Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Saints

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-27-2023

Psalm 116:3, 15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In this prayer to God, we find death mentioned twice.  Death is an event that each of us will one day face if our Lord has come for His church in our lifetime. 

 

B.  In verse 3 we find the Human Perspective of death. 

 

Psalms 116:3  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

 

Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage

 

1.  Sorrow.  No one like to either face leaving family and friends nor losing family and friends to death.  The Bible uses the phrase “the house of mourning.”  There are normal tears of sorrow and sense of tremendous loss in death.

 

2.  Suffering.  I have often said that I do not mind death so much but certainly do not look forward to the process.  Watching a loved one slowly decline before succumbing to death can be a horrible thing.

 

3.  Helplessness.  To die or see someone die knowing that no power on earth can prevent it and there is nothing that you can do.  Just watch and wait. 

 

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. 

 

4.  Hopelessness.  For the unsaved, there is no hope beyond the grave.  Little do they know that there is eternal hopelessness for those who die outside of Christ and spend an eternity in a devil’s hell.

 

5.  Separation.  To lose a mate whom you have spend a lifetime with; to lose a child or grandchild whom you love with all your heart; to lose a parent or sibling; to lose a close friend.  The thought of separation for even a short time on earth brings about great loss and sorrow.

 

C.  In verse 15, we find God’s Perspective of the death of His saints.  Notice that I clarified “His saints” because God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

 

Ezekiel 33:11  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

 

1.  PRECIOUS!  Of great value!  Psalms 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

2.  Beauty.  Ecclesiastes 3:11  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

 

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

 

D.  The Saint’s Perspective of Death should be ours.  I want to encourage you tonight because we meet often because of the death of loved ones or friends.  The Bible View of death is so much different for God’s children.  We cannot lose that which is not lost!

 

E.  Several Views of the death of the saints are found in the Bible.

 

1.  David’s View.  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.  (Shadow of death used 20 times in your Bible.)

 

a.  The Comparison – “shadow”  Shadows cannot hurt.

 

b.  The Confidence – “fear no evil”  No fear of dying.

 

c.  The Companionship – “art with me”  Not alone in the crossing.

 

d.  The Comfort – “rod . . . staff . . . comfort me”  Protection and comfort.

 

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

 

a.  Magnification in death, not Fear.  Boldness in death.

 

b.  Realization in death, not Loss.  Gain in death.

 

c.  Glorification in death.  Far better, not much worse. 

 

3.  Revelation’s View of Death.  Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

          a.  There Is Redemption – “die in the Lord”

 

          b.  There Is Rest – “rest from their labours”

 

          c.  There Is Reward – “their works do follow them.

John The Baptist Walked with God in Expectancy

Temple Baptist Church - 8-27-2023

Luke 1:5-17

Introduction:

 

A.  This morning, I want to continue to preach on “Walking With God”.  We look in the New Testament for the first time and find the last of the Old Testament Prophets, John the Baptist.

 

B.  I want to set the background for the ministry of John the Baptist.  The heavens had been silent for 400 years with no voice from God, no word of the Lord other than the canonized Old Testament.

 

1.  The People of Israel walked in times of great spiritual darkness.  Religion had replaced their hope in a coming Messiah.  Today, religion or the lack thereof has replaced the hope of salvation and a coming Lord.

 

2.  My mind goes back to 1 Samuel, chapter 3, where the Bible said, “And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was…

 

3.  The light of God is going out in America and the rest of the world this morning.  Let us look at John the Baptist who walked with God in a hard time and spiritually dark time and place.

 

C.  In the days prior to the revelation of the Israel’s Messian, Jehovah God made flesh, Jesus Christ—the Son of God, one of the most important men in the Bible, John the Baptist, walked with God in Expectancy.  As John walked in Expectancy in the time of the First Advent, we MUST be found walking in light of the Second Advent.

 

1.  The Prophecy of John the Baptist.  Isaiah 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 

2.  The Revelation of John the Baptist.  Matthew 3:1-3  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  (2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  (3)  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

3.  The Identification of John the Baptist.  Matthew 11:7-11  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?  (8)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  (9)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.  (10)  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  (11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

4.  The Person of John the Baptist.

 

a)  John the Baptist was a miracle man.  Luke 1:18  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

 

Luke 1:24  And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

 

b)  John the Baptist was a Spirit filled man.  Filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.  Remember that this was the last of the Old Testament prophets and during that time, the Holy Ghost came upon people, and He also left them.  The Holy Ghost did not indwell the Old Testament believer.

 

c)  John the Baptist was a consecrated man.  A Nazarite from his birth, though the word “Nazarite” is not mentioned, the biblical separation of a Nazarite was there.  He cared not what the world thought of him.

 

Luke 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

 

d)  John the Baptist was a privileged man.  He was God’s messenger until the revelation of Christ.  We are privileged in our day to carry the message of old to this last generation.

 

e)  John the Baptist was an expectant man.  He knew that he was the fulfillment of prophecy sent to prepare the way of the Lord and to make His paths straight.  HE IS COMING AS HE SAID!

 

f)  John the Baptist was a valued man.  Our Lord said that John was the greatest prophet ever to be born and his message was a simple one.  REPENT AND BELIEVE ON THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST.

 

D.  John the Baptist!

 

1.  John the Baptist was a chosen man for a specific time.  John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (To be commissioned for a special task or mission.  We are a chosen generation.)

 

2.  John the Baptist was a dedicated man to a specific cause. Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (John lived a clean life for the Lord.  We are to live a clean life for the Lord.)

 

3.  John the Baptist was a different man in an ungodly world. Matthew 3:4  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

 

4.  John the Baptist was a strong man in the face of adversity. Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

 

Mark 6:17-18  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.  (18)  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

 

5.  John the Baptist was not a soft man.  Matthew 11:8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

 

6.  John the Baptist was a faithful man who continued to cry in the wilderness.  Matthew 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

 

7.  John the Baptist was a preaching man who continued to put forth the Word of God.  Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (John preached the way of salvation and the coming of the Messiah.  We preach the way of salvation and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.)

 

8.  John the Baptist was a rewarded man who lived to know his Messiah’s coming.  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.

 

9.  John the Baptist was a humble man.  John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.  (John knew that he was not there to place himself on a pedestal but to glorify and point people to Christ.  We that are saved are to glorify Christ and point sinners to Him.)

 

10.  John the Baptist was just a man.  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?  (We are just people but are the light and salt of these last days.)

 

Conclusion:  We are to occupy until He comes.  We look for Him expectantly as His coming is imminent. 

 

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Return Unto Thy Rest, O My Soul

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-20-2023

Psalms 116:1-8

 

Introduction:

 

A. In many of the Psalms, we find the man of God in distress because of either his surrounding circumstances or the oppression of the wicked.

 

B.  In verses 1-2, we find the love of the psalmist for the LORD.

 

1.  He knew Who he loved.  “the LORD”  Jehovah God, the One who would be Israel’s Messiah, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!  We love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.

 

2.  He knew why he loved Him.  Not only did Jehovah God love man, but also, He heard his cry.  His prayers and supplications.

 

C. Despite these verses that I read, we find a sorrowful saint.  Verse 3 describes the depths of his sorrow. 

 

1.  Our Battles are Long and Hard

2.  Our Way is Rough and Weary

3.  Our Tongues are Bitter and Complaining

4.  Our Spiritual Eyesight Dimmed 

5.  Our Hearts Ungrateful and Selfish

6.  Our Soul Disquieted

 

D.  In this life, we find much in the way of sorrow and trouble but, thank God, there is a better day coming!

 

Revelation 21:3-4  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  (Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!)

 

E.  Verses 4-6.  His supplication.  “O LORD”  He cries out to God for deliverance yet fails to trust God to do so!

 

F.  Verse 7.  I want to call your attention to verse 7 for a minute.  The Psalmist said, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul!”

 

1.  His soul has left a promised rest. Matthew 11:28-29  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 

a)  “I will give you rest” vs. “ye shall find rest”.  Though God has promised rest, there are times when we do not seek that rest and become restless in our souls.

 

b)  He beseeches his personal soul (in which he should have control of) to “Return” to its place of rest.

 

2.  Return unto thy rest, O my soul”  Return means that there is the possibility of our soul leaving a promised rest.  You cannot return to what you never had.

 

G.  Our spiritual rest is not to be based upon our circumstances.

 

1.  There are times when we lay down at night and sleep flees.  Our minds remain active while our body tries to sleep.  I hate those nights as I peep at the clock a dozen times and wish for the day.

 

2.  There are times when we worry about or dread things that are coming and sleep flees.    Our REST is found in the LORD.

 

Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

 

H.   We NEED rest.

 

1.  Rest In Our Salvation - Philippians 1:6  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:

 

2.  Rest In Our Service – 2 Corinthians 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

 

Mark 6:31  And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

3.  Rest In Our Stand - Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

4.  Rest In Our Spirit – 2 Corinthians 2:13  I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

 

5.  Rest In Our Sanctuary - 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.

 

6.  Rest In Our Saviour - Matthew 11:28-29  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Daniel Walked with God in Testimony

Temple Baptist Church - 8-20-2023

Daniel 6:1-23

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw the personal testimonies of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego as they would not bow to the “image” set up in the plain of Dura.  These men would not bend, bow, or burn! 

 

This took place in the beginning of the Babylonish Captivity under Nebuchadnezzar.

 

B.  Nebuchadnezzar turned to the God of Israel after the fiery furnace experience and there was peace in Babylon and a reprieve for the children of Israel because of the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

C.  When Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar took the throne and because of his drunkenness and debauchery, God wrote on the plaster of the wall with His finger, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”  (“MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  (27)  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  (28)  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”)

 

D.  Daniel gave the interpretation and Belshazzar elevated him over all the kingdom of Babylon.  That night, the Persians destroyed Babylon under King Daris the Median.

 

E.  Darius restructured the kingdom of Babylon in verses 1-3 of chapter 6 and put Daniel over all 120 princes along with the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains.  (Verse 6)

 

F.  These rulers of the 120 provinces became jealous of Daniel as they were indigenous to Babylon and Daniel was supposedly a Hebrew slave.

 

G.  In verses 4-6, these rulers scrutinized Daniel as to find fault but could find none.  His life was an example of integrity and godliness.  My mind goes to Christ on earth.  “No fault at all.”  This does not mean that Daniel was a perfect man but, outwardly, they could find no occasion to fault Daniel through Law.

 

H.  The only avenue that they could find to fault Daniel was because of his walk with God in his prayer life.

 

J.  Verses 7-9.  These men went to Darius the Median and persuaded him to write a new law that would contradict the law of God and Darius fell for it because of pride.

 

K.  Verses 10-11.  They now watched Daniel continually and openly obey God’s law which broke Darius’ law.

1. Integrity is Rooted in your Private Life (vv. 1-3)

2. Integrity is Reflected in your Personal Life (vv. 4-5)

3. Integrity is reinforced in your Professional Life (vv. 4-10)

4. Integrity is revealed in your Public Life (vv. 11-28)

L.  Verses 12-15.  These wicked rulers “ratted” Daniel out and Darius was caught in their trap also as he would now have to honor a Law of the Medes and Persians which could not be altered.

 

M.  We all know the end of the story as God shut the lion’s mouths.  It was not because the lions were not hungry that Daniel survived.  It was because God honored the life of Daniel and shut their mouths.

 

N.  Darius they had these wicked rulers thrown in the lion’s den and the Lions, who Fasted when Daniel was cast into their den,  Feasted with these wicked leaders were cast into their den.

 

O.  Daniel continued to reign over the kingdom and prospered under King Darius and later under Cyrus the Persian.

 

Daniel reigned from the Beginning to the End of the Babylonish Captivity.

 

P.  I said all that to say this.  Our ungodly system of government now issues laws that are contrary to the laws of God found in the Bible.  We all know that this is a “set up” for the government and persecution of God’s people in the end-time.

 

Q.  Now for a short but close look at the attributes of Daniel that caused such laws to be made by wicked men.

 

R.  What made Daniel quietly stand out?

 

1.  Daniel was a Purposed Man.  Daniel 1:8  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  (As a young man, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would serve the Lord and not man.)

 

2.  Daniel was an Excellent Man.  Daniel 6:3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.  (Daniel had an Excellent Spirit.  (Verse 3)  “Excellent” is a superlative.  It means to excel above the mediocrity around.  Daniel chose to be different despite the peer pressure to do otherwise.  A sweet spirit.  Not easily provoked.)

 

3.  Daniel was a Godly Man.  Daniel 6:4-5  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.  (5)  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.  (Daniel’s enemies scrutinized his life and found no fault at all.  Sound familiar?)

 

4.  Daniel was a Praying Man.  Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, (Daniel regularly spent Time in Prayer.)

 

5.  Daniel was a Consistent Man.   Daniel 6:10-11  he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.  Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.  (Daniel was a man who feared God and not man.)

 

6.  Daniel was a Trusting Man.  Daniel 6:16  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.  (Daniel made no excuses nor changes.)

 

7.  Daniel was a Protected Man.  Daniel 6:22  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  (Daniel’s faith was not misplaced.)

 

8.  Daniel continued to be a Prosperous Man.  Daniel 6:28  So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  (God allowed Daniel to continue in a place of prosperity and notoriety.)

 

Conclusion:  Like Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, Daniel helped to establish the name of Jehovah God during captivity in Babylon.  God has chosen us for such a time as this!  The books of Daniel and Revelation go hand-in-hand as Daniel is prophetic of Revelation and Revelation is fulfillment of Daniel.  We live in the fulfillment of both books. 

Make His Praise Glorious

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-13-2023

Psalm 66

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I love the way that this Psalm, along with many others, begins and ends with the explanation in the middle verses.  The bible is always self-explanatory. 

 

B.  The Psalm was written for the chief Musician to play and to be sung in an atmosphere of worship. 

 

Psalms 66:1-2  To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  (2)  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

 

C.  The author of the Psalm is not named for a reason.  Giving God praise is to be an individual act of all His people.  I find it disturbing that so many of God’s people have a problem praising the Lord.  I am not talking about running the isles or hanging from a chandelier, I am talking about having little or no emotion during a worship service.  Example**  I am going to give you an example but not a name so that you will see what I am talking about this morning.

 

D.  I said all that to say this, praise of God is a requirement for ALL of us and ALL of us are different in how we act and react.  One enemy of praise is the thinking that all that we have or receive is from our personal efforts instead of gifts from God.

 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

E.  Verses 1-2.  Our right perspective will make for our praise of God! 

 

1.  The Psalmist made a joyful noise.  Psalms 100:1  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

 

2.  The Psalmist sang songs that honoured God.  Psalms 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 

3.  The Psalmist praised God with glorious praise based upon thankfulness.  Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 

F.  Let us look at the middle verses and find the answer to my question.  What caused the Psalmist to give God such praise?

 

1.  Verses 1-7 – Remembrance.  The praise of the psalmist for things the Lord had done in the past.  It is a good thing to ponder the past victories that only God could have performed. 

 

a)  Verse 3.  God’s power over enemies.  When our enemies rise up, the Lord will raise a standard against them.  Isaiah 59:19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

 

b)  Verse 6.  God’s power in deliverance.  Psalms 106:8-11  Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.  (9)  He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.  (10)  And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.  (11)  And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

 

c)  The psalmist cited the crossing of the Red Sea.  One of the greatest and most noted of all miracles.  Look back and see the great victories the Lord has given you.

 

2.  Verses 8-12 – Reflection.  The praise of the psalmist for the things that God was now doing.

 

a)  Verse 9.  “He holdeth our soul in life!”  Hebrews 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

b)  Verse 9.  “Suffereth not our feet to be moved!”  Isaiah 43:2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 

c)  Verses 10-12.  “proved … tried us”  “broughtest us out into a wealthy place”  Deuteronomy 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

 

3.  Verses 13-20 – Resolve. 

 

G.  Now that we remember God’s blessings in the past and reflect on His goodness in the “now” of our lives,  Let us look at the results of Resolve found in the later verses.

 

1.  A Resolve To be Faithful in Our Attendance.  “I will go into thy house.”

 

2.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Sacrifice.  “with burnt offerings”

 

3.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Promise.  “I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.: 

 

4.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Testimony.  What a blessing to hear what things God does for others.  I am not jealous of their blessing; I am blessed by them!

 

5.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Worship.  “I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.”

 

6.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Holiness.  “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 

 

7.  A Resolve to be Faithful in Prayer.  “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.”