Dullness of Hearing - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 3-13-2019

Hebrews 5:11-6:20

Introduction: 

A.  Almost every article or sermon written on this passage begins with a statement of its difficulty to interpret.  When preaching on these verses within their context, they are perfectly clear.

B.  There has been much unnecessary confusion with these verses and it all stems from a lack of studying and interpreting them within their context.  Why the controversy when the Bible is clear on these verses?  A failure to rightly divide the Word of Truth by ignoring the context!

C.  There are three views commonly heard about Hebrews, chapter 6, but only one that is right.

1.  Some preach that these were never saved.

2.  Others preach that these were saved but lost their salvation.

3.  The right interpretation is that once saved, always saved and accountable for their actions.

D.  The first word of chapter 6 is “THEREFORE.”  The lack of rightly dividing the Word of Truth amazes me!  Simple biblical hermeneutics establishes the context of God’s children being dull of hearing and, when they ought to be teachers, remain spiritual babes.

E.  In the Book of Amos, God prophesied our day. There is a Famine of Hearing across our land. 

Amos 8:11-12  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (12)  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

F.  There in is a two-fold problem.

1.  There is a Pew Failure, a famine of hearing - Carnal Living that causes Pew Pressure to let up on the reproving and rebuking aspects of preaching.        

2.  There is a Pulpit Failure, a famine of preaching - Compromised Preaching by hireling prophets because of pew pressure or personal gain.

G.  Chapter 6 is just the result of dullness of hearing!  It produces worldliness, carnality, and ultimately the judgment of God.

H.  We find several characterizations of this famine in our day.

1.  Characterized by Lack of Spiritual Growth - 5:12-13 

a.  A Learning Problem – 12.  Need Repetitious Teaching. 

b.  A Living Problem – 13  Need Repetitious Correcting.

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.

2.  Characterized by Lack of Spiritual Discernment - 5:14

a.  Submission Problem

b.  Sin Problem

3.  Characterized by Lack of Spiritual Assurance - 6:1-3

a.  Leaving Problem - always concerned with their salvation

1)  Get your salvation settled.

a)  Repentance from “dead” works - over and gone!

b)  Believe what God said.

2)  Leave it there.

b.  Laying Problem - constantly crucifying Christ afresh.

4.  Characterized by Lack of Spiritual Steadfastness - 6:4-6

a.  Once enlightened - Hebrews 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

b.  Made partakers - Hebrews 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

c.  Tasted the good word of God - 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.

5.  Characterized by Lack of Spiritual Blessing and Judgment - 5:6-8 

a.  Verse 6.  We Cannot get saved again!  Once saved, we are accountable for our actions.  It is impossible for the child of God to go back, get saved again, and erase the judgment of God for sinfulness.

b.  Verse 7.  The analogy: rain, earth, and produce.  Water (God’s Word), believers, and produce.

c.  The earth is accountable for the rain that it receives and can either produce good fruit or thorns and briars.

d.  The believer is accountable for the truth he has received and can either produce good fruit or thorns and briars.

e.  Destruction coming – 8

1)  Loss of temporal blessings – 7

2)  Loss of physical life – 8  Thank God for “nigh unto cursing.”

6.  God’s Desire - 9-12

Civil Obedience

Temple Baptist Church - 3-10-2019

Romans 13:1-7

Introduction: 

A.  Many of God’s people have been falsely led into civil disobedience.  There are preachers that have taught God’s people that they do not have to obey the laws of the land and have led saints of God into rebellion against authority. 

B.  I had one brother in Christ tell me that he did not have to obey the laws of the land and could break certain laws with not only God’s permission but also with His blessing.

C.  Man’s laws are based upon God’s laws.  We will look tonight at what the Bible says about civil obedience and the price of civil disobedience.

1.  Civil Obedience And Duty - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Proverbs 24:21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

2.  Civil Obedience And Condition - Acts 5:26-29  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

3.  Civil Obedience And Submission - 1 Peter 2:13-17  Submit yourselves toevery ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Magistrate - A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States.  But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.

4.  Civil Obedience And Taxes - Matthew 22:17-22   Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.  When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

TRIB'UTE, n. 1.  An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty.  The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute

5.  Civil Obedience And Respect - Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Acts 23:5  Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Ecclesiastes 10:20  Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Jude 8-10  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities (An elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society; advancement; preferment, or the rank attached to it.).  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation (to speak evil against or to condemn), but said, The Lord rebuke thee.  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

6.  Civil Obedience And Supplication - 1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Perilous Times

Temple Baptist Church - 3-10-2019

2 Timothy 4:1-10

Introduction:

A.  Last week, I preached a message on the “Pulpit.”  I cannot emphasize enough its importance.  If the pulpit becomes compromised or intimidated, the local church is in trouble.

B.  2 Timothy, chapter 4, is a continuation of chapter 3.  The word “therefore,” in verse one ties the chapters together in one context.

C.  Chapter 3 shows us the times that we live in.

1.  Perilous Times – so-called “Christians” have no resemblance to Christ!  They are worldly and wicked while naming Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

2.  Persecuting Times – as those who endeavor to live for Christ are persecuted.  The world hated Christ and they will also hate those who faithfully follow Him.

3.  Peaceful Times – as we continue to hold the inspired Word of God in our hands and follow our forefathers in the Old Paths.

4.  Perfecting Times – as our King James Bible thoroughly furnishes the saints of God.  As God’s children, we have all that we need to grow and prosper in Christ.

D.  Five things about standing for Christ in these last days.

1.  A Preaching to be done – Vs 1-2 – reproving, rebuking, exhorting, compassion, doctrinal.  These 5 things cover what preaching should be about.  We will keep preaching!

2.  A Prophecy to be heeded – Vs 3-4 – this crowd in chapter 3 will not come to our church!  I thank God that there are still a few looking for something, but the majority are looking for nothing and finding it.

3.  A Price to be paid – Vs 5-6 – watch, endure, work, serve, and give your life.  Christ gave His life for you.

4.  A Pleasing to be had – Vs 7-8 – fighting, finishing, and faithful.  God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love.  There is a rewarding that awaits.

5.  A Possibility to be shunned – Vs 9-10 – Forsaken me.

Conclusion: Simple enough?  Things are not going to get any better.  We all know what time it is spiritually and, I don’t know about you, but I am ready to go home!

The Pulpit And The Church

Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2019

Nehemiah 8:1-10

Introduction:

A.  I have been preaching on the local church off and on for the past couple of months.  I cannot omit the most important aspect of the local church, the pulpit.

B.  If Temple Baptist Church ever allows or causes the pulpit to compromise, our church will begin a decline that none of us will be proud of.  So many churches have lost the pulpit and now puppets perform instead of preachers preach.

C.  Let me give you an illustration that we all can relate to.  Ladies, allow your husbands to be the man of the family.  He may not always be right, but he is still “the man.” 

1.  I often tell ladies not to disrespect or destroy what God called the head of the woman.  If you ever do that, you will not like what you will have.  No disrespect meant to the Walmart Store intended, but I call these “Walmart Men.”  The lady walks through the store and, about 3 steps behind her, is the “Walmart Man.” 

2.  Real men browse the tool and outdoor sections of the store while she shops but “Walmart Men” docilly follow her around.  I call them “ATM Machines.”  She shops and he spits out the cash.  Real men are not always right but they are strong.

D.  The pulpit is a special place where God’s men preach God’s Word to God’s church.

E.  In Nehemiah 8:4, we have not only the First Mention Principle of the word pulpit but also, a Full Mention Principle along with an Only Mention Principle.  God said all that needs to be said on the subject in one short context.  I would behoove us to look at this important piece of furniture that is found in a prominent place in the local church and check out its purpose. 

F.  The pulpit was once a place of reverence by the man of God.  It is often called the “sacred desk.”  Men climb into pulpits that have no love for the Word of God or the people of God.  They are hireling prophets who are more interested in their own personal agendas than they are standing true to the Bible.  These are men with no call of God on their lives.

G.  Protect the pulpit.  In so many churches, there is a disconnect between the pulpit and the Bible; in others, there is a disconnect between the pulpit and the pew. WE HAVE NEITHER HERE.  I preach along these lines every few years as preventive maintenance.

1.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Desire – 1  “gathered themselves” The people initiated the Service.

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Psalms 119:97  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  (Three Results of Loving God’s Word.)

Psalms 119:113  I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Psalms 119:163  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Psalms 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: andnothing shall offend them. 

a.  Hate vain thoughts (wicked thinking)

b.  Hate lying

c.  Not easily offended

2.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Unity – 1  “all...as one man” The people were in One Accord.

Ephesians 4:11-15  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;      For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Acts:, 41-42  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place....Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

  3.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Purpose - 1-2 “bring the book”  The people wanted to hear God’s Word.

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

a.  Purpose of Salvation - Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

b.  Purpose of Edification - 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 

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

4.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Attentiveness – 3  “the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.”  When God’s man speaks, God’s people should heed.

a.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Salvation To Others - 1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

b.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Cleansing - Psalms 119:9  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  

5.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Elevation – 4    The people elevated it, not the preacher.  Place of Authority.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Timothy 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

6.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Reverence – 5  Reverenced God’s Word.

Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 

Psalms 119:117  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 

7.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Blessing and Praise – 6  Place of Elevation of Christ.

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

8.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Agreement – 6  “Amen”

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?    

9.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Worship and Humility – 6 

Psalms 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 

10.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Attendance - 7

a.  The Importance of the People.

b.  The Implication of their Place (cannot be filled by another)

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

11.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Teaching and Understanding – 8 

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

Hebrews 5:12, 14  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat...But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

12.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Joy and Gladness – 10

1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.