The Commitment to the Divine Order of the Home

Temple Baptist Church - 5-15-2016

Genesis 3:9-20

Introduction:

A.  We have looked at the Establishment of the home, the Attack upon the home, and the Foundation of the home.  This morning, I want to look at the Divine Order of the home.  Here is where most preachers get into trouble!  J  People do not like God’s order in the home because times have so changed in our day.  Things certainly are not as they once were but we need to realize that the Bible has not changed with the times.

B.  A question was fielded to me not long ago: What is wrong with a man or woman remaining unmarried?  The answer is: NOTHING! 

1 Corinthians 7:7-9  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  (8)  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.  (9)  But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.  (It is much better to remain single than to end up in a Christ less marriage.)

C.  I am not going to spend much time on the divine order of the home as the Bible is very clear and God will not change either His mind or His Word.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  (This divine order is for the Christian household and, if anyone is not perfectly clear on this verse, I will gladly read it again.)

D.  The problem in today’s homes is not the divine order, it is a lack of commitment to divine order. 

1.  One of the major changes that has come about in my short lifetime is from commitment to a lack of commitment.  Thus we find one of the most destructive forces that is dividing homes.  One of the most important aspects of a successful home is that of commitment. 

2.  We live in days where commitment is not a common virtue.  Commitment means to dedicate yourself to something or someone.  Today’s slogan is “To thine own self be true.”  In a way, that is a great slogan because we have to be true to our values but, in a negative way, it means self above others.

3.  Marriage vows based upon the divine order of the home are exchanged and forgotten in almost the same breath.

E.  What does a successful home require?  It takes the commitment of both the man and woman to the Biblical vows that were exchanged at the wedding!  A home where only one or neither is committed to the vows is a disaster looking for somewhere or sometime to happen.  You cannot force commitment!

1.  A successful home requires commitment to divine order. 

a.  Once again, I find great help in the First Mention.  God established the order in the home after the fall and not in the beginning.  Though this point may be argued by some, Genesis 3:16 (a verse much quoted when dealing with divine order) came after creation, the fall, the restoration, and the first sacrifice. 

b.  The need for a helpmeet exposed a need or weakness in Adam.  If Adam had no need for Eve, she would not have been made for him. 

1)  He needed her because of loneliness.  Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  (Someone once said that “A sunset shared is twice the sunset.”)

2)  He needed her in order to populate the earth.  Genesis 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.  (Sorry but sodomites must recruit because they cannot reproduce.)

3)  He needed her as a helpmeet.  Genesis 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  (A counterpart.  The opposite with which to make a whole.  The “other half” or, as some love to say, the “better half.”)

4)  Heirs together of the grace of this life.  1 Peter 3:6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  (As we are joint-heirs with Christ, so the man and wife are to equally share the blessings of this life.  It is not “mine” nor is it “hers,” it is “ours.”)

c.  The fall exposed a need or weakness in Eve.

1)  Women are “heart creatures” by nature.  1 Timothy 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Women are very intelligent.  (Over the years, I have noted that most of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians were women.  They are equally smart with them man but so very different in their natures.  Satan did not attack Adam; he chose the “weaker vessel.”  This is the reason women are not to preach or to usurp authority over the man in the church.  When women rule in the church, you find doctrine overruled by emotions and, therefore, doctrinal incorrectness.)

1 Timothy 2:9-3:1  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;  (10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  (11) 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.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (3:1)  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (The office of a bishop or pastor along with the office of a deacon are for men only!)

2)  The woman needs the provision and protection of the man.   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.  (It is very difficult for women in general to provide for themselves properly.  Some women work jobs of equal pay and benefits but, as a rule, this is not so.  I know that I will take some flak for this one but it is God’s order and he made woman to be a keeper at home.  I will give you the Scripture so that those who disapprove can take it up with God and not with me.)

Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  (I would not give you a “thin dime” for a man who will not work to support his wife and neither would God!)

2.  In a successful home, the husband must be committed both to the LORD and his wife. 

a.  The husband must be fully committed to the LORD in love.  1 Corinthians 11:3a  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;   (A man who does not love and serve the LORD will probably not love and serve you, lady!  The Head of every man is to be Christ!  That is why I try so hard to warn our young people that loving the wrong man can easily turn into a disaster.  Then, you will normally have children involved.) 

b.  The husband must be fully committed to the wife in love.  Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (If the husband loves the wife, he will be faithful to her, he will protect her, he will provide for her, and prize her.)

Ephesians 5:33a  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;

3.  In a successful home, the wife must be fully committed to both the LORD and her husband.  1 Corinthians 11:3b  But I would have you know … the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

a.  The wife must be fully committed to her LORD in love.  Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.  (Though God command men to obey those in authority, He is to be obeyed first.  If man does right, obey him; if man does wrong, obey God.  The same rule goes for the ladies.  If the husband does right, obey him; if the husband does wrong, obey God!)

b.  The wife must be fully committed to her husband on love.  Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.  (Her main concern and desire is the welfare of her husband and, therefore, her home.  Today’s woman is independent instead of dependent and it is wreaking havoc in the home.  Once again, do not get mad at me, get mad at God!  Now, what happens if the husband gets out of the will of God?  Lady, your first desire is to God but you can still be a good wife to a lost or unspiritual man.  Trust God and do the best that you can to be a good Christian and a godly wife.)

Ephesians 5:22-23, 33b  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 ... (33b)  and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Conclusion:  If the husband and wife put the LORD first and each other second, you will have a good home.  If either one or both fail in this matter of commitment, the home is in dire jeopardy!

How To Spot A Spot

Temple Baptist Church - 5-11-2016

Jude 12-13

Introduction:

A.  We have spent a lot of time looking at these “creepers” who war against the faith once delivered.  God’s people love the Word of God and would never intentionally do injustice to or malign it.  These people who destroy the doctrine of infallibility and inerrancy of the Scripture are enemies of God’s Word and, therefore, enemies of God.  We do not contend with good, godly people who love the Lord and His Word.

B.  The Holy Spirit takes a couple of verses to give to us a vivid description of these wolves in sheep’s clothing that the Bible prophesied. **Matthew 7:15-23  The Bible tells of their coming and then says that we can know them by the spiritual fruit that they bear or a lack of bearing.  The fruit that the Holy Spirit brings forth is the same in every believer.

Ephesians 5:18-21  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  (19)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  (21)  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

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

C.  Three types of people normally visit a local church:

1.  The Casual Seeker:

a)  These are looking for nothing and will not stay, even if they find something.  By something, I am not speaking of entertainment for many of them are looking for that.  By something, I am not speaking of sermonettes that do not offend or help a lost sinner to come to Christ.  By something, I am talking about the Word of God.

b)  Since good churches are Biblically oriented instead of seeker-sensitive oriented, first time visits by casual seekers are often last time visits.  Over the years, I have seen so many come and go.  They come one time and, during the service, they either look bored and disinterested or like a fish out of water.  Some have actually gotten up and left before the preaching even started.  These harm only themselves.

2.  The Committed Seeker:

a)  These are looking for a good, fundamental, Bible believing church.  These are not looking for some light sermon nor do they have a need to be entertained.  These are looking for a church that will give them the help that they need from the Word of God that will enable them to live for Christ in this present, evil world. 

b)  These care about what we preach; these care about for missions; these want to find a church where they can fit in and get involved; these love the Lord and the Bible and, therefore, become the heart and soul of the church.  These are truly “pearls of great price!”

3.  The Self-Serving Seeker:

a)  These are looking for a church where they can be somebody.  They are not looking for a large church where there are a lot of “somebodies” already because they will have to come in on the ground level of the “hierarchy” of the church. 

b)  They are not seeking a church with their particular theology because they have none!  They cannot agree with anyone, much less the Bible.  They are not joining a church, they want to find a church that will join them.  They will try to cause the church to change its doctrine and way of doing things to align with what they like.

D.  These are “spots in your feasts of Charity.”  Not meals that are eaten at the church but feasts of charity.  That is the uniform love that God’s people have for one another.  That is the enjoyment of God’s people as they gather in the church.  We feast upon that brotherly love that permeates our church.  It thrills my soul to come to Temple Baptist Church and watch our people come in!  These creepers are like spots. Spots are only noticeable to those who are observant! 

1.  “These are spots”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they do not fit in.  They may like us but they do not love us.  If you love someone, you desire to be around them.  If you love someone, you want to be a part of them and they a part of you.  They are arrogant!  They feast without fear.

2.  “Clouds they are without water”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they are counter-productive.  They give the hope of rain but never produce.  Instead of helping a church, they are detrimental to the church’s welfare.  They are self-serving; they are divisive; and they do not benefit the congregation.

3.  “Carried about of the winds”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they have no spiritual stability.  You can check up on them and they have probably been in most of the good churches in the area.  Good people have a way of sticking in good churches.  These are like the large, green flies that are hard to swat because they never light anywhere for long.

4.  “Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they are either fruitless or their fruit does not remain.  They may try to line up or blend in for a while but eventually their true values will show up.  I have watched as people come in, try to adapt, get pharisaical in their judgment of others, leave, and then lose all of their “water fountain” convictions when they join another church.

5.  “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they are like the waves of the sea that cannot be tamed.  They make a whole lot of noise and put on a pretty good show.  The next time you go to the ocean, you may notice that the waves have not changed.  They are just the same as when you left them the last time.  Nothing deters them; nothing touches them; they will never conform to the beliefs of the church and they eventually stir some kind of controversy up. 

6.  “wandering stars”  In our feasts of charity, these “spots” stand out because they are wandering stars.  Wandering stars are never found in the same place.  When they “shine” and no one pays the proper attention to them, they find another place to shine.  By the way, the stars do not shine in the day time and, when a church is functioning in the “light” of God’s Word, the stars become invisible.  If they cannot change or rule in the church, they will eventually move on to some other poor, unsuspecting congregation.  These have an unteachable spirit as they know more than the pastor and are more intelligent than the membership of the church.  They cannot be helped, therefore, if they cannot rule or change the church, they move on!

And Perished In The Gainsaying Of Core

Temple Baptist Church - 5-11-2016

Jude 11

Introduction:

A.  In our verse, we find the mention of three Old Testament men with three doctrinal issues that continue to plague fundamental churches in our day.  Three areas where men depart from the Bible to their own destruction as well as to the destruction of others who follow them.

b.  The Way of Cain was a false salvation based upon on human merit.

c.  The Error of Balaam was the wickedness of using religion as a means of making money.

d.  The Gainsaying of Core (Korah in the Old Testament) was personal pride and a thirst for power and position that caused him to question and stand against the authority that God gave to Moses.

B.  Before I take a look at the gainsaying of Core, I find it interesting that all three verbs used in this verse are in the past tense! 

1.  Gone, ran, and perished.  God has pronounced the eternal judgment of these “creepers” before they die.  Verse 11 begins with the word “woe” or the cause of great destruction or misery. 

2.  Woe to the man who thinks that God accepts his person and that he is good enough to go to heaven. 

3.  Woe to the man who uses the things of God for personal gain. 

4.  Woe to the man who stands against God’s man and his God given biblical authority.

C.  The gainsaying of Core or Korah is found in Numbers, chapter 16.  Actually, there were 253 men involved in the mutiny that took place.  There were 250 princes and three named men: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  In Jude, only Korah or Core is mentioned as he became the ultimate spokesman for the rebellion that took place. 

D.  Moses and Aaron were God appointed men!  Neither sought the position that God gave to them.  The pastor of a church is just a man but he is a God appointed man. 

E.  Korah was the great grandson of Levi and one of the Kohathites. 

F.  The Gainsaying of Core: what did Korah do that provoked the Lord to judge him? 

1.  Korah was dissatisfied with the position that God had given to him. 

a.  Korah didn’t get his “little red wagon.”  In Numbers, chapter 7, the princes of Israel offered 6 wagons with oxen to the Lord for the service of moving the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.  Moses gave 2 wagons to the sons of Gershon (carried the tent, coverings, and hangings) for their service and 4 wagons to the the sons of Merari (carried the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels) for their service. 

b.  The sons of Kohath or the Kohathites carried the furniture of the Tabernacle after the priests had covered them.  No wagons were given to them as they were to carry the furniture of the Tabernacle on foot.  Remember the “new cart” fiasco )1 Chronicles 13:7) when David tried to move the Ark of the Covenant (it was to be carried by the priests on foot) but not after “due order” and Uzza died when he put his hand to the Ark to steady it. 

c.  The Kohathites were blessed to carry “the cross” (the Tabernacle’s worship was a beautiful type of the substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus Christ) in the Old Testament as did Simon of Cyrene in the New Testament.

d.  I wonder how many days Korah walked beside of the wagons and wished he could drive one of the.  Korahs are often people who do not get their way.  God calls men that are faithful, busy, fruitful, and malleable. 

d.  Korah was not chosen by God for a position of leadership.  Korah wanted to be equal with Moses and Aaron!  For reasons known only to God, in the Book of Numbers, God set aside Korah and appointed a younger member of the family as the leader of the Kohathites.  Several times in the Old Testament, God set aside the older and chose the younger: Manasseh and Ephraim, Esau and Jacob, etc. 

e.  Korah may not have even been disqualified for the ministry.  God does not call everyone to be a pastor though there are many good, qualified men in churches.

2.  Korah rejected Moses as the appointed leader of Israel. 

a.  Bringing that down to our day, there are universities who reject the biblical order of the local church.  They often use a biblical doctrine to set aside another important biblical doctrine.  The doctrine of the individual priesthood of the believer is a wonderful doctrine.  You no longer need a priest to represent you to God as you now can personally approach Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

b.  Here is the twist that these people put upon that doctrine.  Since you represent yourself to God personally, then the pastor has no authority over you and neither does the local church.  They are so wrong on both accounts.

c.  Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

d.  He elevated himself to a position of authority and power.  These men were men of position and power but God had, for some reason, set Korah aside and chosen another as head of the Kohathites.  In our day, people—such as Diotrephes—love to have the pre-eminence in the local church.  An unqualified man seeking a qualified job.

3.  Korah withstood God’s man in front of the congregation of Israel.  

a.  Every pastor needs to be approachable but, when there is a disagreement, there is a biblical way to approach him.  The Bible say to rebuke not an elder.  God’s man should be approached privately and the issue settled. 

b.  If the problem is doctrinal or sinful in nature and the pastor will not correct it, then—in the mouth of two or three witnesses—he is to be brought before the church.

c.  1 Timothy 5:19-20  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  (20)  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

4.  Korah paid dearly for his sin of presumption! 

a.  God opened the earth and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with their families and all that pertained to them descended alive into the pit and the earth closed over them.  Fire from God devoured the 250 princes.

b.  Many churches have a Korah or a Diotrephes in them.  Normally a church will only have one at a time because they who love preeminence to not like competition!

Mother’s Day

Temple Baptist Church - 5-8-2016

Ephesians 6:1-3

Introduction: 

A.  We have come to one of the most important days of the year, Mother’s Day! 

B.  A time to elevate ladies to the place that the Lord chose for them:  wives and mothers.  Two of the most important jobs in the world.  Many mothers have to work outside jobs but there are no jobs as important as being good wives and mothers. 

C.  We, unfortunately, through the years have lost the true meaning of both manhood and womanhood!  In the midst of today’s confusion, we Bible believers are not the least bit confused.  I know a real woman when I see one.

1.  As the man is the head of the home, you ladies are the heart of the home.  My two mothers were so special.  My mom was the most wonderful mother ever.  She loved her husband, her home, and her kids/grandkids.  Mom put her family above all but her Lord.  When my mom died, I was by her side and bent over her in the hospital and said, “It’s alright, mom, you can go on home.”  I had the privilege to preach funeral. 

2.  After mom’s funeral, I told my mother-in-law that as long as she lived I still had a mom.  She loved me as much as she did her own kids. JActually she loved me more!  I was in the hospital room when she died also and had the privilege to preach her funeral also.

3.  I have been blessed with a wife that is “top of the line.”  She has loved me for the past 54 years and I can look at her this morning and say that I have loved you a little longer than that because I saw her walking down Wilson Street before she ever saw me!  My two sons have the most wonderful gift that God ever gave in their mother.

D.  Everything today is “scrambled eggs” and very little is as it should be.  God made the roles of men and women very distinct and yet complementary!   Some people think that I have placed the women in a sub-par position.  On the contrary, I place women in the Biblical position that God created them for.  Ladies, you are not second class either in the local church or in the home.  God made you special.

E.  Ladies, this is your special day but then everyday should be your special day!  I want to thank and praise our precious ladies here at Temple.  You are the “heart” of our church.  I do not know what we would do without our ladies.  You are irreplaceable!  As my two moms cannot be replaced, you ladies cannot be replaced.  You are special and appreciated.

F.  I want to note two things in our verses for this morning: obey and honour.

1.  Obey your mother.  Because no one on earth desires your well-being like your mother.  She is on your side.  She desires ONLY the best for you.  She is interested in who and what you are.  She desires for you to reach your potential and become who and what you can be.  Your best interest is her prayer to God for you.

2.  Honor your mother.  Because no one on earth could have taken any better care of you!  She was there when you were born! J  She held you to her breast so that you could hear the heartbeat of love, comfort, and safety.  She made sure that you were clean, clothed, and fed.  She was your first teacher, advisor, and counselor.  She backed you, stood up for you, and loved you like no other on this earth.  She was there for you then as she is there for you now.  She is your mother!

G.  If your mother or mother-in-law is alive today, see them or call them.  One day, as with my two mothers, they will be gone and there will only be a grave to adorn.  They are special.

1.  The Wife And Mother Is To Be Loved - Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

2.  The Wife And Mother Is To Be Cherished - Ephesians 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.  (To keep warm or to foster with care-to handle carefully as the weaker vessel.)

3.  The Wife And Mother Is To Be Respected - 1 Kings 2:19  Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.

4.  The Wife And Mother Is To Be Obeyed - Proverbs 6:20   My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

5.  The Wife And Mother Is to Be Honored - 1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Ephesians 6:2  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Exodus 20:12   Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

6.  The Wife And Mother is To Be Praised - Proverbs 31:28-30  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  (Never take her for granted-she may not always be there.)