The Truth Shall Make You Free

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2023

John 8:25-36

 

Introduction:

 

A.  So often, verse 32 is quoted and, if not careful, can become a pretext instead of a text.  Verses 25-31 established the criteria for knowing the truth and being made free.

 

B.  The context:

 

1.  In verse 25, the Jews asked, “Who art thou?”

 

2.  In verses 25-29, the Lord told them that He had already told them who He was. 

 

3.  In verse 30, many believed on Christ.  These Jews were now saved Jews.

 

4.  In verse 31,  Jesus spoke to these believers saying that, if they continued in His word, they would be His disciples.

 

5.  The context tells us that some will not believe on Christ but those who do believe are to continue in the Word of God as disciples (followers or learners).

 

C.  The Truth concerning Truth.  There are two types of Truth: temporal truth and eternal truth.

 

1.  Temporal Truth is something that is true at the moment but will change and not be true later.  Example: “I am in Laurens” is truth if I am in Laurens, but I may be in Greenville later which changes that truth.

 

2.  Eternal Truth is something that is true at this moment and will always remain constant and unchanging.

 

D.  There are three eternal “Truths” found in our text:

 

1.  God the Father is Truth:  John 8:26  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

 

2 Corinthians 1:18  But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

 

2.  God the Son is Truth: John 8:34-36  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  (35)  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  (36)  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

3.  The Word of God is Truth:  John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

E.  Responsibility in Truth.  If something is true or truth, then there are two choices to be made. 

 

1.  You have a right to reject or disbelieve truth.  Many of these Jews did so but their unbelief did not change the truth!

 

2.  You have a right to accept or believe truth.  Many of these Jews did so but their belief in the truth did not change truth either.  

 

3.  Truth is truth whether you believe it or not!  It is the Truth that will MAKE you free.  There is an old saying: “The Bible is true, and I believe it.”  That is a great adage, but the Bible is still true if you believe it or not!

 

F.  The liberating factor of truth is also found in two ways here.

 

1.  Truth in Salvation.  “As he spake these words, many believed on him.”  Salvation is the beginning of freedom as those who accepted the Messiah were forever MADE free from the Penalty of Sin.  Those who rejected their Messiah were doomed to an eternity in hell.

 

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

2.  Truth in Service.  “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”  Those who faithfully continue in the Word of God are MADE free from the Power of Sin.

 

Faithfulness and desire to serve the Lord is the second step to freedom.

 

G.  The Truth of God’s Word frees us from:

 

1.  Bondage of Fear – Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

2.  Bondage of Sin - 2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

 

3.  Bondage of Law - Galatians 5:1-4  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  (2)  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  (3)  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  (4)  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

4.  Bondage of Confusion - Luke 21:25-26  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  (26)  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

5.  Bondage of Doubt - 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.

 

The Value of the Fear of the LORD

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-16-2023

Psalm 112

 

Introduction:  “A Psalm of Praise” – Praise ye the LORD!

 

A.  Psalm 112 begins with a blessing upon the man who chooses the fear of the Lord.  There is much said in the Bible concerning the fear of the Lord.

 

B.  “Fear the Lord” is found 30 times in the bible.  “Fear of the Lord” is also found 30 times in the Bible.  These are a few of the benefits of the fear of the Lord.

 

1.  The Fear of the Lord Gives Wisdom and Understanding. Job 28:28  And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord , that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

 

2.  The Fear of the Lord Is Clean. Psalm 19:9  The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

 

3.  The Fear of the Lord Is A Spiritual Teacher. Psalm 111:10  The fear of the Lord  is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

 

4.  The Fear of the Lord Gives the Knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord , and find the knowledge of God.

 

5.  The Fear of the Lord Hates Evil. Proverbs 8:13  The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

 

6.  The Fear of the Lord Prolongs Your Days. Proverbs 10:27  The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

 

7.  The Fear of the Lord Gives Strong Confidence. Proverbs 14:26  In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

 

8.  The Fear of the Lord Is A Fountain of Life. Proverbs 14:27  The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

 

9.  The Fear of the Lord Is A Great Treasure. Proverbs 15:16  Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

 

10.  The Fear of the Lord Purges Iniquity. Proverbs 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

 

11.  The Fear of the Lord Brings Satisfaction. Proverbs 19:23  The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

 

12.  The Fear of the Lord Gives Riches, Honor, and Life. Proverbs 22:4  By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

 

13.  The Fear of the Lord Gives Protection. Isaiah 2:10  Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord , and for the glory of his majesty.

 

14.  The Fear of the Lord Is A Treasure. Isaiah 33:6  And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

 

15.  The Fear of the Lord Brings Comfort. Acts 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

 

C.  The Fear of the Lord does not bring about a “Rose Garden” in life as God’s people have always paid a horrendous price for godliness.

 

1.  There will be Trials in Life - Job 1:1  There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

 

2.  There will be Troubles in Persecution - 2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

D.  BUT, “Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” 

 

“Blessed” is often changed to “Happy” by a lot of people, but this is a mistake to do so.  You can be “blessed” when you are not happy.

 

Though life is often hard and unfair, those who choose the fear of the Lord are always blessed!

E.  Blessed!

 

Verse 2.  God will bless your family.  Young people are blessed by having parents who love God and live godly lives before them.  We are not Calvinist in that we think that our children have no choice, but we do give them the right choice to be chosen!  Dear LORD, give us a new generation to take our places when we are gone.

 

Verse 3.  God will bless your finances.  This does not mean that all God’s people will be rich, but it does mean that, when we put God first in our finances, He will supply all our need.  People tend to poverty through foolish choices in finances.  People tend to wealth through right choices in finances.

 

Verse 4.  God will bless your friends.  “A life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.”  You acquaintances will see you for what you are and your influence upon them will be great.

 

Verse 5.  God will bless your favor.  You will treat others as graciously as God has been gracious to you.  Every soul we meet is one for whom Christ died!  “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” is a Biblical principle.

 

Verse 6.  God will bless your followers.  You will stand in the Old Paths and the Old Ways giving continuity in a clear path from our fathers to the new fathers.  So many pastors and preachers have yielded the blessing of the Old Paths to the changing whims of a sinful world.  Be different!

 

Verse 7-8.  God will bless in your fixation.  You heart will be fixed upon the Lord and His service.  “I have decided to follow Jesus … though none go with me, still I will follow” is easier said than accomplished.  If you are saved, you got started right.  Finish right!

 

Verse 9-10.  God will bless your future.  None of us know what awaits us in the days to come, physically, financially, or spiritually but we do know Who holds tomorrow and Who holds our hand.

 

Conclusion:

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The Value of the Local Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-16-2023

Psalm 84:1-12

 

Introduction:  Hebrews 10:25-27 are possibly the most quoted verses concerning church attendance and, like biblical separation, has been preached as a negative.  Psalms 84:10 is in direct contrast to the end time professing Christian.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “As the manner of some is.”  The word manner means a custom or habitual practice.

 

A.  Today, more is said against the church than for the church.  Many local churches have brought this problem upon themselves by their wicked and unscriptural behavior.

 

1.  Some say that the church is full of hypocrites.

 

2.  Some say that the church has become a social organization.

 

3.  Some say that the church no longer portrays the love of Christ.

 

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

 

1.  Church attendance is at an all time low with more churches and professing Christians than ever.  “As the manner of some is” increases with each year, month, and week as more and more no longer are faithful to church.

 

2.  The faithful few that make up the nucleus of the local church have become fewer in number, especially Sunday and Wednesday night crowds.  Church has become either a “necessary evil” or an “inconvenience” in our day.

 

C.  The majority of the average church’s visitation program is spend visiting people who professed to be saved and either make shallow excuses for missing church or have become disgruntled over some petty problem and now are permanently excused from faithful attendance.

 

Many Of These Have Religion And Not Salvation.

 

Many Of These Are so Worldly And Carnal That They Cannot Know The Will Of God.

 

1.  They have the love of Ephesus.

 

2.  They have the deadness of Sardis.

 

3.  They have the lukewarmness of Laodicea.

 

D.  But I still love the local church!  In spite of its shortcomings and problems. 

 

Here are some reasons why we should love the church:

 

1.  A Place of Importance – vs 1  “How”

2.  A Place of Loving – vs 1  “amiable” (well beloved)

3.  A Place of Longing – vs 2-3  “longeth … fainteth”

4.  A Place of Worship – vs 3  “altars”  (place of sacrifice)

5.  A Place of Encouragement – vs 4  “still praising thee”

6.  A Place of Strength – vs 5  “strength is in thee”

7.  A Place of Understanding – vs 6  “valley of Baca … make it a well”  (weeping)

8.  A Place of Sharing – vs 7  “strength to strength”

9.  A Place of Prayer – vs 8  “hear my prayer … give ear”

10.  A Place of Safety – vs 9  “God our shield”

11.  A Place of Joy – vs 10  “day … better than a thousand”

12.  A Place of Blessing – vs 11  “no good thing”

13.  A Place of Maturity – vs 12  “trusteth in thee”

I Am the Light of the World - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 4-12-2023

John 8:12

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we began a short study on “I Am The Light of The World.”  Jesus Christ is Jehovah God in the flesh and God is light.

 

B.  We saw “the Light of the world” in the Physical Realm (that which can be physically observed):

 

1.  The Person of Christ (Who He is) – one day, we shall see Him as He is. 

 

1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

2. The Place of Christ (Where He lives) – one day we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

 

1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

3.  The Performance of Christ (What He did) – we now observe and enjoy the world that He made. 

 

Genesis 1:3-4  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  (4)  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

 

C.  Tonight, I want to look at Jesus, the Light of the World in the Spiritual realm (that which can be experienced).

 

1.  Jesus is the Light of Inspiration.  The Light of Humanity - John 1:4, 9  In him was life; and the life was the light of men … That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

 

a.  Jehovah God breathed into Adam’s nostrils “the breath of life”, the eternal life of God and Adam became a living, eternal soul.  Mankind will live forever in either heaven or hell!

 

b.  The inspiration of God’s life (inspiration –the drawing in of breath; inhalation: to infuse).  God place the knowledge of a Divine Creator into Adam and every descendant of Adam is born with the light of God. 

 

c.  This light of God causes mankind to acknowledge the existence of God but also leads the individual, as he/she seeks after God, to the knowledge of God.

 

2.  Jesus is the Light of Illumination.

 

a.  The Light of God’s World.  Romans 1:19-20  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

Psalms 19:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 

b.  The Light of God’s Word.  Psalms 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

 

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

 

Psalms 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

 

Proverbs 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

 

2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

 

3.  Jesus is the Light of Salvation.  Acts 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

 

John 12:36  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

4.  Jesus is the Light of Sanctification.  1 John 1:5-7  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

5.  Jesus is the Light of Confirmation.  Matthew 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Our Glorious Resurrection

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-9-2023

John 20: 1-18

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we went back to Calvary where the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, died for all mankind.  If you are an ignorant Reformed Theology Calvinist, this statement may be offensive to you, but I thank God that Christ died for this poor, old, ignorant pastor and my name is found in the Bible in the form of whosoever will.

 

B.  This morning, we went to the Garden Tomb.  By faith, we have seen an empty tomb and a risen Saviour. 

 

C.  Using the First Mention Principle of Bible interpretation, I find it interesting that the first mention of “resurrection” in your Bible is found in the context of unbelief.

 

Matthew 22:23  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

D.  In our day, there are far more who “disbelieve” that those that “believe”.  This is scriptural.

 

Luke 3:4  As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

E.  I thank God that I am one of the few and not the many!  I agree 100% this morning with:

 

1.  Mary:  John 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

 

2.  Thomas: John 20:28-29  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.  The Centurion:  Mark 15:39  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

 

John 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

 

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

F.  Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

 

1. “A better resurrection” indicates more than one resurrection and draws a stark contrast between them.

 

John 5:28-29  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  (29)  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life (saved); and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (unsaved). 

 

G.  The Power of the two Resurrections is the same. “all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.”

 

1.  The Resurrection of Life, which is better, is the resurrection of the children of God: it is to die in hope. 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

 

Job 14:15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

 

2.  The Resurrection of Damnation, which is to be shunned, it the resurrection of the unsaved: it is to die without hope. 

 

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

 

Revelation 20:11-12  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

H.  Often, we sing the song “Because He Lives!”  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone.  The “Capstone of Christianity” promises life beyond life and that life is eternal.

 

J.  This morning, I want to look at the results of the Gospel: Christ’s death according to the Scriptures, His burial in a garden tomb, and His glorious bodily resurrection according to the Scriptures.

 

1.  His Resurrection Gives Us Boldness In Death.

 

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

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:

 

2.  His Resurrection Gives Us Confidence In Preaching.

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

3.  His Resurrection Gives Us Comfort In Loss.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  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.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

4.  His Resurrection Gives Us Assurance In Salvation.

 

John 11:25-26  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  (26)  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 

1 John 5:10-13  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  (13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

5.  His Resurrection Gives Us Hope in Heaven. 

 

John 14:1-3  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.

 

1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  (5)  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Conclusion:  The greatest day of the life of the believer will be when he sees Christ.  This is a wicked, troublesome world and the longer I live the more I Pray with the Apostle John:

 

Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.