of their profession.

C. James 2:18-20 says, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” Did you know that:

1. The Devil believes in God! Luke 4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. (The Devil and his devils believe in God’s person, power, and sovereignty!)

2. The Devil believes in the Gospel! He knows Jesus Christ; he understands the death, burial, and resurrection! 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (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. (The Devil tried to kill Christ before Calvary and tried to circumvent Christ’s glorious resurrection and, when he could not stop either Calvary or the resurrection, he has tried to blind the minds of the world!)

3. The Devil believes in a real heaven and a real hell! Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? (He knows that one day he will be a permanent resident of a Christless hell with no hope of ever getting out.)

D. The Bible Belt is full of churches. Almost every side road in South Carolina has from 1-5 or more church signs at the intersection of every main road. We have every flavor of church here: Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Protestant, Catholic, or off-shoot of one of the aforementioned are to be found in the “Bible Belt.” In the same “Bible Belt,” there is a liquor store on almost every main intersection. The Convenience Stores all sell both liquor and Lottery Tickets and well as many of the restaurants. Most “Christians” have a “Hope So Salvation” while many of the churches are “open for business” only one service per week. Most “Christians” attend few services but never miss a vacation or ball game.

E. The Devil has better “religion” than these “Christian” folks.

1. Satan knows that he is lost. The “Christian” does not know that he is lost because he was born into religion.

2. The Devil knows which bible to fight against. The “Christian” does not know which bible to use.

3. The Devil is in church every time the doors of the church are open. The “Christian” only comes when it is convenient though he never misses a vacation, family diner or reunion, or ball game and, yet, misses church as often as he or she wishes.

4. The Devil hates the gospel and the new birth. The “Christian” proclaims a love for both but has no testimony of salvation to back up that proclamation.

F. The problem with these “Christians” is that many have a head full of biblical facts but not heart full of biblical reality! Out of the heart are the “issues of life.” Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. The problem with most folks is a heart problem and a Cardiologist cannot fix it. The Ethiopian Eunuch was told, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest!”

G. I am so glad that I have “believed” with all my heart! As “mine eye affecteth mine heart,” my faith affects my life! There are many things that I believe with all of my heart and it is good to reflect upon some of them. When you believe with all your heart, it will change:
1. Your Loving – Love not the world!

2. You Longing – Seek those things that are above!

3. Your Life – A new creature!

1. I Believe With All My Heart That The King James Bible Is God’s Word! 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.”

It is not the best translation off of the best text. It is not one of many. It is infallible, inerrant, the every word perfect Word of God. If man disagrees with it, he disagrees with God for God declared the bible to be perfect. If it is not perfect, it can only contain the Word of God as all true Scripture is given by inspiration of God and, if it is inspired (and it says that it is), then it is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to 2 Timothy 3:15 and the “holy scriptures” that Timothy had were not original manuscripts. God called them “inspired!” Theologians can like it or not like it; liberals can like it or not like it; the Devil can like it or not like it! I believe it in my heart and you will never convince me of anything different. If God called them inspired then they were inspired! I am not a Ruckmanite and I do not believe in double inspiration but I am a bible believer and I do believe that the bible that I hold in my hand is inspired because biblical preservation (which is an act of God) demands that the inspiration be intact! This King James Bible is the foundation for my salvation and faith. This King James Bible was instrumental in changing my life. I preach this bible with all confidence this morning! If I preach it, it will accomplish that which God intends for it to accomplish and the work will be of God. This King James Bible holds within its pages all of my hopes. This King James bible calms all of my fears. If saving faith comes by hearing the Word of God (and it does), then how can you be saved without it? Would not a flawed bible bring about a flawed salvation. If we are born of incorruptible seed by the Word of God, then how can we be born of corruptible seed that only contains the Word of God? Preposterous!!! I thank God for the Word of God that effectually works in the heart of both sinners and saints. It is the Word of God that converts the sinner and it is the Word of God that cleanses the saint.

2. I Believe With All My Heart That Jesus Christ Is God! Acts 8:35-37 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (36) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

He is not “a god” nor is He one of many “gods.” He was not an angel who volunteered to become our “saviour.” He is the one and only God and beside Him there is no Saviour! He is almighty; He is sovereign; He is holy; He is gracious; He is good; He is impeccable; He is immutable; He is omniscient; He is omnipotent; He is omnipresent; He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things; He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings; and He is coming again as He said. He was before all things and He will be after all things; He is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the First and the Last; He is the Beginning and He is the End and you cannot live without Him! He that cometh to God must believe that He is! You will never be saved until you come to the revelation that Jesus Christ of the New Testament was Jehovah God of the Old Testament! The Virgin born Son of God was the Creator of all things and even while in the womb of Mary, He was the Sustainer of all things. By Him were all things made and by Him all things consist! You can discredit Him but He still exists and, one day, you will stand before Him as the earth and heaven flees from His face. In that day, every knee SHALL bow and every tongue SHALL confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father! All I can say is GLORY, GLORY, GLORY!!

3. I Believe With All My Heart The Gospel! John 20:27-29 “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (28) And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (29) Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Jesus Christ died for my sins according to the scriptures. He did not swoon; He died! Jesus Christ was buried in a garden tomb. Jesus Christ rose again according to the scriptures. It was a bodily resurrection from the dead! Because He was sinless, His sacrifice was accepted! Because He died for me, I can have salvation; because He resurrected, I may live also. It is the gospel that must be preached to every creature for it is the gospel alone that can save and if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost 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. The devil hated Christ; the devil hated the gospel; and the devil fights the spread of the gospel because it is the only method of evangelizing a lost world and bringing sinners to Christ.

4. I Believe With All My Heart That The Old Paths Are Right Paths! Jeremiah 6:16a Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”

They are tried paths; they are true paths; they are bible paths; and they are right paths. I am an old-fashioned, King James Bible toting, fundamental, separated, independent Baptist preacher and will not apologize for it. The new-fangled churches with the modern, worldly ways are not the will of God nor are they the ways of God. They make the House of God a comfortable place for the world to sit in. They are comfortable because they recognize the dress standards; they are comfortable because they recognize the music; they are comfortable because they can applaud the preaching; they are comfortable because there is no Spirit to convict them of sin; they are comfortable on the pews because God is absent for He is a holy God! God never intended for sinners to be comfortable in the presence of a thrice holy God. When a church is right with God, sinners will get right with God—not God get right with the world and with them. Men try to bring men up to God’s level while bringing God down to their level. The ground is only level at THE FOOT OF THE CROSS where God is elevated and men are humbled. Separation from the world; separation from the liberal; separation from the apostate; separation from unbiblical worship are positive things, not negative things. It is only through separation from this sinful world that we may gain a vision of who God is and find His perfect will for our lives.

5. I Believe With All My Heart That My Doctrine Is Bible Doctrine! 2 Timothy 3:13-14 “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.”

I am not following a man nor am I in “line with a denomination!” I have studied this blessed old Bible for myself and know what and why I believe with all of my heart. I am not confused nor am I crazy! If the Bible says it is so then it is so and if the Bible says that it is right it is right! I am a Baptist because Baptist doctrine is right! My being a Baptist does not affect my interpretation of Scripture or adaptation to my doctrine; the Scripture convinces me of my doctrine and makes me a Baptist. I believe that the old men of God who taught my doctrine were correct and I stand by it. The Lord said to stand fast in sound doctrine and to teach sound doctrine. Doctrine is a positive thing. Satan always does away with sound doctrine by teaching his disciples that the bible and sound doctrine are “majoring on the minors,” but preaching and teaching sound doctrine is the major and, without it, sinners will not be saved nor will saints come to spiritual maturity.

6. I Believe With All My Heart That Our Lord Is Coming Again! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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.”

While the “oil less” virgins slept, the Bridegroom came and the door was shut. He is coming soon; He is coming as a thief in the night for His own; we that are saved are leaving and those who have heard and reject the gospel will be damned! I am expectant and I am excited about the prospect! I am not looking for the signs; I am listening for the shout! “And so shall we ever be with the Lord” is my reason for living and my blessed hope for which I look for. He is coming as He said and we are leaving as He said. Look around you and see prophecy fulfilled on every side. Blind Bartimaeus could see the signs of our times but people (including the so called saints) go about their lives as if He will never come. You had better be ready for the Son of Man cometh in an hour when ye think not!

7. I Believe With All My Heart That There Is A Real Heaven! John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Heaven is not fictitious places concocted in the minds of religious fanatics. As sure as there is a God, there is a heaven! It is perfect and it is home. It is promised; it is perfect; it is pure; it is peaceful; and it is permanent!

8. I Believe With All My Heart That There Is A Real Hell! Revelation 20:13-15 “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

As sure as there is a God, there is a hell! He is just and righteous; He is holy and His holiness demands divine justice for the sinner who rejects His wonderful salvation. Hell burns forever and they who go there will never die!

Conclusion: Sometimes, it is good to reflect upon what and why we believe. What I believe, I believe in my heart and with all of my heart. I know who God is; I know what I believe; I know that I am saved; I know where I am going with I die; I know that God called me to preach and put me in this church; I believe the bible with all of my heart and I am satisfied! I find in it no fault at all!