Temple Baptist Church - 8-27-2008
2 Corinthians 2:1-4, 13-15
Introduction:
A. We have seen the Prophecies of the Apostasy and understand that it was prophesied over 2,000 years ago.
B. We have seen the Period of the Apostasy know that we live in the time of the “falling away.” Deception has been a progressive process as the “god of this world” has continually “blinded the minds” of those “which believe not” “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
C. We have seen the People of the Apostasy. Not only the lost but also carnal, immature “babes in Christ” that permeate churches. Even fundamental, Bible believing churches have these babes who are so easily “blown about with every wind of doctrine.”
D. I want to look at the “Prophets of Deception” for a while tonight. They are everywhere! In Seminaries, in churches, sitting on the pews of the local church. Who are they? How did they get in? What do they teach? What is their end? These are good questions that need to be answered. Every good “Wolf Watching Pastor” needs to both recognize these prophets and want their people!
1. These Are Ungodly Men - Jude 3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Because they deceive the people and destroy the “faith once delivered!” Do not feel sorry for them. Do not protect them. They are enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel!)
2. These Are Satanic Men - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Acts 13:8-10 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (They work for the wrong “god!” They are not only lost but also belong to Satan! Once again, they are enemies of both God and the Truth!)
3. These Are Ordained Men - Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ordained – designated! This has nothing to do with Calvinism. As God chose Pharaoh because he was reprobate, He also has chosen these men who made their choices.)
a. These Men Choose – A some point in their lives, they rejected the Truth and gave themselves over to fables and science falsely so called.
b. These Men Creep – They slip in a little at a time and gain both power and the confidence of men.
4. These Are Deceived Men - 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Ezekiel 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
5. These Are Charismatic Men - Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (They are articulate! They have charisma! They are good dressers!)
2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (Feigned – molded or formed words! Not only are their words articulate but they are also developed through much practice. They not only know what to say but they also know how to say it.)
6. These Are Powerful Men - Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Satan has great power and has given his power to these deceivers.)
Acts 8:9-10 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. (The people thought he was of God because of his great power.)
Job 1:16 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (Satan ordered this fire, not God!)
Job 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
7. These Are Deceiving Men - 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
a. Deceiving In Their Persons – “many shall follow” (Few follow truth!)
b. Deceiving In Their Paths – “pernicious (destructive or damnable) ways . . . the way of truth . . . evil spoken of”
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
c. Deceiving In Their Preaching – “feigned words” (articulate and persuasive)
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
d. Deceiving In Their Purposes – “make merchandise” (They always get into your pocket book)
Philippians 3: 17-19 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
8. These Are Damned Men – “swift destruction”
a. There Is The Denial Of Salvation – “denying the Lord that bought them” (They claim to know the Lord, but in doctrine they deny Him)
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (“Even denying the Lord that bought them!”)
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
b. There Is The Deception Of Self – “whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not” (Because judgment in not instant, they think that they have gotten away with their actions.)
Ecclesiastes 8:10-13 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
c. There Is The Damnation Of Their Soul – “swift destruction . .. slumbereth not” (Hell will be hot for those who knew the truth and turned from it.)
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It’s Love In Salvation From Start To Finish
Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2008
Song of Solomon 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. I fear that we have seen salvation in an unbiblical light in most of our lives. We do not see the whole picture because we are obsessed with living in this present world. The Bible says that dying is gain and I am glad that Heaven is going to be beyond our most wonderful expectation. We cannot comprehend with our wildest dreams what Heaven is going to be like.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
B. The Bible also says that Christ is our life here.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1. Salvation is much more than just being saved from Hell and going to Heaven
2. Salvation is much more than being forgiven and our load of guilt removed.
3. Salvation is much more than just the blessings of the life through Christ
4. Salvation is a blessed, intimate relationship with the Lord of the universe who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscience.
C. Salvation is being under the loving umbrella of God’s providence, provision, and protection.
D. Salvation is experiencing the very Person of our Lord Jesus Christ with all that He can offer!
Psalms 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
E. In these verses that we have read tonight, we see the life of the Christian from Calvary to the Rapture. I do not want to look at the physical blessings of our salvation here as much as I do the spiritual.
1. The Lord Cleanses Me – vs. 1 “the lily”
a. Positionally, we are without spot or blemish! Absolute sinless perfection! Faultless!
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Romans 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
b. Because of the sinfulness of our flesh, cleansing is a daily task based upon our confession and Christ’s faithfulness.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (Spiritual cleansing is greater than our daily physical blessings.)
2. The Lord Protects Me – vs. 4
a. He certainly protects me physically - Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
b. He also protects me spiritually - Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (We are no match for demonic power! It is the Lord that keeps us safe in our spiritual warfare.)
3. The Lord Loves Me – vs. 4 (We will spend much time on this subject in the Song of Solomon.)
a. He loves me for who I am - Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
b. He loves me for who I shall be - 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
4. The Lord Upholds Me – vs. 5, 6a,
a. He upholds me when I fail - 2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Psalms 78:38-39 But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they [were but] flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. (uphold or sustain me when my strength fails)
b. He upholds me when my strength is gone - 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
5. The Lord Comforts Me – vs. 5-6
a. He comforts me in sorrows - 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
b. He comforts me in tribulations - 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
6. The Satisfies Me – vs. 7 (I want the Lord to come but I will abide satisfied in the mean time.)
a. He satisfies my living - Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
b. He satisfies my longing - Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Song of Solomon 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. I fear that we have seen salvation in an unbiblical light in most of our lives. We do not see the whole picture because we are obsessed with living in this present world. The Bible says that dying is gain and I am glad that Heaven is going to be beyond our most wonderful expectation. We cannot comprehend with our wildest dreams what Heaven is going to be like.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
B. The Bible also says that Christ is our life here.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1. Salvation is much more than just being saved from Hell and going to Heaven
2. Salvation is much more than being forgiven and our load of guilt removed.
3. Salvation is much more than just the blessings of the life through Christ
4. Salvation is a blessed, intimate relationship with the Lord of the universe who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscience.
C. Salvation is being under the loving umbrella of God’s providence, provision, and protection.
D. Salvation is experiencing the very Person of our Lord Jesus Christ with all that He can offer!
Psalms 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
E. In these verses that we have read tonight, we see the life of the Christian from Calvary to the Rapture. I do not want to look at the physical blessings of our salvation here as much as I do the spiritual.
1. The Lord Cleanses Me – vs. 1 “the lily”
a. Positionally, we are without spot or blemish! Absolute sinless perfection! Faultless!
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Romans 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
b. Because of the sinfulness of our flesh, cleansing is a daily task based upon our confession and Christ’s faithfulness.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (Spiritual cleansing is greater than our daily physical blessings.)
2. The Lord Protects Me – vs. 4
a. He certainly protects me physically - Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
b. He also protects me spiritually - Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (We are no match for demonic power! It is the Lord that keeps us safe in our spiritual warfare.)
3. The Lord Loves Me – vs. 4 (We will spend much time on this subject in the Song of Solomon.)
a. He loves me for who I am - Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
b. He loves me for who I shall be - 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
4. The Lord Upholds Me – vs. 5, 6a,
a. He upholds me when I fail - 2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Psalms 78:38-39 But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they [were but] flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. (uphold or sustain me when my strength fails)
b. He upholds me when my strength is gone - 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
5. The Lord Comforts Me – vs. 5-6
a. He comforts me in sorrows - 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
b. He comforts me in tribulations - 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
6. The Satisfies Me – vs. 7 (I want the Lord to come but I will abide satisfied in the mean time.)
a. He satisfies my living - Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
b. He satisfies my longing - Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Abiding And Joy
Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2008
John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10
Introduction:
A. What was the joy of Christ?
Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
B. Most Christians live in discouragement with little joy. Why? The answer is simple.
1. Because Of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (God’s people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in and we now walk at a guilty distance from God and the joy is gone.)
2. Because Of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
C. Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.
1. For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
2. For The Christian, Joy Is Found In Spite Of The Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
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.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
D. Loss of joy comes through:
1. Losing the freshness of our salvation.
2. Losing the burning love for our Saviour.
3. Losing the excitement of our service.
WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY
1. Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
2. Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
3. Christian Joy Is Found In God’s Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
4. Christian Joy Is Found In Church - 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.
a. The Joy Of Singing - Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
b. The Joy Of Praise - Psalms 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
5. Christian Joy Is Found In Worship - Nehemiah 12:43-46 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
6. Christian Joy Is Found In Hope - Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
7. Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Psalms 16:8-11 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
1 Peter 4:13 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.
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,
8. Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
9. Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
10. Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8 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:
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10
Introduction:
A. What was the joy of Christ?
Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
B. Most Christians live in discouragement with little joy. Why? The answer is simple.
1. Because Of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (God’s people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in and we now walk at a guilty distance from God and the joy is gone.)
2. Because Of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
C. Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.
1. For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
2. For The Christian, Joy Is Found In Spite Of The Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
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.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
D. Loss of joy comes through:
1. Losing the freshness of our salvation.
2. Losing the burning love for our Saviour.
3. Losing the excitement of our service.
WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY
1. Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
2. Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
3. Christian Joy Is Found In God’s Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
4. Christian Joy Is Found In Church - 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.
a. The Joy Of Singing - Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
b. The Joy Of Praise - Psalms 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
5. Christian Joy Is Found In Worship - Nehemiah 12:43-46 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
6. Christian Joy Is Found In Hope - Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
7. Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Psalms 16:8-11 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
1 Peter 4:13 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.
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,
8. Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
9. Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
10. Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8 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:
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
The Characteristics Of Not Abiding
Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2008
John 15:1-17
Introduction:
A. Our Lord said, “I am the true vine.” The implication is this: If there is a True Vine, there must also be “False Vines!” There Are Worldly Vines that you can get your life from:
B. The Vine of Worldly Music – It can be Rock Music, Country Music, Contemporary Christian Music, New Age Music, or even just music in general. Music opens the “gate of the soul.” Don Robertson, whom I do not endorse, studied music and the effect that it has upon people spiritually, said this:
“Music has a definite effect on people, animals, and plants. In fact it can have a powerful influence on our body, mind, and emotions. Music with a ‘beat’ can stimulate your body; music with powerful melodies and harmonies performed with feeling can make you weep or cry out with joy; and music like the fugues of Bach and Mozart can be mentally invigorating. Every Hollywood movie producer is aware of the power of music, and that is why it plays such a key role in motion pictures. The music that accompanies movies grabs our feelings.”
C. Music can destroy the soul. Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Beatles, and many others have died early deaths because of the effects of their music coupled with alcohol and drugs.
D. The Vine of Alcohol and Drugs – As a general rule, alcohol and drug abuse will end in premature death and or destruction of life.
E. The Vine of Sex and Perversion – Perveresion leads to more perversion because it does not satisfy. Many pedophiles and murders got their start in pornography and sexual captivation. Sex is a wonderful fulfillment of marriage but when indulged in outside of marriage will destroy your mind and body. Aids and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases have destroyed both the health and future happiness of many.
F. The Vine of Worldly Pleasure – Pleasure is a gift from God when it is found in the right things. Our world is pleasure mad. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God is the biblical description and such pleasure leaves you both unfulfilled and empty!
G. Your Vine Gives You Your Characteristics! Being Attached To The Right Vine:
1. Gives us purpose – vs. 1
2. Gives us productivity – vs. 2, 4, 8
3. Gives us purity – vs. 3
4. Gives us power – vs. 7
HERE ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE IN THE TRUE VINE
1. Lives A Life That Harms The Cause Of Christ - vs 2 “taketh away” (I know that the proper interpretation of this is the Husbandman pruning the vine but I want to give an application) - Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (We are either “gathering” or we are “scattering.”)
2. Lives A Life That Is Unclean - vs 2-3 “purgeth ... clean” - 2 Corinthians 12:21 [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
3. Lives A Life That Fails To Produce Fruit - vs 4 “no more can ye” - Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Without producing spiritual fruit, we cannot produce physical fruit and one is dependent upon the other.)
4. Lives A Life Void Of God’s Power - vs 5 – “ye can do nothing” - John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. (Speaking of Christ.)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Do all things verses do nothing and the key is abiding.)
5. Lives A Life Of Total Spiritual Defeat - vs 6 “withered…burned” - 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
6. Lives A Life That Does Not Contain The Blessings Of God - vs 7 “ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” - Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (I am not preaching a “Prosperity Gospel,” but I am saying that God will bless you for your faithfulness to Him.)
7. Lives A Life That Does Not Bring Glory To God - vs 8 “Herein is my Father glorified” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
8. Lives A Life That Is Void Of Spiritual Joy - vs 11 “my joy…remain…your joy…full” - 1 Peter 1:8 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:
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
9. Lives A Life Of Unfriendliness Towards God - vs 14 “Ye are my friends, if” - James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (The Lord is always our Friend! We need to be His friend!)
John 15:1-17
Introduction:
A. Our Lord said, “I am the true vine.” The implication is this: If there is a True Vine, there must also be “False Vines!” There Are Worldly Vines that you can get your life from:
B. The Vine of Worldly Music – It can be Rock Music, Country Music, Contemporary Christian Music, New Age Music, or even just music in general. Music opens the “gate of the soul.” Don Robertson, whom I do not endorse, studied music and the effect that it has upon people spiritually, said this:
“Music has a definite effect on people, animals, and plants. In fact it can have a powerful influence on our body, mind, and emotions. Music with a ‘beat’ can stimulate your body; music with powerful melodies and harmonies performed with feeling can make you weep or cry out with joy; and music like the fugues of Bach and Mozart can be mentally invigorating. Every Hollywood movie producer is aware of the power of music, and that is why it plays such a key role in motion pictures. The music that accompanies movies grabs our feelings.”
C. Music can destroy the soul. Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Beatles, and many others have died early deaths because of the effects of their music coupled with alcohol and drugs.
D. The Vine of Alcohol and Drugs – As a general rule, alcohol and drug abuse will end in premature death and or destruction of life.
E. The Vine of Sex and Perversion – Perveresion leads to more perversion because it does not satisfy. Many pedophiles and murders got their start in pornography and sexual captivation. Sex is a wonderful fulfillment of marriage but when indulged in outside of marriage will destroy your mind and body. Aids and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases have destroyed both the health and future happiness of many.
F. The Vine of Worldly Pleasure – Pleasure is a gift from God when it is found in the right things. Our world is pleasure mad. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God is the biblical description and such pleasure leaves you both unfulfilled and empty!
G. Your Vine Gives You Your Characteristics! Being Attached To The Right Vine:
1. Gives us purpose – vs. 1
2. Gives us productivity – vs. 2, 4, 8
3. Gives us purity – vs. 3
4. Gives us power – vs. 7
HERE ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE IN THE TRUE VINE
1. Lives A Life That Harms The Cause Of Christ - vs 2 “taketh away” (I know that the proper interpretation of this is the Husbandman pruning the vine but I want to give an application) - Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (We are either “gathering” or we are “scattering.”)
2. Lives A Life That Is Unclean - vs 2-3 “purgeth ... clean” - 2 Corinthians 12:21 [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
3. Lives A Life That Fails To Produce Fruit - vs 4 “no more can ye” - Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Without producing spiritual fruit, we cannot produce physical fruit and one is dependent upon the other.)
4. Lives A Life Void Of God’s Power - vs 5 – “ye can do nothing” - John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. (Speaking of Christ.)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Do all things verses do nothing and the key is abiding.)
5. Lives A Life Of Total Spiritual Defeat - vs 6 “withered…burned” - 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
6. Lives A Life That Does Not Contain The Blessings Of God - vs 7 “ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” - Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (I am not preaching a “Prosperity Gospel,” but I am saying that God will bless you for your faithfulness to Him.)
7. Lives A Life That Does Not Bring Glory To God - vs 8 “Herein is my Father glorified” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
8. Lives A Life That Is Void Of Spiritual Joy - vs 11 “my joy…remain…your joy…full” - 1 Peter 1:8 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:
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
9. Lives A Life Of Unfriendliness Towards God - vs 14 “Ye are my friends, if” - James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (The Lord is always our Friend! We need to be His friend!)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The People Of Deception
Temple Baptist Church - 8-20-2008
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Introduction:
A. In our first message on “False Teachers,” we saw the prophecies concerning the spiritual deception of these last days. If someone did not believe the Word of God is just that for any other reason, the prophecies concerning these last days should convince the most ardent critic. You can read your newspaper headlines in a Bible written thousands of years ago. They always speak of Nostradamus and his “famous predictions” but never refer to the veracity and faithfulness of the Bible!
B. In our second message on “False Teachers,” we saw the progression of spiritual deception from Satan’s foolishness in Heaven to the end of the Millennium. Satan has had at least 6,000 years to build and perfect his deception of the people to the extent that he has become the “god of this world” instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. People are spiritually deceived by Satan into a false security based upon good works and idols!
C. Tonight, I want to look at the “People of Deception.” Who are these people whom Satan has so completely deceived. Not everyone is deceived in these last days and there are good reason for this. There is simply no excuse for a saved, spiritual child of God falling into the pits of deception that Satan has dug! We have the blessed Holy Spirit—the Author of Truth—living within our hearts as well as the King James Bible—the perfect Word of God—in our hands.
D. Then why are people so deceived and who are they? I believe the answer is both simple and obvious to the believer. It is good to understand that Satan is both subtle and selective. It is not that he does not temp all people but he is wise in his methods of selection. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” is an old saying that is true. Though all of us are susceptible to deception because of the sinfulness of our flesh, here are four of his most frequent choices.
1. The Deception Of A Lost World – The world has had the Word of God at one time or the other. In the days of the Apostles, the world was turned upside down as these men of God traveled and preached. Africa has had the Word of God. Asia has had the Word of God. Europe has had the Word of God. South America has had the Word of God. It has touched virtually every continent and island in the world in the past 2, 000 years.
a. They have had the light of Nature - Psalms 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Romans 1:19-21 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
b. They have had the light of Scripture - Jeremiah 8:9 The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
2. The Deception Of Lost Church Members – I cannot emphasis enough to our people that many of these people who are “gobbled up” by the heretical churches and cults are unredeemed! The Spirit of Truth will lead the believer into all truth! (2 Timothy 3:1-6, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
a. Lost Pew Sitters – Matthew 13:25-27 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
TARE - Any of various weedy plants of the genus Vicia, especially the common vetch. Weedy plants that grow in grain fields. An unwelcome or objectional element
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (I understand the interpretation of this verse [antichrists] but application can also be made to these deceived pretenders. Churches are full of lost, baptized members who “heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”)
b. Lost Preachers - Matthew 7:21-11 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (False preachers love false doctrine! “Snuff” said!)
3. The Carnal Believers – There are many (today we can probably safely say most) people who are truly born again who—for various reasons—never come to maturity as believers. No amount of doctrinal teaching penetrates the darkness of their hearts and they eventually either end up in a false doctrinal church or sitting at home watching their favorite televangelist. These can sit in fundamental, Bible believing churches or on the pews of the most liberal, ungodly of churches and feel right at home. Unteachable brethren are “blown about” and become “easy” prey to false doctrine
a. They are controlled by flesh and not by Sprit – Galatians 5:16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
b. They fail to be “doers of the word” through failing to hear - Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. (I understand that many people have not sat under good, doctrinal preaching but, many have and still fail to grow in the Word. These carnal believers have both the Spirit and the Truth and, yet, have refused to hear.)
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
4. The Deception Of Silly Women (This one will get me into trouble for sure! Before you dear ladies get “up in arms” at the preacher, let me explain this point.) –Not all women are “silly!” This is not a description of women in general. The Holy Ghost only specified certain women in this verse. Some of the most spiritual people that I have met in over 20 years of the pastorate have been women. There are women who are godly, Spirit sensitive, knowledgeable, and sincere and are a great asset to both the local church and this pastor.
a. The women of deception - 2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (“Silly” comes from the Greek word “gune” – Sounds like “goony” to me! Notice with me the qualities of these “silly women.”)
1) These are disobedient women – “creep…lead” - 1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (They are led by the false teachers instead of their husbands or their pastor. I know that not all women have “spiritual” husbands who can teach and lead them in right doctrine but God also gave these women a pastor!)
2) These are sinful women – “laden with sins…led away with divers lusts” - James 1:14-16 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
b. The reason of deception - 1 Timothy 2:9-14 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (Women are “heart creatures” and allow their emotions to overrule their logic. Homes, government, and churches are in serious jeopardy when led by women! Women who think more about their looks than their lives! They are sensual and seductive but not spiritual!)
Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, 19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21 The rings, and nose jewels, 22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. 24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. 1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
Introduction:
A. In our first message on “False Teachers,” we saw the prophecies concerning the spiritual deception of these last days. If someone did not believe the Word of God is just that for any other reason, the prophecies concerning these last days should convince the most ardent critic. You can read your newspaper headlines in a Bible written thousands of years ago. They always speak of Nostradamus and his “famous predictions” but never refer to the veracity and faithfulness of the Bible!
B. In our second message on “False Teachers,” we saw the progression of spiritual deception from Satan’s foolishness in Heaven to the end of the Millennium. Satan has had at least 6,000 years to build and perfect his deception of the people to the extent that he has become the “god of this world” instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. People are spiritually deceived by Satan into a false security based upon good works and idols!
C. Tonight, I want to look at the “People of Deception.” Who are these people whom Satan has so completely deceived. Not everyone is deceived in these last days and there are good reason for this. There is simply no excuse for a saved, spiritual child of God falling into the pits of deception that Satan has dug! We have the blessed Holy Spirit—the Author of Truth—living within our hearts as well as the King James Bible—the perfect Word of God—in our hands.
D. Then why are people so deceived and who are they? I believe the answer is both simple and obvious to the believer. It is good to understand that Satan is both subtle and selective. It is not that he does not temp all people but he is wise in his methods of selection. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” is an old saying that is true. Though all of us are susceptible to deception because of the sinfulness of our flesh, here are four of his most frequent choices.
1. The Deception Of A Lost World – The world has had the Word of God at one time or the other. In the days of the Apostles, the world was turned upside down as these men of God traveled and preached. Africa has had the Word of God. Asia has had the Word of God. Europe has had the Word of God. South America has had the Word of God. It has touched virtually every continent and island in the world in the past 2, 000 years.
a. They have had the light of Nature - Psalms 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Romans 1:19-21 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
b. They have had the light of Scripture - Jeremiah 8:9 The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
2. The Deception Of Lost Church Members – I cannot emphasis enough to our people that many of these people who are “gobbled up” by the heretical churches and cults are unredeemed! The Spirit of Truth will lead the believer into all truth! (2 Timothy 3:1-6, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
a. Lost Pew Sitters – Matthew 13:25-27 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
TARE - Any of various weedy plants of the genus Vicia, especially the common vetch. Weedy plants that grow in grain fields. An unwelcome or objectional element
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (I understand the interpretation of this verse [antichrists] but application can also be made to these deceived pretenders. Churches are full of lost, baptized members who “heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”)
b. Lost Preachers - Matthew 7:21-11 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (False preachers love false doctrine! “Snuff” said!)
3. The Carnal Believers – There are many (today we can probably safely say most) people who are truly born again who—for various reasons—never come to maturity as believers. No amount of doctrinal teaching penetrates the darkness of their hearts and they eventually either end up in a false doctrinal church or sitting at home watching their favorite televangelist. These can sit in fundamental, Bible believing churches or on the pews of the most liberal, ungodly of churches and feel right at home. Unteachable brethren are “blown about” and become “easy” prey to false doctrine
a. They are controlled by flesh and not by Sprit – Galatians 5:16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
b. They fail to be “doers of the word” through failing to hear - Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. (I understand that many people have not sat under good, doctrinal preaching but, many have and still fail to grow in the Word. These carnal believers have both the Spirit and the Truth and, yet, have refused to hear.)
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
4. The Deception Of Silly Women (This one will get me into trouble for sure! Before you dear ladies get “up in arms” at the preacher, let me explain this point.) –Not all women are “silly!” This is not a description of women in general. The Holy Ghost only specified certain women in this verse. Some of the most spiritual people that I have met in over 20 years of the pastorate have been women. There are women who are godly, Spirit sensitive, knowledgeable, and sincere and are a great asset to both the local church and this pastor.
a. The women of deception - 2 Timothy 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (“Silly” comes from the Greek word “gune” – Sounds like “goony” to me! Notice with me the qualities of these “silly women.”)
1) These are disobedient women – “creep…lead” - 1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (They are led by the false teachers instead of their husbands or their pastor. I know that not all women have “spiritual” husbands who can teach and lead them in right doctrine but God also gave these women a pastor!)
2) These are sinful women – “laden with sins…led away with divers lusts” - James 1:14-16 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
b. The reason of deception - 1 Timothy 2:9-14 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (Women are “heart creatures” and allow their emotions to overrule their logic. Homes, government, and churches are in serious jeopardy when led by women! Women who think more about their looks than their lives! They are sensual and seductive but not spiritual!)
Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, 19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21 The rings, and nose jewels, 22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. 24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. 1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Banqueting House
Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2008
Song of Solomon 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. In chapter 1, we found the drawing of the Bride.
1. The Description Of God’s Love – vs. 2 “better than wine”
Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (To know the unknowable and to comprehend the incomprehensible. God draws the unlovable and the undesirable. Greater love hath no man than this!)
2. The Drawing Of God’s Love – vs. 4 “Draw me”
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. (In 1976, He drew me unto Himself! When I could not come to Him, He came to me! I will never understand what He saw in me but will forever praise Him for His love.)
3. The Desiring Of God’s Love – vs. 4 “we will run…we will be glad…we will remember”
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (You have to get thirsty before you drink. Our Lord said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink!” I remember the day I got thirsty and got hold of that living water.)
B. In chapters 1-2, we found the description of the Bride.
1. The Curse of Her Sin – vs. 5-6 “black”
Ezekiel 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live.
2. The Comparison Of Her Saviour – vs. 5, 8-9 “but comely”
Ephesians 5:27 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.
3. The Comprehending Of Her Splendor – vs. 2:1 “rose…lily”
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,
THE BANQUETING HOUSE - There Will Be A Gathering - On many formal invitation, we find the letters “R.S.V.P.”
RSVP "Répondez s'il vous plaît", a French phrase that translates to "reply, please." or literally "reply, if it pleases you" [1]. It is with this meaning that invitation cards and similar documents are often marked with "R.S.V.P." It is standard practice to reply to an RSVP request whether confirming attendance or declining.
1. The Decision Of The Gathered - Luke 14:16-24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 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. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (Whosoever will and whosoever won’t! Eternal life and death are in the decisions of the lost!)
2. The Division Of The Gathered - 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,
1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive (to have been quickened – Ephesians 2:1) [and] remain (Not to have seen death) unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1. The Jewish Trumpet Was Blown To Start A Journey (Num 10:6)
2. The Trumpet Was Blown To Call Men To War (Num 10:9)
3. The Trumpet Was Blown To Signal Holy Days (Num 10:10; Lev 25:9)
4. The Trumpet Was Blown To Call The Camp Of Israel To A General Assembly (Num 10:7)
5. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Inaugurate The Rapture (I Thes 4:16; I Cor 15:52; Rev. 4:1)
6. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Announce the Beginning of The Tribulation (Joel 2:1, 2)
7. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Sound The Judgments Of The Tribulation (Rev 8:1-9; 11:15-19)
8. The Trumpet Will Be Blown to Signal The Re-gathering of Israel To The Land (Mat. 24:31)
3. The Designation Of The Gathered – “His banner over me was love”
a. A Special Place Designated - Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (There’s no place like home! “man goeth to his long home.”)
b. A Special People Designated - Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. (Billy Kelly used to sing a song which goes like this: “I’ll not be a stranger when I enter that city; I’m acquainted with folks over there!”)
c. A Special Purpose Designated - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Psalms 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. (Home! I’m going home! Never more to roam!)
Conclusion: There will be a Gathering. There will be a Guest. There will be a Garnishing!
Song of Solomon 2:1-7
Introduction:
A. In chapter 1, we found the drawing of the Bride.
1. The Description Of God’s Love – vs. 2 “better than wine”
Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (To know the unknowable and to comprehend the incomprehensible. God draws the unlovable and the undesirable. Greater love hath no man than this!)
2. The Drawing Of God’s Love – vs. 4 “Draw me”
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. (In 1976, He drew me unto Himself! When I could not come to Him, He came to me! I will never understand what He saw in me but will forever praise Him for His love.)
3. The Desiring Of God’s Love – vs. 4 “we will run…we will be glad…we will remember”
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (You have to get thirsty before you drink. Our Lord said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink!” I remember the day I got thirsty and got hold of that living water.)
B. In chapters 1-2, we found the description of the Bride.
1. The Curse of Her Sin – vs. 5-6 “black”
Ezekiel 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live.
2. The Comparison Of Her Saviour – vs. 5, 8-9 “but comely”
Ephesians 5:27 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.
3. The Comprehending Of Her Splendor – vs. 2:1 “rose…lily”
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,
THE BANQUETING HOUSE - There Will Be A Gathering - On many formal invitation, we find the letters “R.S.V.P.”
RSVP "Répondez s'il vous plaît", a French phrase that translates to "reply, please." or literally "reply, if it pleases you" [1]. It is with this meaning that invitation cards and similar documents are often marked with "R.S.V.P." It is standard practice to reply to an RSVP request whether confirming attendance or declining.
1. The Decision Of The Gathered - Luke 14:16-24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 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. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (Whosoever will and whosoever won’t! Eternal life and death are in the decisions of the lost!)
2. The Division Of The Gathered - 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,
1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive (to have been quickened – Ephesians 2:1) [and] remain (Not to have seen death) unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1. The Jewish Trumpet Was Blown To Start A Journey (Num 10:6)
2. The Trumpet Was Blown To Call Men To War (Num 10:9)
3. The Trumpet Was Blown To Signal Holy Days (Num 10:10; Lev 25:9)
4. The Trumpet Was Blown To Call The Camp Of Israel To A General Assembly (Num 10:7)
5. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Inaugurate The Rapture (I Thes 4:16; I Cor 15:52; Rev. 4:1)
6. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Announce the Beginning of The Tribulation (Joel 2:1, 2)
7. The Trumpet Will Be Blown To Sound The Judgments Of The Tribulation (Rev 8:1-9; 11:15-19)
8. The Trumpet Will Be Blown to Signal The Re-gathering of Israel To The Land (Mat. 24:31)
3. The Designation Of The Gathered – “His banner over me was love”
a. A Special Place Designated - Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (There’s no place like home! “man goeth to his long home.”)
b. A Special People Designated - Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. (Billy Kelly used to sing a song which goes like this: “I’ll not be a stranger when I enter that city; I’m acquainted with folks over there!”)
c. A Special Purpose Designated - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Psalms 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. (Home! I’m going home! Never more to roam!)
Conclusion: There will be a Gathering. There will be a Guest. There will be a Garnishing!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Pruning Of The Branches
Temple Baptist Church 8-17-2008
John 15:1-6
Introduction:
A. We have been studying these verses in light of “abiding” or remaining in the will of God as one of His dear children. In this context, we find the “pruning” of the vine. In verse 2, speaking of the branch that does not bear fruit, we find the words “he taketh away.” I want to look closely at these verses to glean God’s truth concerning believers who are disobedient to God.
B. The Armenian denominations who teach losing one’s salvation love these verses. They try to uphold their doctrine of “falling from grace” through not rightly dividing the Word of Truth in this portion of Scripture.
C. These verses teach just the opposite of “falling from grace.” They teach the doctrines of eternal life and the chastening of the child of God.
D. There are several things that cause these branches to fail to produce and be broken off.
1. Storms Often Break Branches Off
a) God is our stability and protection during the storm but we often fail to turn to Him and become discouraged. and dislodged.
b) Discouragement brings about dislodging and the branch is broken off.
2. Blight Often Destroys The Branches – Sin will destroy the believer and, if he or she does not confess and forsake it, it will bring about their demise.
3. Failing To Produce Brings About Pruning – Unfortunately, some branches are disobedient and are like the “suckers” that we pluck from the vines.
E. Notice several things with me:
1. These Branches Are Truly Saved – vs. 2 “Every branch in me”
a) They Are Branches – Born of the sap of the Vine. The sap is a wonderful type of the Holy Spirit.
b). They Are In Christ Jesus The Vine
2. These Branches Do Not Produce Fruit
a) They Have The Same Source As The Others
b) They Have The Same Capability As The Others
3. These Branches Are Taken Away – vs. 2, 6
a) They Are Taken Away Because Of Their Choice – vs. 6 “If a man”
b) They Are Taken Away By The Husbandman
4. These Branches Are Destroyed Physically – vs. 6
a) They Are Cast Forth By God
b) They Become Withered Because Of Detachment
c) They Become Burned By Men – Pruning is simply chastening.
Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
1. Chastening Is A Sign Of God’s Love – “whom the Lord loveth” It Is Done In Love And Not Hate!
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
2. Chastening Is A Guarantee Of Son-ship – “every son whom he receiveth” –It Is A Product Of Eternal Life!
2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
3. Chastening Is A Purposed Process – “if ye endure chastening” “corrected” –It Removes Sin’s Penalty And Restores Spiritual Fellowship!
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
4. Chastening Is A Progressive Process – “chasteneth…scourgeth” –You Can Turn Around At Any Time And Do Not Have To Continue In Chastening!
a. Chastisement is a valley of our own making. It is chastisement for sin. - James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
b. Chastisement is a valley whose depth is up to us. It is according to our sin. - 1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
c. Chastisement is a valley whose length is up to us. It is according to our hard headedness. - Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Chastening turns into scourging.)
d. Chastisement is a valley whose darkness is up to us. In other valleys you find God’s blessing while in this valley you find God’s displeasure. - Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
e. Chastisement is a valley whose results are up to us.
1) There can be continued and progressive punishment for sin.
2) There can be the restoration of the believer to a place of fellowship.
5. Chastening Is A Blessing – “it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” – It Is Positive In That It Produces Righteousness And Testimony In The Believer!
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
a. Chastening Removes Sin’s Penalty – (The wages of sin is still death!)
b. Chastening Restores God’s Power – (Sin causes a loss of power with God!)
c. Chastening Regains The God’s Victory – 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. (Sin brings about spiritual defeat!)
d. Chastening Renews God’s Favor – (Favor is better than wrath any day!)
e Chastening Revives God’s Peace – (Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.)
f. Chastening Re-establishes Worship – (Sin removes the worship of spirit and truth!)
g. Chastening Re-affirms God’s Word – (What God promises God delivers!)
h. Chastening Removes The Unrepentant! – (Sin’s end is still death. Do not err, my beloved brethren!)
John 15:1-6
Introduction:
A. We have been studying these verses in light of “abiding” or remaining in the will of God as one of His dear children. In this context, we find the “pruning” of the vine. In verse 2, speaking of the branch that does not bear fruit, we find the words “he taketh away.” I want to look closely at these verses to glean God’s truth concerning believers who are disobedient to God.
B. The Armenian denominations who teach losing one’s salvation love these verses. They try to uphold their doctrine of “falling from grace” through not rightly dividing the Word of Truth in this portion of Scripture.
C. These verses teach just the opposite of “falling from grace.” They teach the doctrines of eternal life and the chastening of the child of God.
D. There are several things that cause these branches to fail to produce and be broken off.
1. Storms Often Break Branches Off
a) God is our stability and protection during the storm but we often fail to turn to Him and become discouraged. and dislodged.
b) Discouragement brings about dislodging and the branch is broken off.
2. Blight Often Destroys The Branches – Sin will destroy the believer and, if he or she does not confess and forsake it, it will bring about their demise.
3. Failing To Produce Brings About Pruning – Unfortunately, some branches are disobedient and are like the “suckers” that we pluck from the vines.
E. Notice several things with me:
1. These Branches Are Truly Saved – vs. 2 “Every branch in me”
a) They Are Branches – Born of the sap of the Vine. The sap is a wonderful type of the Holy Spirit.
b). They Are In Christ Jesus The Vine
2. These Branches Do Not Produce Fruit
a) They Have The Same Source As The Others
b) They Have The Same Capability As The Others
3. These Branches Are Taken Away – vs. 2, 6
a) They Are Taken Away Because Of Their Choice – vs. 6 “If a man”
b) They Are Taken Away By The Husbandman
4. These Branches Are Destroyed Physically – vs. 6
a) They Are Cast Forth By God
b) They Become Withered Because Of Detachment
c) They Become Burned By Men – Pruning is simply chastening.
Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
1. Chastening Is A Sign Of God’s Love – “whom the Lord loveth” It Is Done In Love And Not Hate!
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
2. Chastening Is A Guarantee Of Son-ship – “every son whom he receiveth” –It Is A Product Of Eternal Life!
2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
3. Chastening Is A Purposed Process – “if ye endure chastening” “corrected” –It Removes Sin’s Penalty And Restores Spiritual Fellowship!
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
4. Chastening Is A Progressive Process – “chasteneth…scourgeth” –You Can Turn Around At Any Time And Do Not Have To Continue In Chastening!
a. Chastisement is a valley of our own making. It is chastisement for sin. - James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
b. Chastisement is a valley whose depth is up to us. It is according to our sin. - 1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
c. Chastisement is a valley whose length is up to us. It is according to our hard headedness. - Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Chastening turns into scourging.)
d. Chastisement is a valley whose darkness is up to us. In other valleys you find God’s blessing while in this valley you find God’s displeasure. - Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
e. Chastisement is a valley whose results are up to us.
1) There can be continued and progressive punishment for sin.
2) There can be the restoration of the believer to a place of fellowship.
5. Chastening Is A Blessing – “it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” – It Is Positive In That It Produces Righteousness And Testimony In The Believer!
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
a. Chastening Removes Sin’s Penalty – (The wages of sin is still death!)
b. Chastening Restores God’s Power – (Sin causes a loss of power with God!)
c. Chastening Regains The God’s Victory – 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. (Sin brings about spiritual defeat!)
d. Chastening Renews God’s Favor – (Favor is better than wrath any day!)
e Chastening Revives God’s Peace – (Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.)
f. Chastening Re-establishes Worship – (Sin removes the worship of spirit and truth!)
g. Chastening Re-affirms God’s Word – (What God promises God delivers!)
h. Chastening Removes The Unrepentant! – (Sin’s end is still death. Do not err, my beloved brethren!)
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