It Is Finished

Temple Baptist Church - 4-8-2020

John 19:28-37

Introduction:

A.  Almost 2,000 years, Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, died on an old rugged cross for the sins of the world.  Tonight, we celebrate the death of Christ!

B.  Resurrection Sunday does not always occur on the same day of our month of April but, 2,000 years ago, the Passover was always on the same day of the month. 

C.  In our day, we hear the phrase “Good Friday.”  Biblically uninformed people celebrate the death of Christ on that day.  This is in direct opposition to the Scriptures.

D.  Nisan, or our April, was the first month of the Jewish year and Passover was always on the 14th day of the month.  There were many “high days” in the Jewish year that marked “holy convocations,” or holy days.  These days were also called Sabbaths.

E.  Therefore, there were multiple weeks in Israel that had 2 “Sabbaths” in them.  The normal Sabbath which was the seventh day of the week, or our Saturday.  But there would be another day of the week, which was a Jewish holy day or Sabbath, which the Bible refers to as “AN HIGH DAY.”

F.  When Christ Jesus died, the Bible declares that it was the “preparation” for a High Day or ceremonial Jewish Sabbath.

John 19:31  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

John 19:41-42  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.  (42)  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

G.  The Bible declares that Christ Jesus arose from the grave very early on the first day of the week, which is our Sunday.

John 20:1  The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

H.  Biblical Timeline:

1.  Jesus Christ died at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, which was the preparation day for the High Day.  No work could be done!

2.  Thursday was the day of the Passover, or High Day.  No work could be done!

3.  Friday was the preparation day for the normal Sabbath or seventh day of the week.  No work could be done!

4.  Saturday was the normal Sabbath.  No work could be done!

I.  The Jewish day began at 6:00 PM, not our 12:00 PM.  Jesus Christ arose from the grave sometime between 6:00 PM Saturday evening and the time Mary Magdalene came to the tomb in the dark on the first day of the week.

J.  The Bible is clear that Christ Jesus remained “three days and three nights” or 72 hours in the grave before the Resurrection. 

Matthew 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

K.  No matter how you calculate it, you cannot get 72 hours into the time span from Friday evening at 6:00 Pm to early AM on the first day of the week, or Sunday!

L.  “It is finished” says it all:

1.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Word Of God Verified – Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

John 19:28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.  (There were hundreds of prophecies written concerning Jesus Christ and He fulfilled every prophecy, every promise, every “jot and tittle” perfectly and completely!  God’s Word can be depended upon not only in the performance of this life but also the expectation of the life to come.  Jesus Christ left nothing undone!)

2.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Work Of Propitiation Finished – John 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 

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.  (At Calvary, we find the finishing of 4,000 years of sacrifices!  Millions and millions of lambs had died while awaiting the death of THE Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  Mankind had long awaited Messiah’s coming and we look back to His coming in wonder and amazement.  When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was saying that the substitutionary work on the cross for us had been accomplished.)

Peter said, in I Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”  (Jesus Christ became the “scapegoat” for you and me.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking my place and dying for my sins!)

3.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Way Of Salvation Established – John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  (18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (Man can teach and preach anything that he chooses but it does not change the fact that salvation is through Jesus Christ and Him alone!  Not a church, not a denomination, not a movement, not a baptism, not a sacrament, not a dogma, and not an individual theology—but the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Man can go his own way but he will not go to heaven until he comes God’s way!)

4.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Wages Paid In Full – Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20a  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Jesus Christ became the “Sinner’s Substitute.”  Our sin separated us from a holy God and Jesus Christ, our Propitiation, reconciled us back to Him through the finished work of Calvary.)

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

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.  (The cross upon which Jesus died was an “altar” and He was the “sacrifice.”)

5.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Lost World Condemned – John 3:16-18  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.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (As Christ suffered for us as no man ever suffered, so the sinner who rejects Christ will one day suffer for all of eternity!)

6.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Works Of The Devil Destroyed – 1 John 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  (God will destroy Satan’s position, his purpose, his power, his people, and ultimately his person.  Because of Calvary, one day there will be no more Satan!)

7.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find The Wealth Of Eternity Secured – Revelation 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  (Because of the finished work of Christ on Calvary, one day we that are saved will be “finally home!)

Those That Be Planted

Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2020

Psalm 92

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 92 contrasts the wicked with the righteous. 

1.  The righteous love God!

2.  The unrighteous are the enemies of God!

B.  If the righteous love God, then they will love God’s church!

1.  They will be faithful where they are planted.

2.  They will be thankful where they are planted.

3.  They will be flourishing where they are planted.

C.  It is interesting that the Holy Spirit used the word “planted” when referring to the faithfulness of God’s people to the house of God.  That word is normally used when speaking of trees, flowers, etc. being permanently placed into the ground.

1.  I only plant specific plants.  I pick and choose what kind of plants that I buy because my yard is limited in area.  I remember well that my mom would plant anything and everything in our yard when I was growing up and I had to mow around them.  Most of them just looked like weeds and did not have flowers.  Dad would mow them down.

2.  I only plant in specific places.  I try to plant where there will be the fullest sun, which is hard in my yard as I live in the woods.  I try to plant them in an orderly fashion so that they will look well.

3.  I only plant for specific reasons.  For beauty and fruit!

D.  Several kinds of plants come to mind when looking at them considering God’s people and the church.

1.  Special Occasion Plants – Easter Lilies and Poinsettias! 

a)  Some people only come to church on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas.  We are always glad to see them when they come and, evidently, two or three times a year is plenty for them to get their “religion” for the year. 

b)  We leave them in the church for as much as a month around Christmas but, eventually, we give them away to someone who will take them home and care for them.

c).  You cannot lead them, and you cannot feed them because they are a type of the “natural” man who cannot receive or know the word of God.  They just never seem to get it!  They are satisfied with a little religion that soothes them a few days out of the year but have neither love nor desire for fellowship with God’s people. 

2.  Artificial Plants – These are plants with no life in them that we buy that remain in certain places in the church. 

a)  They just “adorn” the church but never produce or grow.  These are the unsaved that never get right with the Lord.  They never get saved and become spiritually alive through the new birth. 

b)  They always sit in the same place and they are always there.  I am not knocking our people sitting in the same places nor indicting them because they are always there.  I say a sign that said, “Visitors welcome, members expected!”  I actually pay them little attention because they require none.  Every now and then, Marty will replace them or dress them up a little and they are beautiful but dead.

c)  I have actually tried to water them at times because I took them for the real thing but, alas, that never helped them.  They never grow; they never need pruning; they never accept your efforts to care for them; they are just there and lifeless.   You cannot lead them and you cannot feed them because they are the “natural” man who cannot receive or know the word of God.

3.  Potted Plants – These plants do have life but, like the Artificial Plants, are moved around quite a bit and eventually are replaced. 

a)  They cannot be planted because they are not able to withstand the elements.  When it gets cold, you have a frost, or it becomes snowy, they must be brought in for the winter or they will die. 

b)  These are people and many are true believers (because they do have life) who can never get settled and continually, for always a “good reason,” move on.  They will never get settled because they do not like problems or imperfections in the environment.  Spring and summer (good times) are their favorites but fall and winter (hard times) are not. 

c)  Potted Plants need special care.  You must be careful how you handle them so as not to damage them.  They must be watered and fed continually or they will die.  They constantly have to be moved for cleaning or other purposes. 

d)  Unfortunately, I always kill potted plants.  I try my best to get them to live but everything I do with my “Brown Thumb” turns out wrong and they eventually die.  I cannot lead them nor can I feed them because they have no need of either a pastor or a church family.

4.  Planted Plants – These are the believers that come to get in, not get out. 

a)  They become a vital, living part of the local church.  I have been a member of only three churches in the 43+ years since I was saved.  I joined the church I was saved in and remained there until God called me into the ministry.  I joined the church where I spent my Bible College years and remained faithfully there until God called me to pastor Temple Baptist.  I joined Temple Baptist and have remained here.  In March, it was 33 years. 

b)  As a general rule, these planted plants feed and water themselves.  I may have to pour a little water on them in drought or fertilize once a year, but they are self-feeders.  About once a year, I prune them so as to help natural growth.  I am careful in my pruning because they can be cut back too hard.  They will still grow but may skip a year in fruit production.  I prune as to leave buds for natural growth and buds for fruit.

c)  I thank God for our people as most of you have been here for years and can be depended upon in both good and bad times.  Planted plants are buried deep in the soil and survive because they can withstand the elements in the area in which they are planted.  You can lead them and you can feed them.

d)  Planted plants stay planted.  We have a Windmill Palm in our front yard that is app. 20 feet tall now.  It is a thing of beauty and adds so much to the overall décor of our yard and home.  I never come home and find that my Palm tree has moved over to the neighbor’s yard or somewhere else.  Planted plants are always where the planter put them!

e)  These “planted plants” are the “heart and soul” of the local church!  It is them that carry on the work of the ministry.  It is them that support the local church with their tithes and offerings.  It is them that help missionaries get on the field and stay on the field with their missions giving.  You cannot support new missionaries with inconsistent support!  You cannot pay bills and maintain the church with inconsistent tithes and offerings.  God bless these “planted plants!”

E.  We need to remain or to become “planted plants” in 2014! 

1.  Planted Plants are Faithful Plants – vs. 1-2    Psalms 27:4  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.

2.  Planted Plants are Happy Plants – vs. 4  Psalms 122:1   I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

3.  Planted Plants are Protected Plants – vs. 9  Psalms 27:5  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.

4.  Planted Plants are Fruitful Plants – vs. 14  Psalms 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

5.  Planted Plants are Satisfied Plants – vs. 14  Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

F.  Now, the question is, “How do we become planted?”

1.  Planted comes through Realization!  There are no perfect churches!  There are no perfect pastors!  We will never agree with everything that we see or hear!  We will not get our way!    People are imperfect and no two will ever agree on everything.  Where there are people, there will be problems and this includes the pulpit!  If we do ever find the perfect church and pastor, we need to leave them along because joining it will mess it up which leads up to point number 2.

2.  Planted comes through Remembering!  We are not perfect!  We are not always right!  God knows best and faithfulness to the local church is not a request!  When you join a church, you join it—it does not join you!  We are not there to change the church; we are placed there to enhance it!  When we fail to remember that we are flawed and often hard to get along with, then we hold others to a standard that we are not willing to live with ourselves.  Critical people not only hurt others but also hurt themselves.

3.  Planted comes through Resolve!  We are joining because we love the Lord and the church is His design and will for us!  We are joining the church because it takes the combined effort and talent of the corporate body to get the job done!  We are joining the church, not to be seen or to be somebody, but to be a blessing and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ!  We have ability to be used for the Lord and the Holy Spirit places me in a church that needs us.

Parenting Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 4-1-2020

Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 1:8-2:10

Introduction:

A.  Tonight, we will begin to look at the life of one of the Bible’s greatest men, Moses.  As we begin, let us remember that Hebrews is God’s “Hall of Faith,” not “Hall of Fame.” 

b.  Hebrews, chapter 11 is about the faith of God’s people.  People like us.  Flawed people who sometimes fail God.  I am still glad that God can take a “crooked stick and draw a straight line.”  GOD HONORS FAITH!

C.  The life of Moses begins with his birth, not his adult life.  Like all babies, Moses was born in innocence.  Moses, as a small child, could not make important decision for himself, therefore, God gave Moses parents!

D.  God gives parents both responsibility and ability to raise these precious gifts from God for His glory.

Psalms 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

E.  Before Moses came to a place of greatness in the sight of the Lord, the Bible mentions his parents. 

1.  Notice that the word “parents” is plural.  In Exodus 2:1, a godly man married a godly woman, so we know that both parents were “on the same page” in the raising of their children but the rest of the story only involves Amram’s wife, Jochebed!  (Exodus 6:20; Numbers 26:59)

2.  Here, we find the importance of a godly wife and mother in the life a great man of God!  Ladies, both you and your husband are of equal importance in the lives of your children, but, by default, you spend more time with them!

F.  Moses was born in a difficult time.  The children had gone from blessing to bondage after the passing of Israel’s Patriarchs!  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the sons of Jacob, and especially Joseph have died and there arose a Pharaoh who knew not the God of these men.

G.  Because of Pharaoh’s fear of Israel, the people of God became slaves and the order was given to kill all the male children that were born.  Amram and Jochebed stood firm against the orders of the Pharaoh because “they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”

H.  We too live in difficult days.  Someone said that the most dangerous place in the world is the womb!  We live in perilous times for sure as:

1.  Children have become a Burden instead of a Blessing.  We live in the days of curtailing the birth of children because of the personal expense of raising them.  Yes, it is expensive to raise children; yes, parents may have to give up some things to raise children.

2.  Children have become an Option instead of an Obligation.  From conception to live birth, children are being aborted and killed in our day with the approval of both society and government.  In Moses’ day, infanticide was practiced; in Jesus’ day, infanticide was practiced; in our day, infanticide is practiced.

3.  Because of their faithfulness, God’s “deliverer” was raised up for the Lord.

I.  A Parents Recognition of the blessing and value of children.  “a proper child.”  The word “proper” is used 4x in the Bible: 1x in the Old Testament and 3x in the New Testament.

1.  A Proper Child is of Great Value.  1 Chronicles 29:3 - “Proper good, of gold and silver.”  Something of great value.  ALL children are to be valued and Moses’ parents valued this baby boy.

Psalms 128:3  Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

2.  A Proper Child is Common to Every Parent.  Acts 1:19 - “Proper tongue.”  Something that is common among the people.  ALL children are to be valued!  Every baby is precious in the sight of the Lord.  There were many babies born to Israel in the time of Moses’ birth.

Mark 10:13-16  And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  (14)  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  (15)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  (16)  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

3.  A Proper Child is of Uniqueness.  1 Corinthians 7:7 – “Proper gift of God.”  Something given specifically to individuals.  ALL children are uniquely different and, therefore, special.  I have often said that God gives special children to special parents.

Psalms 139:13-16  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  (15)  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  (16)  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremiah 1:4-5  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (5)  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

4.  A Proper Child is one who Deserves Godly Parents!  Hebrews 11:23 – “They saw he was a proper child.”  Something that all parents should recognize.  ALL children deserve to have godly parents who will raise them for the Lord.

Psalms 127:4-5  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  (5)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.