Stand Fast In The Lord

Temple Baptist Church - 9-5-2012

 

Philippians 4:1

 

Introduction:

A. Stand Fast! Ephesians 6:13 says, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” We certainly live in “the evil day” and have to withstand the attacks of Satan on every hand. The admonition to “stand fast” is a necessary one because everything is moving in the wrong direction and God’s people have become the “bad guys” in the midst of it.

B. These last days are days of great falling.

1. There is a great Falling away - 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (We are becoming more of a minority with each passing day.)

 

2. There is a great Falling down - 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (Personal failure has “shot holes” in our ranks over the past few years.)

C. These last days are days of great failing.

1. The Failure of society. Adultery has become an affair. Abortion has become pro-choice. Fornication has become free love. Cursing and swearing are no longer as offensive as they once were. If it feels good, do it has become the motto of the youth of America as well as the elder generation

 

2. The Failure of schools. The public school system has instilled their religion, humanism, into the children of America. These children are self-centered and situation ethics has become the rule of the day.

 

3. The Failure of families. Homes built upon sand will not stand the storms of this life. Homes are being systematically destroyed, leaving children “homeless!”

D. Not just “stand fast” but “stand fast in the Lord!” In order for you and me to stand, we will have to stand in something other than our own strength.

1. It will take God’s Power - Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

 

2. It will take God’s Grace - 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

 

3. It will take God’s Protection - Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

E. These Need To Be Days of Great Faithfulness - 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

HOW TO STAND

1. Stand Fast - Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2. Stand Praying - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

3. Stand United - Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

4. Stand Strong - Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

5. Stand Assured - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

6. Stand Rejoicing - Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

7. Stand Pure - 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

8. Stand Content - Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

The Qualifications of the Pastor

Temple Baptist Church - 9-2-2012

 

1 Timothy 3:1-7

 

Introduction:

A. The pastor is a called man! The two gifts to the local church are the evangelist (missionary) and the pastor-teacher.

1. Elder - This speaks of his wisdom and maturity.

2. Bishop - This speaks of his office as an overseer of the work of the church.

3. Pastor - responsibility to care for the flock and to lead them in the Lord's will.

4. Peacher - duty to boldly preach the whole council of God's infallible, inerrant and inspired Word.

5. Teacher - This reminds the pastor that he is to instruct those given to his leadership.

6. Servant - to devote his life to ministering to the need of others.

7. Steward - he is in the business of caring for the property of another: The flock of God!

B. In verse 1, Paul addresses the pastor’s call.

1. He Is A Handpicked Man - Desire

2. He Is A Highly Privileged Man - Good Work

C. In verses 2-7, Paul gives the requirements of the pastor’s character:

1. He is to be a male in gender – Goes along with chapter 2. If a woman cannot teach or usurp authority over the man, she cannot be a pastor.

2. He must have a desire – God places a desire in his pastors. I would do nothing else.

3. He must be blameless – Not sinless but without fault; innocent, guiltless, or not meriting censure. No man is sinless, but the Pastor must strive to be above reproach

4. He must be the husband of one wife – not one at a time! We understand this for several reasons.

a. Paul had already set forth this principle in Romans 7:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 7:2.

b. The Roman government had outlawed polygamy during this time.

c. There are no instances of polygamy being practiced in the New Testament.

d. The verse specifically says “husband on one wife!” This is reinforced in 1 Timothy 5:9.

4. He must be vigilant - Watchful; circumspect; attentive to discover and avoid danger, or to provide for safety.

5. He must be sober – serious minded and under control.

6. Of Good Behavior - This refers to an orderly life. The pastor must be a man who has his life in order. He is also orderly in his teaching and preaching.

7. Given To Hospitality - The Pastor must have an open door. His people, as well as those outside the faith, need to know that the Pastor will receive them and will reach out to them in Christian love.

8. Apt To Teach - The Pastor must be grounded in the Bible. He must be a student of the Bible, and be able to explain and apply the message of the Bible to those who hear him speak.

9. Not Given To Wine – this verse makes no reference to fermented wine but to the “blood of the grape!” The word “wine” must always be interpreted both within the context as well as with other verses.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Wine (grape juice) was something for the rich or for special occasions. God’s men are not to be “given” the pleasures of this life. It is not wrong to have a good time and to enjoy the things of life but the seriousness of the office of a bishop demands constant attention.

10. No striker – gentle in his handling of others. Not easily angered, wrathful, or vengeful.

11. Not greedy of filthy lucre - The Pastor must not use the ministry as a means of increasing his wealth. He is to be above reproach in the area of finances. He is also to preach regardless of monetary reimbursement.

12. Patient – not easily upset by problems or people. He is to be longsuffering and forbearing as many oppose themselves by their lifestyles and unfaithfulness.

13. Not a brawler – not to go around looking for a fight. I have seen so many preachers who spend much of their pulpit time fighting others on the outside of his local church. “If they had been here, I would have gotten them” makes for good “preaching to the choir!”

14. Not covetous – not having to have what everyone else has. I thank God for what I have: a nice but modest home, my newest vehecile is 9 years old, my four wheeler is a ’85 model and was given to me (I love it), my pickup truck is a ’90 with almost as many miles on it as I have on me! I am certainly not “knocking” those who have newer; I am proud of you but I have enough. I am not complaining about what I have because these things are wonderful and I thank God for them.

15. One that ruleth well his own house – children living within the walls of a pastor’s home are to be well behaved! The pastor’s wife is to be in subjection and not a “loose cannon” with either her tongue or behavior. If he cannot rule his home, he cannot rule God’s church.

16. Not a novice – he must be a man of experience, both spiritually and in the things of life. How can he advise when he does not have the experience that generates knowledge? He is to be seasoned. Otherwise, he will be lifted up with pride and, when you are on the “top of the hill,” there is only one way to go and that is down.

17. He must have a good report of them which are without – his testimony among his neighbors and within the town or community where the church is located must be a good one. They may not like him because of what he preaches but they must respect him for how he behaves!

The Local Church of the End Time

Temple Baptist Church - 9-2-2012

 

Psalms 134

 

Introduction:

A. While the Bible emphasizes the importance of the House of the Lord in the last days, the world minimizes it.

1. Psalm 134 is a “Psalm of the Night.” We all know that it is getting spiritually dark outside as the “night” of Jacob’s Trouble approaches. I am glad that I am one who is looking for the coming of the Lord and know what time it is on God’s spiritual clock. 

 

2. Less and less people in America, the Bible Belt included, find less time to go to church. Churches that were once filled Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night have suffered a serious decline in numbers.

B. I understand that many of these unfaithful members are lost but an increasing number of saved have become unfaithful. For a long while, Sunday morning congregations held their own though the evening and mid-week services suffered decline. Now Sunday morning services have empty pews that were normally filled.

C. There are numerous reasons for the “falling away” of the once faithful.

1. There is the sinfulness of our times.

2. There is the apathy of the Laodicean believer.

3. There is the enemy of covetousness

4. The love of worldly pleasures.

5. A lack of understanding of the importance of God’s house!

D. The list could go on but I want to key in on the last one this morning. Church is so much more than just sitting on a pew, singing a few songs, giving of the tithes, listening to a boring sermon, suffering through an altar call, and then going home just exactly the way you came in. Most people want nothing, give nothing, and receive nothing in church.

E. What you get out of church is what you put into it. Worship is not a spectator’s sport but an act of involvement!

1. We have gotten used to being entertained. So many go to church looking for entertainment instead of worshipping the One who died for them. Worship, though most often thought of as corporate endeavor, is actually an individual matter. 

 

2. Worship is the personal realization of God’s worth in your life. Worship can only be accomplished through holiness, spirit, and truth! Without all of these three, worship becomes “will worship” and, therefore, vainity.

F. This Psalm is written to a particular crowd.

1. It is not written to the religious crowd because they are spiritually asleep as the coming of the Lord approaches. Romans 13 calls for an awakening that has not and is not taking place! As our Lord told His disciples, “Sleep on,” so called Christianity continues to spiritually sleep in these dark days preceding the Rapture of the Church. 

 

2. This Psalm is written by application for those who are awake spiritually in these last perilous times. It is written to those who “stand” in the house of the Lord while continuing to obey the will of God.

G. In these verses, we find the spiritually awake:

1. Beholding – their eyes open to what is happening instead of sleeping through it. The “falling away” is in full swing; sin is both rampant and accepted; sinners are dying without Christ; and the “church” sleeps.

2. Blessing – blessing God that they are standing in that dark night! Thanking God that we are not a part of the apostasy that is so rampant even among our own churches. Not proud but thanking God for the personal knowledge of Jesus Christ that not only converted our soul but also controls our lives.

3. Standing – not ashamed of the Old Paths or the old ways! I am an old fashioned, biblical, fundamental, independent Baptist preacher! I am not ashamed of my Lord; I am not ashamed of my church; I am not ashamed of my Bible; I am not ashamed of my brethren; I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; I am not ashamed of holiness and right; I am not ashamed to not only be called a Christian but to also think and act like one; I am not ashamed of standing firm when the whole world is moving into a one world government and a devil worshipping one world church!

4. Faithful – by night standing in the house of the Lord. This Psalm is written to the faithful who still love the Lord more than life and that love is a compelling love. It is a constraining love. It is a constant love.

5. Worshiping – we saw in 1 Timothy 2 the lifting up of the hands of God’s people in praise. It is a right praise because it is done in holiness, not worldliness. We worship the Lord in spirit and TRUTH and spirit and truth without holiness is not worship! Our worship is not “insane” not is it unscriptural. It is adoration for the One who is worthy.

6. Blessed – only then is that blessing returned to us. As we stand and faithfully serve our Lord, He and He alone blesses us! Yes, life is hard in these times. It is a tough day to live for many. Satan attacks the true believer on every hand but I can raise my hands to God this morning and say with a clear conscience, “The Lord has been good to me!” I am not rich but I am blessed. I am not trouble free but I am blessed. I do not get all that I want but I have more than I need and I am blessed.

H. If God so emphasized the “assembling of ourselves together” in Hebrews 10:25, then it must be of the utmost importance in our personal lives. Here are just a few thoughts on the importance of going to Church. You see, the House of the Lord is a:

1. House of the Lord! Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (The church is God’s house, not ours. He allows us to assemble here for worship, fellowship, and service but it is His house and we need to treat it as such. Keep it holy instead of worldly; keep it clean instead of dirty; keep it orderly instead of confusion; keep it directed by God’s Word instead by man’s fickle feelings.)

2. House of Prayer. Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (The church is where we come to pray and pray often. We cannot pray too often nor can we pray too much. In God’s house, we are to “pray without ceasing.” During Sunday School, during the singing, during the offering, during the preaching, during the invitation, before each of the above and following the above. We open and prayer and we close in prayer. This is the “house of prayer for ALL people.”)

3. House of Contemplation. Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (We come to church to think about Him! We come to church to see Him!)

4. House of Satisfaction. Psalms 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. (I have spent the last 34 years of my life consistently in church and I have to say that I am satisfied! It is a joy to come to church and, though I often come empty, I leave full. I seek nothing to replace church with.)

5. House of Worship. Psalms 135:1-2 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. 2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, (It is a place or worship. A place where the Lord is the pre-eminent one and his name is glorified.)

6. House of Fellowship. Psalms 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. (Hebrews 10:25 says, “Exhorting one another.” It is a blessing, when I am discouraged, to be able to come to the church and see all of you!)

7. House of Offerings. Psalms 66:13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, (What a blessing to be able to tithe and give to missions! I enjoy making out our check each week as well as putting money in the offering plate during each other service. Giving is no chore to my wife and me. I feel that it is a privilege that God has given to me.)

8. House of Growth. Psalms 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (The Lord has spiritually matured me in church. I have grown from a babe to full maturity through a wonderful diet of God’s Word. The sincere milk of God’s Word leads to strong meat!)

9. House of Holiness. Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. (No foul language, no vile jokes, and no nudity! I don’t need to turn my head or cover my ears. I can invite people to Temple and not have to worry about what they will see.)

10. House of Testimony. Psalms 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. (I love to hear people get up and brag on the Lord. The Lord has been better to all of us than we deserve. We have an opportunity to brag on Him every service.)

11. House of Blessing - Psalms 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; (I have watched families for years and come to this conclusion: faithful families have their problems just like everyone else but God blesses them in the end for their faithfulness. Fruitful, fat and flourishing!)

12. House of Constraint - Psalms 122:1, 9 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD…Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. (People who get out of church almost invariably end up ship wrecked spiritually. They blame everything and everyone for leaving church but take their problems with them and end up a mess family wise. Remaining faithful to God’s house has kept me from giving in to the desires of the flesh.)

Walking After Paul’s Example

Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2012

 

Philippians 3:15-4:9

 

 

Introduction:

A. In verse 15, Paul spoke of the mature Christian being “thus minded.” In the verses preceding verse 15, he set forth some things that need to be sought after:

1. To Win Christ

2. To Be Found In Christ

3. To Know Christ

4. To Fellowship With Christ

5. To Suffer For Christ

6. To Be Resurrected With Christ

B. In Verse 16, we find the unity of desire in God’s children that are mature:

1. Walk By The Same Rule – a principle or regulation governing conduct or action. Laying aside our differences of opinion, likes and dislikes, we walk in agreement in the local church. Too many people are divided by things that do not matter. We are all different but on the things that Paul listed above, we are to be “thus minded.”

2. Mind The Same Things – In verse 17, Paul said, “Be followers together of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

C. I want to encourage and exhort every one of us to be the very best that we can be for Christ. In today’s “Christianity,” we have very few godly examples to pattern ourselves after. One of the greatest Christians of all time was the former Saul of Tarsus or the Apostle Paul as we know him.

1. He was great in his conversion – From Saul to Paul

2. He was great in his desire – He preached Christ at the risk of his life.

3. He was great in his fervency – He was bold and Spirit filled.

4. He was great in his walk with God – He said “For to me to live is Christ.”

5. He was great in his finishing – He fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

D. Paul was great in his example – Here, we come to Philippians 3:17.

1. The mature child of God is marked by a walk of obedience. We are to mark those who walk in obedience and walk with them.

2. The disobedient are also marked by their walk of disobedience. 3:18-19

E. The disobedient walk of the lost exposed in verses 18-19:

1. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ – vs. 18

2. Their god is their belly – vs. 19

3. Their glory is their shame – vs. 19

4. They mind earthly things – vs. 19

5. Their end is destruction – vs. 19

F. He told the Philippians believers to “be followers together of me.” Not just to follow Paul’s walk personally but corporately. The strength of the local church is the unity of the believers. “United we stand; divided we fall.” Let us look at what should be the rule or measure of our Corporate Walk.

1. The Rule of Faithfulness – When faithfulness is almost a think of the past.

2. The Rule of Fellowship – Fervent love that shows forth discipleship.

3. The Rule of Labor – In the same yoke doing the same work in unison.

4. The Rule of Worship –Rejoicing in both the good and the bad times.

5. The Rule of Actions – Let your light so shine among men!

6. The Rule of Faith – Remaining in the Old Paths wherein is the good way, finding rest for our souls in these last days.

7. The Rule of Prayers - For each other, family, friends, missionaries, souls.

8. The Rule of Holiness – If you think right, you do right!

9. The Rule of Obedience – Follow God’s man as he follows Christ.

Hell: The Hidden Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 8-26-2012

 

Luke 16:19-31

 

Introduction:

A. The Earth’s core is app. 11,000 degrees at the center as far as scientists can determine. Little is actually know (though scientists may disagree) about our inner Earth, so fact and fiction often run hand-in-hand. On the Science channel the other day I saw an hour program on the Earth’s mantle and inner core. They showed the molten liquid and told of the intense heat; they showed the inner core which is said to be solid where the most intense heat is but I saw nothing about hell. You see, they cannot see the inner Earth. It is impossible for man to send an instrument into heat that would liquefy the metal immediately so they have to give you their idea of what is there through animation. If they could see the mantle and core, they would see in to hell!

1. Most references to hell, outside of the Bible, are made in a jokingly or nonchalant manner. When I think of the world’s view of hell, I think of the verse that says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) Satan has done a good job of hiding the fact of a literal burning hell and many of his preachers have denied it for years.

 

2. As saved people, you and I also think little about hell. The reason is this: I’m not going there! Since I got saved, I have not dreamed of hell nor given much thought to it. We need to come back to the reality of hell because sinners are going there.

B. I am sure that the rich man in this story did not spend much time thinking about either hell or eternity and neither did those who attended his funeral. “and was buried.” I often pass our two mortuaries while going into town and see long lines of people waiting to get in to view the deceased and say some words of comfort to the family. While the 3 days of funeral activities are ongoing, the deceased is either in heaven or hell. While the people “buried” the rich man, he “lift” up his eyes in hell, being in torments.” Hell had become an eternal reality! The word “lift” has always caught my attention. If the Bible said “lifted,” then it may have been that the rich man, after a while, dropped his eyes but the word “lift” leads me to believe that his eyes may still be “lift.”

C. The subject of Hell is one that is rarely preached these days. For several reasons:

1. Because of the subject matter: no one likes to think of anyone going to hell. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy. It is not that we do not believe in hell because we know that it is as real as heaven. It is a horrible reality so we do not think of it often.

 

2. Because of the disturbing nature of the place. Hell needs to be preached upon but it is not my favorite subject. 

 

3. Because it is one subject that my finite mind cannot fathom. I cannot grasp either heaven or hell. They are subjects that are beyond the realm of human experience with repercussions that cannot be measured.

 

4. Because many preachers like their “jobs” and preaching on hell is not conducive to longevity in some pulpits. Many people do not believe in hell because God is a God of love. He is also a God of holiness and justice! Preaching on hell is not popular with the masses but is a necessity. Jesus said more about hell than He did heaven!

D. In our text, we find to real people. One is named and one is not. I am glad that I do not know who is saved or lost and do not know the name of this man who died without Christ.

E. I want to look at his place called Hell for a few minutes because we need to keep its reality fresh in our minds. Hell made a soul winner out of the rich man in this chapter and it should make soul winners out of us.

1. Hell is a Real Place. Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Jesus mentioned hell in our passage as a statement of fact. As “In the beginning God” was a truth to be proclaimed, not argued, so was the doctrine of hell. He did not ask us to believe in it, He just stated the fact of its existence.

a. Hell is not the fantasy of some religionist’s mind.

b. Hell is not a fear factor used by preachers to manipulate people.

c. Hell is not something to be joked about or made fun of.

d. Hell is a fact to accept. The One who said, “I am the truth” declared it.

2. Hell is an Eternal Place. Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

a. There is no possible escape.

b. There are no second chances.

c. There is no time limit.

3. Hell is a Terrible Place. Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

1. A lake of fire - Revelation 20:15

2. A bottomless pit - Revelation 20:1

3. A horrible tempest - Psalm 11:6

4. A place of everlasting burning - Isaiah 33:14

5. A furnace of fire - Matthew 13:41, 42

6. A devouring fire - Isaiah 33:14

7. A place of torments - Luke 16:23

8. A place of everlasting punishments - Matthew 25:46

9. A place where people pray - Luke 16:27

10. A place where they cry for mercy - Luke 16:24

11. A place where they wail - Matthew 13:42

12. A place where they curse God - Revelation 16:11

13. A place where they never repent - Matthew 12:32

14. A place of filthiness - Revelation 22:10,11

15. A place of weeping - Matthew 8:12

16. A place of sorrow - Psalm 18:5

17. A place of outer darkness - Matthew 8:12

18. A place of where they have no rest - Revelation 14:11

19. A place where they gnaw their tongues - Revelation 16:10

20. A place of blackness and darkness forever - Jude 13

21. A place where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched - Mark 9:48

22. A place where they are tormented with brimstone - Revelation 14:10

23. A place from which the smoke of their torments ascendeth up forever - Revelation 14:11

24. A place where they do not want their loved ones to come - Luke 16:28

4. Hell is an incomprehensible place but our lack of comprehension does not detract from its reality and ignoring its fact will not make it go away. Someone once said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I am glad that I will not have to go there but hell’s reality should be a motivating factor in all of our lives. Family, friends, acquaintances, and a multitude of people we will never meet are heading in the same direction as the rich man in Luke 16.

5. Hell is a Place to be Shunned. Mark 9:43-48 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (44) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (45) And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (46) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (47) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: (48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.