A Day Of Thanksgiving

Temple Baptist Church - 11-21-2018

1 Chronicles 16:1-2; 7-36

Introduction: 

A.  It seems almost impossible that it is Thanksgiving week again!  I love the time from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  It truly is “the most wonderful time of the year!” 

B.  Though we are commanded to live in a state of thanksgiving. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I believe that a special day of Thanksgiving is in order. 

1.  It will not be long until the heathen of our land tries to take away this day as they do others.  It is no longer “Merry Christmas” but “Happy Holidays.”

a)  They have taken Christ out of Easter.  Now it is all about the Easter Bunny, even in churches.

b)  They have taken Christ out of Thanksgiving.  Now, it is all about Turkey Day and family gatherings.

c)  They have taken Christ out of Christmas.  Now, it is all about Santa Clause and gifts.

d)  It is interesting that they have not taken witchcraft and devils out of Halloween.

2.  I rejoice in the fact that we still have a national day of Thanksgiving and want to make the most of it again this year.

C.  Verses 1-2.  In our text, the Ark has come home to its resting place and all Israel began to sacrifice to the Lord.  This was a very special day in Israel’s history.  David, the sweet psalmist of Israel wrote a Psalm of Thanksgiving (vs. 7) and gave it into the hands of Asaph.

D.  David appointed men, in verse 4, to record, thank, and worship the Lord.  I want to look at these three aspects of thanksgiving for a few minutes this morning.

1.  David Appointed Men To Record – Verse 4 - to remember why we give thanks.

a.  He has saved us with an eternal salvation – vs. 14

b.  He has created this wonderful world in which we live – vs. 26

c.  He has given us His Word – vs. 15-16

d.  He has given us a victorious life and meets our needs – vs. 18

e.  He sustains it with His might power – vs. 30

2.  David Appointed Men To Thank – Verse 4 - to acknowledge who we are to give thanks.

a.  He is a wonderful Lord – vs. 14  “our God”  (He loves us despite)

b.  He is a merciful Lord – vs. 34  “He is good”  (He is better than we deserve)

c.  He is a forgiving Lord – vs. 34 “mercy endureth for ever”  (He restores)

3.  David Appointed Men To Worship – Verse 4 - to show the people how to give thanks.

a.  By Thanking Him – vs. 8  “Give thanks unto the Lord”

b.  By Fellowshipping with Him – vs. 8 “call upon his name”

c.  By Testifying to others for Him – vs.9 “talk ye of all his wondrous works”

d.  By Worshiping Him – vs. 9  “Sing unto him”  (Not about Him)

e.  By Glorying in Him – vs. 11  “Seek the Lord and his strength”

f.  By Pleasing Him – vs. 11  “seek his face continually”

g.  By Reflecting upon Him – vs. 12  “Remember”

I Thank God For You

Temple Baptist Church - 11-18-2018

Philippians 1:1-7

Introduction:  Thanksgiving is almost upon us again.  We have so many things to be thankful for that is hard to name all of them.  The song, “Count Your Blessings,” should be a reminder to us to give God the thanksgiving that is due Him.  Even amid problems we have much to be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

A.  We can thank God for the precious gift of His only begotten Son.

B.  We can thank God for hearing the gospel and being gloriously saved.

C.  We can thank God that salvation is eternal and depends upon Him and not us.

D.  We can thank God that His mercies and grace are far greater than all our sin.

E.  We can thank God that Heaven is our home and not this world.

F.  We can thank God that we were born in America and had opportunity to hear and believe.

G.  We can thank God for all His marvelous provision:  food, shelter, conveniences, automobiles, etc.

H.  We can thank God for our health and strength to be here this morning.

I.  We can thank God for our families and friends.

J.  We can thank God for ample opportunity and freedom to serve the Lord.

K.  We can thank God for so many things, but as a pastor, I am thankful for some things also:

            1.  The Philippian Church was a special church – Philippians 4:15-19

            2.  There are a lot of churches, but few special ones!

            3.  They were a mission-hearted church who loved God’s special people.

“I THANK MY GOD UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU.”

1.  I Thank God For Your Salvation

Romans 1:1-71 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  I Thank God for Your Faith In Missions

Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Philippians 4:15-18  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

3.  I Thank God For Your Testimony In The Community

1 Corinthians 1:4-6  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

4.  I Thank God for Your Friendship With This Pastor

Philippians 1:3-6  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

5.  I Thank God for Your Following Your Pastor

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10  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.  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

6.  I Thank God For Your Faithfulness To God’s House

Colossians 1:1-4  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

2 Thessalonians 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

7.  I Thank God For Your Love One For Another

2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Conclusion - 1 Corinthians 16:23-24a  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Faith Cometh By Hearing

Temple Baptist Church - 11-11-2018

Romans 10:4-8, 13-17

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at the personal responsibility of the individual.  Salvation is:

1.  Whosoever Will: a salvation that is free and universal to all who believe on Christ, or

2.  Whosoever Won’t!: a hell that is waiting and universal to all who choose not to believe on Christ.

B.  Look at verse 8:

1.  “But, what saith it?”  The antecedent of “it” is “the righteousness which is of faith.”  This is a conclusion that has been reached.  It is the end result of what is expressed in verse 8.  It is the desired end result of a proper spiritual beginning.

2.  “Which we preach.”  Not just that we preach but which we preach.  There are so many “preachers” out there that are preaching mixed messages concerning salvation.  The message must be a right one.

3.  “The word of faith.”  There is only one true message concerning salvation.  If whatsoever is not of faith is sin, then any mixture of human merit destroys that message.

4.  “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart.”  It is a message heard and believed!

C.  As with verse 8, verses 14-15 look at the result first and then the progression that led to it.  Therefore, I want to look at these verses in reverse.

1.  The Dispensing of the Gospel.  Salvation comes only through the Gospel and the Gospel comes only through the Scriptures.

a.  Salvation comes only through the Gospel.

1) The Dispensing of the Gospel. - 1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation (stewardship) is committed unto me. 

a) The Gospel Dispensed to the Jew. - Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Acts 13:26  Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

b) The Gospel Dispensed to the Gentile. - Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

2) The Description of the Gospel – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

3) The Duty of the Gospel. - Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

            b.  The Gospel Comes Only Through The Scriptures.

1) It’s Integrity is Impeccable - Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye alsotrusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

2) It’s Importance is Immeasurable - Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2.  The Duty of the Gospel.  Human responsibility.  Verse 16 declares that “they have not all obeyed the gospel.”  Human responsibility is two-fold. 

Mark 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

a.  Man must Repent of Sin.  (There is no room for argument because the words of the Lord are precise.)

b.  Man must Believe the Gospel.  (Simply death, burial, and resurrection as the only way of salvation.  This constitutes a trust!)

3.  The Desire of the Gospel.  As human responsibility is two-fold, so the heavenly responsibility is two-fold also.  

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

a. The Witness of the Word of God.  1 John 5:13  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.

b. The Witness of the Holy Spirit of God.  1 John 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Romans 8:9-10  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (10)  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

A Present Continuing Thankfulness

Temple Baptist Church - 11-11-2018

Psalm 103:1-14

Introduction:

A.  As we continue to look forward to Thanksgiving Day, it does us well to remember that our thankfulness should be a present continuing one.  Every day of the year, we need to be aware of God’s continual blessings upon us.

B.  One of the aggravating things about our modern word processors is their modern dictionary. 

1.  As our English language continues to evolve, and some precious truths of the Bible are being changed and are lost when we use these dictionaries to underline and suggest changes in the wording. 

C.  What makes the King James Bible so different from the modern-day translations is found in both the texts from which they are translated and the differences between the old English and the new. 

D.  Our Bible is “frozen in time” as it has not changed over the years and the words are the same as they were in the 1600’s.  I do understand that we have the 1769 version of the King James Bible, with spelling standardization, but it is still consistent with the 1611.

E.  One of the important older spelling of the words in the Authorized (that means there may be unauthorized) King James Version are the “eth” endings on many of the words.  These words come from the Elizabethan Period that our Bible was translated in when the English language was at the pinnacle of its purity.

F.  When we read this chapter, we find God’s benefits (beneficial things) given to His children.  In today’s world, we understand the importance of benefits that go along with our jobs.

G.  “eth” is present perfect in tense which always means always and at all times.  These verses show the goodness of God all the time: when we realize His goodness and when we do not.

H.  I thank God for my old “archaic” Bible because it expresses a truth in our text that we so often overlook! 

1.  Verse 3 – “He Forgiveth” – all day, every time, in every way that we fail.  70x70x70x70 to the “nth” degree!  All sin!  Thank God for this every day of our lives.  We are still just sinners saved by grace and if God should mark iniquity, who could stand?  Thank you Lord for you forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

2.  Verse 3 – “He Healeth” – all our diseases!  God has given us a body that can heal itself; doctors and medicines that can heal us.  Our bodies are not just evolution and a series of accidents, we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  One of my surgeons once told me that he would do the best that he could but healing comes from God!  Thank God for this every day of your life.

3.  Verse 4 – “He Redeemeth” – God protects us from both self and circumstances continually.  I thank God every day for being a lot better to me than I deserve.  God goes a long way to protect the testimonies of sinners saved by grace.  God protects us from those who would do us harm.  Thank God every for the “hedge” that He has placed around us!

4.  Verse 4 – “He Crowneth” – God is loving, kind, and merciful to us every day.  His mercies are new every morning.  Loving us, being kind to us, being merciful to us.  I love the word “crowneth.”  On top of all our other blessings, God showers us with love, kindness, and tenderness.  Thank God every day for your relationship with the Saviour.

5.  Verse 5 – “He Satisfieth” – God gives us enough; all that we need; the desires of our hearts.  God blesses His children all day, every day!  I am satisfied!  Learn to be satisfied with what God gives you.  Thank God continually for His goodness.

6.  Verse 6-12 -  “He Executeth” – In everything give thanks!  For the bad as well as the good for it is in the valleys that we grow in faith.  We do not get everything that we want and thank God we do not get everything that we deserve.  The wheels of God’s judgment upon those who hurt us may be slow at times, but they are sure.  God is the executor of vengeance.  God is better to us than we deserve and has placed our eternal judgment upon Christ.  Thank you, Lord, every day!

7.  Verse 13- “He Pitieth” -  “To fondle, to be compassionate.  Does Jesus care?  Oh yes He cares!  God cares every day.  Casting all you care!  He knows how we feel and makes a way for us in every trial and every mile.

8.  Verse 14 – “He Knoweth” – God knows our feelings, our frame, our failures, our fights, because He made us.  God formed us upon the Potter’s Wheel with His hands, the Water of His Word, and the motion of our lives. 

9.  Verse 14 – “He knoweth … He Remembereth” – We are finite, but He is infinite!  He knows that we are but dust.  God never forgets what we are made of and who we are but continually, every day, all day long loves us anyway.  I am glad that God never gave up on this sinner!  I thank God constantly for loving a sinner such as I am!

Conclusion:  Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time of the year but, as God’s work and the overseeing of our lives is one of continuity, so should our Thanksgiving be a continual one!  A time of remembering, a time of giving thanks to God for all His blessings, seen and unseen, known and unknown!

The Captain of Our Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 11-7-2018

Hebrews 2:7-11

Introduction:

A.  In verse 11, Jesus is called the “Captain of our salvation.”  “Captain in only one descriptive term or name given to our Lord Jesus Christ.  The word “captain” comes from a Latin word meaning “chief.”  We use the word “Captain” in many ways in the English language.

1.  A Captain is one who oversees a sea going vessel.

2.  A Captain is one who is a rank given to one in charge of a company in the military.

3.  A Captain is the title given to certain civil servants such police or fire departments.

4.  A Captain is a pilot in command of a large commercial aircraft.

5.  A Captain, in sports, is one designated as the head of the team.

6.  A Captain, in the church, is a title given to its Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

7.  A Captain, in our text, is one who is responsible for our salvation.

B.  In Joshua, chapter 5, we see our Lord appear to Joshua in a Theophany or Christophany.

Joshua 5:13-15  And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?  (14)  And he said, Nay; but ascaptain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?  (15)  And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.  (A position of authority, power, and worship.)

C.  Our verses for tonight show us what our Captain did for us in His incarnation.  His authority, power, and glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

1.  We see Jesus in His humanity.  Verse 7 – “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels.”  Almighty Jehovah God, conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, chose to dwell upon this earth—robed in flesh. 

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.  (Made – to bring to pass something that would not naturally occur.  The eternal Son of God born in the flesh.)

Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

2.  We see Jesus in His Father’s glory.  Verse 7 – “thou crownedst him with glory and honour.” 

John 1:14 (And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:15-19  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  (19)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Hebrews 1:2-3  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

3.  We see Jesus in His sovereign authority.  Verses 7-8 – “didst set him over the works of thy hands:   Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” Jesus made it all, Jesus runs it all, Jesus owns it all!

Ephesians 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

4.  We see Jesus in His vicarious atonement.  Verse 9 – “ who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” 

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.

1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (Jesus did two things for us concerning our sins: expiation – the removal of sins; and propitiation – the appeasement of a thrice holy God.  Both were necessary to restore fellowship and favor.)

6.  We see Jesus in His example.  Verse 10 – “to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” 

1 Peter 2:21-25  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  (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.  (25)  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

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:

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:  (Our suffering in a righteous manner will help others to see Christ in us.)

7.  We see Jesus in His purpose.  Verse 11 – “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

Ephesians 1:6-7  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (7)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hathtranslated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.