We Glory In God

Temple Baptist Church - 11-12-2017

Romans 5:1-11

Introduction:

A.  In these verses, there are two things found in which we are to glory: our salvation and our tribulation.  Most would totally agree with the first but have some difficulty with the second.  We will look at them in the biblical order to get the mind of God on both subjects. 

B.  Tonight, I want to discover the context on rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God.

C.  There are two passages of scripture that set up this first command of rejoicing:

1.  Jesus command to the seventy disciples.  Luke 10:17-20  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  (18)  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  (19)  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  (20)  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

2.  Paul’s command to the carnal Corinthians.  1 Corinthians 1:26-31  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  (29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

D.  The context speaks of our justification.  Our justification speaks of God’s love for sinners.  The love of God is incomprehensible as it goes beyond our ability of even imagine.  There are so many verses that could be quoted at this point.  Here are just a few.

John 3:16-17  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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Romans 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Titus 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

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.

1 John 4:9-11  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.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

E.  I want to look at verses 6-11 as they show the love of God for sinners.

1.  The Evidence Of God’s Love – vs 6 - Christ died for the ungodly

a.  He Died For The Weak – yet without strength (a thing which continues)

1)  We Were Helpless

2)  We Were Hopeless

b.  He Died For The Wicked – ungodly (we were unlovable!)

1)  We Were Against God

2)  We Were Alienated From God

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

2.  The Extent Of God’s Love – vs 8 – sinners - the world – all mankind – sinners

1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation (to appease one who is offended)for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (Whole = All; total; containing the total amount or number, or the entire thing)

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.  (the sin – entirety)

John 4:42  And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.  (The world – entirety)

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.

3.  The Example Of God’s Love – vs 7-8 – “But God”

a.  The Sinner’s Love – 7  (some would die for certain men and have done so!)

b.  The Savior’s Love – 8  (who would die for the drunk, harlot, drug addict, sodomite, murderer, etc?)

4.  The Extension Of God’s Love – vs 8 – “commendeth his love toward us”

a.  Commenced By God – “in that, while”

b.  Completed By God – “Christ died for us”

5.  The Endurance Of God’s Love – vs 9 – “shall be saved from wrath through him”

a.  The Surety Of God’s Love – “shall be”

b.  The Safety Of God’s Love – “saved from wrath”

6.  The Ecstasy Of God’s Love – vs 11 – “we also joy in God”

a.  In Christ We Find Reconciliation – “being reconciled”

Brought into friendship from a state of disagreement or enmity; made consistent; adjusted.

b.  In Christ We Find Resurrection – “by his life”

c.  In Christ We Find Rejoicing – “we also joy”

Our Gracious Heavenly Father

Temple Baptist Church - 11-12-2017

Genesis 3, Luke 15:17-24

Introduction: 

A.  I have spent several months preaching on both “Walking With God” and “Walking Away From God.” 

1.  At this point, let me say one more time that “there is no benign state of neutrality with God!”  We either walk with God or we walk away from God; we are either for Him or we are against Him; we either gather or we scatter.

2. While we can walk away from God, we can never walk away from the Voice of God: the inward voices of the Holy Spirit and the engrafted Word of God.

B.  I used both stories to show attributes of God from two sides.  There are both similarities and contrasts in these two stories.

1.  One walked away in Shame.  Adam and Eve tried to cover their shamefulness and hid from God.  God came to them and called. 

2.  One walked away in Shamelessness.  The Prodigal Son went to a “far country” and ultimately ended up in the hog pen.  The Prodigal’s father did not come to where he was but waited for him to come to himself and come home.

3.  Adam and Eve answered the Voice of God when He called and got right with the Lord. 

4.  The Prodigal Son came to himself but had a long walk home. 

5.  With both, there was still a price to be paid.

C.  The moral of these two stories is:

1.  We cannot hide from the Voice of God if we are saved!  There is an old saying: “You can run but you can’t hide!”

2.  We do not have to go to the hog pen before we get right but God will let us if that is what we desire.

3.  One of the great dangers of walking away from God is not returning.  Not every child of God gets right and even a hog pen will not change their direction.  They get an early departure from this life if they are truly saved.

D.  Now, let us take a short look at two things:  1)  How the Prodigal got right  2)  what he found when he got home.

1.  How the Prodigal Son got right.

a.  He Realized His Mistake – vs. 17  “when he came to himself”  (He came to himself – means he wasn’t thinking!  It is a shame that the word “when” must be there.)

b.  He Resolved – vs. 18 “I will arise and go to my father”  (He knew who his real friend was. His Father would never forsake him.)

c.  He Repented – vs. 18-19  “sinned against heaven and before thee”  (He realized that his sin was against God as well as his earthly father.  When we sin against God, we also hurt our families.)

d.  He Returned – vs. 20 “he arose, and came to his father”  (He swallowed his pride and admitted his wrong.  It was a long way back.  A far country is often a long journey.  When we get right with the Lord, there are often things that follow us the rest of the days of our lives.)

e.  He Was Restored – vs. 22  “robe…ring…shoes”  (The father was more than gracious, he was forgiving.)

2.  What the prodigal found when he came home.

a.  A waiting Father.  Listen to His Voice or a Long Walk Home, God is always graciously waiting.  Luke 15:20a  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him …

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (Never means never!  Some people just don’t get it, but I am glad that I do!!)

Isaiah 49:15-16  Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.  (16)  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

b.  A loving Father:  Hide from God or a Hog Pen, God still loves His children.  Luke 15:20b   … and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  (God’s love neither changes nor diminishes.)

c.  A forgiving Father: the Prodigal was completely restored to his original position.  Luke 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  (We are to forgive as God forgives: immediately and completely.  What a forgiving Father we have.  70x7 each day is more than enough and if we go beyond that, He still forgives.)

d.  A gracious Father:  A Joyful Life or a Life of Misery, a joyful life awaited the returning son.  Luke 15:23-24  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  (24)  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (We confess and forsake, He is faithful and just to forgive, cleanse, and fully restore) 

The Peace That Is In Christ Jesus

Temple Baptist Church - 11-8-2017

1 Peter 5:14

Introduction:  We live in a world that is troubled.  There is very little peace of heart and mind, but God has promised peace to His children.

A.  We Find The Promise Of Peace – “Peace be with you” - 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.

B.  We Find The People Of Peace – “you” - Isaiah 48:22  There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

C.  We Find The Place Of Peace – “In Christ Jesus” - Colossians 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

D.  We Find The Person Of Peace – “Christ Jesus” - Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

E.  Peace With God Depends Upon Him - Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.         

F.  Peace Of God Depends Upon You - 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.

Colossians 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Peter 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  (Ensue - to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away)

G.  Since The Peace Of God Depends Upon You, Let Us See How To Have It.

1.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Believing What God Has Said - Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

a.  Believing His Promise Of Salvation - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

b.  Believing His Promise Of Provision - Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

c.  Believing His Promise Of Protection - Proverbs 21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

2.  The Peace Of God Comes Through A Realization That He Is In Control - John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)  (the winds and waves still know)

3.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Keeping Your Mind Stayed Upon Him - Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (Stayed – to lean upon or to rest in - not in self; not in circumstances)

4.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Spiritual Mindness - Romans 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if[there be any praise, think on these things.

5.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Making Peace - 2 Corinthians 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

6.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Being Filled With The Holy Ghost - Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

7.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Prayer - Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8.  The Peace Of God Comes Through Obedience To Scripture - Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

The Results of Justification

Temple Baptist Church - 11-5-2017

Romans 5:1-5

Introduction: 

A.  Justification is the change in the sinner’s state, from guilt and separation from God to salvation and peace with God!  No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, salvation is available through Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection.

B.  Justification should also bring the peace of God.  Get your salvation settled!  You must place your trust in the finished work of the gospel.

1.  Man is condemned by his sin.   Chapters 1-3  “for all have sinned”Romans 3:10-12  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  (11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  (12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

2.  Man is saved by grace through faith alone.  Romans 4:3-5  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  (4)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

3.  Man is justified by imputation.   Chapter 4:22-25  “imputed” Romans 4:22-25  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  (23)  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;  (24)  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;  (25)  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

4.  Salvation and Imputation bring about Justification!

C.  Why keep repeating these things?  Because we often tend to believe that we are saved if we feel that we are being good and fail to realize that we are saved by what God did and not what we are doing.

D.  Justification Defined – to declare righteous (just as if I had never sinned)

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

E.  The Results of Justification – 5:1-5

1.  Justification Brings Peace – vs 1  There was a time when we were enemies; but now in Christ we have peace with God. Peace with God means that our problem with sin has been settled by the blood of Christ.

2.  Justification Brings Access – vs 2  Before our salvation, we stood "in Adam" and were condemned; but now in Christ, we have a perfect standing before God and can enter into His presence.

3.  Justification Brings Rejoicing – vs 2  The unsaved person is "without hope." We cannot boast in good works that could never bring salvation, but we can boast in the wonderful salvation God has given us freely in Christ.

4.  Justification Brings Hope – vs 2  Not a false or baseless “I hope so.” But a blessed hope.

5.  Justification Brings Growth – vs 3-4  Growth through studying the Bible and victory over the tribulation.

6.  Justification Brings Love – vs 5  One of the outward signs of salvation is love.  The fruit of the Spirit begins with love, joy, then peace.

            a.  A Love For The Saviour

            b.  A Love For The Sinner

            c.  A Love For The Saint

            d.  A Love For The Scripture

            e.  A Love For The Sanctuary

Adam Walked Away From God In Shame

Temple Baptist Church - 11-5-2017

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-10

Introduction:

A.  I will not be-labor the series on “Walking Away From God” because there are so many things that keep God’s children from walking with Him.  I do want to reiterate that, if you are not walking toward God, you are walking away from God.  “There is no benign state of neutrality with God.” But I do want to touch on two more important subjects.

B.  To set up this message, I need to go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible interpretation so, you guessed it, the Book of Genesis.  This Book of Beginnings is so rich that we could preach here for years.  It is in the Garden of Eden that we find the first man and woman who walked away from God in shame.

C.  Adam and Eve lived in an almost perfect environment in the Garden of Eden. 

1.  I use the word “almost” because there was: 1)  A commandant to be broken  2)  A devil to tempt. I leave “God’s toys” to God. 

2.  The question is often asked, “Why did God allow these two things to enter the Garden?”  I believe that the answer is simple: 1) because God wanted to do so  2) because God wanted man to want and to love Him; not to be “robots” with no will.

D.  In our text, we find:

1.  The First Man.  Genesis 2:25  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  (Man was created in innocence and purity.  How long that state lasted, we do not know.  Knowing mankind, not for long.)

2.  The First Command.  The command was both direct and simple.  Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.  (Adam and Eve could enjoy everything in the Garden except for the fruit of one tree.

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (Sound simple enough?)

3.  The First Temptation.  The first temptation was both fleshly and satanic. Genesis 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  (Why and how often did Eve stand and look at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.) 

James 1:14-16  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  (15)  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  (16)  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

4.  The First Lie. Genesis 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 

Galatians 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

5.  The First Sin. Genesis 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.  (Innocence lost!  Now they knew both good and evil for the first time.)

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.

6.  The First Shame.  To the child of God, sinfulness brings shame.  Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Romans 6:21-23  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  (22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  (23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isaiah 59:2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

7.  The First Restoration. Genesis 3:9-12  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?  (God initiated it when He called Adam and Adam was restored when he answered the call.)

8.  When we sin, we often hide in sin instead of running to God for forgiveness. 

a.  God wants us reconciled and calls but we MUST answer that call.  Too many have a tough time forgiving themselves and remain hidden in their shame never to be used again when reconciliation is available. 

b.  Yes, there is often a recompense for sin but restoration, peace, and usefulness will follow.

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

c.  We must learn to confess and forsake our sin and put it behind us.