The Obligations Of The Saints

Temple Baptist Church - 5-26-2019

Romans 15:14-21

Introduction: 

A.  Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, recognized his responsibility to the nation from which he came.  He is now ready to take the contribution mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16 to the poor saints at Jerusalem. 

B.  He could have simply said that God had called him to the gentiles and that the Jews were the responsibility of Peter and the other apostles.  With salvation comes responsibility! 

C.  Some think that going to Heaven is all that salvation is about, but there is much more to it than that.  Salvation is not only an eternal hope, but a temporal life lived for Christ.  With divine privilege goes divine responsibility. 

D.  I want to look at some areas of responsibility for the children of God. 

E.  Our first responsibility is to God!  That should be the priority that compels us to live for God and others instead of for self.  John 20:19-21  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  (20)  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  (21)  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

F.  To be used of God, we must:

1.  To Be Holy – Holiness is a subject no longer preached and, when preached, no longer heeded!  1 Peter 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

a.  By Putting On The New Man - Ephesians 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Romans 12:1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Colossians 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

b.  By Putting Off The Old Man - 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Ephesians 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

2.  To Be Faithful – Because of the lack of holiness, faithfulness is in great decline.  Colossians 1:2  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Paul put the words “saints” and “faithful brethren” joined by “and” which makes them equal.  Proverbs 20:6   Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?)

a.  Faithful In Stewardship - 1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  (“Stewards” – a distributor, a manager, and overseer.  God’s blessing upon us physically, financially, spiritually are to be managed and distributed, not hoarded!)

b.  Faithful In Service - 1 Timothy 1:12   And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  (God calls only faithful people.  I learned long ago, if you want something done, give the job to someone who is already busy.  They will find time to get it done whereas people who are not busy generally are not busy for a reason.  There is so much to be done.  Get involved!)

1 Corinthians 4:17   For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus,who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

3.  To Be Fruitful - John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

a.  Fruitful In Soul-Winning - Romans 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

b.  Fruitful In Righteousness - 2 Corinthians 9:10  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

c.  Fruitful In The Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

James 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

d.  Fruitful In Service - Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

e.  Fruitful In Worship - Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

4.  To Be Obedient - 1 Peter 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Romans 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The Blessing of Stewardship

Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2019

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Introduction:

A.  In our text this morning, we find Israel preparing to build Solomon’s Temple.  From the time of Israel’s departure from Egypt to King David’s day, God’s presence was found in the Tabernacle, a special tent where God met with man.

B.  David’s desire was to build God a house but was not allowed to do so because he was a man of war so David and Israel prepared by storing up the materials necessary to build the Temple in Solomon’s day.

1.  Verse 1.  The Work was Great.  “the work is great.”  It was to be the greatest building project the world had ever known: a house built for the glory and worship of God. 

2.  Verse 1.  The Temple was Great.  “the palace … for the Lord.” Heretofore, God’s presence had resided in and met with the people of God in a tent, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.  Israel would now begin building Solomon’s Temple.

3.  Verse 2.  The Effort was Great.  “I have prepared with all my might.”  David prepared with all his might as there was so much to accomplish in such a short time.

4.  Verse 2.  The Cost was Great.  “gold … silver … brass … iron … wood … stones … marble … in abundance.”  Solomon’s Temple was the most expensive building in the world. 

5.  Verse 3.  The Affection was Great.  “I have set my affection to the house of my God.”  The people of Israel were thrilled by the prospect.

6.  Verse 3-5.  The Sacrifice was Great.  “I have of mine own proper good … over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.” David and the people gave of their “proper good.”  Something put up or a peculiar treasure.

7.  Verses 5-8.  Their Willingness was Great.  “(5) who then is willing to consecrate … (6) offered willingly … (7) gave for the service of the house of God … (8) gave for the service of the house of God.”   They gave above and beyond expectation.  They did not give the minimum required by law, but gave freely of a willing heart.

8.  Verse 9.  Their Rejoicing was Great.  “rejoiced with great joy.” What a privilege and blessing it was to them to give to the work of the Lord.  Their sacrifice was a thing of rejoicing and joy, not sorrow and hardship.

C.  I just wanted to take a few minutes this morning to commend Temple Baptist Church for your willingness to give.  I do not spend a lot of time preaching on tithing and giving because most of you understand both the command to give and the blessing of giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

D.  This is the greatest giving church that I have ever been associated with!  I do not know who gives what but I do know what is given and stand amazed.

E.  The local church is the place of God’s choosing to edify the saints, teach the Word of God, prepare for the ministry, and carry the gospel to a lost and dying world.

1.  The Purpose of Giving.  It is two-fold.

a.  The Commission is great.  Matthew 28:19-20  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.  (To go into all the world while remaining at home.  The only way to do that is to give to missions.)

b.  The Church is great.  Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

2.  The Proving of Giving. 

a.  Our Attitude towards God’s House - Malachi 3:10a-12  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house … 

b.  Our Attitude towards the souls of men - 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. (To evangelize at home and abroad at the same time.)

c.  Our Attitude towards our finances - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  (The local church is a non-profit organization by design.  God’s money is to be spent wisely.) 

3.  The Pleasure of Giving.

a.  Giving with cheerfulness.  2 Corinthians 9:7-11  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (9)  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  (10)  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)  (11)  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

b.  Giving with confidence.  Malachi 3:10b-12 … and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (11)  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.  (12)  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

2 Corinthians 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

God’s Entitlement Program?

Temple Baptist Church - 4-23-2017

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Introduction:

A.  The Bible is always relevant and our text for tonight clarifies questions concerning welfare and entitlement. 

1.  We live in the day of “Entitlement.”   Such is the cracked foundation of a socialistic governments.  I called it “Robin Hood Economics.”  The character, Robin Hood, robbed the rich and gave to the poor and became a hero to many people.  I remember watching Robin Hood on the TV many years ago. 

2.  In our day, we could change the spelling just a little and call it “Robbing Hood” or “Trickle Down” economics.  The act of taking away from those who have rightfully earned (it matters not what you think about rich people, if they earned it or inherited it, it belongs to them!) and give to those who refuse to earn!  You have the “makers” and the “takers” in a perpetual war with one another. 

3.  At this point, I may catch a little “flack” from the entitlement people but I want to see what the Bible says about the subject.  Why is it so important to us in our day?  Because we have been given the same ideology through the years. 

B.  Entitlement defined:  the condition of having the right to have, to do, or to get something.  The feeling or belief that you deserve to be given something.  A type of financial help provided by the government for members of a particular group.  (Merriam-Webster)

C.  Socialism is a slow, creeping plague that begins slowly but brings a nation down quickly in the end. 

1.  Why, because a “welfare state” cannot work.  Fully socialistic nations have proven this beyond a doubt.  We have a hybrid “capitalistic-socialistic” state or nation.  While a little more stable for a while, it will eventually become unsustainable.  I do not want this to become a political sermon but the subject matter is important enough that God dealt with it. 

2.  As the dependent population grows, the productive population begins to decline and you end up with more takers than makers.  You must begin borrowing money to feed the poor who will not work and, at that time, you have crossed the line.  Eventually, money must be borrowed to sustain the economy and the economy begins to collapse.  America?  You got it!

D.  Now, let us take the text to its context: Paul is writing to a local church.

1.  I watch a local church in our city who has a “food bank” giving out free groceries all the time.  On a certain day of the week or month, they bag up free food for all who come.  The church parking lot is full of people who will not attend that church.  It is also full of people who live off welfare and food stamps!

2.  People call the church all the time asking for money for food, gas, utilities, etc. and I question them thoroughly.  Very few ever get help because they have family or other sources from which to get help.

E.  What does the Bible say about entitlement?  Nothing! 

1.  We have seen the bumper sticker that says that the Christian’s “retirement is out of this world.”  Heaven is not going to be saved people sitting on the bank of the River of Life with their feet dangling in the water while talking or just doing nothing. 

2.  I have often said that heaven will be a busy place and this eternal earth will be busy also.  God did not make man to just do nothing but eat and sleep.

F.  What does God have for us?

1.  God established the principle of labor before the Fall.  In Genesis, chapter 2, before the fall, God gave Adam a job!  Genesis 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  (In the perfection and innocence of the Garden of Eden, God established the principle of work.  Adam did not get a “free ride.”  I do not know exactly what needed to be done in the utopia called “The Garden of Eden,” but Adam had a specific work to do.)

2.  The Command of Labor.  In Genesis, chapter 3, after the fall, God gave commandment that a man is to work for a living.  This was not the establishment of a Biblical principle but a clear Biblical command to work.  Genesis 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  (Not only was the man to work, he was to work hard [sweat] and long [till thou return unto the ground].)

3.  The Satisfaction of Labor.  Psalms 128:2  For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.  (Someone said that if you work a job, in about two weeks, you will suddenly come into some money.  I can honestly say that all that we have ever had came through hard and continual work.)

4.  The Sleep of Labor.  Ecclesiastes 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.  (You do not have to rock hard working men and women to sleep at night!)

5.  The Mindset of Laziness.  Proverbs 26:13-16  The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.  (14)  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.  (15)  The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.  (16)  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.  (A man who will not work has more excuses for not working that “Carter has little pills.”  Constantly turning in one’s bed is because he/she has slept enough and needs to get up and go to work.)

6.  The Curse of Laziness.  Proverbs 24:30-31  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;  (31)  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.  (A lazy person takes no pride in their home!  The condition of what they have is a reflection of their character.)

7.  The Poverty of Laziness.  Proverbs 24:32-34  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.  (33)  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:  (34)  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.  (Poverty comes slowly but surely to those who are too lazy to work a job.)

8.  The Cure of Laziness.  Proverbs 20:4  The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.  (He may beg but deserves to go hungry!)

1 Timothy 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.  (11)  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.