The Steps of a Good Man

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2025

Psalm 37:23–26

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 37 is one of David’s wisdom psalms and is instructional in nature.  It presents a profound contrast between the righteous and the wicked, between those who trust God and those who envy evildoers.

 

B.  Verses 1-8 show a progression of trust and acceptance of God’s will and way that bring about resting in the Lord. 

 

1.  God begins this psalm with an admonition, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” 

 

2.  We often see the wicked, seemingly blessed, while we suffer hardship.  There is an old saying, “Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to evil people, but neither stays that way.”

 

C.  We find that God governs the affairs of men, and that the prosperity of the wicked is short-lived, while the righteous are preserved and guided by the Lord.

 

D.  Verses 9-22 show a stark contrast between the final outcome of the righteous and the wicked.  The righteous will be rewarded and prosper, while the wicked will not.  It pays both temporally and eternally to trust, rest, and walk with God!

 

E.  Our text shows us four things that are a reality of the life of the righteous that we will explore for a few minutes.

 

1.  Verse 23.  The Steps of the Good Man.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

 

a. The Person – “A good man”

 

1)  This “good man” is not good in himself, for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

 

Romans 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

2)  Rather, this refers to a righteous man, one who trusts in the Lord as described in verse 3: “Trust in the LORD, and do good…”

 

3)  A good man is one made righteous by faith, walking in obedience and fellowship with God.

 

b. The Path – “Ordered by the LORD”

 

1)  The word “ordered” means established, directed, or arranged. 

 

2)  A path controlled by God.  The righteous man’s path is not random, nor guided by chance or fate. A wise and loving Lord divinely arranges every step.

 

Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

 

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3)  Even the smallest details—where he walks, whom he meets, what he endures—are under God’s control.

 

c. The Pleasure – “He delighteth in his way”

 

1)  The “he” here may refer to both the Lord and the good man.  God delights in our way and the good man delights in God’s way.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

Psalms 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

 

2)  There is mutual delight—the believer walking in step with his God, and the Lord rejoicing in His faithful servant.

 

2.  Verse 24.  The Fall and the Upholding of the Good Man. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

 

a.  The Possibility of Falling.  The righteous man can fall, but not utterly.

 

1)  He may stumble through temptation, trial, or weakness—David himself knew that.

 

2)  Yet God’s child never falls out of grace, only within it.

 

Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

 

b. The Preservation by God’s Hand.

 

1)  The phrase “the LORD upholdeth him with His hand” shows divine intervention and gracious preservation.

 

2)  Even when we fall, His hand is underneath us:

 

Deuteronomy 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 

3)  God’s hand keeps His child from ruin, restores him from his fall, and sustains him in his walk.

 

3.  Verse 25.  The Testimony of the Good Man.  “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

 

a. David’s Life-long Observation. 

 

1)  David had lived a full life—shepherd, soldier, king, and psalmist—and he gives a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness.

 

2)  He had seen many things, but one thing he had never seen—a righteous man truly abandoned by God.

 

b. The Faithfulness of God.

 

1)  God never forsakes His own.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

2)  Even in times of famine, the Lord provides.  Elijah was fed by ravens; Israel by manna; the widow of Zarephath by a barrel that never emptied.

 

c.  The Heritage of the Righteous

 

1)  David adds, “nor his seed begging bread.”  The blessing of righteousness extends beyond the individual—it reaches his children.

 

2)  God’s promise is generational:

 

Proverbs 11:21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 

4.  Verse 26.  The Character of the Good Man.

 

a.  His Compassionate Spirit.

 

1)  The righteous man, being upheld and supplied by God, becomes merciful and generous toward others.

 

Psalms 41:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

 

2)  His mercy is not occasional, but constant—“ever merciful.” His generosity reflects the mercy he has received.

 

b. His Continual Blessing.

 

1)  Because of his faithfulness and kindness, “his seed is blessed.”

2)  The children of the righteous often enjoy the overflowing benefits of their parents’ faith and integrity.

3)  God delights to honor a godly lineage.

 

Conclusion: 

 

Psalm 37, as a whole, contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the sure preservation of the righteous.

Verses 23–26 give a personal, tender look into the life of a believer under God’s care:

 

1.  His steps are ordered.

 

2.  His falls are cushioned.

 

3.  His needs are supplied.

 

4.  His seed is blessed.

 

The Good Man takes comfort:  Though the wicked may prosper for a season, the righteous are under divine direction, divine correction, divine provision, and divine preservation.

Bibliology: The Doctrine of Scriptures - Part 1 - The Bible

Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2025

2 Timothy 3:10-17

 

Introduction:  Introduction to Bibliology.

A.  This morning, we will continue a series on Sound Doctrine.  We have seen the doctrines of Theology (The Doctrine of God), Christology (The Doctrine of Christ), Pneumatology (The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit), Hamartiology (The Doctrine of Sin), and Soteriology (The Doctrine of Salvation).

 

B.  Today, we begin a series on Bibliology, The Doctrine of the Scriptures. 

 

1.  The greatest of all doctrines!  More than all the fundamental truths that we have studied, because if the Bible does not stand, if the Bible is not perfectly correct, if the Bible is not totally a “God Book,” then all other “ologies” will fail because their foundation is found in the Bible! 

 

2.  Bibliology is the fundamental foundation of Truth, as it is through the Bible that we find all the previous truths recorded.

 

3.  The local church is to be the pillar and the ground of the Truth. The Truth will make you truly free, free indeed.

 

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

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

 

4.  The Pastor/Teacher is the most critical herald of the Truth!  God did not place a college professor in charge of preaching and teaching the Truth of God’s Word.  God gave the Pastor/Teacher to the local church! 

 

Ephesians 4:12-15  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

a)  For the perfecting of the saints.  “For the perfecting of the saints”

 

b)  For the work of the ministry.  “for the work of the ministry”

 

c)  For the edifying of the body of Christ.  “for the edifying of the body of Christ”

 

d)  For the unity of the faith.  “Till we all come in the unity of the faith”

 

e)  For the knowledge of the Son of God.  “and of the knowledge of the Son of God”

 

f)  For the perfection of the people of God.  “unto a perfect man”

 

g)  For the fullness of Christ.  “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”

 

h)  For the maturity of the believers.  “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine”

 

i)  For the protection of the flock.  “by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”

 

j)  For speaking the truth in love!  “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”

 

2 Timothy 4:1-5  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

5.  Thus, the importance of knowing, preaching, teaching, and following the Truth.  I am not “beating my drum” this morning. 

 

a)  God did not call a college professor, TV preacher, or self-proclaimed Bible teacher to overshadow the man of God who stands in the pulpit of the local church! 

 

b)  Universities and Colleges do not “trump” the Local Church!  Every major denomination along with conventions have fallen into liberalism through their institutions of “higher learning.”  No learning should be higher than the pulpit of the local church.

 

c)   And, if calling standing for the Truth of God’s Word “majoring on a minor,” then so be it!

 

C.  First, let me reiterate that I am a fundamental Bible believer, or Biblicist.  It matters not what men say concerning doctrinal truth unless they are in complete agreement with the Scriptures.  The Bible is the final authority for both faith and practice!

 

D.  There is much confusion concerning the myriads of false manuscripts and “bibles” that now flood the market.  Liberal preachers, pastors, and teachers have rejected the King James Bible as they now use anything but it.  I stand unapologetically for the Authorized King James Bible!   I believe that the Authorized King James Bible is the inerrant, infallible, inspired, perfectly preserved Word of God for the English-speaking people!  No apology is needed nor extended.

 

E.  So, what is all the “fuss” about?  Satan has attacked the Word of God from the beginning in the Garden of Eden when the serpent asked, “Yea, hath God said?” followed by “Ye shall not surely die!”  Satan hates God, God’s Word, God’s Work, and God’s people.  It is his intent to confuse, discourage, and defile all that God has blessed with His approval.

 

F. Fundamental Bible believers have not caused today’s confusion.  The confusion is by the non-fundamental, non-Bible disbelievers!  We who stand for the Word of God are not confused; we just believe what it says.  We who believe God’s Word and stand upon the same have become “public enemy #1.”

 

G. The far left has maligned fundamental men of God.  This is a ploy of the devil in politics as well as in Theology.  We have been called ignorant and unlearned men, cultic, divisive, and worshippers of paper and ink. 

 

H.  I believe the Bible!   I am unapologetic and unbending, so to the liberal non-Bible believer, please just let this poor old, misguided preacher alone!  Let me preach, teach, and live by the King James Bible.

 

J.  If I read no other text in the Bible, our text for this morning would be a Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation. It says all that will ever need to be said on the subject of the Scriptures.

 

a.  Every few years, I preach a series on the Bible for various reasons. 

 

1.  I know that our people are well versed in the Scriptures, but we have young people growing up who need to know what we know. 

 

2.  Also, because of the constant "chipping away" of doctrinal truth through false teaching and peer pressure.  We adults need reinforcement. 

 

3.  What I will preach over these weeks will be what the Bible says and teaches about the Bible.  This series will not be about opinion; it will be about God's truth concerning the Scriptures.

 

b.  In 2 Timothy, the key verse is chapter 2, verse 15:

 

1.  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  Here, Paul is admonishing young Timothy to study the Word of God! 

 

2.  Thank God Timothy did not go join a liberal church nor did he go off to Bible College.  He sat under God's man who told him to study the Word of God.  Modern Bible Colleges and Universities have become “cesspools” for doctrinal heresies as they undermine the very Bible that many hold in their hands by teaching errancy and fallibility of the Scriptures.

 

3.  As your pastor, I tell you to study the Word of God!  Forget the “Common Taters,” as they should always be a last resort.  Then, when you read after them, keep in mind that these commentaries are the work of man, not the work of God. 

 

4.  Also, it is hard to find a doctrinally straight commentary.  John Gill was a Calvinist who used other versions.  Schofield was not entirely faithful to the Bible.  J. Vernon McGee would re-translate the Bible.  The list could go on and on but you get the gist of it.

 

5.  The best commentary on the Bible is always the Bible.  Paul told Timothy to study the Bible and the Bible alone.

 

1 Corinthians 2:11-13  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  (12)  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  (13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

2 Peter 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

 

c.  What a perfectly inspired, complex, and perfect unified Bible that we have!

 

1.  It contains 66 Books, 1,189 chapters, 31,102 Verses, app. 783,137 words, and app. 3,116,480 letters in it.  39 Old Testament Books and 27 New Testament Books.

 

2.  It was written over a period of approximately 1,500-1,600 years from 1500 B.C. until 96 A.D.

 

3.  It was written by 40 different men from different walks of life under the Authorship of the Holy Spirit, maintaining one unified message, the redemption of mankind through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

d.  The translation work of the King James Bible was a once-in-history work in both complexity and perfect accuracy.

 

1.  Commissioned by King James I of England in 1604.

 

2.  Published in 1611.

 

3.  Based entirely on the Hebrew Masoretic Text (the Old Testament) and the Greek Textus Receptus (the New Testament).

 

4.  There were six groups (companies) of translators, totaling about 47 scholars, divided between Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster:

 

5.  These scholars who translated the King James Bible were linguistic and theological giants, many fluent in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and other languages.

 

e.  The Translation Process was both complex and systematic.

 

1. Each translator first worked individually on his assigned portion.

 

2. The company then met to compare and discuss every verse.

 

3. Once completed, the section was sent to other companies for review and revision.

 

4. A final committee of twelve (two from each company) made final edits for uniformity and accuracy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

5. The result was a Bible of unmatched beauty, precision, and doctrinal purity.

 

6.  Every verse was carefully examined by multiple scholars, ensuring accuracy and consistency across the entire work.

 

7.  Early printings contained typographical errors (e.g., the “Wicked Bible,” 1631, accidentally omitted “not” in “Thou shalt not commit adultery”).  These were typographical errors which were removed.

 

8.  Standardized spelling and punctuation were updated in 1762 (Cambridge Edition) and 1769 (Oxford Edition) — the latter being the standard King James Bible used today.

 

f.  The Significance of the King James Bible.

 

1.  Linguistically: Shaped the English language; over 257 idioms in modern English come directly from it.

 

2.  Doctrinally: Preserves the pure Word of God based on the Received Texts used by the early church.

 

3.  Spiritually: Revered for its reverence, cadence, purity, and divine majesty, unlike modern translations that alter or omit key words.

 

g.  I gave you this information to show you the greatness of your King James Bible.  The inspiration of the authors and the preservation of those who published it!

 

Psalms 68:11  The Lord gave the word (Inspiration): great was the company of those that published it (Preservation).

 

h.  In the following weeks, we will find out what God says about the Word of God, and, at that point, people can either believe the Bible or reject its clear truths.

 

i. NO PLACE in the Bible tells us that it will ever be wrong at any time or on any point.  The Bible declares itself to be perfect and completely reliable.

 

Conclusion:  Prize your Bible, magnify your Bible, stand on your Bible, live by your Bible, and you will live a life that is both satisfying and pleasing to God.

Fornication

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-15-2025

1 Corinthians 6:13-20

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Tonight, I will deal with a subject that I do not like to preach on but is vital to the church.  We understand that fornication is a vile sin, but there are many vile sins mentioned in the Bible. 

 

B.  So, the question may be asked, “Why the emphasis upon fornication?”  God emphasizes the sin of fornication, not this pastor. For me to skip preaching on fornication would be a dereliction of duty! 

 

C.  The Bible has much to say about this particular sin, and we need to both understand the devastation of fornication and how to stay away from it and its effects. 

 

D.  Fornication has become one of America’s most significant problems.  Many things have changed over the past millennia that have led us to where we are tonight.

 

1.  The breakup of America’s homes.  I heard a young man say that “marriage would die with the older generation.”  In many ways, he was right.  Within the bounds of marriage, God approved of the physical relationship of husband and wife.

 

2.  A lack of biblical teaching on the subject and parents “farming out” their children to wicked public schools that revel in unbiblical sexual principles such as free sex, transgender, etc.

 

3.  Immodesty in dress portraying women and men as sex symbols.

 

4.  Advertising using sensuality and nudity.

 

5.  What was once hidden became openly displayed.

 

E.  The First Mention of the physical union of a man and woman tells us all that we need to know on the subject, though there are many others found across the Bible’s pages.

 

Genesis 2:24-25  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  (25)  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

Genesis 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

 

1.  I will give two complementary passages found in the New Testament.

 

Matthew 1:24-25  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  (25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.  (There is much false doctrine taught about the “Virgin Mary’ that the Bible clearly dispels.  She did not remain a virgin until after the birth of Christ. Joseph “knew” his wife and multiple children were born to this natural union of husband and wife.

 

2. The Bible explains God’s mind on the union of husband and wife in the Book of Hebrews.

 

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

F.  Fornication defined: porneia - por-ni'-ah, a root word for pornography.  This includes adultery, harlotry, incest, and sex outside of marriage.  The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman; the gratification of sexual appetites without respect to marriage or the necessity of God's approval."

 

1.  The Single Man With A Single Woman – Proverbs 2:1-22

        

2.  The Married Adult With A Single Woman – Proverbs 5:1-23

 

3.  The Single Adult With A Married Woman – Proverbs 6:20-35

 

4.  The Young Man With An Older Married Woman – Proverbs 7:1-27

 

G.  Morality has dropped to an all-time low.

 

1.  Purity is almost a thing of the past.

 

2.  Our society has been bombarded by:

 

                              a)  T.V. and Hollywood

 

                              b)  Magazines and newspapers

 

                              c)  Department Stores (ladies' departments with their pornography)

 

                              d)  Schools (sex education by ungodly teachers and textbooks)

 

3.  Fornication proceeds from an evil heart!

 

Matthew 15:18-19  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

 

H.  Fornication – why the emphasis?

 

1. The Problem of Fornication.

 

          a.  Fornication is a sin against the body – 1 Corinthians 6:18

 

                    1)  The body has been bought – 1 Corinthians 6:20

 

2)  The body will be delivered – 1 Corinthians 6:13-14  (It will be changed, but it is still your body) - Philippians 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  (Change it, not do away with it)

 

1 Corinthians 15:42-44  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

          b.  Fornication is a breach of love and trust – 1 Corinthians 7:2-4

 

1)  We are espoused to Christ - 2 Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

2)  Our body is the property of Christ – 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

 

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

          c.  Fornication brings about a wound and disgrace – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

Proverbs 6:33  A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.   

 

Romans 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

                   

2.  The Prevention of Fornication

 

a.  Spiritual Wisdom From God’s Word - Proverbs 6:22-24  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

 

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

 

1 Corinthians 6:18  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

 

b.  Spiritual Discernment – 1 Corinthians 7:1-2  Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 

 

c.  Spiritual Eyes - Matthew 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 

d.  Spiritual Minds - 2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

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