Suffering Wrongfully

Temple Baptist Church - 6-14-2017

1 Peter 2:19-24

Introduction:

A.  In important part of spiritual growth is understanding that life is hard and those who live godly will suffer wrongfully at times.  In the realm of nature, life is hard; life is often unfair!  Life is hard enough in the natural realm but, because of the new birth, there comes spiritual persecution. 

B.  These “strangers scattered” did not understand their plight and neither do most of us.  We have the idea that, after we are saved, everything will work out fine for us.  Peter is trying to help them in their spiritual growth.

C.  There are two words that I want to look at that give spiritual light on both the reality of suffering and our attitude during suffering.

1.  Thankworthy – worthy of being thankful for. 

2.  Conscience – conscious of, consider, perception, or informed.  To understand what has happened.

1.  We are to be mindful in suffering.  (Thank the Lord every day for what He suffered for us!)

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

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.  (11)  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.

a.  Christ suffered wrongfully for us. 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. 

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

b.  Christ suffered willingly for us.  Hebrews 12:1-3  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (3)  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Philippians 2:7-8  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

c.  Christ suffered woefully for us.  Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:  (Our Lord “set the bar” for suffering as He suffered for us.

2.  We are to be patient in suffering. 

a.  We suffer wrongfully for Him.  1 Peter 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

b.  We suffer willingly for Him.  Hebrews 13:12-14  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.

c.  We suffer woefully for Him.  Matthew 5:10-12  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (11)  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.  We are to be thankful in suffering.  Acts 5:40-42  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  (41)  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.  (42)  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Maintaining A Godly Testimony

Temple Baptist Church - 6-11-2017

1 Peter 2:11-20

Introduction:

A.  In these verses, which I have preached on for two weeks previously, we find the commandment of testimony before the lost.  I once read where someone said that “A life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.”

2 Corinthians 3:2-3  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:  (3)  Forasmuch as ye aremanifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

B.  In verse 11, Peter addresses the situation of the readers: “I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims.” 

1.  Strangers – to not belong, foreigners or aliens.

2.  Pilgrims – a foreigner who resides in a strange place but whose citizenship is in another country.

C.  These were actual foreigners residing in a land in which they did not belong.  We are spiritual foreigners who were born here but have our citizenship in heaven.

D.  Peter speaks of our living honestly before the lost.  Honesty is much more than just being good citizens.  By application and context, it is our Christianity lived before the world.

E.  We are to abstain from fleshly lust that war against the soul and to be law abiding citizens.

F.  I want to look at the rest of the context tonight.  Living a good testimony before the lost speaks of:

1.  Honoring all men.   Verse 17.  To treat with respect.  To do unto others as you would have others do unto you.  Regardless of social status, race, religion, or any other difference.  God made all men; God loves all men; Jesus died for all men and would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  Be respectful and kind to others.

2.  Love the brotherhood.  Verse 17.  This should come natural to God’s children as the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost BUT, too often, we get out of sorts with others.  What a terrible testimony before the lost!  They hear of the church fights, church splits, and running the preacher off.  Charity covers a multitude of sin!

3.  Fear God.  Verse 17.  Self-explanatory!  If we fear God, everything else falls into place spiritually.  Just a reminder that God knows our thoughts afar off.  Light and darkness are the same with Him.

4.  Honour the king.  Verse 17.  Honor him by praying for him!  If you want your country to change, do something about it.  Prayer does change things.

5.  Be a good servant.  Verse 18.  Be a good servant to good bosses and bad ones.  You get paid for working so do the best that you can to be a good worker.

Conclusion:  It is easy to have a great testimony when things go well and you are around likeable people.  The lost watch us when troubles and tough times come because it is then that our light can shine the brightest.

Peace Be Unto You

Temple Baptist Church - 6-11-2017

John 20:19-29

Introduction:

A.  This past week, I went to the South Carolina Baptist Fellowship at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Ora.  I greatly enjoyed the messages preached and will “Johnstonize” some of them.  This morning, I want to preach along the same lines that Dr. Melvin Aiken preached along.

B.  We find the familiar story of one of the post resurrection appearances of our Lord to His disciples.  Gotta love this!  The Lord showed up for the evening service!  “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week.”  That will preach.

C.  Thomas decided, for whatever reason, to miss the evening service and missed seeing his Lord.  The disciples were heartbroken over the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and His visit was no doubt a great encouragement.

D.  The Lord repeated this same phrase 3 times in our text.  This is important and needs to be looked at closely.  Each time, He extended His peace to them.  Peace is an important part of the well-being of the child of God.

E.  Twice in a brief period just prior to His crucifixion, our Lord spoke of peace to the disciples.  By way of introduction, I want to look at these two coupled with two more.

1.  The Promise of Peace - John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (The promise of peace is given to each child of God as our Lord will never leave nor forsake us.)

2.  The Responsibility of Peace - John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (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.  (4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  (Peace is available and, therefore, up to us to maintain.)

3.  The Foundation of Peace - Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:  (The foundation of peace is a settled trust in the Lord.  Proverbs 3:5-6.)

4.  The Ruling of Peace - Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  (To rule means to have complete control.)

F.  Let us look at these three times our Lord spoke peace to the disciples. To show the availability of God’s Perfect Peace in every area of our lives.  God promises peace, God dispenses peace, but we choose peace.

1.  He spoke peace to them in their Fears.  Verse 19.  “When the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews.”

a.  This was a fearful time for the disciples and the early church.  Their “Rock,” the Lord Jesus Christ was taken away from them and crucified. 

b.  They feared that the Jews would come for them next.

c.  As God’s children, we have times when we are afraid.  In times of sickness, financial dilemmas, family problems, and as we look at the world in which we live and our children—grandchildren must remain live in.

d.  There are times when we are fearful.  God wants us to have His Peace in times of troubles.

2.  He spoke peace to them in their Frustrations.  Verse  21.  “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

a.  They still did not completely understand all that had transpired.  As with most of the Jews, their thought was that the Lord would always remain with them physically.

b.  The Lord had given to them the Great Commission but now they had to do it, as far as they knew, by themselves.  Everything was “turned upside down.”

c.  There are times in the Christian’s life when things go wrong.  Times when evil seemingly prevails.  Times when we are not sure of either the path before us or even the next step.

d.  There are times when we become frustrated.  The Lord wants us to have His Peace in those times when we do not understand.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

3.  He spoke peace to them in their Faithlessness.  Verse 26.  “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them.”

a.  Thomas had been hurt spiritually.  The Bible is not clear as to why he waited 8 more days before coming but I am relatively sure that he was discouraged over the events that had taken place. 

b.  When the other disciples told what had happened the last Lord’s Day, he said that he would not believe.

John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

c.  There are times when our faith begins to waver.  “When ahead I see a chasm wide,” the song writer said.  We cry, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Servanthood

Temple Baptist Church - 6-4-2017

Romans 1:1

Introduction:

A.  Paul beings his salutation with a couple of titles: one given to him by God, and apostle, and the other given by himself, a servant of Jesus Christ.  I want to deal with the latter for a few minutes.

B.  Being an apostle was of the utmost importance but Paul’s apostleship was based upon his willingness to be a servant of Jesus Christ.  Paul knew that Biblical Salvation brought about obligation in service.  “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

1.  Paul was a true servant in his salvation.  Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

2.  Paul did not miss his appointments.  Acts 22:10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.  (Interesting verse!  If Paul had gotten saved and did not serve, he would have miss the work that God had for him and it may not have gotten done.)

3.  Paul remained a true servant in his life.  Philippians 1:20-23  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

4.  Paul both kept and accomplished what God had for him.  2 Timothy 4:6-7  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  (7)  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

C.  Our understanding of servant is nothing like the word in the time of this writing.  When we think of a servant, we think of someone we hire to keep house, mow the lawn, etc.  A servant, in the biblical sense, is a bond slave.  To fully understand what Paul was saying, we need to go to Exodus, chapter 21.

D.  Let us read verses 1-6.  Exodus 21:1-6  Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.  (2)  If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.  (3)  If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.  (4)  If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.  (5)  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:  (6)  Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

1.  Servanthood is a Purchased Destiny. vs. 2 “If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve”

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 7:21-23  Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.  (22)  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.  (23)  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.  (Paul never got over what the Lord did for him on the Damascus Road.)

2.  Servanthood is a Personal Decision. vs. 2b “and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing”

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Nobody can make you serve him; you can go out free if you want to.  You are free.)

3. Servanthood is a Plain Declaration – vs. 5 “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free”

John 15:9-10  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  (10)  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (Being a bond servant is based upon one’s love for the Master!)

4. Servanthood is a Public Display – vs. 6a “Then his master shall bring him unto the judges”

1 Peter 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  (Bond servants are not ashamed of their Masters!)

5. Servanthood is a Permanent Distinction – vs. 6b “Then he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.”

Galatians 6:15-17  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  (16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace beon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  (17)  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  (There will be the personal of a mark on the ear and a permanent mark on the door, the place of surrender.)

Loving Your Church

Temple Baptist Church - 6-4-2017

Ephesians 5:25-33

Introduction: 

A.  Hebrews 10:25-27 are possibly the most quoted verses concerning church attendance and has been normally been preached as a negative. 

1.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “As the manner of some is.”  The word manner means a custom or habitual practice.  There are so many people who professed to be saved that have no desire to be faithful to the local church. 

2.  We have a good nucleus here at Temple.  I want to encourage the “as the manner of some is” this morning to get in.  I also want to encourage the faithful to stay in. Many of the unfaithful were once faithful. 

  

B.  There has been a great forsaking of the assembling in the past few decades with many in America unchurched. 

1.  Our nation if following the same path as England and Europe: the path of godlessness which always leads to ungodliness. 

2.  The faithful few that make up the nucleus of the local church have become fewer in number, especially Sunday and Wednesday night crowds.  Few want any time of “extra” services such as revival meetings or mission conferences.

C.  Psalms 84:10 is in direct contrast to the end time professing Christian. 

Psalms 84:1-10  How amiable (no love of church) are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  (2)  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD (no longing for church): my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God (no desire for God).  (3)  Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.  (4)  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee (no blessing or praising the Lord). Selah.  (5)  Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.  (6)  Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.  (7)  They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.  (8)  O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.  (9)  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  (10)  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God (no love of service in the church), than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

D.  With some, it is a salvation problem. 

1.  In the Bible, when people got saved, they assembled!  I thank God that, when we got saved, Barbara and I “got in!”  We have been faithful to church for over 40 years! 

2.  With others, it is the problem of worldliness.  These have the love of Ephesus, the deadness of Sardis, and the apathy of Laodicea.  As Demas forsook Paul, having loved this present world, people of our day forsake the church.

E.  With many, it is a leaving your “first love” problem.  This morning, I want to encourage you to love your church!  Make it a major part of your life.  What a privilege it is to come to church!  What a blessing to be able to come to church!  What a benefit to be able to come to church!

Why should you love the Church:

1.  It Is The Place That God Loves - Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.  (Jesus Christ died for the Church!  He gave His life for that which He loves.  Truly, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  When you get saved, you should love what God loves!)

2.  It Is The Place Of Worship - Psalms 5:7   But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.  (You can and should worship anywhere but the church house is a special place.  It was a place built to worship in.  You can come here and sing as loud as you please; you can say “Amen” or shout “Glory to God;” you can give your tithe and offerings scripturally in God’s house.  What a blessing!)

3.  It Is The Place Of Preaching And Teach God’s Word - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (You probably know it by now but I love this blessed old King James Bible that I hold in my hand.  We can read it at home; We can study it at home; but here in the house of the Lord, men of God preach like they know what they are preaching about!  I rejoice with the Apostle Paul when the Bible is heralded and the preacher lifts up his voice like a trumpet!)

4.  It Is The Place Where God’s People Gather - Psalms 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

(The greatest people on earth are there!  When I got saved I fell in love with a lot of things that please God but one of the greatest of all was the people of God.  No, they are not perfect but they are my brothers and sisters in Christ!  We are all in the Body of Christ which is the Family of God and we love you!)

5 It Is The Place Where Sinners Are Both Sought And Loved - Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Matthew 9:10  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.  (I love to see sinners come to the church house and be privileged to sit under the power of the Word of God and have an opportunity to hear the gospel and give their hearts and lives to Christ.  The to watch the Lord gloriously change their lives for His glory.)

6.  It Is God’s Instrument For World Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God–ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.  (I love to give an offering to missions!  We can help support precious families as they cover the globe preaching the same gospel that we preach.  Missionaries are the greatest people in the world!  There is no greater calling than that.  Carrying the Word of God to a world that needs Jesus Christ and we can help go by giving!  We can go on organized visitation where we can personally witness to the Lost and occasionally see one get saved!)

7.  It Was There That I Heard The True Gospel Preached And Was Gloriously and Eternally Saved – Luke 18:10, 13-14  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican …  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  (If it weren’t for the local church, this pastor would still be lost in my sin.  I got saved on a Sunday night in an independent Baptist Church.  Thank God for Bob Lamb!  God laid it upon his heart to come to Madisonville, Ky and start a church under an old gospel tent!  Barbara and I were saved because of it!  Ask me why I love the local church!!)

8.  It Is A Place Of Comfort And Spiritual Joy - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.  (The church is a refuge; a stronghold; a place of peace and tranquility; a place where we come and enjoy the things of God.  It is a place of comfort to the troubled and a source of joy to those who are hurting.  It is in the church that you will find encouragement and help.  It is in the church that you will find that you never walk alone.)

9.  It Is An Encouragement Filling Station - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (We can get filled up at church.  We can go to put something into the service and also to get something out of it.  If you do not get a blessing, then it was because you were not blessable!  I know blessable is not a word but I can make one up if I wanna!  If you want a blessing, you will get one.  If you do not want a blessing, don’t blame it on anyone or anything but yourself.  You get out of a church service what you put into it.)

10.  It Is Just A Little Bit Of Heaven On Earth - Psalms 84:1-12  How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.  Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.  Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.  Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.  They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.  O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.  (If you don’t like church, don’t go to heaven!  A lot of people have imagined a heaven that is not the heaven of this Bible.  There will be praising and singing; there will be worship like we have never experienced; it is a prepared place for a prepared people!  You won’t like it there because church is a little bit of heaven on earth!)