The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-14-2022

John 1:6-23

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I believe that God’s people understand the times in which we live.  I am not necessarily talking about the wickedness, etc., but rather the “hour” in which we live.  Preachers have been fervently preaching about the coming of the Lord for years. 

 

B.  We understand from the Bible that God allotted 7 thousand years of time from the beginning until eternity begins.  There were 4 thousand years until the coming of Jesus Christ which is 4 days in God’s time.  There have been 2 thousand years since Jesus Christ which is 2 days in God’s time.  There will be a one-thousand-year Kingdom Age which is 1 day in God’s time.  That shows me that we are at the end of the 6^th day and the Rapture is eminent. 

 

C.  There were 400 “silent years” from Malachi to Matthew leading up to the First Advent.  There have been 400 “silent years” since the translation of the King James Bible leading up to the Second Advent.  The Bible also says that Israel will “sleep” for 2 days or 2 thousand years and that God would raise them up to walk in His sight which is the Millennial Reign of Christ.

 

D.  Malachi prophesied of the coming of the “spirit of Elijah” just prior to the First Advent and it was fulfilled in John the Baptist in these verses that we read.  I believe that there will also be such a “spirit” just prior to the Second Advent.  God has always had His voice and it is being heard today. 

 

E.  I have several Old and New Testament heroes that stand out to me personally with John the Baptist being one of them.  John was not acceptable in his day as far as his person.

 

1.  John was a man who was prophesied.  To fore-tell what is to be given.  Isaiah 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 

2.  John was a man who prophesied.  To forth-tell what is given.  Matthew 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

3.  John had a miracle birth.  His mother was called “barren.”  Luke 1:36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

 

4.  John had a special calling.  He was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb.  Luke 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

 

5.  John was martyred.  John was faithful until his death.  John never flinched nor capitulated. Matthew 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

 

6.  John was not Charismatic – John did not miracles.  He was a preacher, not a performer!  John 10:41  And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

 

7.  John was not Social – John lived in the wilderness.  He ate locust and wild honey.  He was a preacher, and he was not popular but was popular with God!  Matthew 3:3-4  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  (4)  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

 

8.  John was not Elegant – John dressed in leather and camel’s hair.  He was a plain man!  Matthew 3:4  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

 

9.  John was not Popular – John did not compromise the message.  He was a preacher, not a man pleaser!  Matthew 3:7-8  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  (8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

 

10.– John was fearless.  He rebuked Herod.  Mark 6:17-18  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.  (18)  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

 

F.  Not only is he a hero of mine, but he was highly regarded by our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Matthew 11:7-15  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 

G.  We live in a day of “plastics,” but John was REAL!  He was the “real deal” of that day and the Lord used him to prepare the way for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

H.  I believe that the “spirit of Elijah” is still evident in these last days just prior to the Second Advent.  I want to be a part of that voice!  I want you to be a part of that voice!

 

1.  It Was The Voice!  Not a voice but THE voice.  There are a lot of voices clamoring for our attention in these last days.  A myriad of voices crying out with different messages.

 

Matthew 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

 

Matthew 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

 

I have never seen as many “churches” springing up as we have today.  There are little signs everywhere in front of home with the names of their ministries on them.  Denominations galore can be found, especially here in the “Bible Belt.”  Someone asked me one day, “How do I know which one is right?”  We want to be God’s Voice, speaking from God’s Word.  In order to be to be God’s Voice, you must have the right message and our message is right.  We are the Voice of God in these last days.

 

2.  It Was The Voice Of One!  We are not the only ones who are “holding the ropes” in these last days.  Those who preach the right message are one voice with many messengers.

 

1 Kings 19:14  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  (Elijah thought that he was the only one standing but the Lord had others.  I do not know where they were when Elijah went to Mt. Carmel but they were where God wanted them.)

 

1 Kings 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

 

I thank the Lord that there are men of God who still stand in the “Old Paths.”  These are men who, though they may be scattered around the world, still preach from the right Bible.  They are God’s Voice, and their Voice is ONE with ours.

 

3.  It Was The Voice Of One Crying!  It is to be a distinct cry.  It is to be a loud cry.  It is to be a persistent cry.

 

Isaiah 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

 

It is so easy to get discouraged in the way and, in so doing, our voices become quieter and less persistent.  The numbers are not our business, they are God’s.  Our work is to continuing to cry loudly in these last days.  Someone will hear and heed!  It is a cry of urgency; a cry of compassion; a cry of salvation.  Cry aloud and lift up your voices.

 

4.  It Was A Voice In The Wilderness!  A wilderness is a dry place where there is little water.  A wilderness is a non-productive place of little value.  There is little water of the Word being preached as the gospel has become a social one; the message of salvation has been compromised; the Word of God has been hidden among the hundreds of new versions; sin has become popular while holiness has become old fashioned and rejected.  Atheism and agnosticism have arisen from the roots of secular humanism. 

 

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.

 

Zechariah 7:8-14  And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,  (9)  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:  (10)  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.  (11)  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.  (13)  Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:  (14)  But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

 

We live in a time when people refuse to hear the Word of the Lord.  Their hearts have been hardened through sinfulness.  So many people have become reprobate at early ages.  This world has such a pull and Satan has blinded the minds of the people to the things of God.

 

5.  It Was The Voice Of The Straight Way! 

 

Matthew 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

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

 

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

Zechariah 7:11-13  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.  (13)  Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

 

In John’s day, God’s way was a singular way; God’s way was a narrow way; God’s way was not the popular or easy way; but it was still God’s Way?  It was God’s Way and the Only Way to Heaven!

 

Nothing has changed.  The voice is still of one crying in the wildeness.

 

Conclusion:  In the 400 Silent Years, Phariseeism became the rule of the day with salvation becoming of works and not of grace! We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!  We are the “voice of one crying in the wilderness” saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

Grace and Truth

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2022

John 1:17; Hebrews 12:18-24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw that the Law came through Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.  Here we find the importance of “grace and truth.”  Without truth, law and grace are misunderstood by many.

 

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!

 

B.  Why the Law?

 

1.  The Law was God’s perfect standard by with man’s sinfulness is measured. 

 

Romans 7:5-8  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.  (6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  (7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  (8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

 

2.  The Law was God’s schoolmaster by which man was pointed to Christ Jesus.

 

Galatians 3:22-26  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

C.  The Law (Mount Sinai) and Grace and Truth (Mount Sion) contrasted:

 

D.  This contrast is starkly made through the mention of two Mountains, Sinai, and Sion.  Both mountains were important to the Nation of Israel.

 

1.  Mount Sinai, where God met with His people in the wilderness and gave to Moses the Law.  The establishment of the Old Covenant.

 

2.  Mount Sion, where the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world paid the price for the sins of mankind.  The establishment of the New Covenant.

 

E.  In Hebrews 12, we see the stark contrast between Law and Grace.

 

Hebrews 12:18-24  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19)  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20)  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21)  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  (22)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

Verse 18, “For ye are not come” – Mount Sinai

 

Verse 22, “But ye are come” – Mount Sion

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

1.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Place – Sinai vs. Sion

 

a.  A Place of Fear and Trembling – “and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest”

 

b.  A Place of Joyfulness and Happiness – “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem”

 

2.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Word – Audible vs. Written

 

a.  God Speaking Audible Word – “And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more”

 

b.  God Speaking through the Written Word – “2 Peter 1:17-19  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

 

3.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Position – Israel vs. the Church

 

a.  The Nation of Israel – Isaiah 46:13  I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

 

b.  The General Assembly and Church – Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

4.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Sacrifice – Abel’s Sacrifice

 

a.  The Blood of Abel – Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

 

b.  The Blood of Christ – 1 Peter 1:18-20  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with ‘corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

5.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Mediator – Moses vs. Christ

 

a.  Moses – Romans 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

 

b.  Christ – 1 Timothy 2:5-6  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

6.  Grace and Truth – Mount Sion - A Better Covenant – Old vs. New

 

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

a.  The Old Covenant of the Law – Acts 13:38-39  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  (39)  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

b.  The New Covenant of Grace – Romans 8:1-3  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

7.  What the Law Could not do:

 

a.  The Law could not make man a Child of God.  It took grace and truth through propitiation.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

b.  The Law could not justify or make man acceptable to God.  It took grace and truth through imputation.

 

Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

Romans 4:2-5  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  (3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  (4)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

c.  In the eyes of the Law, we remain unjustified and condemned in our sin. It took grace and truth through mediation.

 

1 Corinthians 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

 

d. The Law was never to meant to save mankind.  It was to bring about conviction and to bear witness that man desperately needs the righteousness of God.  It took grace and truth through sanctification.

 

Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

e.  The Law could never bring comfort and confidence as it brought only conviction and condemnation.  2 Corinthians 3:9 called the Law “the ministration of condemnation.”

 

Romans 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

 

Galatians 3:20-29  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  (22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Conclusion:  The Law came by Moses and we that are saved love the Law as we are not lawless and have need of both the moral and civil laws.  By the same token, I am glad that we are no longer under the ceremonial law as Christ fulfilled the Law its entirety.  We are under grace and truth in our day.

You Ain’t No Dove and You Can’t Fly

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-4-2022

Psalm 55

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In Psalm 55, we find one of the few times that David was overwhelmed with mourning (Verse 5).

 

1.  Verse 2.  David was a strong man, but this particular circumstance caused him to groan out loud.

 

2.  Verse 4.  David was a brave man, but his heart was broken.

 

3.  Verse 5.  David was a spiritual man, but he was fearful-trembling-overwhelmed.

 

B.   David spent much of his life in peril because one thing or another, but in this Psalm, his reaction to what is going on is different.

 

1.  It was different because of the voice of the enemy.  Many of David’s enemies gave their voice against him but this one was different.

 

2.  David was betrayed by one of his closest friends.

 

C.  Psalms 55:10-14  Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.  (11)  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.  (12)  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  (13)  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.  (14)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 

 

1.  Verse 12.  It was not an enemy but a friend.

 

2.  Verse 13.  It was not a subject but a peer who was close to David.

 

3.  Verse 14.  It was a man trusted with whom David shared his personal thoughts.

 

4.  Verse 14.  It was a man with whom David walked and worshipped with.

 

D.  The man who betrayed this confidence was Ahithophel his counselor.

 

1 Chronicles 27:33  And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

 

2 Samuel 16:23  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. (David’s counselor became the counselor of David’s enemy, Absalom—a son who wished to destroy him!)

 

E.  A counselor is one who has your utmost confidence and trust because it is to him that you bare your heart and trust to give you the advice needed when you are not sure of what to do.

 

F.  Who was this “enemy?”

 

Psalms 55:12-14  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  (13)  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.  (14)  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 

 

1.  It was a friend; it was not an enemy, it was his equal—his guide; it was not an enemy, it was his brother—his friend—his companion.

 

2.  Who was this friend who became his enemy?  It was Ahithophel, his trusted counselor?

 

G.  Why Ahithophel?  Because Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather!

 

1.  Bathsheba, whom David took and killed her husband, was the daughter of Eliam.  2 Samuel 11:3  And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

 

2.  Eliam was the son of Ahithophel.  2 Samuel 23:34  Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

 

H.  Though David confessed his sin in Psalm 51 and God forgave him, Ahithophel never forgot nor forgave what David did to his granddaughter, Bathsheba! 

 

1.  Ahithophel was a man filled with hatred and bitterness WHILE he continued to walk and worship with David!

 

2.  Matthew 10:36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 

J.  Have you ever wanted to just get away from it all for a while?  Away from your problems and or your fears.  I think that all of us have been there!  The worst nightmares and problems that your pastor has ever faced came from those from within, not without.

 

K.  We find out what David knew: “You ain’t no dove and you can’t fly!”  You have to stay and face your fears and fight for that which you know is right.

 

L.  Now for my short part of this message.  David had something better.

 

Psalms 55:6-7  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.  (7)  Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

 

l.  Verse 16.  “As for me!”

 

1.  Verse 16.  I have better than the wings of a dove.  David had a Person, the LORD!

 

2.  Verse 17.  I have better than a place far away.  David had a Place of Prayer!

 

3.  Verse 18.  I have better than wandering afar off.  David had a Place of Peace.

 

4.  Verse 22.  I have better than remaining in a wilderness.  David has a Place of Protection.

 

Conclusion:  “You ain’t no Dove and you can’t fly!”  Yes, you can run but you can’s hide!  But God has give us a place where we can Abide!  In Him!  Your problem may persist for a while as did David’s, but the LORD will sustain you and the victory has already been won.

Remind Me, Dear Lord - Part 4 - Our Great Trials?

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-4-2022

1 Peter 1:3-11

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I want to preach a message this morning on a subject that I am not an expert on but am VERY familiar with, trials or the hard places in life. 

 

B.  No one is exempted from trials.  Mrs. Barbara and I have been subjected to much over the past 45 years and especially the last 35+.

 

C.  In verse 6, we find four things that I want you to see: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”

 

1.  Trials are seasonal.  “now for a season” Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 

This means that there are beginnings as well as endings to each.  Thank the Lord that there are plenty of good times when our trials are “out of season!”

 

2.  Trials are purposed.  “if need be”  Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Nothing can touch the child of God unless He allows it.  Job is the perfect example.

 

3.  Trials cause heartaches.  “ye are in heaviness”  We are to weep with them that weep and laugh with them that laugh.

 

4.  Trials are different.  “manifold temptations”  Life is full of trials.  They can come in many different forms such as temptations, sickness, life’s hardships – finances, etc., or persecutions just to name a few.  Though our trials are specific to each of us, there haven been multitudes who have sat where we sit.

 

D.  Trials can come in different degrees of difficulty.

 

1.  There are Trials.  1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

2.  There are Great Trials.  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.

 

3.  There are Fiery Trials.  1 Peter 4:12-14  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  (13)  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  (14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

4.  All valleys are conditional.  Verse 7.  “might be found unto”  Might be leads to the opposite of “might not be!”  Better or bitter.  Glory unto God or not glory unto God.  These are choices that each of us make during the hard times of life.

 

E.  I have often said that life is hard and the older you get, the harder life gets!  Growing old is not for “wimps,” and neither is the ministry.  Paul, when writing to Timothy, said this.

 

2 Timothy 2:1-3  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  (3)  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (Paul likened the ministry to warfare.  A lot of young people have joined the military to get a free education and ended up in a war.)

 

F.  In verse 6, we found the words “If need be” in relationship to trials.  Trials are of necessity to each of us as they teach us as we go through them.  Hard places in life have both negative and positive aspects to them. 

 

G.  The negative aspects of trials are easy to identify!  We do not understand them.  We do not like them.

 

1.  Valleys of life are just that: valleys!  Some deeper than others but all still valleys.  Problems run from not so bad but aggravating to valleys of deep sorrow.  Problems vary in their depths but not one of us like valleys of any description! 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 

2.  Some valleys are more beautiful than others that are barren wastelands!  Small problems still allow for the enjoyment of life in general while larger problems have a way of consuming the traveler.

 

2 Corinthians 7:5-6  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.  (6)  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 

3.  Some valleys are short, and some are long!  There is a place out west called Ten Sleep Canyon.  It took an Indian 10 days of camping to get through that valley.  Valleys always take the long way around the mountains because they are an indirect route.  The shortest way is usually over the mountain.

 

Psalms 77:2  In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.  (Job went from seven days and nights to 42 chapters!)

 

H.  I want to look at the positive side of trials.

 

1.  Trials reveal of what sort our faith is.  “The trial of your faith” 

 

Matthew 13:20-21  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  (21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

 

A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.  Someone once said that troubles do not build character; they only expose it.  A right faith in the Lord will get you through the valleys in good shape spiritually.

 

2.  Trails are places with the potential for Spiritual Growth. “being much more precious than of gold that perisheth” 

 

1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

We grow in the knowledge that when God is all that we have, it is then that we find that He is all that we need.  We grow in the knowledge that God’s grace is always more than sufficient.  We grow in the knowledge that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

 

3.  Trials cause us not to take the good times for granted!  “though it be tried with fire” 

 

Job 29:2-4  Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;  (3)  When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;  (4)  As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 

 

It is in the valley that we remember the mountains!  Too often, we take good days for granted.  Most of life is good and we should rejoice when it is.

 

4.  Trials give us opportunity to glorify God before the eyes of the world!  “might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” 

 

Isaiah 24:15  Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea. 

 

It is easy to be a good Christian when all is well but the world watches us closely when we are in trouble.  It is in the hard times that our little lights become big ones as the world fastens their eyes upon us and glorify our Father in heaven.

 

5.  Trials deepen the child of God’s love for Him!  “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”

 

2 Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 

Hard times in marriages either “make them or break them!”   When a couple truly love one another, they will cleave to each more in the hard times and their love deepens.  Thus it is with the Lord.  When we walk with Him in the hard times our love for Him deepens.

 

6.  Without trials, there would be no deliverances!  “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 

 

2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Without valleys, there would be no mountains climbed or to be climbed.  From the valleys, we view the mountains and from the mountains, we view the valleys.  Both, when viewed from a distance become things of great beauty.