Exceeding Joy

Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2016

Jude 24

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Once again, we want to interpret this verse within its Scriptural context!  Verses 24-25 are called a Doxology: a public display of praise given to God.

 

B.  These verses are normally preached as “stand alone’ verses about the joys of heaven and, thanks to Cavalry, heaven will be everlasting joy.  Heaven will be a place of “exceeding joy!”

1.  The Exceeding Joy of the Lord’s Presence - John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 

2.  The Exceeding Joy of a Glad Reunion - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  (16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

3.  The Exceeding Joy of an Eternal Body - Romans 8:22-23  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  (23)  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

 

4.  The Exceeding Joy of a Perfect Peace - Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

5.  The Exceeding Joy of Heaven’s Place – Revelation 21:1-2  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 

Revelation 22:1-3  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  (2)  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (3)  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

 

C.  The list could go on because heaven will be “out of this world,” and I do say that with any intent towards irreverence.  Heaven is beyond the comprehension of our finite minds.

 

D.  Now, back to the context of earnestly contending for the faith once delivered.

 

1.  We found that the Lord is able to keep us from falling.  To give up the battle for Truth.  To forsake the Old Paths.  To become apathetic.  It is not in our strength nor is it something for us to glory in, it is “Now unto Him!”

 

2.  We found that the Lord is able to present us faultless.  If we earnestly contend for the faith, we will have done what we can and not be at fault for our generation.  Once again, it is “Now unto Him!”

 

E.  In light of this, I want to re-examine the phrase “exceeding joy.”  What is that exceeding joy in this verse?

 

1.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we stood fast!  It would be soooooo easy to just back off a little; let down a little; or to quit as so many others have.  It will be worth it all when we see Christ!

 

1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

Ephesians 6:13  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.

 

2.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that suffered for Christ sake!  Though we are rapidly becoming the “enemy” in America, we have suffered so little for the Lord’s sake.  Looking back through the history of the church, we see the horrific price paid for their confession of Christ Jesus as Lord!

 

Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

3.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that left a good path to follow!  I have too often see families with children out of God’s will and when the children try to come home spiritually, they find out that dad and mom have “sold the farm” spiritually.

 

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

4.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we finished our race!  Each of us has a race to run.  The Lord knows what course it is that we will run.  He knows every pitfall, our uprisings, and our down sittings.  He understandeth our thoughts afar off. He knows the end from the beginning.  He is with us and for us.  Stay the course and finish right.

 

2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

5.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we will get a well done!  We have heard much about the Olympics this past couple of weeks and have seen our Gold Medal winners cry with pride as they placed the medal around their necks and played our national anthem.  Can you just imagine what it will be like when we see Christ and He says “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of the Lored.”

 

Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

6.  The Exceeding Joy of this verse is that we will have a crown to cast!  We are not worthy to wear them because, if we have done anything or been anything, it is all because of Christ.  Just to take those crowns that we have won and lay them at the feet of our beloved Lord who alone is worthy to wear them.

 

Revelation 4:10-11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The Importance Of Reading God’s Word

Temple Baptist Church - 8-14-2016

1 Thessalonians 5:27

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In our verse for tonight, we find Paul not only stressing the importance of reading the Word of God to all of the people but command such reading.  “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”  The word charge means a responsibility or trust.

 

B.  Paul also gave a similar charge to the Church of the Colossians but add that they also read an epistle written to the Laodicean Church. 

 

Colossians 4:16  And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

 

C.  Paul, when writing to Timothy in one of the Pastoral Epistles—1 Timothy, gave command that attendance to reading was equally important with exhortation and doctrine. 

 

1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

 

D.  In the Revelation, John recorded the words of Christ which commanded that all of the letters (chapters 2-3) written to each of the 7 churches of Asia Minor be read by all of the 7 churches. 

 

Revelation 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

 

E.  The command and practice of reading God’s Word was prevalent in the Old Testament as well.

 

Deuteronomy 17:18-20  And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:  (19)  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:  (20)  That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

 

Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 

Psalms 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

Psalms 119:97-98  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  (98)  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

 

F.  We could continue to look at various verses of Scripture but I want to look at the importance of reading God’s Word, both publicly and privately.

 

1.  The Word of God tells us of Christ Jesus and how to be saved.  John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

 

2.  The Word of God is essential to the establishment of sound doctrine.  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.

 

3.  The Word of God shows the believer the right path of life.  Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

4.  The Word of God will keep the believer from sinfulness.  Psalms 119:9-11  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  (10)  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  (11)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 

5.  The Word of God will help to discern between right and wrong spirits.  1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

6.  The Word of God gives wisdom to the believer.  Proverbs 2:6-7  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  (7)  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

 

7.  The Word of God convicts the believer of sin.  Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

8.  The Word of God brings the believer to spiritual maturity.  2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

9.  The Word of God gives encouragement to the believer.  Romans 15:4-5  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  (5)  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

 

10.  The Word of God chastens the believer.   Revelation 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 

11.  The Word of God helps the believer to withstand and, having do all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:14, 17  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness … (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

12.  The Word of God leads the believer in His walk with God.  John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

Psalms 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Beatitudes - Part 1 - Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

Temple Baptist Church - 8-14-2016 

Matthew 5:1-3

Introduction: 

A.  Like most of the Bible, this portion of Scripture was not written to the multitudes (the lost) but to His disciples, the saved. 

1.  The unsaved cannot grasp spiritual truth that is in the Word of God because it is spiritually discerned. 

2.  The unsaved, through the preaching of the gospel and the illumination of the Holy Ghost can be saved but understanding the Bible requires the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

B.  I want to take a short look at what we call the Beatitudes: a condition or statement of blessedness. Blessedness is often in spite of circumstances!  Blessedness is realization, not circumstances.

1.  I have seen or heard where some have substituted the word happy for the word blessed.  This is a cardinal mistake!  Happiness is contingent upon happenings. 

2.  You can be blessed and not be happy.  We are truly blessed if we are happy or not.  We can be down in the dumps so to speak and yet be blessed with food, shelter, clothing, etc. at the same time.

3.  You can be blessed and not be rich.  If money is your pursuit of happiness, you will find that it will not bring fulfillment in your life.  Is money important?  Not as important as this world would have you believer.

4.  You can be blessed and not be well.  I hate to see people sick and do not like to be sick personally but spiritual blessedness has nothing to do with physical wellness.

5.  These Beatitudes were meant to bring quietness to a disquieted soul!  The apostles were tired:

a)  Because of the multitudes who followed them!

b)  Because of the Pharisees, Sadducees, lawyers, and scribes who constantly persecuted them!

c)  Because of the poor conditions in which they lived: their pillow was a stone and they had to glean in the fields to eat!

6.  Psalms 46:1-4, 10  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  (3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (4)  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High … (10)  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

C.  What is “poor in spirit?”  Poor in spirit does not mean a lack of spirit or a worthless spirit. 

Luke 14:10-11  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  (11)  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himselfshall be exalted.

1.  “Poor in spirit” has to do with humility before God.  It means humility instead of haughtiness.  1 Peter 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

2.  “Poor in spirit” has to do with submission to God.  Philippians 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

3.  “Poor in spirit” has to do with contentment with God.  Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

4.  “Poor in spirit” has to do with thanksgiving toward God.  1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

D.  The poor in spirit:

1.  The poor in spirit Understand the grace of God.  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men …  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!”  So many professing Christians never grasp the necessity or the fullness of the grace of God.  To the child of God, it is all of grace!  I thank the Lord every day that He loves me in spite of me. Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

2.  The poor in spirit Understand just how precious Christ is.  They are blessed!  “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious!”  Christ not only gives us life; He is our life!  He has not only given to us eternal life, He has given to us life more abundant. Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

3.  The poor in spirit Understand the value of the Bible and the importance of spiritual nourishment. What a wonderful gift the Lord gave us with “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”  Thank God for those who have faithfully published it!  1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

4.  The poor in spirit Understand the price paid at Calvary for their redemption.  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends!”  Oh what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon the child of God!  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:

5.  The poor in spirit Understand their indebtedness to the lost.  “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee!”   The saved may not be able to feed the world but they have the power to free the world!  Romans 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

6.  The poor in spirit Understand that true riches are eternal, not temporal.  “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you!”  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen aretemporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

7.  The poor in spirit Understand that this world is not their home. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims!”  This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thorugh.   Hebrews 11:8-10  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  (9)  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  (10)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Faultless - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 8-10-2016

Jude 24-25

Introduction

A.  Last week, we looked at this verse in the light of the context which is earnestly contending for the faith once delivered.  We do not want to be “falling” or moving from our biblical position and we want to remain “faultless” in these last days by continuing to win souls, support missions, and steadfastly walk in the “old paths” that were paid for with such a high price.

B.  By application, there are 2 kinds of righteousness that I want to mention:

1.  The Righteousness of the Law.  The self-righteousness of fallen man in his sinful state which is moral goodness or kindness. 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Galatians 3:10-13  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

2.  The righteousness of God which is the absolutely impeccable, immutable holiness of God which must be imputed to man for salvation as man has never and will never be able to be sinless or good enough to be saved!. 

Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:21-23  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  (23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

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.

James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

C.  One of the most misunderstood of all doctrines is the doctrine of Eternal Life and that life is found only IN Christ! 

1 John 5:11-13  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  (13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Titus 3:4-7  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  (5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  (6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  (7)  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

D.  The mistake is not knowing the difference between relationship and fellowship.  The Bible makes a plain distinction between the believer's position in Christ and his practice for Christ.

1.  The believer’s Position is in Christ.  It is instantaneous, secure, and—therefore—eternal. 

2.  The believer’s Fellowship is found in Practice.  It depends upon our moment by moment walk with Christ.  Can the believer sin?  Yes!  Can the believer then be lost?  No!  Salvation is a finished work and depends upon what Christ did and not what the believer does.

E.  Let me give you a few things that the Bible says about who and what we that are saved are.

1.  We have been purchased by Christ, bought by Christ, sanctified by Christ, cleansed by Christ, received by Christ, perfected in Christ, secured by Christ, and will be one day presented to Christ by Christ.

2.  He took our sins, in Him is no sin, we are in His body in which is no sin, in His righteousness, and in His faith.

3.  We have everlasting life, eternal life, full assurance, strong consolation, and hope.  We have been forgiven, justified, sanctified, reconciled, risen with Christ.

4.  We are accepted in the beloved, saved from the penalty of sin, citizens of heaven, children of light, elect, peculiar, and born again.

5.  We have passed from death unto life, shall never perish, never die, have peace with God, saved from the wrath to come, cannot be separated from the love of Christ, are children of God by faith, confirmed until the end, a new creature, and sealed by the Holy Ghost until the day of redemption.

6.  We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, made fit for heaven, complete in Him, and perfected forever.   We are a part of the family of God, in the body of Christ, filled with all spiritual blessings, and shall be translated into the kingdom of His Dear Son.

7.  We have access to God, eternal redemption, eternal glory, everlasting consolation, a Propitiation, an Advocate with the Father, an Intercessor, a High Priest, and a returning Lord. 

             

8.  Our sin is past, God’s wrath is gone, we have been made free, and there is now no condemnation.  We are predestinated to be conformed to the image of God, are joint heirs with Christ, and have an everlasting reward.   We have an incorruptible inheritance and a glorious liberty in Christ Jesus.

                       

9.  You see, we are and will be presented faultless before the throne of His presence with exceeding joy!  Not because of anything that we have done but because of a finished work on Calvary.  He is our Sacrifice, our Saviour, our Salvation, our Lord of lords and King of kings.  His our God!

                       

10.  What a blessing to be saved and know it!