The Mission’s Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-10-2023

Psalm 67

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I find this Psalm one of interest because, as the general rule, Jews neither accepted nor affiliated with non-Jews. 

 

1.  The Canaanite Woman – Matthew 15:22-27  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.  (23)  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.  (24)  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  (25)  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.  (26)  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.  (27)  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.  (The Lord did not look down upon her but fully understood her position in life caused by the rejection of the Jews.)

 

2.  The Samaritan Woman – John 4:7-9  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.  (8)  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)  (9)  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

 

3.  The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? (33)  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 

4.  Cornelius – Acts 10:11-16  And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:  (12)  Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  (13)  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.  (14)  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.  (15)  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  (16)  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

 

5.  The Gentile Believers – Galatians 2:11-14  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  (12)  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  (13)  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  (14)  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

 

6.  The Jewish Proselytes.  The Court of the Gentiles – The outermost court of Zerubbabel’s Temple where the Gentiles had to remain.  Gentiles, foreigners, and those counted impure had to worship there.  It was where Jesus found the money changers and sellers of impure sacrifices when He cleansed the Temple.

 

B.  Our Lord died for the sins of the Whole World!  Not just for the sins of the Jews.  In this prophetic Psalm, we find the heart of God for sinners.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

C.  The Psalm of Missions!

 

1.  Verse 1.  The Preparation of Missions. “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.”  (Missions begins with the hearing of God’s commandment to His people.)

 

a.  The Hearing of Missions.  Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

b.  The Heart of Missions.  Lamentations 3:48-51  Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.  (49)  Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,  (50)  Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.  (51)  Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. (Mission ignorant people do no missions; Mission minded people think missions; Mission hearted people do missions.)

 

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. 

 

2.  Verse 2.  The Performance of Missions.  That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 

 

a.  Those who go.  “Go ye”  Isaiah 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

b.  Those who send.  “ye shall be witnesses unto me BOTH in Jerusalem (Laurens), and in all Judaea (South Carolina), and in Samaria (America), and unto the uttermost part of the earth (The World).”

 

3.  Verses 3-5.  The Praise of Missions.  “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.  (4)  O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.”

 

a.  Praise the Lord for every soul won.

 

b.  Praise the Lord for every church established.

 

c.  Praise the Lord for every indigenous preacher raised up.

4.  Verses 6-7.  The Product of Missions.  “Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.  (7)  God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”

 

a.  Verse 6.  The Fruit of God.  1 Corinthians 3:6-7  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

 

b.  Verse 7.  The Fear of God.  Revelation 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

My Two Witnesses

Temple Baptist Church - 2-14-2021

Revelation 11:3-14

 

A.  We are now officially at the middle of the Tribulation Period of Jacob’s Trouble in this chapter.  The middle will be marked by the Abomination of Desolation mentioned in Daniel, chapter 12. 

 

B.  A short breakdown of this chapter: 

 

1.  The first half of the Tribulation Period is now over.  We have seen just how terrible that these years were for the people of earth.  It was a wakeup call for those on earth.

 

2.  An untold number of Gentiles and Jews have been saved and martyred and are now found under the altar in heaven.  These are those who had never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel prior to the Rapture of the Church. 

 

3.  Most of the people of earth have rejected the Gospel and continued in unrepentance.

 

4.  Verse 1-2.  The Third Temple was built in “troublous times” (Daniel 9:25) and, evidently, the Abomination of Desolation committed as now the outer court is trampled under the feet of the unsaved for the rest of the 7-year period.

 

5.  Verse 2. Now God turns to the Nation of Israel specifically.  “Jacob’s Trouble” is for the restoration of the Nation of Israel to God.

 

6.  Verse 3.  The Lord begins with His two witnesses preaching the Word of God in the streets of the “holy city,” which in verse 7 is called “Sodom and Egypt.”  Totally apostate at this time as their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 1:11 has led to national apostasy.

 

Vs. 4 – their purpose

Vs 5 – their protection

Vs. 6 – their power

Vs 7. – their death

Vs. 8-11 – their observation

Vs. 12 – their ascension

Vs. 13 – the great earthquake

Vs. 14 – The Second Woe is past and the Third Woe to come.

 

7. These protected witnesses will preach for 3 ½ years before the Lord allows their martyrdom to take place.  They will lie in the streets for 3 days and a half and then be caught up to heaven in the sight of the people of earth.

 

C.  Verse 3.  “And I will give power unto my two witnesses”

 

1.  Throughout the Bible, both under the Law in the Old Testament and under Grace in the New Testament, God has established that truthfulness must be verified by 2 or three witnesses.  What these “witnesses” prophesy or preach is absolute truth.

 

Deuteronomy 17:6-7  At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.  (7)  The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

 

Deuteronomy 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

 

Matthew 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

 

2 Corinthians 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

 

D.  “a thousand two hundred and three score days,” three-and-one-half years or “forty-two months” as spoken of in verse 2.  In the second half of the Tribulation Period, the gentiles will trod under foot the outer court of the Temple.  As they do so, there will be two witnesses send from God to prophesy against their sinfulness.

 

E.  “clothed in sackcloth.”  Israelites, when in mourning, often sat in sackcloth and ashes.  Sackcloth was a plain cloth used to make sacks to carry grain in.  In America, poor people have used sackcloth to make clothes for their children because the parents were too poor to buy nice fabric.  Ashes spoke of destruction and hopelessness as the mourner was in a state of utter destruction and helplessness.  These two witnesses will prophesy with the spirit of mourning for those on earth.  How much more should we mourn for those around us who are blinded by their sin.

 

F.  In these “two witnesses,” I see both the grace of God and the judgment of God pronounced.  Throughout the Tribulation Period, we see the longsuffering of God to those who walk on this earth but also see the holiness and judgment of God upon the unrepentant.

 

G.  verse 4.  “11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”  They were prophesied in the Book of Zechariah:

 

Zechariah 4:2-3  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:  (3)  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

 

Candlestick – the light of witness.  The two olive trees are not found in either the Tabernacle of the Wilderness or the first 2 temples.  There are found in the 3rd temple of the end-time.

 

1.  “the two olive trees.”  Jacob’s Trouble is Daniel’s 70th Week, a time of judgment and restoration of the Nation of Israel.  In Romans 11:5-26, we see Israel’s rejection of the Messiah and spiritual blindness until “the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”  The age of the Church, a mixture of Jew and Gentile.

 

God broke off the “natural branch” of Israel, the Good Olive Tree, and grafted in the unnatural branch” for the Wild Olive Tree.  At the end of the Church Age, when the fullness of the Gentiles is come in, God will graft the “natural branch,” Israel back in when they look on Him whom they pierced and turn to Christ as their Messiah.

 

Olive Trees were a source of both food and oil.  Food is also a type of spiritual food while oil is a type of the Spirit in the bible.

 

2.  “the two candlesticks.”  The Candlestick gave light to the Jewish priests as they ministered before the Lord in the Holy Place.  It was the “beaten oil” that gave the Candlestick its light.  The Olive Oil, or the product of the Olive Tree, was to be both pure and beaten.  The oil was to cause the lamp to burn always. 

 

Exodus 27:20  And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

 

The candlestick is also a New Testament type of the church, a continual source of light to the world, made up of individual lights of the believers who place their lights there.

 

Matthew 5:15-16  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 

Revelation 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my

right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

The light of the believers in the local church also give light to those without the local church. 

 

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

3.  I believe these two witnesses to be a type of Old Testament Israel (The Olive Tree) and the New Testament Church (Candlestick).

 

4. “standing before the God of the earth.”  These two messengers will stand before God in Jerusalem in the end-time as they prophesy.  Prophesying can be either “forth telling” or “forth telling.”  I believe that theirs will be both grace for saving faith to the unsaved and the impending judgment of God upon the unrepentant.

 

H.   Who are these two witnesses?  There has been much speculation concerning their identification so I wand to look at them for a few minutes.

 

1.  Enoch.  Enoch is one of the two men in the Bible that went to heaven without dying.

 

Genesis 5:22-24  And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:  (23)  And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:  (24)  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

 

Those who believe that Enoch was one of them reference this verse in the New Testament.

 

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

I personally rule Enoch out because God can overrule in matters of life and death.  Lazarus, a friend of Jesus in the New Testament, died and was brought back to life so he had to die twice! 

 

Enoch is a type of the Rapture of the Church and, therefore, will never die.  If the Lord comes before our death, we will be “caught up” to heaven without death.

 

Hebrews 11:5  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.

 

2.  Elijah.  Elijah is the other man who went to heaven without dying.

 

2 Kings 2:11  And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

 

I find this man more interesting because it was Elijah and Moses that met with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration.

 

Matthew 17:3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

 

Elijah had power to call down fire from heaven and also to make the rain cease, making him a good candidate according to Revelation 11:5-6.

 

3.  Moses.  The only man buried by God in the wilderness.  Satan disputed with Michael the Archangel over Moses’ body in Jude 9.

 

Moses also appeared in the transfiguration with Elijah in Matthew 17:4.  God did not allow Moses to go into Canaan because he “spake unadvisedly with his lips” and smote the Rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded.  A type of re-crucifixion of Christ.

 

Hebrews 6:6, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

 

Moses was given power in the Book of Exodus to turn the water into blood as well as smite Egypt with a myriad of plagues.  Jerusalem is referred to “Egypt” in verse 8.

 

J.  Verse 5.  “And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” 

The Unbelieving Husband

Temple Baptist Church - 6-28-2017

1 Peter 3:1-6

Introduction: 

A.  It needs to be noted that the first word of chapter 3 ties it to its continuing context.  The context is suffering in righteousness! 

1.  One of the worst fears of parenting is for their children to marry wrong.  We train them, pray for them, guide them, and are there for them but the final choice belongs to them.  Our text deals with the saved wife and unbelieving husband in the same home. 

2.  This works both ways: either to marry wrong or to have either a husband or wife who is out of the will of God: either saved or lost.  There is virtually nothing worse than a spiritually divided home.  I have tried to help many ladies whose husband is not right with the Lord but have also had to try to help men whose wife isn’t right.

B.  God is interested in the spiritual welfare of our homes.  God established marriage and marriage that follows the Word of God works.  But, often the spiritual condition of the home is divided becomes a two-way street: one going one direction while the other goes the opposite direction.  God sets forth a way to win your mate without spiritual warfare within the home.

C.  The world has put forth much “humor” concerning the divided home and how to deal with it in a carnal sense: AND, yes, I copied some of it.

1. Years ago, while Mark Twain was speaking in Utah, he got into an argument with a fellow over the issue of polygamy. The fellow said to him, “Can you give me a single passage of Scripture which forbids a man to have more than one wife?” Twain quickly responded, “Yes, ‘No man can serve two masters’.”

2. Someone has observed that “when a man and a woman are married, they become one. The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.” Another individual once said, “Marriage is nature’s way of keeping people from fighting with strangers.”

D.  Enough of that.  God designed marriage to be unity, not division.  It takes cooperation not conflict.  It is to be friendship, not a fight.  Peter is now giving instruction to both wives and husbands on how to have peace within the home through Christian behavior.

E.  Peter deals first with the more common situation: a believing wife with an unbelieving husband, whether he is and unbeliever who is lost or a saved unbeliever who chooses to rebel against God’s Word and ways.

F.  How to win your husband without war.  The Russian author, Leo Tolstoy, wrote a book titled “War and Peace.”  I should have titled this as “Peace without War.”  The biblical context is not demeaning to the wife but reveals the dignity, strength, and power of a godly one.

G.  In our text, God is giving us guidelines for both keeping peace in a divided home and possibility winning our spouses to the Lord.

1.  Stay With Them – vs 1 “to your own husband”  That means you are there!  If you leave, you will probably never win your husband.

Romans 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from herhusband:  (11)  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

2.  Be In Submission To The Husband's Authority – vs 1 “be in subjection”

Ephesians 5:22-24  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

3.  Do Not Preach To Your Husband – 1 “without the word”  Three times the Bible commands the woman to be quiet in the New Testament:

a.  Concerning Tongues in the church – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 

b.  Concerning preaching or teaching men in the church - 1 Timothy 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

c.  Concerning the divided home - 1 Peter 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

4.  Live A Separated, Holy Life-  vs 2-4 “chaste conversation”

a.   It Is An Inward Holiness – vs 3-4 - 2 Peter 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

b.   It Manifests Itself In An Outward Holiness - vs 2 - 1 Timothy 2:8-10  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Peter 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

5.  Live In Fear Of The Lord – vs 2 “coupled with fear”

a.  Fear Of The Lord Brings Reward - Proverbs 22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

b.  Fear Of The Lord Brings Refuge - Proverbs 14:26  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

6.  Do Not Be Hypocritical - 3-4a

2 Timothy 1:5  When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

7.  Have A Meek And Quiet Spirit - 4b

1 Thessalonians 4:11a  And that ye study to be quiet … 

8.  Learn To Trust God With The Situation – 5  You cannot work in his heart.  Don't try to do God's work.

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and mysong; he also is become my salvation. 

9.  Reverence Your Husband – vs 6 “calling him lord”  Notice the little “L”

Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Don’t Let The Church Lose Its Purpose In 2015

Temple Baptist Church - 1-4-2015
Matthew 28:1-20

Introduction:
A.  As we enter the New Year, I want to look at some very familiar verses in Matthew’s Gospel.  In the first 8 verses, we find the resurrection of our Lord and the women’s confrontation with the angel of the Lord.  In verses 9-10, we find the disciples meeting with our Lord in His post-resurrection appearance.  In verses 11-15, we find the lie that was told and commonly reported.  In verses 16-20, we find our Lord’s appearance on the mountain giving the Great Commission or Great Commandment before His ascension.

B.  In verse 17, some worshipped but some doubted!  I want to look at these verses and say that “some do and some don’t!”  We live in the last days and the Great Commission or Commandment is still valid!  I find God’s purpose for the local church divided into 4 different categories in verses 17-20.  God’s purpose for our existence as we gather together here at Temple Baptist Church.

C. Most local churches and denominations have become confused as to their purpose for existence.

1. They have become social clubs (Where the elite of society join in order to be seen and promote their careers. Notice how few doctors, teachers, lawyers, business men, and politicians join true New Testament churches.) 

2. They have become entertainment centers. (Their programs and music reflect the mood and priorities of the world.)
3. They have become safe havens for the sinful. (Sinners, both lost and saved, are not confronted with their sin and, therefore, continue in them.)

4. They have become banks where the tithes and offerings of the saints now rest in CDs. (God never intended for money to remain in the bank while a world is dying without Christ and missionaries are struggling to get to the field.)

5. There was a time when the church was a place for the rich to show off their elegance in clothing fashions but now it is the reverse. (Today, the church has become a place where people wear casual clothing.  There was a day when they wore their “Sunday Best!”)

D.  Though many faceted, the work or purpose of the local church is a simple one.

1.  It has been made complex and confusing because of the reliance upon the programs and ideas of men. I am all for good programs as long as those programs promote in a godly fashion the work of the church; not replace it. 

2.  Man always thinks that God needs help and tries to improve on His plan for the church.  I am always reminded of Israel bringing the Ark of the Covenant home on a new cart.  I am sure that looked great in their sight but not in God’s!

E.  There are a lot of reasons for this travesty but I fear that the main reasons are:

1. Money! People think that God is broke and has need of them begging for Him. I do not beg for money! God said that if he were hungry He would not tell us. The offerings are God’s business and so is the upkeep of the church. We teach our people that God will supply all of their need and then beg for Him.  The “root of all evil” is still money!

2. Numbers! Men equate numbers in the church to both blessing and spirituality. Not always so! I have seen huge churches that were as worldly as a professional football game. Churches that are full of lost members. Then I have seen some of the largest churches in the area that are twice dead and plucked up by the roots. If God was looking for a church to join He would pass right by.

F.  I want to look at the 4 main Purposes of the Church:

1. Exaltation – “They worshipped him: but some doubted. ” (worship)

 

2. Evangelization – “Go ye therefore … Baptizing them” (soul winning and missions)

3. Edification - “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (teaching)

4. Exhortation – “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (encouragement)

1. Exaltation or Worship – “They worshipped him: but some doubted.” – Church is all about Christ!  It is of Him, through Him, and to Him!  Most church members are not personally involved in Exaltation and Worship.

Psalms 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

a. The Worship of Praise – “joyful noise”

b. The Worship of Singing – “singing”

c. The Worship of the Understanding of His Person – “know ye”

d. The Worship of Thanksgiving – “thanksgiving”

2. Evangelization – “Go ye therefore … Baptizing them”   The mission of the church is to win the lost, both here and abroad.  Most church members are not personally involved in evangelism.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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.

a. Go – Both at home and abroad. God is still looking for Christians who are willing to sell out for God and work in His harvest.

1) God’s Command Demands It - Matthew 28:18-20

2) God’s Compassion Desires It - Matthew 9:35-38

b. Preach And Teach

1) They Deserve To Hear - Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

2) They Must Hear Before They Believe - Romans 10:13-17 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

c. Baptize - Upon their profession of faith. Not infant sprinkling because they cannot yet accept Christ Jesus be faith. Being baptized is not problem for people when they are truly converted.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:36-38 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? 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. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

3. Edification or Education – “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”  Most church members are not personally involved in Edification and Education.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

a. Through Bible Preaching – teaching is not a substitute for preaching. Powerfully preaching the Word convicts the heart!

b. Through Bible Teaching – preaching is not a substitute for teaching! Teaching sound doctrine stabilizes the saints!

4. Exhortation or Encouragement – “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  Most church members are not personally involved in Exhortation and Encouragement.

a. The Exhortation of God’s People - Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

b. The Exhortation of God’s Word - 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Hebrews 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.