The Person of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 2-13-2013

 

Colossians 1:15-20

 

Introduction:

A. The first chapter of Colossians predominantly centers around our knowledge of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest things that a pastor, evangelist, or missionary can do is exalt Jesus Christ in his preaching.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (In its context, this verse refers to the sacrificial death of Christ. When Christ is “lifted up,” men are drawn to his love and compassion. Salvation is so much more than a “fear” thing: it is a love “thing.” It is important to show Christ in light of John 3:16. That verse say, “For God so loved the world.” Saved people love the Lord.)

B. It is equally important for the Lord Jesus Christ to be “lifted up” in the sight of the saints within the local church. That same Christ who died for our sins continues to love us in spite of what and who we are. Chapter one spends much time exalting the Lord to the Colossian people.

C. Matthew 16:13-14 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (The world has no concept of who Christ is because of willfulness. As the liberal press covers who President Obama is and demonizes anyone who disagrees with him, so the “historians” do the same. Jesus Christ’s person has been preached throughout the world in the lifetime of the apostles. If the world recognizes Jesus Christ at all, it is still in the light of this statement in verse 14.)

D. Matthew 16:15-17 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Herein rests the profession of our faith: the child of God KNOWS who Jesus Christ is! We that are saved confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! I know whom I have believed and I know who lives within me. I did not change because I got a little religion but Jesus Christ changed who I was and am.)

E. Now, back to our verses: it is of the utmost important that the Lord Jesus Christ be “lifted up” continually before God’s people. It is the knowledge of Him that causes us to both confess and consecrate our lives in His service. These verses

1. In Jesus Christ, we see the Person of God. “Who is the image of the invisible God” Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (He is the express image of the invisible God. God is spirit. Man was made in the “image” of God. An image is a “likeness” so man is in the likeness of God. Jesus Christ is the “express image” of God. He is an EXACT copy! The manifestation of the glory of God is found in Jesus Christ. God’s glory is found in Exodus 34 as God passed by Moses (who was hid in the clift of the rock with God’s hand shielding him). Moses requested to see the glory of God and this is what God allowed him to hear on Mt. Sinai and to see over his lifetime. In Jesus Christ, we see every attribute of the Godhead.)

Exodus 34:6-7 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

2. In Jesus Christ, we see the Power of God. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him” Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 is an astounding, mind blowing verse. I often say that it is the most profound theological statement found in the Bible as we see God, with nothing in His hand, speaking this universe into existence. The Bible declares Jesus Christ to be the Creator of all things. We often hear the words “intelligent design” when referring to the universe’s beginnings but these are the words of unbelief in who this Intelligence is. We hear the words “the fingerprint of God” and the conclusions drawn are closer to who He is but the Bible is clear on the subject. Jesus Christ, Jehovah God in the flesh, created all things.)

3. In Jesus Christ, we see the Purpose of God. “and for him” Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Everything was created by Jesus Christ and everything belongs to Him. What a privilege to be His prized possession! All is His and He allows us to enjoy it all. I appreciate everything that I have. In the eyes of some, I have little but I can say that God has blessed me. My family, my friends, my salvation, my church, my home and possessions, and my eternal hope come from Him. All that I have is to God’s glory and I am grateful.)

4. In Jesus Christ, we see the Preeminence of God. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Jesus Christ is truly Lord of lords and King of kings. He is the Ruler and Potentate of the universe; He is the Head of the church; and He is the Lord of the saint. When you put Him first, it is only then that you find and fulfill the purpose for which you were made.)

The Blood Abel Offered

Temple Baptist Church

Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:1-5

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have studied this verse coupled with the biblical accounts found in the Old Testament of not only this verse but also the events leading up to Genesis 4.  I could continue to preach on this verse for a while but want to finish with it today, if I can.

 

B.  God, from the beginning of man’s sinful condition, COMMANDED AND DEMANDED that death be the “wages of sin” and blood be the price of redemption.  These two things have never changed.  Genesis of “Beginnings” is called the “seed bed of the Bible.”  Here, in Genesis 3-4, we find the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation: “God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God.”

 

C.  Abel, in obedience to God’s command, brought a sacrificial lamb to God and was accepted by which he was declared righteous.  Matthew 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

 

D.  Cain, in disobedience to God’s command, brought the fruit of his labors and was rejected.  You and I brought the first fruit of our labors this morning in the form of the tithe and that is a right thing to do, but Cain’s offering was not the “tithe” but his offering was for “righteousness” or salvation.

 

E.  God also established the blood covenant under the Law:  Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

 

F. Hebrews 9:11-26.  Concerning the shedding of blood for both atonement and salvation, God established two covenants.  Hebrews 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  (This verse contrasts the “new covenant” with “that of Abel” or the “old covenant.”)

 

G.  The blood of the first testament was of animal sacrifices which brought atonement or a covering of sin until the blood of the new covenant, which was the blood of Christ, brought about the remission of sin!

 

H.  I want to take a look at the blood of Christ this morning.  The blood of Christ is and has been under attack for a long time.  I want to take a biblical look at the blood and its eternal work of redemption for God’s children.

 

I.  I want to quote J. P. Morgan, a noted financier and multi-millionaire of an earlier American generation.  Before his death, he composed a will consisting of 37 articles and 10,000 words.  While Mr. Morgan had been involved in transactions involving millions of dollars during his illustrious business career, he left no doubt as to what was the greatest transaction he had ever made. In his will he wrote: 

 

 "I commit my soul in the hands of my Savior, full of confidence that having redeemed me and washed me with His most precious blood, He will present me faultless before the throne of my Heavenly Father. I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all hazards and at any cost of personal sacrifice, the blessed doctrine of complete atonement through the blood of Christ with regard to the believer's salvation."

 

J. P. Morgan recognized the priceless value of the atoning sacrifice of Christ's blood that was shed in His death on the cross.

 

The Blood of Christ

 

1.  It is God’s Blood.  It is the blood of God, though we do not fully understand this, which was different from our blood.  I can no more explain this statement than I can the conception and birth of Christ.  I just believe what the Bible says!  Matthew 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 

 

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (Jesus Christ’s conception, birth, body, life, death, resurrection, and blood were different from ours.) 

 

2.  It is Incorruptible Blood.  The blood of Christ was not subject to Adamic sin!   1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (Two things in these verses stick out to me: a)  It is not corruptible in nature   b)  It is precious  in the sight of God.)

 

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (According to the Bible, that same blood that Christ shed is still alive and available for the cleansing of the sinful.  That means it remains, not perished.)

 

3.  It is Presented Blood.  The blood of Christ did not run into the ground and perish but was purposefully placed on the mercy seat in heaven but our High Priest.  Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (As the blood of bulls and goats were applied to the mercy seat under the old covenant, the blood of Christ was applied to the mercy seat in heaven under the new covenant.)

 

4.  It is Eternal Blood.  Animal blood had to be applied often but the blood of Christ only once forever.  If it is incorruptible and precious (and it is), then it must be therefore eternal (which it is).  Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

5.  It is Saving Blood.  Our salvation is not through the death of Christ but through the blood of Christ!  Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  (It is of no wonder that the blood of Christ is under the same attack as the Word of God.  Salvation comes through faith hearing the Word of God and personal application of the blood of God.  There can be salvation without either!)

Are You Glad You Are Saved?

Temple Baptist Church - 2-6-2013

Colossians 1:12-14

Introduction:

A. At the moment of our salvation, a myriad of different things happened and all of them good. Aren’t you glad that salvation is positive in every aspect? With so many things, like taking medicines, you have good things and bad things that happen at the same time. With meds, almost all of them have the possibility of bad side effects, with the PROBABILITY that you will have one of them happen to you!

B. Nothing bad happened when you gave your heart and life to Christ! Much of what happened is beyond our comprehension but I assure you that it was all perfectly good. I will not take time to deal with all that I know but want to confine the message to the verses for tonight.

C. Paul listed several things here in these verses that happened to the Colossian believers and also happened to you and me.

1. God made us “meet.” Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Sinners became saints; ungodly became godly; unrighteous became righteous; dead became alive; aliens became children. “Meet” means to qualify. Accepted (as sinful and undesirable as we are) into the beloved. We have been gloriously placed into the most wonderful family on earth.)

2. God made us “partakers.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (We are partakers of the divine nature of Christ. Whereas we were natural men and women by nature of a sinful birth, we are now a spiritual people with spiritual desires through the new birth. Truly we are “new creatures.”)

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (We are also partakers of a heavenly promise. This world is not our home though we live here. We are in the world but not of the world and one day, but the grace of God, we will step on shore and find it heaven, finally home. We who deserve nothing are heirs to all things. All of heaven, all of earth, all of the universe belongs to us. )

3. God placed us in the “light.” 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

a. The light of salvation - Genesis 1:3-4 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (4) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. (The light of God’s’ salvation divides us from the darkness of this present evil world.)

b. The light of knowledge of God - 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (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. (Understand just who Jesus Christ is. The world has a worldly perspective of Jesus Christ while you and I understand His lordship.)

c. The light of the knowledge of scripture - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (The natural man does not understand spiritual truth because it is spiritually discerned. I have the Author living within me.)

4. Delivered us from the power of darkness. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Free, praise the Lord, free at last! Sin no longer has dominion over us.)

5. Forgave us of all our sins. Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (You ask me why I’m happy so I’ll just tell you why: because my sins are gone!)

Conclusion: We who walked in the darkness of sin and unbelief now walk in the light of holiness and faith. Our past is forgiven and our future is secure and heaven is our home. I would not trade this hope for anything!

Take Care Of Your Health

Temple Baptist Church - 2-3-2013
1 Timothy 5:23

Introduction:

A. While giving instruction to young Timothy concerning the proper way to conduct the local church, Paul gives him admonition not to neglect his body and general health while laboring for the Lord. While we need to “keep the main thing the main thing,” we also must not neglect to properly maintain balance.

B. In the realm of physical health, I guess you can fast too much as well as feast too much. Your body, like an automobile, must have fuel to run on. Paul elaborates upon one of the qualifications of a bishop or pastor: “not given to wine.” He instructs Timothy to “use” (not abuse) a little wine for health’s sake.

C. Paul was not speaking of fermented wine for obvious scriptural reasons. Many preachers allow for some alcohol consumption as long as one does not become intoxicated. I am not going to preach on alcoholic consumption tonight but will give a general reference to why Christians are not to use it in any form.

1. Wine is a mocker and makes you do things that you would not normally do.

2. Wine is not to be even looked at when it ferments or gives its color because of its beauty.

3. Wine is used as a means of taking advantage of people, especially women.

4. God pronounces a woe upon those who give strong drink to their neighbor.

D. Wine, or the “blood of the grape,” is good for the body. Until recently, doctors said it was good for the body and general health for one to drink alcoholic wine in moderation. Recently, they have changed that, praise the Lord, by declaring the alcoholic wine detrimental to one’s health and saying that grape juice was better for you.

E. Our general health is important to both our personal welfare and the work of the Lord. When sick, you cannot work or do the things that you like or need to do; you cannot effectively work in the Lord’s vineyard when your health will not allow you to do so.

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

F. How to take care of yourself.

1. Temperance is part of the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2. Temperance is to be added to your faith - 2 Peter 1:5-6 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

3. Temperance brings eternal reward - 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

1. Temperate in diet – Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (I am not on a “Halleluiah Diet!” People go one every kind of diet you can think of and the majority of them are not healthy. If you lose weight on one of the stringent, odd-ball diets, you will more than likely gain every pound back with interest when you get off of it.)

1 Timothy 4:3-4 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: ( Eating right things in right amounts helps to maintain good health. A few people do not eat enough or the right things which causes health problem but, for the most part, the opposite is the problem of most. My mother used to say, “Some people dig their graves with their teeth.”)

2. Temperate in labor – Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (God commanded man to work 6 days, not 7. Man was never intended to work all of the time. Work is a good thing; work is an essential thing; work is a commanded thing; but you can work too much. Many work to the neglecting of their family; others work to the neglecting of their Lord; others to the neglecting of their church and its work. All work and no play is not the way to go. Learn to have a good time and take a trip or vacation occasionally.)

3. Temperate in exercise – 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (Exercise profits but is not to be our main thrust in life. Some people are exercising crazy. I believe in physical fitness if done in a right manner. I still reap the benefit of running that I did in my younger years but also am reaping bad feet and knees from it. Bodily exercise profiteth little but it does profit! Young people, take care of your bodies for they will have to carry you a long way for a long time.)

4. Temperate in rest – Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. (People differ in the amount of rest that their bodies and minds require. I read once that the average person needs 8 hours of rest for their body and only about 4 for their minds. People differ here. I worked for years on an average of 6-6 ½ hours of sleep for years. I now require a little more. My next door neighbor in Kentucky was 96 years old and went to bed at sundown and slept until late morning. How to you know when you have had enough rest? When you wake up refreshed and can function the entire day, you have had enough rest. When you begin to toss and turn in the bed as a door turns upon its hinges, you are probably just too lazy to get up. J)

5. Don’t be too serious - Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (I certainly believe that we are not to go to either extreme: foolish jesting or never cracking a smile. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. I believe that our Lord was a man of laughter! Be serious but also temper that seriousness with a merry heart which produces a cheerful countenance. A smile can be contagious. It is a medical fact that people who laughs live longer. Learn to smile and laugh a little. It is contagious!)

Abel’s Last Sermon

Temple Baptist Church - 2-3-2013
Hebrews 11:4

Introduction: Hebrews 11 is often called “The Hall of Fame of Faith.”

A. Faith is Defined – vs. 1 It is not a “blind faith” but a compelling faith that has substance and gives hope. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith has been the agent of salvation from Genesis 3 until the present.

B. Faith is Declared – vs. 2-40 I want to look at the faith of Abel found in verse 4: "he being dead YET speaketh!" the legacy of the first man to ever descend into the grave. What legacy will you and I leave behind? The first man to enter into eternity died in faith, thus fulfilling God's will for all mankind: and is now eternally with The Lord.

C. I want to go back to Genesis chapters 2-4 and look at this man named Abel and the faith that brought him salvation and immortality in Hebrews 11’s “Hall of Faith.” After faith is defined, the first mention of such faith exercised is found concerning man's salvation. You cannot please God in any way until you come to Him by faith for salvation!

D. Genesis means beginnings and is called the "SEEDBED OF THE BIBLE." Genesis chapters 2-3 makes no mention of faith, saving or otherwise, but God set forth several principles in Genesis 2-3 that need to be mentioned.

1. The principle of obedience. (2:16-17) God commanded Adam to abstain from eating from one certain tree: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God gave Adam and Eve the “run of the garden” concerning what they could do which speaks of the liberty that we have in this world. There is so much to be enjoyed without tasting the “forbidden fruit” of our world. God is good to us in so many ways. God commands obedience for our good.

2. The principle of disobedience and its consequences. (2:17) God plainly warned Adam and Eve through Adam that the consequence of disobedience was death. That death was two-fold: spiritual death, which was immediate, and eventually physical death. The wages of sin were set forth in these chapters and have never changed.

3. The principle of man’s inability to cover his sinfulness. (3:7) Immediately after sin, something changed. Was it a covering of the glorious light of God or was it as simple as innocence lost? They KNEW that they were naked and were ashamed. They immediately tried ti cover their shame with handmade garments. The aprons of fig leaves may have looked good to them but, when God came on the scene, they hid because their nakedness was still apparent. Nothing can be done, humanly speaking, to cover the sinfulness of man.

4. The principle of initiation in salvation by God. (3:8-9) Man hid from God but God came to him! A seeking Savior had compassion on a willfully disobedience people. He let Adam know where Adam was with a simple question. "Where art thou?" Man will never be saved until he or she recognizes where they are spiritually with God.

5. The principle of sacrifice. (3:21) God slew an animal and, in doing so, did two things:

a) The blood of innocence was shed. That which knew no sin became sin for them: a beautiful type of Christ dying for sinners and bringing forth righteousness.

b) God made coats (not aprons) to cover the nakedness of man. They, like the people of our day, tried to cover the "necessities" but remained naked! This coat was a complete covering or atonement.

6. The principle of the coming of Messiah. (3:15) Though Adam and Eve did not know the word “Messiah,” they understood the principle of the Seed of woman. The serpent would bruise the heel (to wound) and the Seed would bruise the head (a death blow).

7. The principle of punishment. (3:14-19, 23-24)

a) Satan: To eat the dust of the earth. The only curse not removed in the Millennium.

b) Eve: The pain of child bearing and submission to the authority of Adam. Eve had “side stepped” the authority of Adam when beguiled by the serpent.

c) Adam: The curse of man’s hard labor, earning his bread by the sweat of his brow.

d) Mankind: The removal from the utopia that God had provided for Adam and Eve to live in along with the pain and sorrow of life along with an eventual “trip to the cemetery.”

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

1. Abel’s Sacrifice – “more excellent sacrifice than Cain”

2. Abel’s Salvation – “he was righteous”

3. Abel’s Suffering – “he being dead”

4. Abel’s Sermon – “yet speaketh” (A man once said, "It is so that every great man speaks to men. Being dead, they live; buried, they rise again; and they speak with more power after death than during life.")

F. Let us look back to the First Mention of “Offering” found in the Bible. Genesis 4:1-13 In chapter 4 of Genesis, we find the birth of two sons: Cain, the firstborn who was a “tiller of the ground” or farmer, and Abel, the second born who was a “keeper of the sheep” or a herdsman. In verse begins with “And in the process of time.” Not the “passing of time” but the “process of time.” Passing of time simply means that time is moving on, but “process” gives a different meaning. Not just the advancement of time but a development within the advancement of a time period. We often use the phrase “a work in progress” or a “process.”

1. At this point, we need to be able to read between the lines or should I say between the chapters. God slew an animal in Genesis 3 but gave no such command to Adam and Eve. God pronounces judgment and drives them from the Garden of Eden. Chapter 4 begins with “and” which speaks of continuation.

2. Now, we need to make a natural assumption that is based upon biblical fact: between the last verse of chapter 3 and chapter 4:3, God had to teach Adam and Even about sacrifice, salvation, and worship.

a) The animal killed in the Garden of Eden provided coats for their natural nakedness, not their spiritual nakedness. It is certainly a type complete righteousness but, according to the New Testament, only blood was sufficient for atonement for and remission of sin. In chapter 4, when Abel offered his sacrifice, there was neither mention nor need for coats of skin.

b) God certainly did not leave them to their own “devices” in the matter of atonement and salvation and there was no one else to teach them. Since chapter 3 made no mention of such sacrifices being made by Adam and Eve and chapter 4 showing the sacrifice, we understand that God had given to them a command to offer and worship along with the promise of the seed of the woman.

c) We must also make the assumption that Adam and Eve taught their children how to be saved and biblically worship. Other than the initial sin of eating the forbidden fruit, I find no flaws in the first couple or their childrearing.

d) We must also assume that they taught their children both the right way. Unlike today, there was only ONE way of salvation: faith in the coming of Messiah through the atonement of sacrifice. They looked forward to Calvary by faith as we look back to Calvary by faith.

3. Cain and Abel are now grown men, not children.

a) They had spent their childhood years in the home of Adam and Eve and under their instruction and care. I have no doubt that Adam and Eve were good parents because we find in the two sons were taught to work for a living.

b) Both farming and herding were hard, time consuming jobs. Because of their offering to God or worship, I have no doubt that Adam and Eve taught these two sons spiritual truth with Abel worshipping in a right manner and Cain in a wrong manner.

4. Somewhere in this “process of time,” Cain—as he became a man—began to change his spiritual or theological thinking. Jude 11 speaks of the way of Cain and pronounces a woe upon those who follow it.

a) In these verses, we find two kinds of worship in the sons: worship in truth and worship in error, or will worship. To the child of God, worship has a two-fold end: to glorify God and to enjoy God. Religion is much different in that it exalts man while soothing the conscience.

b) Romans 10 says, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Cain Worship is self-righeousness.

5. These two kinds of worship set up two very different genealogies:

a) The lineage of Cain, found in the end of chapter 4, established “Cain Worship” and is the ungodly line found in Genesis 6.

b) The line of Seth, which followed Adam and Eve, established the Messianic Line from which Christ cane. This godly lineage is found in chapter 5 and defined as the “sons of God” in chapter 6.

c) In these chapters, we find the setting aside of the firstborn who, in a normal sense, would become the patriarch of the family who was to lead spiritually as well as in everyday matters of living. We find this in the lives of Jacob and Esau, Ephraim and Manasseh, etc. Spirituality and salvation has nothing to do with birth order; it has to do with faith exercised.

d) In chapter 6 and following, we find the judgment of God upon a world of sin.

G. What was the message of Abel’s sacrifice that “yet speaketh?”

1. It Was A Message of Salvation – vs. 1-4 (Salvation never changes throughout the Bible.)

a. Abel Was Not Saved Through His Heritage (Both Cain and Abel had the same parents)

b. Abel Was Not Saved Through His Occupation (Both Cain and Abel had commendable occupations)

c. Abel Was Not Saved Through Religious Rite (Both Cain and Abel brought a sacrifice)

d. Abel Was Saved Through His Offering (Cain brought the fruit of his works – Abel the blood required by God)

1) God had respect unto the blood - Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

2) God had not respect unto the works - Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2. It Was A Message of Sacrifice – vs. 4 (Abel was a “keeper of sheep” and those little lambs were precious in his sight.)

a. He Brought The Firstling of His Lambs.

1) Shows His Affection For God. He loved God more than his sheep.

1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

2) Shows His Adoration For God. He offered to God the very best that he had.

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

b. He Brought The Finest of His Lambs.

1) The Lamb Was Pure - Exodus 12:5-6 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

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

2) The Lamb Was Precious - 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:6-7 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

3. It Was A Message of Sin – vs. 5-7 (Cain’s offering of works was willful and rejected.)

a. Cain Was Wroth With God – vs. 5 My mind goes to Revelation during the Tribulation Period.

Revelation 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

b. Cain Was Wooed By God – vs. 6

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

b. Cain Was Willful Toward God – vs. 7

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

4. It Was A Message of Suffering – vs. 8 (God’s people are hated by the world just as our Lord was hated.)

a. Cain Deceived Abel – “Cain talked with Abel his brother”

1 John 3:7, 10 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous…In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

b. Cain Despised Abel – “rose up against Abel his brother”

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

Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

c. Cain Destroyed Abel – “slew him”

Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

5. It Was A Message of Sentencing – vs. 9-13 (The reality of rejecting God’s salvation is an eternal one.)

a. The Punishment Was Unerring – vs 9-11

Proverbs 16:11a A just weight and balance are the LORD’S:

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Hebrews 10:30a For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.

Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

b. The Punishment Was Unbearable – vs. 12-13

Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Paul’s Prayer for the Colossian Church

Temple Baptist Church - 1-30-2013
Colossians 1:3-12

Introduction:

A. Paul was excited about a church that he had never visited and a people that he had never met! We live in days of jealousy and isolation. Churches of like faith are not our enemies! People of like faith are our brothers and sisters in Christ. The last time I heard, we were all on the same side and fighting a common enemy.

B. Now, for the sake of clarification, I do not mix and mingle with liberal or apostate churches! If a church is liberal or apostate, I do not associate with them. Separatism is an important part of the work of Christ. The division caused by liberalism and apostasy is one of their making, not mine. As Biblicists, we follow the Word of God and there is no place for variation.

C. Paul not only commends the church at Colosse, but also offers up prayers for it. I want to look at his manner of praying for those that he does not know that are “staying by the stuff” in light of often dire circumstances.

1. The Characteristics of Paul's Prayer

a. It was a prayer of thanksgiving. Vs. 3. For a local church of like precious faith located in another part of God’s vineyard. Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

a) The harvest is great - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (We cannot go to every part of the field because of both numbers needed and logistics.)

b) The labourers are few - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (We are few in number and the harvest is scattered around this world. It takes the effort of all to reach all!)

b. It was a prayer of constancy. Verse 3. Our daily prayers should involve the praying for others: those in bonds as well as those who labor in other countries, in other states, in our county.

2. The Content of Paul’s Prayer

a. That they would be filled with the knowledge of His will. Verse 9. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

1) In all wisdom – One of the great dangers to true Christianity is that Christianity is merely a system of truth to be believed. Christianity is much more than faith in a dogma; it is that faith in action that makes us like Christ. We may think right doctrinally and not be conformed to the person and work of Christ. Christianity is faith in action.

2) In spiritual understanding – “and with all thy getting get understanding” We can have action and conformity simply by following someone else but these actions alone become a source of problem. I have seen so many “conform” while in a certain church but, when they decide to leave, lose all “conviction” which makes that “conviction” simply a preference. Each of us need to know what the will of God is and make that a priority in our lives.

b. That they might walk worthy. Verse 10.

1) A life that is pleasing to the Lord. This comes from a realization of what Christ has done for us coupled with the knowledge that we are not our own, we belong to Him. Not pleasing to the church or pastor necessarily but pleasing unto the one who bought us.

2) A life that is profitable to the Lord. Spiritual growth is essential to fruit bearing. Babies have to be fed and cleaned but adults can care for themselves as well as others. John 15 give the progression of one “abiding” in the Vine: fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

c. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. Verse 11.

1) This brings about patience. I heard an elder pastor just the other day say that he quit praying for patience years ago when he found out that patience was a result of tribulation. We all NEED patience! Patience is essential to stability in suffering.

2) This brings about longsuffering with joyfulness. God’s power allows us to be longsuffering with others. Not only longsuffering but doing so with joy, not necessity. Being as gentle with others as the Lord is with us.

The Pastor

Temple Baptist Church - 1-20-2013
1 Timothy 5:17-19

Introduction:

A. As we study through the Pastoral Epistles, we see the inner workings of the local church. One of the most important aspects of the local church is the work and care of the pastor.

1. Very few churches fully understand the relationship of the church to the pastor, let alone the relationship of the pastor to the church. This relationship is reciprocal: a two way street. There are obligations on both sides.

2. There are very few churches who actually want a pastor. They are interested in a preacher whose responsibility is to visit and preach. Far too many church people do not want the pastor to have a place in their lives. The local churches are run by families and boards who make all of the decisions and see to it that the church moves in their desired direction.

3. There are very few pastors in our day. There are those who only want to preach and visit because they are looking forward to the day when they can step down and have their retirement. Then, they can just become an interim pastor in order to have a little additional income with no responsibility. The other side of this coin is made up of men who want to be dictators and have everything their own way.

B. Now, this is going to be simple tonight. We are not here to preach on the entirety of the pastor’s work or the total obligation of the church towards him. Paul sets forth these two things in the verses that we read:

1. The responsibility and work of a good pastor.

a. They are to rule well. 1 Peter 5:2-3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

1) Not because he is compelled to do so, but willingly. If he is God’s man, he will “desire the office of a bishop.” Just the other day, I told one of my sons that I want to remain in this pulpit for life. I want to be strong physically so that I can preach with passion; I want to be compassionate because my desire is to help you, not hurt you; I am not your pastor because God “made me do so” but because I would do nothing else. Willingly!

2) Not because I love to be paid for not working but of a ready mind. Excited about the prospect! I love to preach to and teach you. You cannot pay me to preach a sermon. I preach because I love what I am doing tonight. Some preach for money and retire because they can now live well without you. I have been asked often in the past couple of weeks the question, “Are you retired?” I tell those who ask that I am just now getting enough biblical sense to help people.

3) Not because I am a dictator. I do lead but I try to lead well, not in a self-serving manner. I also “take the oversight thereof” by not leading from behind. Many pastors find out what way the majority would like to go and then get in front of them. This is not my church neither is it your church. It is OUR church.

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

1) Find out what God says by “rightly dividing” the Word of Truth. I enjoy finding out what God said in this Bible, not constantly reading about what someone else said about it. I am not an enemy of reading but too often avid readers simply adapt their beliefs to the beliefs of the author. If these men would spend as much time in the Bible as they do in books about the

Bible they would undoubtedly know a lot more about the Bible.

2) Maintain and protect sound biblical doctrine. I maintain sound doctrine by preaching and teaching it. Doctrinal truth is often abhorred by those who feel the need to be entertained. I spend much time preaching through books of the Bible because it there that sound doctrine is found. Then I protect sound doctrine by not allowing anyone in this pulpit that does not stand where I stand because I stand right! They may get mad but that is their problem, not mine. If they were doctrinally correct, then they could preach here.

2. The responsibility and care of a good local church.

a. They are to honor him doubly. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

b. They are to care for him plentifully. 1 Corinthians 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

c. They are to protect him fiercely. 3 John 9-10 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

3. The testimony of a pastor is of the utmost importance. Much is said concerning the pastor being an example.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

a. The Importance To The Flock - Lends Credibility To The Message

b. The Importance To The Church - Lends Credibility To The Community

c. The Importance To Our Families - Lends Credibility To Our children

4. How to deal properly with a sinful pastor. Verses 19-21

a. It is to be done justly. Verse 19. “before two or three witnesses” Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (He deserves the same benefit of the doubt that the Bible affords to you.)

b. It is to be done biblically. Verse 20 “rebuke” Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Rebuke him sharply with the authority of the Word of God. God’s man is not above God’s Word.)

c. It is to be done openly. Verse 20. “before all” Ezekiel 33:30a Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses … (It is not something that needs to be discussed in either private among God’s people nor in public before the world. Too much of the church’s “laundry” is hung out on the “clothes line” of the world.)

d. It is to be done universally. Verse 20. “without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality” Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. (His position is not his protection. Church judgment of sin is to be done in equality. The pastor is to be disciplined by the same rules as every other member.)