How Are You Going To Die?

Temple Baptist Church - 2-19-2020

Hebrews 11:13-16

Introduction:

A.  “These all died!” 

1.  Death is a reality that each of us will one day have to face.  There is no escape from it as it is divine in its appointment: Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

2.  Death is a timed event - Ecclesiastes 3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3.  Death is a physical event - Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

B.  One event happens to us all, both to the saved and the unsaved.  We will all face the day of death.

1.  The unsaved die without Christ and, therefore:

a)  Without Help – Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.  (Dr. Harold Sightler often said that God’s people die well and I agree.  I have watched both saved and lost breathe their last and the difference is visible.)

b)  Without Hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (Hell is truth realized too late.  I have been to the funerals of both saved and lost and, once again, the difference is visible.)

2.  The saved die in Christ and, therefore:

a)  They have help - Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

b)  They have hope - Philippians 1:21-23  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:

C.  Now, look at the verses with me.

1.  A Patient Faith.  These ALL died in faith.  “These all died in faith, not having received the promises.”  The verse says that they did not “receive the promises.”  A lot of things come after death, not before and God’s people do not always get all that they want when they want it.  Too many professing believers, when they do not get what they want when they want it, turn away and quit.  I still want to love and serve the Lord as long as I live regardless of what comes.  I know that is a strong statement because I do not know what lives ahead but that is my honest desire.

2.  A Persuasive Faith.  These ALL have seen them afar off and were persuaded.  “having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.”  I may not get to see all of my family and friends saved in my lifetime but I believe God!  I may not see all that I pray for come to fruition in my lifetime but there are some things that I believe with all of my heart and will hold on to the hope within me.  Never give up!

3.  A Perceptive Faith.  They ALL knew that this world was not their home.  “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.”  I love life and I love living but there is a part of me that is looking forward to eternity.  Satan, sin, and the curse gone; earth restored; a new body to live in; and a wonderful place to live.

4.  A Professing Faith.  They ALL made the choice to follow the Lord instead of the world.  “And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.”  In days of “falling away” and “turning back,” I thank the Lord that, in these last days, there are still those who have chosen to “STAY THE COURSE” that they began when they gave their hearts to Christ.  My salvation was the changing point of my life and I am in it for the long haul.

5.  A Pleasing Faith. They ALL made God proud!  “wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”  You see, God has placed you and me in the “Hall of Faith” also if we keep our faith in Him.  Heaven will be “out of this world” and there will be no one there who does not want to be there.  I, for one, am looking forward to it.  I may not understand everything here and I may not get all that I desire in this life but it will still be worth it all when I see Christ.

6.  A Parting Faith.  I want to quote our Lord on this one.  John 14:2-3  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.

The Valley Of Discouragement

Temple Baptist Church - 2-16-2020

Numbers 21:1-5

Introduction:

A.  One of the greatest Valleys that God’s people go through, especially in these last days, is that of Discouragement.  In these verses, we find Israel still wandering in the wilderness because of the sin of unbelief. 

1.  God gives a great victory over Israel’s enemy and they named the place Hormah: “devoted.”

2.  Israel goes from “devoted” to discouraged in the next verse!  From the mountain top to the valley!  “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love?”

3.  Even through the wilderness, the Lord was good to Israel and met their every need.  Remember that the presence of God was continually before them in the pillar of smoke in the day and the pillar of fire in the night.

4.  Discouragement slips up on us.  I want to look at this enemy of discouragement this morning with both its causes and affects.  Why do God’s people get discouraged when God is meeting our every need?

5.  Possibly the greatest personal enemy that God’s children face is Discouragement. 

a)  Through discouragement, preachers quit.

b)  Through discouragement, church members quit.

c)  Through discouragement, the soul winner’s lips are sealed.

B.  Here are some causes for discouragement:

1.  When the battles get hard – vs. 1-3 “took…prisoners” (and yet God is giving victory: “utterly destroyed them”) - Numbers 21:3  And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.  (Our enemy is relentless.  Satan never quits attacking God’s children.  Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world.)

2.  When the way gets long – vs. 4  (“they journeyed” and were led of God) - Numbers 32:7-9  And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?  Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.  For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.  (God’s children get tired “in the way,” not “of the way.”)

3.  When our hearts become complaining and bitter – vs. 5a  (“spake against God…against Moses”) - Numbers 14:2  And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

4.  When our spiritual sight becomes dimmed – vs. 5b (“out of Egypt to die” instead of into Canaan’s land to inherit!) - Exodus 6:8  And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

5.  When our sight becomes spiritually blurred – vs. 5c (“no bread…water” yet God was giving them both!) - Exodus 17:6  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exodus 16:15  And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

6.  When our hearts become ungrateful – vs. 5d  (“loatheth this light bread” which the Bible called angel’s food!) - Psalms 78:25  Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.

            a)  Discouragement Is Sin

            b)  Discouragement Is Infectious

            c)  Discouragement Is Curable

C.  Where you will not find encouragement.

1.  You Will Not Find Encouragement In Circumstances. (though they may improve temporarily, they will continue to change)

2.  You Will Not Find Encouragement In Human Reason. (the world has no spiritual answers)

3.  You Will Not Find Encouragement In Self-Pity. (this will only cause the valley to deepen)

D.  Where you will find encouragement.

1.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Lord - 1 Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

a.  There Is Encouragement In His Person - Habakkuk 3:17-18  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

b.  There Is Encouragement In His Presence - 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.

c.  There Is Encouragement In His Power - Romans 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

d.  There Is Encouragement In His Purpose - Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

e.  There Is Encouragement In His Protection - 2 Corinthians 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2.  You Will Find Encouragement In the Word - Psalms 119:28  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 

a.  There Is Encouragement In Its Promises - Deuteronomy 1:21  Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Its Preaching - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Church - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

           

a.  There Is Encouragement In Your Pastor.

1)  To Continue - Deuteronomy 3:28  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

2)  To Contend - Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

3)  To Conform -  Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Your People.

1)  There Is Visual Encouragement - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (It encourages me just to see them!)

2)  There Is Vocal Encouragement - Hebrews 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  (It encourages me just to hear them!)

Sarah: Faith Restored

Temple Baptist Church - 2-12-2020

Hebrews 11:11-12; Genesis 18:10-15

Introduction:

A.  Now, for the first time, we find the mention of a woman in the Hall of Faith.  Her inclusion is not something out of the norm because she is a woman.  It is different because of her initial lack of faith. 

1.  In Genesis 18, we find the story of the angels on their way to Sodom stopping to talk with Abraham.  God had promised a much younger Abraham a child by a much younger Sarah.  Now, the years have passed with no child and it had ceased to be with Sarah after the “manner of women” and the loins of Abraham were now dead. 

2.  The bible records that both Abraham and Sarah laughed when told of the coming of a child.  Sarah was rebuked for her laughter because it was the laughter of unbelief.  Abraham was not rebuked and the New Testament gives the reason why. 

3.  Romans 4:18-20  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  (19)  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:  (20)  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

4.  Abraham’s laughter was the laughter of joy because of the promise of a child coming through his barren wife and, according to Romans 4:18-29, Abraham’s faith was unwavering in the face of the impossible.

5.  REMEMBER, Sarah “LAUGHED” at what she physically heard Him say!!!

6.  This message is all about God’s people spiritually “laughing” at what God says and being RESTORED!

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Hebrews 3:18-19  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?  (19)  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Numbers 14:11  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?

Psalms 78:21-22  Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;  (22)  Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

Psalms 106:21-24  They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;  (22)  Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.  (23)  Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.  (24)  Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:

7.  GOD HATES THE SIN OF UNBELIEF!

B.  This is not an attack upon the spirituality of women. 

1.  Some of the greatest people of faith are women; some of the most faithful in the churches are women; some of the best workers in the local church are women; and some of the greatest prayer warriors are women.  Women are not “second class Christians” when it comes to either position or faith. 

2.  Ladies, God made you special! God made the weaker vessel strong; God blesses the faithfulness and labor of women.  We find their mention throughout the bible.  Some of the most faithful disciples that the Lord had were the women who remained with Him, even at the foot of the cross when most of the men fled.

C.  These verses are of great help to most of us because we, for the most part, are not Abrahams. 

1.  Too often, we are like Sarah! 

2.  So often, our faith does fail as circumstances overwhelm us and physical sight says, “No way.” 

3.  It is easy to believe God when the situation only seems improbable but, when it becomes humanly impossible, preaching on faith is so much easier than living it! 

4.  Let me give you a good example of why Sarah’s faith failed.  Don’t be too hard on her!

a)  When God called Abraham to leave the Ur of the Chaldees, he was 75 and Sarah was 65.  Women normally married young so we can speculate that this couple had tried for many years to have a child with no results.

b)  When Abraham was 75 and Sarah was 65, God promised conception and the birth of a seed.  I have no doubt that they tried to have a child and could not at this time.  Can you imagine the excitement that permeated their home?  After all these years, God was going to give them a child!

c)  When Abraham is 87 years old and Sarah is 77 years old, Sarah gave up because of the deadness of her womb.  She was now physically too old to conceive so she gave Hagar to Abraham as a wife.  Hagar conceived which lets us know that Abraham’s loins were not yet dead. 

d)  Somewhere in the 13 years between the birth of Ishmael and the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s loins also died.  Now it is physically impossible for either Abraham or Sarah to have children.

Romans 4:18-19  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  (19)  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

e)  How much faith would it take for you to continue to believe God for that child with it humanly impossible?

5.  Thus we find Proverbs 3:5-6.

D.  Somewhere between the laughter and the birth of Isaac, Sarah’s faith changed. 

1.  The faithfulness of God to Abraham brought forth conception though Sarah doubted.  God blessed despite Sarah’s unbelief. 

2.  The result of God’s faithfulness was conception and Sarah saw that what God had promised, He was fully able to perform—even when it became a physical impossibility.  God helped Sarah to restore her faith in Him who is able to do the impossible.

3.  The faith of Sarah, who willingly left the Ur of the Chaldees with her husband, was gloriously restored to the point that she is not recorded for unbelief in Hebrews 11 but for her faith.

E.  The reason for Sarah’s mention in Hebrews is a great one.  When faith fails, it can be restored!  Failure in faith is not the will of God but neither is it the end of the world.  We can still get back on track after failure.

F.  Here are some biblical illustrations that show the circumstances where faith often fails.

1.  Our faith sometimes falters when we get our eyes off the Lord and who He is. Matthew 14:28-31  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  (29)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  (30)  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  (31)  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

2.  Our faith sometimes falters when unfaithfulness grows in our lives.   John 20:27-29  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.  (28)  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  (29)  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

3.  Our faith sometimes falters when self-confidence arises.  Luke 22:31-32  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

4.  Our faith sometimes falters when the storms of life are raging.  Matthew 8:24-27  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  (25)  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  (26)  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  (27)  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

5.  Our faith sometimes falters when finances get tight.  Matthew 6:28-34  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  (29)  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

6.  Our faith sometimes falters when sickness strikes.  Mark 9:23-24  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  (24)  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

7.  Our faith sometimes falters when death becomes a fearful reality.  Luke 7:19  And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Conclusion:  We may not always understand but Proverbs 3:5-6 is clear at this point.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

BELIEVE GOD!  He is always right; He is always good; He is always compassionate; He always loves His children; He is always there for us; He always desires our good!