The Importance of Testimony

Temple Baptist Church - 9-11-2016

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we looked at importance of keeping the “church of God” in God while keeping the “church not of God” out of the “church of God.”  This is tough because of the downward trend in religion in general.  People affected by apostasy come to good churches and bring “spiritual baggage” with them.  We looked at the battle for

 

B.  The Church of Thessalonica knew what it was to suffer persecution and great affliction which culminated in deep poverty.  God’s grace was sufficient and His peace available.  As Paul begins this second epistle to the Church of Thessalonica, he begins by both commending them and thanking God for them.

 

C.  Paul started this church in Acts, chapter 17, and won people to Christ through his reasoning with them from the Scriptures.  He was quickly run out of town but this little nucleus of believers where the beginning of a new church. 

 

D.  The persecution did not stop after Paul left but the church stood firm in the midst of trials and tribulation.  They were not only physically and spiritually persecuted, they also suffer financially as well.  Paul used this little church as an example of faith and durability when writing to the Corinthian Church.

 

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.

 

E.  Paul mentioned “the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia” in this epistle. 

 

1.  In our text, Paul mentions both the grace of God along with the peace of God.  These two things, grace and peace, are important and should be found together because you can have the grace of God to endure a trial but lack the peace of God to accept His will in your life.

 

2.  The Church of Thessalonica not only endured a “great trial of affliction” but also flourished in the midst of it.  This show a church of great faith!  Their “great trial of affliction” turned into “the abundance of their joy!”  Their “deep poverty” abounded unto “the riches of their liberality!”

 

3.  Now, here is the key: they FIRST “gave themselves to the Lord.”  This was because of the peace of God that allowed a sovereign God to put their faith to the test of physical, spiritual, and financial persecution.

 

F.  The Thessalonian Churches had:  2 Corinthians 8:1-5 

 

1.  A Testimony of the ever present grace of God.  “The grace of God bestowed”

 

2.  A Testimony of endurance in persecution.  “How that in a great trial of affliction … and their deep poverty”

 

3.  A Testimony of abiding joy.  “Abundance of their joy”

 

4.  A Testimony of faithfulness in tribulation.  “affliction-joy, poverty-riches”

 

5.  A Testimony of faith in God’s provision.  “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.”

 

6.  A Testimony of loving and supporting missions.  “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

 

7.  A Testimony of loving God in spite of trials and tribulations.  “but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

 

Conclusion:  In spite of their afflictions and poverty, they were a thriving local church!  What a blessing this church was to Paul, the Corinthians, and to others such as us through the centuries.

Blessed Are The Merciful

Temple Baptist Church - 9-11-2016

Matthew 5:7

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In this verse, we find that those who are merciful obtain mercy.

 

1.  In Matthew 6:12, one of the verses in the Model Prayer in which our Lord taught us to pray, He ties our request for forgiveness with our forgiveness of others.

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

2.  This is one portion of prayer that we are probably more familiar with than any other:  the need for forgiveness of sin.  If you are saved this morning, you have no problem with knowing that you are both a sinner and sinful. 

 

3.  This is one of the works of the Holy Ghost who indwells the believer.  One of the most evident signs of salvation is sensitivity to sin.  Things that never bothered you as an unbeliever now bring you to a place of repentance.

 

B.  There will be times when other will sin against a child of God and each of us throw ourselves on the mercy of God.  I have never come a place in my life that thought myself worthy of God’s love and know that I am just an old hell deserving sinner.

 

Lamentations 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

 

C.  If we expect to be recipients of God’s mercy, then we need to show mercy to those who sin against us also.  I want to quote this verse again:

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

D.  At this point, let me say that I know that we are not God and God knows that we are but flesh so I thank Him that his mercy extends beyond the realm of the mercy that I show to others.

 

E.  But, at the same time, we need to strive to be as merciful to others as we expect God to be merciful to us.  Let’s examine the mercy of God that we are to pattern our lives after.

 

1.  God Forgives Immediately.

 

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.

 

Psalms 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

 

We Are To Forgive Immediately.

 

Matthew 5:23-25  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

 

The First Mention Of Forgiveness - Genesis 50:17-21  So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.  (Notice the word “Now.”  We are to forgive immediately as we desire God to forgive immediately!)

 

2.  God Forgives Completely.

 

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.  (There is nothing in the believer’s life that God cannot or will not forgive!  What a blessing!)

 

Psalms 25:18  Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.  (Notice the prayer.)

 

Psalms 85:2  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

 

Psalms 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

 

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

 

We Are To Forgive Completely.

 

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

3.  God Forgives Continuously.

 

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. 

Psalms 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.  (“There is” is present tense!  You will always find forgiveness with the Lord.)

 

We Are To Forgive Continually.

 

2 Corinthians 2:7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.  (“Ought” speaks of moral obligation.)

 

Matthew 18:21-22  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

To The Only Wise God Our Saviour - Part 3

Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2016

Jude 25

 

Introduction:

 

A.  When I think of “Majesty,” I think of royalty, power, wealth, and social status.  A few years back, there was some controversy because Michele Obama “touched” the Queen of England.  Queen Elizabeth has been the reigning monarch of England for many years and is both loved and respected throughout the world.

 

MAJESTY - The greatness and dignity of a sovereign.  The sovereignty and power of God.  Supreme authority or power.  A royal personage.   Royal dignity of bearing or aspect; greatness or grandeur.  Stately splendor; magnificence, as of style or character.

 

B.  The Queen of Sheba came to see Solomon and all of his glory:

 

1 Kings 10:4-9  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,  5  And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.  6  And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.  7  Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.  8  Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.  9  Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

 

Matthew 12:42  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

 

C.  There is One to whom she will bow and confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  The Bible declares that God is not only above but “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”

 

D.  As Dr. S.M. Lockridge put it, “He is indescribable!”  So, forgive me for my finite mind, limited vocabulary, and sinful personage that cannot properly explain or describe His majesty!

 

Psalms 104:1  Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

 

Psalms 145:5  I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

 

Psalms 145:12  To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

 

E.  I thank the Lord that, many years ago, I bowed my heart and gladly bow my knees today to the most wonderful Person in the universe.

 

1.  God declares that all shall bow - Isaiah 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

 

2.  In this life, many should bow but do not - Philippians 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 

3  In eternity, all shall bow to God - Romans 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

 

F.  The Lord is Majestic in so many ways that I could not mention all but here are a few.

 

1.  The Majesty of His Person

 

a.  He is Majestic because of who He is. 

 

1 Kings 8:27  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?  (As immense as the universe is, God is far greater as He spanned it with His hand.)

 

Psalms 24:7-10  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  (8)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  (9)  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  (10)  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

 

1 Timothy 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

 

Revelation 19:15-16  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

b.  He is Majestic because of what He possesses. 

 

Genesis 14:22  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

 

Psalms 24:1  The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

c.  He is Majestic because of where He dwells.

 

Isaiah 6:1-4  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.  (4)  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

 

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.

 

Psalms 104:1-2  Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  (2)  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

 

2.  The Majesty of His sovereignty.

a.  The Angels Worship - Revelation 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

 

b.  The Devils Worship - Luke 8:28  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

 

c.  The Saved Worship - Revelation 7:9-10  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;  10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 

d.  The Creatures Worship - Revelation 5:13  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

 

3.  The Majesty of His authority - Job 37:22-23  Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.  23  Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

 

a.  Nature Is Subject To Him - Matthew 8:27  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! Luke 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

 

b.  Devils Are Subject To Him - Luke 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

 

James 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

 

c.  Governments Are Subject To Him - Ephesians 1:20-21  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

 

4.  The Majesty of God’s Glory - Job 40:10  Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

 

a.  Incomprehensible Glory – Exodus 33:18-20  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.  19  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.  20  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

b.  Incomparable Glory - Isaiah 6:1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

 

c.  Unapproachable Glory - 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.

 

5.  The Majesty Of God’s Power - Psalms 93:1  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

 

a.  Power To Shake – Isaiah 2:19  And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

 

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

 

Psalms 21:5  His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

 

c.  Power To Supply – Psalms 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Importance of Grace and Peace

Temple Baptist Church - 9-4-2016

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we looked at importance of keeping the “church of God” in God while keeping the “church not of God” out of the “church of God.”  This is tough because of the downward trend in religion in general.  People affected by apostasy come to good churches and bring “spiritual baggage” with them.  We looked at the battle for

 

B.  The Church of Thessalonica knew what it was to suffer persecution and great affliction which culminated in deep poverty.  God’s grace was sufficient and His peace available.  As Paul begins this second epistle to the Church of Thessalonica, he begins by both commending them and thanking God for them.

 

C.  Paul started this church in Acts, chapter 17, and won people to Christ through his reasoning with them from the Scriptures.  He was quickly run out of town but this little nucleus of believers where the beginning of a new church. 

 

D.  The persecution did not stop after Paul left but the church stood firm in the midst of trials and tribulation.  They were not only physically and spiritually persecuted, they also suffer financially as well.  Paul used this little church as an example of faith and durability when writing to the Corinthian Church.

 

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.

 

E.  Paul mentioned “the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia” in this epistle. 

 

1.  In our text, Paul mentions both the grace of God along with the peace of God.  These two things, grace and peace, are important and should be found together because you can have the grace of God to endure a trial but lack the peace of God to accept His will in your life.

 

2.  The Church of Thessalonica not only endured a “great trial of affliction” but also flourished in the midst of it.  This show a church of great faith!  Their “great trial of affliction” turned into “the abundance of their joy!”  Their “deep poverty” abounded unto “the riches of their liberality!”

 

3.  Now, here is the key: they FIRST “gave themselves to the Lord.”  This was because of the peace of God that allowed a sovereign God to put their faith to the test of physical, spiritual, and financial persecution.

 

1.  The grace of God is something that God Bestows.  2 Corinthians 8:1-2  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.

 

 

a.  The grace of God is always available - 1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

b.  The grace of God is purposed - 2 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

 

c.  The grace of God is sufficient - 2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

d.  The grace of God makes it bearable - 1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

2.  The peace of God is something that Man Believes.  John 14:25-27  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.  (26)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  (27)  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

a.  The peace of God believes that God is Sovereign and, therefore, in control.  Job 23:1-10  Then Job answered and said,  (2)  Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.  (3)  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!  (4)  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.  (5)  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.  (6)  Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.  (7)  There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.  (8)  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  (9)  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:  (10)  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  (We often do not understand why things happen the way that they happen but we can understand that God lives on both sides of eternity, the past as well as the future.  Therefore, this same God also lives in our present.  This is the foundation of the peace of God.)

 

b.  The peace of God believes that loves us unconditionally.  Romans 8:37-39  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Trials have nothing to do with God’s love or lack of love for us.  He loves each of us as if we were His only child.)

 

c.  The peace of God believes that persecution is certain.  1 Peter 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  (Live godly, pay a price!  It is as simple as that.)

 

d.  The peace of God believes that all situations are conquerable.  Romans 8:35-37  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  (37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (We can come forth as gold.)

Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger And Thirst After Righteousness - When Our Blessings Become A Curse

Temple Baptist Church - 9-4-2016

Matthew 5:6

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In our fourth Beatitude, we find a blessing for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (holiness).

 

1.  This is not a reference to the imputed righteousness that brings salvation though it must be desired above all else.  We do live in a time when few are interested in Biblical salvation that comes through Jesus Christ alone.  Men would much rather earn their salvation that receive the free gift offered by God. 

 

2.  The only thing that makes any sense at all is that men think more highly of themselves than they ought!  Sinners cannot save themselves and yet these believe that God will accept the based upon their personal merit!  He will not!!!

 

3.  The righteous spoken of in this Beatitude is that of godliness and purity.  Even within the churches, there are fewer and fewer who have such desire.

 

B.  First of all, I want to put this verse in a right historical context. 

 

1.  The disciples of our Lord had given up what little that they had to follow Christ.  The Jewish people of that day were basically poor and had little.  They also had little hope of ever having anything.  This verse came easier to them and yet most never had a hunger and thirst for God, therefore, this Beatitude.

 

2.  Our day is so different and is rapidly becoming much worse as we live in the Laodicean Church Age of having need of nothing.  When I was a boy, we had enough but did not have what the rich kids had.  Eating out for us was “once in a blue moon” and normally was a Chrystal Burger or an ice cream cone at the Shady Nook.  No Walmart, no online shopping, no gas to go anywhere, eating out of the garden along with what meat we hunted to put on the table, hand-me-down clothes, a Santa Clause who was CEO of Fruit of the Loom, and walked to school (25 miles in 3 feet of snow at -30 degrees J ).  Barbara and I did not own a car until we were married, lived on $73.00 a week, and thought a picnic lunch at the lake was a good day (and it was).

 

3.  Today, the things that once belonged to the rich have become a way of life for even the poor.  It has changed our spiritual perspective!  We try to live a moral life because we have been taught from the Bible to do so but we do not “hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

 

C.  The world will leave you empty, especially the child of God. 

 

1.  Things do not satisfy for long and more is required.  More does not satisfy for long and more becomes the desire of the natural man. 

 

2.  This does not mean that you cannot be filled with good days, happy days, successful days, and the such.  Life in itself is good and the Lord wants each of us to have a measure of happiness in this life but the joys of the world are not always lasting and can leave one empty.

 

3.  The joys of this life are temporal at best and have neither spiritual nor lasting eternal value.  We sing “Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me,” but it is for the temporal things and not because of a filling of the blessings of God for hungering and thirsting after righteousness!

 

D.  Have you ever gotten hungry for something or had a taste for something? 

 

1.  You can eat everything in the house but nothing else satisfies.  When on a diet, you have a taste for what is a “no-no” and you nibble instead of just satisfying that desire and then going back on the diet.  What happens is that you eat all of those calories and then still end up eating the “no-no.”  It is better to just eat what your body is telling you that it needs. 

 

2.  When someone is sick or dying, one of the first things that happens is a lack of appetite.  You try to reason with them, “You have to eat!  Without fuel in the tank of the car, the car will not run.”  As a general rule, hunger and thirst are signs of physical health.  Spiritual hunger and thirst are signs of spiritual health. 

 

3.    Physically, the appetite must be trained.  When we were young, we did not get a lot of junk food.  It was beans, taters, cornbread, veggies out of the garden, etc. but, in this day, it is junk food with little of the above mentioned.  Kids today do not like to sit down to an old-fashioned meal.

 

4.  Spiritually, the appetite also must be trained.  We cannot feed from the junk of the world and desire the things of God.  The Spirit of God creates a hungering and thirsting in the child of God so that He may fill it.

 

E.  Hungering and Thirsting is:

 

1.  A Hungering and Thirsting for Personal Communion with the Lord. Psalms 42:1-2  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  (2)  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

 

Psalms 63:1  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;  (We live in a spiritual “drought” in the Bible Belt!  “Where no water is.”)

 

2.  A Hungering and Thirsting for God’s Word. Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

 

Jeremiah 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

 

3.  A Hungering and Thirsting for God’s House.  Psalms 84:1-2  How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  (2)  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

 

Psalms 27:4-6  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.  (5)  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.  (6)  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 

4.  A Hungering and Thirsting for Holiness of Life. Psalms 19:12-14  Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  (13)  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  (14)  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

Psalms 26:1-2  Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.  (2)  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

 

5.  A Hungering and Thirsting for the Souls of Men. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  (20)  For ye are our glory and joy.

 

Daniel 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 

6.  Hungering and Thirsting for Heaven. Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.