What Christ Was Made To Us

Temple Baptist Church - 8-25-2013

 

1 Corinthians 1:29-31

 

Introduction:

A. I never get over the wonder and amazement of what the Lord did for me:

1. The love of God for fallen man!

2. The condescension of God to become man!

3. The sacrifice of God at Calvary!

4. The seeking of God to save a sinner such as I!

5. The power of God to not only save but to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!

6. The gentleness and absolute care of God for His sheep.

7. The promise of God concerning eternity!

B. We have nothing to glory in except the Lord Himself and what He has accomplished in our behalf.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (He did everything and we did nothing.)

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. (We are nothing and He is our everything.)

C. His work was done in such as way as to remove all possibility of self-glory from the redeemed. Those who are saved know that it is of Him, through Him, and to Him!

D. In verse 30, the Holy Spirit used the word “MADE.”

1. It means to make something that is not naturally found. A woman makes a cake, but the ingredients would never come together into a cake without effort on her part.

2. The Lord was “made” certain things for all of humanity so that they could be saved. Then, after salvation, the Lord is “made” certain things unto us that would never come about if we were left in our natural estate.

1. What Christ Was Made For The World - 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

a. He was made flesh - John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

b. He was made of a woman - Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

c. He was made of seed of David - Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

d. He was made of no reputation - Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

e. He was made in likeness of man - Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

f. He was made lower than angels - Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

g. He was made under the law - Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having orgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

h. He was made a curse for us - Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

i. He was made sin for us - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

2. What Christ Is Made To Us – vs. 30. (These are by His mercy and through His power and for His glory. “Of him are ye in Christ.”)

a. Christ Is Made Unto Us Wisdom

1) By The Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:11-15 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. 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. 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. 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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-18 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

2) By The Scriptures - Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

b. Christ Is Made Unto Us Righteousness

1) Our Guilt – We Are Deserve Retribution - Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2) His Grace – We Are Declared Righteous - James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Romans 4:9-13 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

c. Christ Is Made Unto Us Sanctification

1) Set Apart From The World - John 17:14-16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

2) Set Apart For Heaven - 1 Corinthians 15:47-48 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1 Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

d. Christ Is Made Unto us Redemption - Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1) From The Body Of Sin - Romans 6:9-18 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2) From The Bondage Of Death - Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Romans 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.1.

3) From The Horrors of Hell - Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord!”

Thank God I Know Something!

Temple Baptist Church - 8-18-2013

 

2 Timothy 1:8-12

 

Introduction:

A. I preached a few weeks ago on not being ashamed and it is a key to the message tonight. Too many of God’s people seem to be ashamed of the things of God. I listed a few things that I am not ashamed of and then I will give the reason why in the message.

1. I Am Not Ashamed Of My Gracious Salvation.

2. I Am Not Ashamed Of My Wonderful Saviour.

3. I Am Not Ashamed Of My Local Church.

4. I Am Not Ashamed Of My Spiritual Family.

5. I Am Not Ashamed Of The Old Paths Our Fathers Trod.

6. I Am Not Ashamed Of The Inerrant, Infallible, Inspired, Perfectly Preserved Word Of God.

7. I Am Not Ashamed Of Being Different From This Present Evil World.

8. I Am Not Ashamed Of Being A Fundamental Baptist Preacher.

9. I Am Not Ashamed Of Our Missionaries.

10. I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Christ.

11. I Am Not Ashamed Of Being A Friend Of Sinners.

B. I am not only not ashamed of these things but I also know why I am not ashamed.

1. I know what I believe! That is not what the text for tonight says but I believe that, after salvation, we need to get under the “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” and find out what the Word of God says. God places no importance on ignorance. Will Rogers once was quoted as saying, “All men are ignorant, just in different areas.”

2. Our text says, “I know whom I have believed.” I am not ashamed of my Lord Jesus Christ because of Who and What He is and did for each of us.

C. Now, let us look at this verse in its context: Paul was not ashamed of his suffering for Christ because his personal faith was in Christ!

1. “I” is personal! Philippians 3:9-10 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

A man was traveling through the country and stopped to ask a boy for directions; "Son, I seem to be lost. Do you know how to get to next town?" The boy replied, "Nope." "Do you know far it is to the next town?" Again he replied, "Nope." "Do you know the name of the next town? Again he answered, "Nope." "Do you know where this road goes?" Again the answer was "Nope." Finally the man said, "You don’t seem to know much do you?" The boy replied, "I know I ain’t lost." There are a lot of things that I do not know. But, I know that "I ain’t lost!" I know that I know I am saved.

I may be classified as an ignorant and unlearned man by some but what I believe comes from the Bible and does not depend upon the opinions or writings of men. There is a lot that I may not know but this one thing I do know: I know the Lord and I am not lost!

2. “Know” is positive! 1 John 2:3-5 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

The salvation that I have is a “know so” salvation. I do not think I am saved; I do not hope I am saved; I am not striving to be saved; I am saved!

3. “Whom” is privilege! Ephesians 3:18-19 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

To know the Potentate of the Universe; the King of kings; the Lord of lords; the Creator of all things; the Eternal Jehovah God; the sinner’s Saviour!

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

Many have the misconception that they can live in such a way as to merit God’s eternal life but they are so wrong. We are all sinful at best and it took Heaven’s Best to purchase and keep us. I am glad that I am His and He is mine and it is eternally settled!

5. “He is able” is powerful! 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

6. “Against that day” is permanent! John 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and my Father are one.

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.

The Light of God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-18-2013

 

Psalm 36:9

 

Introduction:

A. In our study of God’s light, we need to go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible interpretation for a minute.

1. In the creation, the first thing that God did was give light.

Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (3) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (This light that was first given was the eternal light of God’s presence. There was neither natural nor artificial light. There was no sun, moon, or stars. There was no candle, camp fire, or electricity. It was the light of God.)

2. The Bible declares that God is light.

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (God does not produce light: God is light and in Him is no darkness at all!)

3. The Bible declares that God dwells in light. We often hear the term “Shekinah Gory” of God. The word “Shekinah” is not found in the Bible but its concept is found all over the Bible.

Exodus 33:22-23 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: (23) And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. ( This glory of God caused Moses’ face to shine for a long period of time so that he had to place a veil over his face in front of the Israelite people.)

1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (This light refers to His holiness for it is a light that sinful man cannot stand its presence. The Bible refers to God as a “consuming fire.”)

4. The Bible declares the eternality of God’s light.

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (In the end of time, we find once again the eternal light of God. Once again, there will be no natural or artificial light as the heavens are “fled away” and the Lamb will be the light of eternity.)

B.    Our text states that “in thy light shall we see light.” This light is not a reference to natural or artificial light but the light that God gives to man: the light that reveals both His wonderful Person and His perfect Purpose for mankind.

C.  Let us look at this “light of God” for a few minutes.

1. The Light of Comprehension. John 1:1-5 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. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

a. Notice the direct correlation between Jesus Christ, the Word, and light. These three are one and the same. You cannot eliminate one with without eliminating all three. God gives to every man the “light” of God. An inherent revelation of God’s being is in every child born into this world.

b. As man accepts this inherent light, God progressively manifests His person and presence through continuation of this light. Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2. The Light of Clarification. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

a. Scripture reveals Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Jesus Christ is not “a light.” Jesus Christ is The Light!)

b. Satan blinds the world to this Light. 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.

c. Sinners reject Jesus Christ through their love for darkness. John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

3. The Light of Conversion. Acts 9:3-5 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

a. Conviction: The Scripture makes sinners tremble. Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

b. Conversion: The Scripture makes sinners saints. Romans 10:14-17 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? (15) 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! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

c. Condemnation: The Scripture will judge the rejecter. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

4. The Light of Confidence. The Bible is God’s Light to guide the believer.

a. In the Light of Scripture, we have the light of safety. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

b. In the Light of Scripture, we—as believers—have a continuing light of surety: the revelation of God’s way and G0d’s will for our lives. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

c. A Light to encourage the believer. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

The Pastor’s Call

Temple Baptist Church - 8-4-2013

 

2 Timothy 1:8-11

 

Introduction:

A. By interpretation, Paul is writing to a young pastor concerning the structure and workings of the local church. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are Pastoral Epistles. In the verses that we read, Paul describes the calling and work of the pastor.

B. There are some “muddied waters” concerning the ministry that will need to be cleared up as we look at the Pastor’s call.

C. God’s call is sovereign! It is not according to the preachers past good works. It is not because he is special. God did not call Israel His people because they were special or great in numbers. He called according to His sovereign will. I do not know why God called me to preach nor why He entrusted me with a local church but He did!

D. God call is one of grace! God gives evangelists (which are the missionaries) and pastors what they do not deserve: a call into the ministry. Paul said in Ephesians 3:8, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

E.  God calls men into the ministry! We are not “volunteers” for God. I have heard men say to just “volunteer” for the pastorate. I believe that the Bible teaches clearly that the Evangelist and Pastor-teacher are gifts given to the local church by God.

F. They are not better than you, smarter than you, more qualified than you, or more special than you. They are just men of God’s choosing.

1. They must be saved men! 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2. They must be men! 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Timothy 2:11-12 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

3. They must be faithful men! 1 Timothy 1:11-12 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

4. They must be qualified men! 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

5. They must be strong men! 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

6. They must be gentle men! 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

7. They must be gifted men! 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

8. They must be spiritually mature men! 1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

9. They must be biblically correct men! 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

10. They must be sacrificial men! Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

11. They must be discerning men! Acts 20:28-31 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. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

12. They are special because they are your men! Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Biblical Repentance

Temple Baptist Church - 8-4-2013

 

Revelation 2:1-5

 

Introduction:

A. Revelation 2-3 deals with the spiritual condition of seven contemporary churches in Asia Minor with various problems. It also is prophetic of the last two thousand years of what we refer to as the Church Age.

1. The problems and warnings are progressive in nature as it speaks of the condition of the local church from the apostolic times to the end times. The problem began with the leaving of the first love of the church and the admonition was to repent.

2. Repentance is vital to the salvation of the lost, the spiritual health of the individual, and the condition of the local church.

B. I want to take a look at the word “repentance” in light of the Scripture to see what the Bible says concerning its definition and applications.

1. There is little preaching on this subject in our day because of the arguing over its necessity and definition. Let me say first of all, when God or His preachers commanded repentance, THEY GAVE NO DEFINITION! The reason is simple, when people want to get right with God, they innately understand what repentance is as well as its necessity!

2. Failure to preach repentance’s necessity has caused the local churches of our day to be filled with lost people who have just enough religion to make them feel acceptable to God but not enough salvation to get them to heaven. God is still a holy God and that holiness requires certain things with repentance being on of them.

3. Preaching on repentance has become a thing of the past as churches now are afraid of “running people off” and diminishing numbers on their pews. Too many preachers are more interested in numbers, popularity, and money than they are to be pleasing to God and seeing people saved.

4. The results of the lack of preaching on repentance is a congregation with many lost members that must be both appeased and entertained. Preaching is not to appease man but to please God and churches are not here to entertain.

C. I want to take a look at John the Baptist first of all in light of the message that he preached.

1. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets whom the Lord used to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

2. John’s message was clear. Matthew 3:1-8 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (4) And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, (6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

3. John’s message was approved by the Lord. Matthew 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

D. What is repentance? Repentance is “toward God.” It is much more that turning from something, to is turning to Someone! Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Definition from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: REPENT'ANCE, n.

1. Sorrow for anything done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

4. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

5. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. Matthew 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

6. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.

E. Repentance involves:

1. A realization of personal sinfulness and guilt before God. The penitent sinner is conscious of guilt and helplessness.

2. A knowledge that salvation is found in the mercy of God through Christ Jesus. That salvation is of the Lord and not mixed with human merit or effort.

3. A development of personal hatred for sin. Sinfulness is wrong and needs to be avoided.

4. A desire to life a life pleasing to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

F. The order of repentance.

1. There must be Reception of Scripture - 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.

Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 13:1 A wise son [heareth] his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2. There must be Realization of Sinfulness - Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. There must be Godly Sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Psalms 38:18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

G. The results of Biblical Repentance.

1. Without Biblical Repentance, sinners will not be saved! Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (True repentance in a sinner will cause him or her to have a change of life and desires. It is an eternal change not “to be repented of.” The believer will never change their minds concerning repentance. Without repentance, the sinner can pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” [whatever that is] all they want and remain on their way to hell sitting on a church pew.)

2. Without Biblical Repentance, sins will not be forgiven! Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (The words “for” and “because” are synonyms. Synonyms are words that are alike or have the same meaning. Baptism is because sins have been forgiven. When a sinner repents, his/her sins are forgiven, not when he/she is baptized.)

3. Without Biblical Repentance, saints will not be spiritually blessed! Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (The blessing and power of God will be removed until such a times as the saint comes back to a holy relationship with the Lord.)