Theology: The Doctrine of The Christ - Christology - Part 4

Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2025

Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have now seen:

 

1.  Who Jehovah God, Christ Jesus the Word, was: the eternal, self-existing, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent Jehovah God: the Word, the Creator, the Owner, and the Sustainer of all things.  That is a mouthful that still does little justice to who the great “I AM THAT I AM” was!  It is incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

2.  What Jehovah God became.  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among men.  The word “made” tells us that this was an act that would have never naturally occurred but was purposed and performed.  The condescension of Jehovah God is incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

3. Christology could be a long series as “In the volume (cover to cover) of the book it is written of me” speaks of Christ is found from Genesis chapter 1 as Creator to Revelation chapter 22 as our coming Lord!  Therefore, this will be the last message on Christology. 

 

B.  In our text, we see that Christ Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith!  Our work is to faithfully run the race set before us with the joy of the Lord in our hearts. 

 

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

C.  This morning, we will take a look at who Christ is right now. 

 

1.  Jehovah God, who had no physical body before His incarnation, now has an eternal physical one. 

 

Colossians 2:9-10  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  (10)  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 

2.  Born into a physical body that was prepared for Him.  

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

3.  Resurrected with an eternal physical body. 

 

Luke 24:39-40  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  (40)  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

 

4.  Coming again with a glorious, eternal body. 

 

Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

D.  Three specific offices that our Lord Jesus Christ holds: Prophet, Priest, and King.

 

1.  Prophet.  As Prophet, Christ Jesus, who knows the end from the beginning, declares unto us the Word of God.  From before the beginning of time and creation until the beginning of eternity after the Revelation, the Word (Christ Jesus) told us everything that would transpire.  You can read today’s news in a thousands of years old Word!

 

a)  The Person.  Deuteronomy 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

 

Hebrews 1:1-3  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  (2)  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

b)  The Preaching.  Isaiah 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

c)  The Promise.  Christ is the Word and Christ is God who knows all.  He is the Person of prophecy.  His Person is found in His Word, the Bible. 

 

2 Peter 1:16-19  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  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:

 

d)  The Power.  In His Word, Jehovah God revealed the truth about God, man, and the future.

 

Hebrews 4:12-13  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

Revelation 19:11-15  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

2.  Priest.  As the Apostles represented God to man, the Old Testament priests represented man to God.  Today, there are no earthly priests, as every believer is their own priest.  This is called the individual priesthood of man.  But, when we go to God the Father in prayer, we are once again represented to God by our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.  As our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

a)  As our High Priest, He Sacrificed (Giving us both access and assurance).  Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

b)  As our High Priest, He Mediates ( A Mediator stands between two parties to bring reconciliation by bridging the gap).  Jesus Christ is the “Buffer” between the Clean and the unclean.  Though our sins are gone positionally, we are still sinful practically.  One day, thank the Lord, we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. 

 

1 Timothy 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

c)  As our High Priest, He Advocates (An Advocate pleads another’s cause, a helper, a defender in judgment).  Advocate-Christ Jesus represents the helpless before the throne of the Father.  What we cannot do, what we cannot say, and what we cannot know is in the hands of Him that knows everything about us and pleads in our defense.

 

1 John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

d)  As our High Priest, He Intercedes (Arbitrates and Facilitates).  In John chapter 17, we find the Lord’s Prayer for His children.  When we do not know what to pray for, Jesus Christ does!

 

John 17:9-11  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  (10)  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.  (11)  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

 

3.  King.  As King, Christ Jesus reigns over all and everyone. 

 

a)  The Promise - Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

b)  The Prophecy - Revelation 19:11-16  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

c)  The Prayer - Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Stewardship of the Believer

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-20-2025

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Biblical stewardship is a comprehensive principle found throughout Scripture. It refers to the responsible management of everything God has entrusted to us, recognizing that He is the true owner and we are caretakers.

 

B.  Though we often consider that our time, finances, body, and otherwise belong to us, not to the Lord, what will change our minds is when we grasp the fact that God owns everything and everybody.  All that we have comes from God and should be seen in this light.

 

C.  Too often, God is completely forgotten in our decision-making or receives only the scraps of our lives after we are done with them.

 

D.  If God owns our lives and all that we have, then we need to walk in the light of that revelation.  I have listed some key areas of stewardship. 

 

1.  Stewardship of Treasure (Finances and Material Resources) – God owns our prosperity.  I placed this one first because of a statement that our Lord made concerning it.

 

Luke 16:10-11  He that is faithful in that which is least (reasonable service-Romans 12:1) is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  (11)  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

 

a.  Jesus called the riches of this world as the LEAST!  We have been taught that money is the MOST important thing.  He also called it the UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON!

 

b.  Jesus also said that if we are not faithful in our finances, He will NOT commit to our trust the true riches of this world.

 

c.  The stewardship of finances is both commanded and Christ-honoring. Everything we possess belongs to God; giving is an act of worship and trust.

 

 

Proverbs 3:9-10  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:  (10)  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

 

Malachi 3:8-11  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  (9)  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  (10)  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (11)  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  (7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

2.  Stewardship of the Body and Health – God owns our bodies.  Brother Tom Holbrooks spent a lot of time on this subject.  God must have our bodies, which need to be holy and acceptable, to get done the spiritual works. 

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Our bodies belong to God and are to be used by us in purity, discipline, and service to God.

 

3.  Stewardship of Time – Ecclesiastes chapter 3 – God owns our time.  This is something so little spoken of because of these days of busyness.  From dawn to dusk, most of our days are so busy that they are gone before we know it.  The Bible says that we need to discipline our time to spend time with and for the LORD.

 

Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

 

Ephesians 5:15-16  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

4.  Stewardship of Talents.  God has given to each of us talents to be used for Him and the work of the ministry.  We will give an account of our time spent or not spent in service.

 

Romans 12:5-8  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  (6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

5. Stewardship of the Gospel and the Word of God.  To learn, to live, to teach, and to share the Word of God.  Believers are entrusted with the truth of the gospel and are responsible for sharing and preserving it.  Pass out tracts, witness, and walk, so that others will see Christ in us and have the Word of God in their hands.

 

1 Corinthians 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Everything we are and have is from God and for God. Stewardship is not just a church program—it's a lifestyle of faithful responsibility under divine ownership.

Why I Love the Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2025

Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 16:15-18; Psalm 84:1-12

 

Introduction:  Psalm 84 has been called “The Pearl of Psalms.”

 

A.  Hebrews 10:25-27 are possibly the most quoted verses concerning church attendance and, like biblical separation, have been preached as a negative when it is a POSITIVE!  I fear that much negative preaching should be positive.

 

B.  Psalms 84:10 is also in direct contrast to the end-time professing Christian.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “As the manner of some is.”  The word manner means a custom or habitual practice.  There has been a great forsaking of the assembling in the past few decades, with the majority of America unchurched at present.

 

1.  Church attendance is at an all-time low, with more churches and professing Christians than ever.

 

2.  The faithful few that make up the nucleus of the local church have become fewer in number, especially on Sunday and Wednesday night crowds.

 

3. The church has gone from meeting every day in Acts 2 to having 6-8 week meetings a century ago to no Sunday or Wednesday night services!

 

C.  Faithfulness has turned from a blessing to a hardship for many. Today, more is said against the church than for the church.  Many local churches have brought this problem upon themselves by their compromised behavior.

 

1.  Some say that the church is full of hypocrites.  Two things I see about hiding behind a hypocrite:  The hypocrite is bigger than the one hiding because it covers them.  Also, the hypocrite is closer to the Lord than the one hiding behind him.

 

2.  Some say that the church has become a social organization.  Unfortunately, this is true.

 

3.  Some say that the church no longer portrays the love of Christ.  Unfortunately, this is also true.

 

4.  But there are still good, not perfect, churches in America and especially in the Bible Belt.

 

D.  The majority of the average church’s visitation program is spent visiting people who professed to be saved and either make shallow excuses for missing church or have become disgruntled over some petty problem and now are permanently excused from faithful attendance.

 

1.  Many Of These Have Religion And Not Salvation – I personally do not understand saved people not wanting to go to church.  They evidently did not get what I got!  I fell in love with church and still do not miss it, even when traveling!

 

2.  Many Of These Are so Worldly And Carnal That They Cannot Know The Will Of God.

 

a)  They have the love of Ephesus.  They left it.

 

b)  They have the deadness of Sardis.  They have no heart or spirit of worship.

 

c)  They have the lukewarmness of Laodicea. They are neither in nor out.

 

E.  But I still love the local church!  In spite of its shortcomings and problems.  This beautiful Psalm gives some of the reasons that I love the church.

 

1.  It Is The Place That God Loves - Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

 

2.  It Is The Place Of Worship - Psalms 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.

 

3.  It Is The Place Of Preaching And Teaching God’s Word - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

4.  It Is The Place Where God’s People Gather - Psalms 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

 

The greatest people on earth are there!

 

5 It Is The Place Where Sinners Are Both Sought And Loved - Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Matthew 9:10  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

 

6.  It Is God’s Instrument For World Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God–ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

 

7.  It Was There That I Heard The True Gospel Preached And Was Gloriously and Eternally Saved – Luke 18:10, 13-14  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican …  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

8.  It Is A Place Of Comfort And Spiritual Joy - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 

9.  It Is An Encouragement Filling Station - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

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.

 

10.  It Is Just A Little Bit Of Heaven On Earth - Psalms 84:1-2  How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 

Theology: The Doctrine of The Christ - Christology - Part 3

Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2025

John 10:27-30

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have seen who Christ was, the eternal, self-existing Jehovah God: the Word!  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.  We have seen the condescension of Christ: who and what He became in incarnation.  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

B.  We saw what Christ left to be made in the flesh because of His great love for us.  This morning, I want to discuss what He did for us!  It is about you and me!  What Christ did, He did for the whole world, though the majority of sinners reject both Him and what He did.  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

C. Before we get into what Christ did for us, we need to realize that salvation, along with its individual aspects, is an act of God, not man. 

 

1.  It is Grace, we get what we do not deserve, that saves us.  Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

2.  It is Mercy, we do not get what we deserve, and Goodness follows us.  Psalms 23:6a  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life …

 

D.  Salvation is a gift of God.  A gift is something that we especially pick out for a loved one. We pay the price of the gift, bring it to our loved one, and present it. 

 

1.  The Gift of Choice.  Then the loved one MUST make a choice. 

 

a.  Either to receive the gift with thanksgiving - Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

b.  Or to reject the gift - John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

 

c.  I thank God that I chose life!

 

2.  Propitiation - Expiation - expiator- the act of removing guilt through the payment of a penalty. 

 

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.

 

a.  The appeasement of God’s wrath.   God’s wrath had to be appeased through sacrifice. Our sin, when Christ became sin for us, He appeased the righteous judgment of God for sin. had a payment (the wages of sin is death), and Christ paid it in full.

 

b.  What wonderous grace that bought us through propitiation.

 

3.  Salvation.  To deliver, to heal, to make whole.

 

a.  The Promise - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

b.  The Procedure - 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,

 

1)  God grants us Repentance.  Acts 11:18  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

2)  God gives us Faith to be exercised.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

3)  The sinner’s responsibility is to bring a bankrupt sinner to God with repentance and exercise the faith that God gives.

 

4.  Redemption (restoration-rescue-liberation). 

 

Romans 3:24-25  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

a.  Saved from the penalty of sin.

 

b.  Saved from the power of sin.

 

3.  Imputation (accounting or crediting of righteousness to an individual by God.).  When God sees me, He sees me through the blood of Christ and places me in Christ.  As perfect as Christ is.

 

Romans 4:6-8  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,  (7)  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  (8)  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

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.

 

Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

4. Reconciliation (reunion-bringing together-ceasefire).  Romans 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 

a.  Took away the enmity with God.

 

b.  Brought into fellowship with God.

 

5.  Adoption (how Christians are brought into the family of God). 

 

Ephesians 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

 

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

1 John 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 

6.   Sanctification - a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Colossians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

7.  Justification - an act of God whereby He pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner’s faith in Christ.  Just as if we had never sinned!

 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

8.  Preservation - When something is kept entirely from decay, or in its original state, and it has eternal life. 

 

John 10:27-29  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

 

These are only a few of the things that God gives us who have made the right choice.  Make this choice RIGHT because it is an eternal one!

Bless The Lord At All Times

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-10-2025

Psalms 34

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The Background for the Psalm.  David is fleeing from Saul, living in the desert, caves, and any other place that he thought might be secure.  As Saul pursues, David turns to Achish, King of Gath, but finds distrust and fear there, so he feigns insanity to escape back into the wilderness to the Cave of Adullam and then on to Moab.  David spent much time on the run after Samuel anointed him King over Israel.  Through it all, he learned to be thankful for the blessings given to him.

 

B.  Psalm 34 is a “teaching moment” for all of us.    In life, we often find ourselves in “tight” places where we quote Murphy’s Law (the great pessimist): “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong".  In doing so, we leave God out of our equation!  David begins this Psalm with Praise, not complaint!

 

1.  A story goes like this: at the end of a church, the pastor stood at the door shaking hands and speaking to the people as they were leaving.  As an elderly lady came out, the pastor asked her if she was doing well, and her answer was, “I am alright under the circumstances.” To which the pastor asked, “What are you doing under there?”

 

2.  During the toil and tribulations of life, we often spend more time worrying than we do praising.  God is good all the time, even when the world mistreats us to some degree.  Brother Harold Smith would request this song: “Count Your Blessings.” 

 

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

 

• Refrain:
  Count your blessings, name them one by one,
  Count your blessings, see what God has done!
  Count your blessings, name them one by one,
  *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
  [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
•  
1. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.

 

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high

.

4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

 

C.  Verse 1 says, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth,” and reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

 

D.  David reminded us in Ps 34:1-2 that it is possible to turn problems into praise if we remember that:

 

1.  Verses 2-3.  Be thankful that there is encouragement and strength in numbers.  If we allow it, circumstances often tend to isolate us instead of binding us together. 

 

Hebrews 10:19-25  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  (21)  And having an high priest over the house of God;  (22)  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (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.

 

I thank God for our church!  For my family, it has been a place of refuge in troubles, safety in times of storms, encouragement in times of discouragement, and friends in times of enemies.  A place that we all can run to.  A place where friends and family gather.

 

Proverbs 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

2.  Verses 4-5.  Be thankful that the Lord can and will lighten your load. 

 

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

 

When I think of these verses, I find personal failure at times because I tried to carry my load instead of trusting God help. 

 

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

1 Peter 5:7-11  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (8)  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  (9)  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  (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.  (11)  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

3.  Verses 6-7.  Be thankful that God is a very present help in time of need, that we can go to in times of trouble.

 

Psalms 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Thank God we still have angels watching over us, encamping around us, and delivering us.  This is not just an Old Testament truth, we entertain them unawares.  Satan has his fallen angels and we have the good ones.

 

4.  Verses 8-10.  Be thankful that God will continue to meet your every need.

 

Philippians 4:15-19  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (19)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

a)  Paul suffered need, and God met it. 

 

b)  David suffered need, and God met it.

 

c)  We suffer need, and God meets ours also.  We all have suffered tough times as they are a way of life, but I personally have never been hungry without anywhere to get food. 

 

God’s Promise - Psalm 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.