The Gospel Preached Unto Abraham

Temple Baptist Church - 3-4-2020

Hebrews 11:13-19; Genesis 22:1-19

Introduction:

A.  Hebrews 11:13 - “These all died in faith!”

1.  An Evidential Faith.  Hebrews 11:1-3  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report.  (3)  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

2.  An Enduring Faith.  Hebrews 11:13a  These all died in faith

3.  An Embracing Faith.  Hebrews 11:13b  Not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

B.  In these verses, we find the amazing faith of Abraham mentioned.  This was no small act of faith that Abraham exercised in Genesis when God gave to him the promise of the “Seed.”  When we get to Genesis 22, we find the depth of his faith in the testing of the sacrifice of Isaac.

Hebrews 11:17-19  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Galatians 3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

C.  God promised Abraham a son named Isaac through which the godly line would continue until the “Seed” should come which was Christ.  The Old Testament saint knew that the “Lamb of God” would one day come to take away (not simply atone) for the sins of the world.  Isaac had no children; therefore, he must continue to live in order to bring about the accomplishment of the “seed of the woman.”

D.  This meant that if Abraham sacrificed his son, then God would have to bring him back to life again.  What faith!

Turn to Genesis 22 with me.

1.  Pre-determination Plan – vs. 2 “offer him” - Acts 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

1 Peter 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

2.  Pre-determined Person – vs. 2 “thine only son” - John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Matthew 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

3.  Pre-determined Place - Genesis 22:2-4  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.  3  And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.  4  Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Luke 23:33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

4.  Pre-determined Price – vs. 2 “burnt offering” - Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

5.  Pre-determined Process – vs. 3 “clave the wood” - 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:

Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

6.  Pre-determined Pact – vs. 6 “both of them together” - John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Isaiah 53:10-11  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

7.  Pre-determined Path – vs. 6 “the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son” - John 19:17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Colossians 2:14  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;

8.  Pre-determined Provision – vs. 8 “God will provide himself”- 1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

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.

9.  Pre-determined Propitiation – vs. 13 “Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son” - 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.

Hebrews 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

10.  Pre-determined Promise – vs. 19 “So Abraham returned unto his young men” -  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Sardis – The Dead Church - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2020

Revelation 3:1-6

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we saw 7 major happenings that brought about the Protestant Reformation:

1.  The Renaissance Period. 

2.  The St. Peter’s Basilicas and Sistine Chapel financial fiasco.

3.  The false doctrine and abuses of Indulgences.

4.  The invention of the Printing Press that placed literature and God’s Word in the hands of men in general.

5.  The Reformation or intent thereof of the Roman Catholic Church along with the excommunication of Martin Luther.

6.  The entrance of various translations of the Bible into German, French, and English.

7.  The abiding presence of churches with biblical succession from the Apostolic churches.

B. Tonight, I want to look at the results of the Protestant Reformation.  The Protestants (Martin Luther-Germany, Ulrich Zwingli-Switzerland, John (Jean) Calvin-French, Jacobus Arminius-Dutch, John Knox-Scotland, John and Charles Westley-England) tried to do a right thing the wrong way.  Reform but not separate! 

C.  What caused the deadness of the Protestant churches which had a combination of right and wrong doctrines.  Though they got some things right, they continued to have some parts of Roman Catholicism in their doctrine and worship.  This past week, we have seen the Protestant churches plus the Southern Baptist churches observing Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and setting up their ecumenical Lentin Services.

D.  Mainline Protestant Churches born out of the Protestant Reformation. 

1.  Lutheran – Branches out of it: Evangelical Lutheran. 

2.  Anglican (Church of England) – Congregational, Episcopal, Methodism. Out of Methodism: United Methodists, Wesleyan, Holiness, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Non-denominational.

3.  Protestantism - Reformed Churches, Presbyterian, Church of Scotland.

E.  These mainline Protestant denominations continue with the use of vestments, liturgical services, along with pedo-baptism and the acceptance of sprinkling instead of immersion for baptism.  Some of these teachings vary in individual churches.

F.  Later Protestant Churches – Presbyterian, Methodists, Church of God, Assemblies of God, A.M.E., evangelicals, etc. along with a variety of off-shoots.  Most of these denominations split along the lines of:

1.  Baptism.

a)  Some still practice pedo-baptism while most do not.

b)  Some allow sprinkling, pouring, or immersion as methods of baptism.

c)  Again, these practices can vary from church to church.

2.  Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

a)  The teachings of John Calvin - Calvinism or Reformed Theology (TULIP Theology).

b)  The teachings of Jacob Arminius – Armenism.

G.  Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

Calvinism                                                                           Arminianism

1.  Total Depravity or Total Inability.                                1.  Free Will or Human Ability.

2.  Unconditional Election.                                                2.  Conditional Election.

3.  Limited Atonement.                                                       3.  General Atonement.

4.  Irresistible Grace.                                                           4.  Grace Resisted.

5.  Perseverance of the Saints.                                           5.  Uncertainty of Perseverance.

h.  A true biblical perspective:  Protestants say that you are either Arminian or you are Calvinist.  We are not either!  As Bible believers, we cannot agree with any point of Calvinism and are not Arminian. 

1.  Total Depravity or Human Ability.  God has given man free will and faith to be exercised.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

2.  Unconditional Election or Conditional Election.  Salvation is based upon repentance and faith.

Acts 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

3.  Limited Atonement of General Atonement.  Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

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.

4.  Irresistible Grace or Grace Resisted.  Man’s free will allows him to resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit.

John 5:39-40  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  (40)  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Acts 7:51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

5.  Perseverance of the Saints or Uncertain Perseverance.  At this point, the Bible departs from both Calvinism and Armenism.  Calvinism teaches that the elect will persevere because they have no choice while Armenism teaches that the saved can become lost if they do not endure to the end.  The Bible believer rejects perseverance and embraces preservation. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

The Local Church and Worship

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2020

Psalms 100:1-4

Introduction:

A.  The Local Church, a called-out assembly of believers.  Again, I want to re-emphasize that I am all for inviting people to church and soul winning.  BUT, the local church is not a “fishing hold” for sinners!  There is no mention of lost people either attending or being saved in the New Testament local church!  Historically, the first local churches were opened to the public around 230 AD, or 200 years after Christ and the establishment of the New Testament church.

B.  Because of biblical ignorance on this subject, local churches are now open to the public and have become like the world so that lost people can come and feel comfortable on its pews.

C.  This morning, I want to look the worship of the local church.  The local church is to be a House of Prayer and the first part of prayer needs to be Worship.  When the disciples requested that our Lord teach them to pray, the first aspect of the Model Prayer was worship:

Luke 11:1-2  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  (2)  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Hallowed – First Mention means to set apart as holy.  Exodus 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

D.  Worship is not only an essential aspect of our services, but also a missing one! 

1.  We have a lot of services that are called “Worship Services,” but no or—at the most—very little actual worship.  We use the phrase: “Come worship with us” when there is little or no actual worship taking place. 

2.  We can come to God’s house, pray, read scripture, give of our tithes and offering, sing hymns, sing specials, shake hands, preach, give an invitation, and then leave having never worshipped! 

E.  Before we see what worship is, we need to know what worship is not. 

1.  Worship is not Entertainment!  Churches in modern days have become entertainment centers.  Worldly singers, Contemporary Music, “Christian” comedians, etc. reflect the world around us.

2.  Entertainment is not ritualistic repetition!  Here is the progression that destroys the worship of the Church.  Repetition becomes Routine.  Routine becomes a Rut.   A Rut brings about Rot.  Rot brings about Ruin!  What was dictates what is and what was and is will dictate what will be.

3.  Worship is not quietness!  Worship is individual as well as corporate.  Worship is to be personal, not a “spectator’s sport.”  When vocal praise becomes a scarcity, the “holy hush” leads to deadness.

4.  Worship is not an emotional high!  Some churches operate on an emotional high and think that they have worshipped.  They believe that if they have shouted, run the isles, jumped the pews, spoken in tongues, etc. that they have worshipped.  Too many preachers endeavor to work up emotion instead of feed sheep.

F.  What is worship?  I often use the hyphenated term, “WORTH-SHIP.”  What does God mean to you that causes you to either worship or not to worship this morning?  You may think that you have worshipped because you showed up for Sunday School and Church this morning but that may or may not be the case.  Sitting on a pew is not worship!  Worship is the acknowledgement of Who God is and what God has done for you personally.

G.  Here are some things that will rob the believer and, thus, rob God of worship:

1.  Distraction – Worship Involves Direction - Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

2.  Selfishness - Worship Involves Sacrifice - Genesis 22:5  And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 

3.  Ignorance - Worship Involves Knowledge - Exodus 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 

Acts 17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 

4.  Pride - Worship Involves Humility - Joshua 5:14  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Psalm 95:6  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.  

5.  God Robbing - Worship Involves Giving - Deuteronomy 26:10  And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God: 

Psalm 96:8  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 

6.  Phariseeism - Worship Involves Confession – 1 Samuel 15:25  Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. 

Nehemiah 9:3  And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. 

7.  Irreverence – 2 Kings 17:36  But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. 

Psalm 89:7  God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 

8.  Sinfulness - Worship Involves Holiness – 1 Chronicles 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 99:5  Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 

Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  

9.  Unfaithfulness - Worship Involves Assembly - Psalm 5:7  But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. 

10.  Un-Involvement - Worship Involves Singing - Psalm 100:1-2  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

11.  Ingratitude - Worship Involves Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

12.  Formality - Worship Involves Praise - Psalm 100:4  And into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

13.  False Doctrine - Worship Involves Truth - John 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

Matthew 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

14.  Apathy - Worship Involves Spirit - John 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.