And Sitting Down They Watched Him There

Temple Baptist Church - 3-15-2015

Matthew 27:1-37

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  So much can be preached from these verses concerning the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross but I want to key in on one verse, verse 36.  “And sitting down they watched Him there! (They observed but “Who Did They See?”  Who you see depends on who or what you are looking!)

 

1.  Who was this Man who died at Golgotha?  It is a question for the ages and can only be answered by the individual.  Was he just a man?  Was he just a prophet?  Was he the greatest imposter the world has ever known?  Or was He who He said He was: Almighty Jehovah God of the Old Testament in the flesh dying for the sins of the world!

 

2.  How you answer that question will determine your eternal destiny.  The chief priests and elders took counsel against Him.  Judas Iscariot sold Him.  Pontius Pilate washed his hands of Him.  The crowd reviled Him.  The soldiers abused Him.  One thief besought Him and was saved.  One thief railed on Him and was lost.

 

B.  There were so many kinds of people either involved in the judgment and crucifixion of Christ or bystanders who silently watched.  The word “watched” means much more than just seeing something.  It means to keep an eye on something or to observe something over a period of time.  Historical Belief vs. Biblical Belief.  Which one a person has makes all the difference between heaven and hell.

 

1.  Historical Belief is the acknowledgment that there was a Jesus Christ born 2000 years ago who was crucified on a cross.  All of Israel was familiar with Jesus Christ because of the miracles He did and the words that He spoke.  When it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, all must make a choice concerning who He is and these were no different.  Some believed and some did not!  Most who observed did so just to see what would transpire.  They simply sat down and watched Him there.  The end result of Historical Belief is an eternity in hell!

 

2.  Biblical Belief is the acknowledgment that God send His only begotten Son into the world to die for all mankind.  But, it is more than just that!  It is also the acceptance of that sacrifice as full and final payment of personal sin with heaven the end result.

 

C.  Who was He?  He was just exactly who the Bible said He was.  I will not take the time to deal with the Person of Christ because it is so involved that it would be a course in Systematic Theology but I do want to look at several things this morning.

 

1.  He was Jesus Christ!  Matthew 27:17  Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?  JESUS – SAVIOUR  CHRIST, n.  THE ANOINTED; a name given to the Savior of the World

 

a.  The Lamb Promised - Genesis 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 

 

b.  The Lamb Purposed - John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 

 

Revelation 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

 

c.  The Lamb Provided - Isaiah 52:13-53:12

 

(1).  The Submissive Lamb - Isaiah 53:4-7  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

(2)  The Silent Lamb - Mark 15:3-5  And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.  And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.  But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 

 

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

(3)  The Sacrificial Lamb - John 10:15-18  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

 

Matthew 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

 

(4)  The Satisfying Lamb - Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

 

2.  He was the Son Of God - Matthew 27:54  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

 

a.  The Beloved Son - Matthew 3:17  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

 

Mark 9:7  And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 

 

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

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

 

1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

 

3.  He was the King Of The Jews - Matthew 27:37  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 

a.  He Is King Over All The Earth - Psalms 47:2  For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. 

 

b.  He Is The King Of All Glory - Psalms 24:7-10  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.            Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. 

 

c.  He Is The King Of The Jews - Matthew 27:37  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

 

d.  He Is The King Of All Kings - 1 Timothy 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 

 

e.  He Is The King Of All Saints - 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. 

 

4.  He is the Lord Of Salvation - Luke 23:42-43  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  (43)  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

a.  Believe Upon The Lord - “said unto Jesus, Lord”  Acts 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

b.  Trust The Lord - “said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me” (I tried to win a man to Christ that I had gone to school with many years ago and He could never get away from his religion far enough to see that salvation was through the finished work of Christ and not the church or human merit.  I will never forget his parting words:  my “quest” goes on!  I told him that salvation was not a “quest.”  Salvation is a “REST!”  It is done; it is finished; I am saved!

 

Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Titus 3:9-11

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we come to the end of the Book of Titus, the last of the three Pastoral Epistles written by the Apostle Paul, he admonishes a young pastor to “keep the main thing the main thing.”  Paul admonished Timothy to preach the Word.  We are to teach and preach the Word! 

 

B.  Paul sets forth two areas that we need to keep a “spiritual eye” on.

 

 

C.  Now, let us look at the final admonition given to Titus by the great apostle.

 

1.  Foolish things to avoid.  Vs 9  Preach what we know and not what we thing!  In these verses, we find the reality—as we do a good work—of losing our biblical perspective.  The most important tool that we hold in our hand is the Word of God which brings about doctrinal purity when rightly divided.  But, you can go to the right church, carry the right bible, have the heart of a soul winner, and drift into doctrinal heresy.  Speculation is dangerous.  Foolish questions are questions that have no clear biblical answer.  2 Timothy 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

 

a.  For years, we have heard their “theories,” which are actually “hypotheses,” on a so-called gap in Genesis 1:1-2 and the sons of God in Genesis 6 being fallen angels who took women and had children which had to be half human and half angel.  These are only speculation and can both be easily disproved with scripture.  Stay away from hypotheses!

 

b.  Endless genealogies that gender questions.  1 Timothy 1:3-4  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

c.  Contentions.  James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  (We are family!  As far as I can discern, the enemy is still Satan!)

 

d.  Strivings about the law.  John 1:16-17  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  (Do’s and Don’ts.  We are not under law but under the grace of God and your relationship with God is between you and Him.)

 

Romans 14:7-14  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.  (8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  (9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.  (10)  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  (11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  (12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.  (13)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.  (14)  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 

2.  Fearful things to reject.  Vs 10-11  Paul deals with the reality of heretics within the church.  Guard against the infiltration of false teachers who bring in false doctrines. 

 

Acts 20:28-31  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.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 

a.  The infiltration of liberalism. 

 

1)  The presence of liberalism has brought about much doctrinal confusion in the fundamental ranks.  For too long, pastors and churches have put up with the subtle encroachment upon the doctrines of our faith by allowing false teachers and preachers to go unchecked.  Many of these apostates were men who once stood with us but now have changed their doctrine.  There is a rule that generally holds true:  fundamentalists separate while liberals infiltrate.  Let me explain this statement which, by the way, is mine as far as I know.  Fundamental bible believers will not set under unsound or heretical doctrine. 

 

2)  I am not preaching about the “crossing of the t’s and doting of the I’s.”  I am talking about major doctrinal error such as not standing for God’s Word (this is to reject all other “bibles” other than the King James and refusing to work with those who carry one but deny its infallibility and perfection), those who are off on the cardinal doctrines concerning Christ, the blood, the finished work of Calvary, the bodily resurrection of our Lord, etc.  At this point, all I can say is like it or leave!  This is who we are and this is what we believe.  The bible and doctrinal truth are not negotiable!  Those who do not hold to this truth will find no soft pew to sit upon at Temple Baptist Church!

 

b.  The political correctness of not exposing liberalism.  Naming apostates or separating from liberalism has become unpopular because those who do have been maligned for being too narrow minded.  When it comes to doctrinal truth, we are to be so narrow minded that a gnat can light on the bridge of our nose and kick out both eyeballs at the same time.  We are not to allow such men to come and fill our pulpits!  We are not to support missionaries who do not hold to this blessed old bible that I hold in my hand.  The “sword of division” in the area of doctrine is one of divine approval.

 

c.  Heretic: one who teaches something that is contrary, in opposition to, or contradicts the Word of God.  Schools, Bible Colleges, and Universities are becoming more and more liberal in their theology.  There are few Bible Colleges or Universities that still stand strong on the Word of God.  Some may teach from the King James Bible because of the fear of losing students if they leave the King James Bible but they deny that it is the only English bible and therefore, the infallibility of it. 

 

d.  We are to maintain and earnestly contend for the faith once delivered!  Those who leave the doctrines of the faith are subverted.  This means to turn around or to be converted.  You do not disbelieve the bible by studying the bible.  It screams of inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility.  You become liberal by listening to liberals!  We are to reject heretics!

The Cross of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Isaiah 53:1-12

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Isaiah, chapters 52-53, give us both a visual image and spiritual revelation of what took place at Calvary.  The Messiah, Jesus Christ, reject by His own and offered for the sins of the world.  These verses are fulfilled in John 3:16.  The Book of Hebrews gives another vivid description of the New Testament Altar of sacrifice which is a fulfillment of the Old Testament type.

 

Hebrews 13:10-15  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  (11)  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  (12)  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  (14)  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  (15)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

1.  Calvary is a place of Sacrifice - 10-12

 

2.  Calvary is a place of Separation – 12

 

3.  Calvary is a place of Identification - 13-14

 

4.  Calvary is a place of Worship – 15

 

B.  Calvary is the place where God sacrificed His only Son for Sinners -  The Roman soldier stood at the cross and said, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” – (Mark 15:33-39}

 

C.  It was at the cross of Calvary that we find the fulfillment of Genesis 22:8, “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”  The new version add the word “for” to precede “himself” but that changes the verse.  “For himself” indicates that God needs a lamb for Himself.  The verse is say that God will provide “HIMSELF” a lamb.  Jesus Christ is the “lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!

 

D.  There are many things that were manifested at Calvary and I will deal with just a few this morning.

 

1.  The Cross Manifested The Holiness Of God - 1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

a.  God’s Holiness Separated Him From Sinful Man  

                       

b.  God’s Holiness Demanded Sacrifice And Full Payment For Sin

                       

c.  God’s Holiness Demanded A Perfect Sacrifice For Sin  

 

2.  The Cross Manifested The Sinfulness Of Man And God’s Love For Sinners - Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

 

a.  God’s Hatred For Sin  

 

b.  God’s Love For Sinners

 

3.  The Cross Manifested The Remedy Of God - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

a.  The Willingness Of God To Send His Only Begotten Son

 

b.  The Willingness Of Jesus Christ To Suffer For Our Sin

 

4.  The Cross Manifested The Way Of Salvation - 1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

a.  The Purpose Of Our Preaching

 

b.  The Power Of Our Preaching

 

c.  The Prerogative Of Our Preaching  (Some believe and some do not!)

Divine Love

Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2015

1 John 4:7-12

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  One of the greatest characteristics of a saved person is that of divine love. 

 

1.  I am not talking about “natural love” for even the unsaved have love.  They have a natural love for their families as well as many other things in life but the love that we read about in these verses is a love that comes only through knowing the love of Christ.

 

2.  I am speaking about the love that belongs to God!  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.

 

B.  Divine love is an un-natural love! 

 

1.  Divine love can be comprehended only in the incomprehensible love of Christ!  It is known only in the unknowable love of Christ which “passeth knowledge!”  It is perceived only through the love of Christ that bathes the child of God each day.  His love, mercy, and grace go with us and before us. 

 

2.  Before I was saved, I certainly like people who went to church because I was raised around them.  They were, for the most part, good people but only acquaintances.  I went to church because I had no choice: I did not hate church but I had rather be somewhere else.

 

C.  When I was saved, things immediately changed!  I took my family to church for every service.  The people of the church took on a new meaning for me as, for the first time, acquaintances became family.  That new love was a divine one that came through knowing and accepting the love of Christ.  I not only loved God’s people but also loved sinners for whom Christ died.

 

D.  When mentioning the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, the first aspect of that fruit is love. 

 

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.  (When we become new creatures in Christ, one of the most amazing characteristics that we take on is that of love!  Isaac Carter used to say, “The things that once made me swear now make me cry.”  He was bad to drink and fight until he was 65 years old and then things changed when he gave his heart to Christ.  He was old enough to retire but still young enough to “refire!”  I remember him filling his shirt pocket with gospel tracts and going from house in a Clinton mill community called “Liddy City” where he lived witnessing to every person because they knew the old Isaac Carter and he wanted them to know that he was saved and a new man.  Love compelled him to be faithful to church, witness to his family, and bring fish and turtles to his pastor.  He got In!!!)

 

E.  Without charity (brotherly love), we are nothing! 

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  (We can know all about doctrine, be faithful to church, labor for the Lord, but without the divine love of Christ manifested in our hearts and lives, we become nothing but a hollow sound: “a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”  Too often, God’s children become pharisaical in their beliefs because the truth is not coupled with compassion. )

 

F.  I am so glad that the Lord loves us completely and in a right way!  We can never fathom the love of God that was displayed in John 3:16 where God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son!  When we begin to comprehend the love of Christ, it should become the constraining factor in our lives as believers.

 

G.  I want to look at some aspects of that love this morning:  how Christ loved us and, after our salvation, that same love radiates through us to others.

 

1.  Divine Love Was Manifested In The Gift Of Christ - 1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (Jesus Christ was love incarnate.  No man every loved as Jesus Christ love.  God does not only love or try to love: God is love.)

 

2.  Divine Love Was Commended At The Cross Of Calvary - Romans 5:8-9  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  (No man ever loved sinners as Jesus Christ loved them.  I find no place in the Bible where our Lord ever got angry with sinners.  He only got angry with the Pharisees!)

 

3.  Divine Love Was Believed By The Sinner - 1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  (A sinner will never come to Christ until he or she realizes just how much He loves them.  He died for the world but He died for me.  A personal Saviour and a personal salvation!)

 

4.  Divine Love Was Bestowed Upon Us In Our Sonship - 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (The love of Christ was bestowed upon us, not just given to us.  Bestowed is a strong word as it shows both approval and honor.  What an honor it is to be called a son of God.)

 

5.  Divine Love Was Shed Abroad In Our Hearts By The Holy Spirit - Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  (Now the love of Christ becomes evident in the new believer.  He now loves what God loves and his life is forever changed.  We know that have passed from death to life because of the love that is within.)

 

6.  Divine Love Is Perceived By The Saint - 1 John 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  (As we grow in the Lord, we comprehend more and more the love of Christ.  There is a song that says, “The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows!”  We become both satisfied with and secure in His love for us.)

 

7.  Divine Love Has Its Dwelling In The Christian Heart - 1 John 3:17  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?   (As we come to know the love of Christ, that same love becomes more evident in us.  We love what God loves: the Saviour, the church, the brethren, the bible, sinners, etc.)

 

Conclusion:  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  “Oh, how He loves you and me!  Oh, how He loves you and me!  Jesus to Calvary did go.  His precious blood to bestow.  He gave His life; what more could He do!  Oh, how he loves you!  Oh, how He loves me!  Oh, how He loves you and me!”

 

Remembering Who We Are

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2015

Titus 3:1-7

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Have you noticed how frequently the Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are and where we came from.  It is not a thing of self-worth or pride that causes He does this.  It is to remind us of who we were, what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us, who we now are, and how that we are to behave in this world.

 

B.  Sometimes, we children of God become proud of who we are and this causes us to:

 

1.  Think more highly of our selves than we should.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

2.  Compare ourselves with other who are less spiritually fortunate.  Luke 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 

3.  Send a wrong signal to this lost world causing them to turn away from Christ instead of to Him.  2 Samuel 12:14  Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

 

C.  In light of the times in which we live, we find several applications in these verses.

 

1.  Be ready to every good work.  Vs 1  Matthew 5:13-14  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

Be subject, obedient, and ready to make a difference! 

 

a.  We are the salt of the earth.  Salt gives flavor.  We are to leave a “good taste” in the mouths of men.  Too many times, we have allowed our lifestyle to be evil spoken of and justly so.

 

b.  We are the light of the world.  We need to allow our life and direction in life make a clear biblical path for the world to follow.  Religion, in our day, sends mixed signals as too many so-called believer have become politically correct.  We are to lovingly stand firmly on the bible!  We have no right to compromise what God has said.

 

2.  Live in a godly, loving manner before the world.  Vs 2  Matthew 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

a.  I have often said that we need to be “straight,” not “hard.”  The bible is a perfect standard and mankind is sinful flesh so the bible cuts to the dividing asunder in all of our lives.  Let the bible speak for itself.  There are times when we just need to quote it and then let it do the work.

 

b.  We are to love our enemies; pray for those who despitefully use us; be kind to the unkind; and when reviled, revile not again.

 

3.  Remember where we were when the Lord saved us.  Vs 3  Ephesians 5:11-12  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

 

a.  I think it not wise to spend time telling people what we were and what we did before coming to know the LORD.  I have heard so many preachers telling how bad they were and almost bragging on the sin that they once lived in.  We are not to even speak of those things done in darkness and this is not speaking of day and night.  It is speaking of the darkness of our lost condition when we were without God and His word. 

 

b.  When seeing people who are captive to their sin, our thought should be, “But for the grace of God go I!”  The Lord was a friend of sinners!  Love the sinner and hate the sin that brings them to destruction while realizing that we could be the one in that condition.

 

4.  Realize that what we are is because of God’s amazing grace, not our goodness.  Vs 4-7  1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

a.  Who we are is because of the amazing grace of God!  Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”  If you got saved later in life, give God thanks for the change of life that was wrought when He saved our souls from hell!  If you got saved at a young age, thank God that you have been spared from living a life of sin.  In either case, the greatness of our witness is found in the grace of God.  To witness is to tell of what you have observed and we know the change that God made.

 

b.  Not by works of righteousness which we have done.  We are to live in the light as He is in the light before the lost.  Not proud of self but pride in our Lord Jesus Christ who can do the same for any and all who will come to Him in faith.

The Trial of Your Faith - Trials and Perpetual War

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2015

Hebrews 11:32-40

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The true Christian life is a hard one spiritually.  The world hated our Lord and the world hates His children. 

 

1.  The true Christian life is one of constant battles.  It is one of self-crucifixion and cross bearing.  It is a life of reproach and persecution.  There is a song that says, “It’s a battlefield, Brother, not a recreation room; it’s a fight and not a game.” 

 

2.  Most professing Christians desire a life of no strife, but the Christian life is one of wars.  We fight battles WITHOUT!  We fight battles WITHIN!  Our Lord said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”  (Matthew 10:34)

 

B.  Wars are perpetual in nature and all are involved in one of three ways. 

 

1.  Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.  (The interpretation of this verse is that of the day of death.  No one can retain the spirit in the day of death and no one will miss that appointment.  By application, I want to note that there, for the most part, is no discharge during a period of declared war.  Men who did not get out of the military shortly after the end of WWII ended up freezing in Korea!  In our spiritual conflict, no one is exempt and no one is excused!)

 

2.  In war, you can be one of three things:

 

a)  A combatant – There is a possibility of Fruit

 

b)  A captive – There is a possibility of Fainting

 

c)  A casualty – There is a possibility of Failing

 

C.  Spiritual warfare is:

 

1.  Is Intense - Jude 3  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.  (Satan and the flesh give no quarter.)

 

2.  Is Intentional - 1 Corinthians 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.

 

2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  (Fight the enemy, not everything that moves!)

 

3.  Is Involvement - 2 Corinthians 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.  (You are in it, like it or not!)

 

4.  Is Important - 1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  (Our faith, family, and friends are at stake!)

 

5.  Is Intrepid - Hebrews 11:34  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight.  Turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  (It takes intestinal fortitude to win!)

 

1.  The Outward War - 2 Corinthians 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

 

a.  Satanic Powers - Ephesians 6:11-13  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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. (Identify your target – we do not want anyone killed by “friendly fire!”  Satan is the enemy!)

 

b.  Scriptural Perversion – 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;  (The enemy is both real and here!)

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.

 

c.  Slipping Positions - Ezekiel 22:23-31  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.  There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.  Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.  Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.  And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.  The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.  Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.  (I looked in the world and found the church.  I looked in the church and found the world.)

 

Isaiah 30:8-11  Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

 

Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 

d.  Sadistic Persecution – 2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

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

 

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.

 

2.  The Inward War - 2 Corinthians 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.   The greatest battles that we are face are ones with the flesh.

 

a.  Our Flesh - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  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.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  (Your own worst enemy!)

 

1)  The Heart - Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

2)  The Flesh - Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

 

3)  The Mind - 2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

b.  Our Fatness - Revelation 3:16-18  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  (Take your spiritual temperature!  Lukewarmness is a creeping enemy that affects all of us at one time or another.)

 

c.  Our Failures - 1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  (Like falling off a bicycle, you just get back on and keep trying.  Eventually, you will fall less!)