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News of Interest to Bible Believers
Temple Baptist Church - 8-8-20182 Peter 3:14-18Introduction:A. As we end the Second Epistle of Peter, we find an admonition by the great Apostle to stand fast in the doctrine of the Scriptures. This message will be straight and without apology as I believe it to be essential to the steadfastness of the saints in these last, perilous times.2 Timothy 3:1-10 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (10) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (Moses, God's man, was sent to deliver the people of God from Egypt and these two men, Jammes and Jambres, withstood him. "So do these also resist the truth!)B. Peter wrote these two Epistles because of the difficulties that the "strangers scattered" were having.1. They wanted to know what their relationship was to the Nation of Israel now that they had been born into the Family of God.2. They also wanted to know their relationship to the Law.3. They had become infiltrated with false teachers.C. I believe that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews (verse 15), one of the Jewish Christian Epistles, but Peter also references his other epistles in verse 16 . He did not sign the epistle with his name because the saved Jews feared him because of the way he persecuted them before his Damascus Road conversion.2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.1. Peter mentioned such a letter. 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;2. Paul mention those in bonds of which he was one. Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.3. Paul mentioned Timothy, his son in the faith, coming to them. Paul often used Timothy and Titus to carry letters to churches while he himself was incarcerated. Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.4 Paul signed the Book of Hebrews with his token signature. Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.2 Thessalonians 3:17-18 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. (18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.D. We live in the last day phenomena of false teachers. Peter fought them; Paul fought them; we fight them! They are everywhere. They are on the television, radio, colleges, and churches. The "falling away" of 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, has been in full swing for over 100 years now. I have no "axes to grind" tonight but must preach on these verses.2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even asthere shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 1. These false teachers were not and are not outsiders. We do not listen to the heretics on TV or the radio. These false teachers were and are among us! This means that they have creditability and acceptance. 2. If a preacher got into this pulpit and said that there were mistakes in the King James Bible or said that this word could been translated differently or better, you would run him off. This is the way it is in most good churches. 3. But a college professor can undercut the purity of the bible and they are protected. If they did not have acceptance and protection, they would not be tolerated. When God's men preach against them, there is resistance.E. Before we dissect our text, let me bring this prophecy close to home for us all. I feel it necessary to use Peter's final admonition to "the strangers scattered," which is prophetic of our day, to point the people back to God's Way and God's Word. Out text explains the problem and gives the solution.F. Since other churches, TV and Radio preachers have no effect upon how we believe and operate, I want to look at the one area of problem that all of us face. Now for a little history lesson to show how far the God's people have been led from the truth.1. Before the beginning of the 20th Century, the local churches were places where the Bible was the accepted as the final authority. It was all that the child of God needed for doctrinal correctness. God gave us the local church, not a college, university, or seminary.2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (The bible is all that God's people need to perfect and thoroughly furnish God's men.)2 Timothy 4:1-4 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. (These are the days that we live in. People do not want a straight preaching, King James Bible Church. They are wanting a sermonette from a preacherette that will make them feel good about themselves, not bring conviction and repentance.)a) Paul called the church the "pillar and ground of the truth." From the beginning, God gave the local church to the believers as a place of doctrinal grounding and fellowship. God gave the churches pastor-teachers to grind out the scriptures and feed it to the "flock of God." 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.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.Acts 20:26-31 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. (27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.2. Before the beginning of the 20th Century, God's people did not argue over which bible to use; there was no generation gap between young and old. In the early 20th Century, this new phenomenon began to grow. a) Young preachers sat at the feet of older, settled, doctrinally correct men of God until they were grounded in the scriptures and doctrine. b) Each new generation followed the "Old Paths" that their fathers followed.Acts 2:41-42 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.3. In the 20th Century, instead of relying on what God chose to spiritually educate believers, religious denominations began starting seminaries for the instruction of God's men in the doctrine of their choosing. Methodists, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc. began to send their young preachers off to "college" to learn the Word of God and become sound in doctrine. Local churches were no longer deemed sufficient to do what God established it for.Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) 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;4. The independent Baptist Movement was no different as they certainly did not want to send their young preachers to a denominational college that was not of like precious faith, so they started their own colleges. They began to rob the local church of its young, God called men! These colleges soon became infested with liberalism and the product was young men filling pulpits who were not doctrinally sound. They in turn begat followers of like heretical beliefs. 5. In the beginning, independent Baptist Churches started their schools of higher learning under the authority of the local church, but parachurch (outside of or against - the concept of the parachurch ministry was unknown to the first century church and is therefore not mentioned in Scripture)seminaries began to arise.6.The first bible schools were seminaries that were meant to aid in the training of Christian workers and preachers, but the people began to feel the need to educate their children in Christian schools instead of secular ones. Therefore, the seminaries adapted and began to offer Liberal Arts degrees along with bible educations. 7. The Liberal Arts degrees were and are good, but their bible education is often contrary to the teachings of the local churches. Schools and colleges became places of pride and, to some degree, allegiance to the graduates. The Latin phrase "Alma Mater" means "Nourishing or Bountiful Mother." 8. There became a gap between the pulpit of the local church and the professor in the classroom. I look back over my college years and see that I learned little or no doctrine in the classroom. I learned my doctrine by sitting under my pastors and studying the Bible. In college, I did learn things that were more "Baptist" than "Bible." The same in my post-graduate work.9. We are independent, autonomous local churches. What other churches preach, where they stand, has no affect upon us. If they stand, praise the Lord. If they go liberal, that is their business and does not affect our church. Bible colleges, seminaries, etc. can and do affect local churches because their people attend them.10. I owe no allegiance to any school. I owe my allegiance to my local church and pastor! I want you to fully understand what I am about to say. I am a BIBLICIST before I am a Baptist. That does not mean that I am not glad to be a Baptist; it means that where the Baptist and the Bible do not agree, I stand unerringly with the inerrant, infallible Word of God!G. Now, with all of that said, let us look at our text.1. The end time existence of unlearned and unstable men. These are people who place humanistic thinking about the authoritative Word of God. These are the people who wrestle with the Word of God. These are dangerous men and God called them wicked in verse 17. a. Peter and followers were unlearned and ignorant. Ignorant means to not have been taught. Not to have knowledge pertaining to a subject; uneducated, untrained, uninformed."Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.b. These men are unlearned and unstable. This means that they are not ignorant of what the bible teaches, but they do not accept the truth of its teachings and are unstable or changing. They are never satisfied with one version of the bible but go from the King James to the NASV to the ESV to the NKJV, etc. 2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.c. They have read the same bible that you and I have read but come to a different conclusion. Whereas we take God at His Word, they do not think that the bible is completely correct. This is the exact opposite of what the bible teaches.1 Corinthians 1:26-31 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.d. Now, before anyone labels me a heretic, let me say that not all men of education and wisdom are lost or heretical! God has and can use educated people, but their education must not destroy their faith in the Bible! The Apostle Paul was among the best educated men of his time.Acts 26:24-25 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. (25) But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.c. These men are unlearned in that they do not believe the bible. The bible claims to be the perfect, inspired, preserved, inerrant, infallible, living word of God. I believe it to be so, but these men deny what the bible claims. Who is right, these men or the bible.d. These men are unstable because their version of the bible is in a state of constant change. Their bible is constantly being traded for a newer updated version. Bible believers remain with the bible and do not change.2. The end time existence of men who wrest with the Bible. The word "wrest" means to twist or to fight against. Peter mentions things hard to be understood. The simplest way to understand the bible is believe what it says is right and always interpret hard scripture (will never understand everything in the bible) with easy, plain verses. Wrestlers make the bible conform to their theology instead making their theology conform to the bible.2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.a. The Word of God is just that: THE WORD OF GOD!1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.b. God's people believe the Bible, not wrestle with it. "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.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.c. God intended for His people to be grounded in truth. God never intended for His people to be ignorant of what He said. His will is for people to get saved and sit under pastors who will teach them.Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (To teach them all things, you must have all things.)Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (To live by every word, you must have every word. Was our Lord so wrong as to make this statement knowing that the Word of God would one day become erroneous.)3. The end time existence of being led away. Peter mentions the possibility of being led away with the error of the wicked. Thus, falling from their steadfastness.a. We live in days of instability. Ephesians 4:14 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; (I have never seen so many people who are regular in church that are doctrinally ignorant! It matters not where they go to church and believe that every denomination is alright. I do not want to preach a doctrinal series right now, but doctrine is important.)Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.b. We live in days of falling away. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (People who once stood with us no longer believe what we believe. We believe the Bible.)1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;c. We live in days of wrestling with the scriptures. Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (To wrestle is to fight with or to fight against. Why can people not just believe what the Bible says and quit trying to make it say what they want it to say. The Bible is right, and man is wrong.)
Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2018Proverbs 15:13, 15; 17:12Introduction: A. The heart, the soul of man. Self-conscious.B. The spirit, that by which we perceive God. God-conscious.C. A merry heart – doeth good like a medicine. 1. A medicine is something that you take when you feel bad. Medicines, as a rule, make one become healthy once again. 2. When our hearts are merry, we are joyful (not necessarily happy) and our countenance reflects it. Our life reflects it for others to see. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice." God said, "Let me repeat that for you!"D. A broken spirit – drieth the bone. 1. The marrow of the bone is where our life is found. The bone marrow does so many things but the one that I want to look at is that it produces the blood, which is the life of the flesh. 2. A broken spirit saps the spiritual life out of the believer. Our life is more than physical health. Many physically well people have no life at all.E. All of us have problems, depressing times, and then times when there is nothing wrong, but we choose to just have a bad day. A merry heart is a valuable thing to have.1. A Merry Heart Maketh A Cheerful Countenance – 15:13 - Most people today look like a mule that has been eating saw briers! Every where you go, you see sad faces, hear cursing and complaining! Smiles are contagious!2. A Merry Heart Maketh A Continual Feast – 15:15 - Enjoyment of life! We are so blessed and yet people are still not satisfied and live lives of quiet desperation!3. A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like A Medicine – 17:12 - A smiling face or "drieth the bone!"(a) A medicine soothes. A merry heart soothes us, and our attitude & anxiety is reduced.(b) A medicine reduces pain. A merry heart reduces the pain of hurt feelings, failed expectations and misunderstandings.(c) A medicine makes one feel better, especially when infection is removed. God's prescription for your heart problem isn't just to smile and ignore it but to smile despite it.(d) You are either happy and healthy or depressed and dried out!F. When our spirit becomes "broken," we cease to be God conscious. 1. We are God conscious when we worship. It is with the spirit and the truth that we worship! A lack of either one causes "will worship," which is not acceptable to God.John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.2. What is a broken spirit? It is a self-induced illness! We all realize that God's grace is always sufficient; our strength is made perfect through weakness; God will never leave nor forsake us; and we can trust in the Lord with all our hearts.G. A merry heart or a broken spirit is a personal choice that each of us make each day.HOW TO HAVE A MERRY HEART1. A Merry Heart Comes Through Conversion – You will never be truly happy until you know Christ.Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:a. Saved - Psalms 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.b. Safe - John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.2. A Merry Heart Comes Through Contentment – 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.a. Content With Your Lord - Psalms 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (The Lord has been so good to us!)b. Content With Your Bible - Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at thy word,as one that findeth great spoil.c. Content With Your Wife - Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.d. Content With Your Possessions - Heb 13:5 Let your conversation bewithout covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.3. A Merry Heart Comes Through Commitment – trusting the Lord in every part of your life. (Whatever my lot thou hast TAUGHT me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul!")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.2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.a. He Is Our Defense - Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.b. He Is Our Strength - Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.c. He Is Our Help – Psalms 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.d. He Is Our Rejoicing - Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: andagain I say, Rejoice.4. A Merry Heart Comes Through Consecration - Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Lose your life and find it – most people never find their lives because they never lose their lives! "Let me lose my life and find it, Lord, in thee!")a. Consecration To Service - Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If anyman will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.b. Consecration To Sanctification - Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man thatwalketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. c. Consecration To Souls – to be soul conscious to not be self-conscious - John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and thencometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.Conclusion: God wants you to be happy in this life even though it is full of troubles and sorrows. 1. You will never be happy until you are converted!2. You will never be happy until you are content!3. You will never be happy until you are committed!4. You will never be happy until you are consecrated!
Temple Baptist Church - 7-8-2018Romans 8:29-30Introduction:A. As we look at predestination tonight, we need to remember that the Bible plainly asserts that God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:6-11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; James 2:1) Any doctrine that places God in a position of such is blatantly false!B. Some confuse and equate Divine foreknowledge and foreordination. God can know a matter before hand without predetermining the matter to the point that the people (in this case) are excluded, as far as their will and participation are concerned. Some religionists, nonetheless, maintain such a radical view of predestination that in stressing the sovereignty of God, they have eliminated the will and role of man.C. God "understandeth our thoughts afar off" and, therefore, knows what choices that we will make. God knew that Satan would tempt Eve and that Adam would sin. He did not force or program them to sin. They committed sin by choice. God is a God of love and ultimate equity!D. Biblical predestination is proof of God's omniscience. Furthermore, biblical prophecy is predicated on God's foreknowledge and predestination. The fact that God knew that only a few would accept his Son is also indicative of God's love in sending his Son. "The few" who will be saved are not a group whom God arbitrarily and totally, without any participation on their part, chose to be save, but those who "enter in at the strait gate," which is faith in Jesus Christ!E. First, I hope everyone has the preceding straight. Man has responsibility to come to Jesus Christ for salvation. Period!F. Secondly, predestination has to do with God's purpose in salvation, not selection in salvation. Predestination has to do with foreknowledge! As we look at these verses, we see them from God's side which was precipitated in eternity past, declaring His purpose and man's side which began in verse 7. No man is predestined to either heaven or hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not man! (Unless some ignorant theologian thinks that all the unsaved are the "angel-humans" of their "Sons of God" theory in Genesis 6!)G. Let's look at these verses in their context and see what God said concerning predestination. 1. The "For" at the beginning of verse 29 ties it to the preceding verses (Context Principle of Bible Interpretation) and, therefore to us as God's children. There is no mention of the unsaved in these verses! God is declaring the position of those in Christ. The antecedent of "whom" is the plural pronouns found in these verses. There is not one singular pronoun in the context. Paul, through the Holy Ghost, is speaking of the body corporate or the Body of Christ.2. The word "foreknow" is the key to the verses for tonight. God not only knew about us, He knew us! God knows all things. He sees the end from the beginning. Nothing ever surprises God or even occurs to God. He is omniscient. He knew that we would come to trust in Him from the foundation of the world.Ephesians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Notice the plural pronouns. Predestination and election are always found surrounded with plural pronouns. Never, when referring to man, do you find a singular pronoun in the context. God sees a "finished product" when He sees us!)Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ("Ye" is plural because it becomes "we" and "us" and together.)Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ("Ye" is plural because it becomes "yourselves" and "we." It is the Body of Christ that conforms to the image of Christ.)3. "Predestinate" is to pre-determine. Predestination is our conformity to Christ, not "election" by Christ. What and who did God pre-determine. The collective Body of Christ. God sees us eternally home and like unto Him. He also sees a Bride perfected.Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.4. "Called." The "called" in this verse are those whom God foreknew that would answer His call. We that are saved are the "called."Matthew 22:11-14 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen. (The "wedding garment" is the imputed righteousness of Christ. God's call is a universal invitation but the chosen are those who answer that call.)2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (How are we "chosen?" Through faith! We believed the truth. Sanctification and belief are simultaneous acts.)Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (This verse Biblically answers the question: "Does man have a choice to accept or to reject?"John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (The Pharisees could have been saved just as Paul was on the Damascus Road.)5. "Them He justified." To be declared or to render innocent.Galatians 3:6-8 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (8) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (We are justified through our act of faith, not election or predestination.)6. "Glorified." As God knew us who are and are being saved before the beginning, He also sees us glorified with Him in eternity! Jude 24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.Conclusion: I think that the conclusion becomes obvious.1. God's Foreknowledge Sees Our Salvation Blood Based.2. God's Foreknowledge Sees Us Conformed To The Image Of His Son.3. God's Foreknowledge Sees Us Holy And Without Blame Before Him In Love.4. God's Foreknowledge Sees Us Finally Home!
Temple Baptist Church - 7-11-20182 Peter 3:9-15Introduction: A. I as watch the sinfulness and rejection of God in this present evil world, I stand amazed at the longsuffering of God. In this third chapter of 2 Peter, God speaks of the end of all things as we know them. God is just; God is holy; but, God is good; God is love; and God is longsuffering.B. There are three words in the Bible that show this: mercy, forbearance, and longsuffering.C. To understand God's longsuffering in these last days, it is important to go back to the First Mention of God's mercy, forbearance, and longsuffering with mankind's sinfulness.1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.D. The Flood came 1,656 years after the creation of Adam. I verified this number personally by adding the numbers in Genesis, chapter 5. 1. For 969 years before the Flood, God prophesied its coming. The birth and life of Methuselah was the prophecy of the judgement of God. Dr. Henry Morris said it may mean, "When he dies, judgment." Others say: "When he is dead, it shall be sent." I also calculated the date of Methuselah's birth and death. Methuselah died the year of the Flood. Almost 1,000 years of longsuffering.2. Noah, a preacher of righteousness, preached for 120 years (Genesis 6:3) before the Flood and until the actual event. After 120 years of preaching and building, the Ark was finished, and God commanded Noah to load the Ark, bring his family, and come into the Ark in Genesis 7:1. 12o years more of longsuffering.3. In Genesis 7:3, it is recorded that God kept the Ark's door open for an additional 7 days in the which any person on earth could have repented and entered. 7 more days of additional longsuffering.E. Notice the rapidly diminishing number of years and days (969 years, 120 years, 7 days) as the judgement of God approached. Peter said, "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God," in 2 Peter 3:12.F. Noah's day is a story of man's sinfulness, God's messenger, God's universal invitation, and God's additional longsuffering before He shut the door of the Ark. Now, we see the meaning of our verses for tonight.1. The Mercy of God. Mercy is, to be simply put, not getting what one deserves. God does not want mankind to get what they deserve! We all deserve hell, but God has prepared a place called heaven.Exodus 34:5-6 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (6) And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (The mercy of God is the foundation for the forbearance of God.)2. The Forbearance of God. Fore-bear. To make up one's mind in advance to put up with something. Forbearance is the most basic form of patience and is usually thought of as an action—a relatively short-term restraint or act of tolerance. It is directed toward another person, group of people, or set of immediate circumstances, resulting from some wrong (or perceived wrong) having been committed against us. Forbearance, in the human sense, may be shown with a truly loving heart or it can also be shown with much grumbling and little in the way of a loving motivation. Throughout each generation of mankind, God has—because of His great love—put up with man's rebellion and sinfulness.Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (God has mercy upon us and, in forbearance, God puts up with us! The mercy and forbearance of God are the foundations for the longsuffering of God.)3. The Longsuffering of God. Longsuffering is like unto mercy and forbearance in its meaning and application. The chief difference is that longsuffering, as suggested by the word itself, is a type of forbearance which is not just exercised in the immediate moment of an experience. Rather, it is a character quality developed and exercised over the long-term course of many similar experiences.1. God is longsuffering in His Forgiveness. In verse 9, we see that He is not willing that "any" should perish. No predestination to hell.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?2. God is longsuffering in His Salvation. In verse 9, we see that He wants "all" to be saved. No election of a few to salvation. An open invitation.1 Timothy 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;Conclusion: Thus, we see God's longsuffering in Noah's day ended with the judgement of this evil world. Today, we see God's longsuffering with the wicked but—one day—it will end with the judgement of this present evil world. He loves sinners and has provided the Lamb of God to take away their sin. To reject God's offer of forgiveness and salvation is to suffer eternal punishment in hell.
Temple Baptist Church - 7-15-2018Acts 2:41-47Introduction: A. Most local churches and denominations have become confused as to their purpose for existence. 1. A preacher from the 1800's was quoted: "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats."2. To show the ignorance of church going people, they commonly say that it does not matter where you go to church if you go somewhere.B. The modern-day churches are doing this very thing.a. They have become social clubs. Where the elite of society join to be seen and promote their careers. Notice how few doctors, teachers, lawyers, business men, and politicians join true New Testament churches.b. They have become entertainment centers. Their programs and music reflect the mood and priorities of the world.c. They have become safe havens for the sinful. Sinners, both lost and saved, are not being confronted with their sin and, therefore, continue in them.d. They have become banks where the tithes and offerings of the saints now rest in bank (or personal) accounts. God never intended for money to remain in the bank while a world is dying without Christ and missionaries are struggling to get to the field.e. The have become more worldly and less godly. There was a time when the church was a place for the rich to show off their elegance in clothing fashions but now it is the reverse. Today, the church has become a place where people wear their casual clothing along with sandals and flip-flops.C. I find no Martyr's Roll containing the names of church entertainers. Men of God were put to death for not bowing or bending to the whims of society. They were not politically correct! They died for the Word of God!2 Timothy 3:10-13 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.D. What is the purpose of the local church? This morning, we read the First Mention of the local church in operation. The Lord had previously mentioned church discipline the Book of Matthew but it is in Acts, chapter 2, that we find the assembly and its work.1. Evangelization – Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Peter had preached Christ publicly in this chapter and thousands turned to Christ.)Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (In our Lord's command of evangelization, He mentioned both home and foreign missions.)Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Go ye, teach, baptize. We must go, they must hear and believe, then they are baptized.)2. Education – Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine.Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (The importance of sound doctrine is found in "all things.")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. 3. Exhortation – Acts 2:42, 46 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers … and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. 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. (The exhortation of God's people.)2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (The exhortation of God's Word.)Hebrews 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.4. Unification – Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.Ephesians 4:13-14 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;(The Scriptural education that only the Bible brings.)5. Supplication - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.6. Adoration – Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Giving praise to He, who alone is worthy: our Lord Jesus Christ.)Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Temple Baptist Church - 7-22-2018Proverbs 4:20-23Introduction: A. The heart, mind, soul, and body are intricately tied together. The mind and heart are knit together in thinking, expression, and action.1. The imaginative heart - Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (How we imagine is determined upon the spiritual condition of our hearts.)2. The expressive heart - Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? (Abraham carried on a silent conversation in his heart. We carry on conversation within instead of without. "Self, I says!")3. The exposing heart - Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (What we think in our hearts will ultimately become known through our outward actions.)B. Therefore, in verse 20, we are to "attend" to God's Word and "incline" unto God's sayings. These words are intransitive verbs, a verb that transfers its action to an object within the sentence, and are explained in verse 21.1. Attend – transitive verb – to go to or to be present. Verse 21 says that they are not to "depart from thine eyes." To keep out hearts with all diligence, we must be present with God's Word: to read, study, and present to hear. As an intransitive verb, it means to apply oneself to something.2. Incline – transitive verb - to stoop or to bow; to be influenced. Verse 21 says to "keep them in the midst of thine heart." We are to not only read, study, and hear God's Word—we are to allow it to influence our thoughts and, therefore, our actions.C. Verse 23 uses three words: "keep … diligence … issues."1. Keep – to guard or to protect. The object of our guarding is the heart.2. Diligence – the legal care of a person party to a contract. The action of our guarding is obligation.3. Issues – to spring or to flow out; to go forth. The result of our guarding is a heart of holiness.D. How to be heart healthy:1. Regular Spiritual Checkups Through Self-Examination.Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?a. Self-Examination:1) Self Examination of Salvation - 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (Am I in Christ Jesus. So many people do not check up on their salvation because of fear of what they will find.)2) Self Examination of Spiritual Walk - 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (In our day, we can check our own blood pressure and pulse rate with a cheap blood pressure machine. We can also check our own spiritual wellbeing as well.)b. Regular Spiritual Checkups By God. God's Examinations Are Comprehensive: 1) The Secrets Of The Heart - Psalms 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.2) The Control Of The Heart - Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.3) The Leading Of The Heart - Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.4) The Imaginations Of The Heart - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.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;Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.2. Dailey Saturation Of Scripture. Read Your Bible Daily. a. I sent out a thing about treating your Bible like you treat your cell phone. I added a couple of things to that.(1) Carry it everywhere that you go.(2) If you forget it, go back and get it.(3) Check it for messages several times a day.(4) Use it in case of emergencies.(5) Share things in it regularly.(6) Spend an hour or more each day reading it.(7) When you wear it out, get another immediately BUT DON'T UPDATE IT!!! The old one was fine!1 Timothy 4:7-9 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (8) For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (9) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.Psalms 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.Psalms 119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.a. God's Word Will Rejoice Your Heart - Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.b. God's Word Will Purify Your Heart - Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.c. God's Word Will Stabilize Your Heart - Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.3. Learn To Eat Healthy Through Spiritual Meditation.Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.a. Meditate Upon The Law Of God - Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.Psalms 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.b. Meditate Upon The Son Of God - Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the nightwatches.c. Meditate Upon The Work Of God - Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.4. Worship Regularly: You Keep Your Heart Through Adoration.a. Praise - Psalms 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.b. Testimony - Psalms 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.c. Singing - Psalms 138:1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.d. Faithfulness - Psalms 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.e. Longing - Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.f. Rejoicing - Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.Conclusion: DILIGENCE, n. [L., to love earnestly; to choose.] Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity, care; heed; heedfulness.
Temple Baptist Church - 7-8-2018Nahum 1:1-7Introduction: A. The interpretation of our verses. The Book of Nahum is the prophecy of the impending judgement of God upon Nineveh. God sent Jonah, the reluctant servant, to Nineveh to tell of the judgement of God on a sinful city but, much to Jonah's displeasure, Nineveh turned to God in chapter 2 and God saved the city. In our text, we find that 150 years has now past and Nineveh has apostatized. I want to make an application of these verses to the lives of God's children.B. Lately, I have been taking a biblical look at problems that God's people often face. One of my favorite verses concerning hard times is found when Jacob went down to Egypt and stood before Pharaoh.Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. Job 14:1-2 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.C. There have been a lot of songs written by people who endured hard times. Psalms 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.1. Page 94 - Stand By Me – "When the storms of life are raging, stand by me!"2. Page 119 - Till The Storm Passes By – "In the dark of the midnight, have I oft hid my face; while the storm howls above me and there is no hiding place!"3. Page 120 - Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me – "Jesus, Saviour, pilot me; over life's tempestuous sea!"4. Page 145 - It Is Well – "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul."D. Storms and valleys in the Bible are beautiful types of the hard times in life and help us to understand, to some degree, as to their benefit in our lives. Storms are hard, often long, but always teachers! 1. Storms get our attention 2. Storms interrupt our plans 3. Storms show us our weakness 4. Storms correct our sinfulness 5. Storms prove our foundation 6. Storms introduce us to our SaviourE. There are two things that I want to look at in these verses, Storms and Known, but I will only deal with one of them this morning. I what to look at what God said about our storms.1. The Omnipotent Side of the Storm. a. God Is The Administrator of The Storm - vs 3a - "the Lord hath his way"(1) We See God's Sovereignty in the Storm - "The Lord"Psalms 135:6-7 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. (2) We See God's Divine Purpose in the Storm - "hath his way"b. God Is The Accelerator of The Storm - vs 3b-6 - "whirlwind and in the storm" (1) Whirlwind – a tornado or hurricane. a. They come suddenly with little warning b. They strike at random and are seldom predictable c. They have great destructive power d. They leave behind devastated lives (2) Storm – a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere. a. They can be seen and predicted - Doppler radar b. They usually last for an extended time c. They can leave problems and destruction d. They must be weathered c. God Is The Accommodator in The Storm - vs 7 - "good ... stronghold"(1) Good – God does not attempt to be good, God is good.(2) Stronghold – A fortified place used for defense. "If God be for us!"2. There is the Occupant's Side of the Storm. Since we do not control the storm, we must ride it out.a. It is our duty to Trust God in the Storm. Do not worry about or during storms. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. b. It is our duty to Obey God in the Storm. To realize that God knows what He is doing or allowing in our lives.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. c. It is our duty to Glorify God in the Storm. As people watch us go through our storms, they become times that we can bring glorify God.Isaiah 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.3. The Other Side of the Storm. Storms come to an end! a. God will Sustain us in the Storm - vs 7 - "the Lord" **Psalm 91 b. God will Supply us in the Storm - vs 7 - "is good" c. God will Secure us in the Storm - vs 7 - "a stronghold...trouble" d. God will Save us from the Storm - vs 7 - "knoweth them that trust in him"
Temple Baptist Church - 7-4-20182 Peter 3:14-18Introduction:A. There is a lot to deal with in these verses as Peter ends this second epistle to the Jews of the Dispersion. I will take my time with them because of their importance in these last days. 2 Peter speaks of the problems that were contemporary with the times in which it was written but also prophetic of the times preceding the coming of the Lord.B. In verse 14, Peter admonishes them to be diligent considering His coming. Most people never give the second coming of our Lord a thought. Allow me to give you proof of this last statement. Do not raise your hands but how many of you woke up this morning thinking that our Lord may come today?C. Our watchfulness or lack thereof will not change the time of our Lord's coming. He is coming again just like He said, and He is coming on time. Our watchfulness is to be diligent for several reasons.1. Diligent because of the importance of our personal, spiritual wellbeing. Self-Conscious. 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.2. Diligent because of the importance of the eternal souls of those around us. Soul Conscious. John 4:34-35 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (35) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.3. Diligent because of our reward of lack of reward at His appearing. God Conscious. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.2 John 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.D. Peter uses the phrase "found of him" in the verse, not "found in him." The use of the preposition is important because it causes a significant difference in the meaning of the verse. 1. Positional Sanctification. We who are saved are "in Christ Jesus." An unchanging position that is established through the New Birth. Positional Sanctification is an act of God that places us in Him through salvation. 2. Practical Sanctification. Practical Sanctification is a continuing act of the child of God in both spiritual growth and practice. "Found of him" is something that we are both capable of and responsible to do. Capable in the sense that God does not ask us to do something that we are incapable of doing. E. Though we are in Christ Jesus, we—to some degree—fail in Practical Sanctification. God wants us to maintain a solid, Christian life!1. Be found of Him in Peace. I will quote one of Barbara's life verses because of its importance in the realm of our peace. I want to look at a verse that we quote often and the verse that follows it. We quote and yet we fear?Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (The secret of our peace is meditating upon the Lord and continually trusting in His sovereign control of our lives.)Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.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.2. Be found of Him Without Spot. A "spot" is something that can be seen or observed. We understand that we are not nor, will we be perfect in this life, but our lives should be ones of self-observation, confession, and repentance. Striving to live in such a way as to show others Christ in us.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.1 John 1:5-10 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. (8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.3. Be found of Him Blameless. Do what we can! We may not think that we can do much or make much of a difference, but God only expects us to do what we can.Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. (This sinful man to whom the Lord had forgiven much, was the only person to anoint the Lord's body for burial! She could not do much, but she "hath done what she could.")Watchfulness with expectancy has a purifying quality about it. The busyness of these last days has occupied our hearts and minds, giving little time for thought on spiritual things.
Temple Baptist Church - 7-1-2018Romans 8:28Introduction:A. Romans 8:28 is one of those "faith" verses that are much easier quoted than lived.1. What this verse does not say: that all things that affect our lives are good. There things that we face that are unjust, unfair, horrible things that are out of our control. These are not good things. These are things that we wish had never occurred! Bad things happen to good people! Bad things happen to God's people.2. The Bible declares that all things work together for good. God uses these bad things as well as the good things that happen to us to bring us closer to God.B. I am not saying that we should have such a strong faith that we never doubt. I am saying that we are human and occasionally our faith fails us. God does not fail us, we fail God in unbelief.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. (We are not always trusting though we should be.)1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We are not always thankful though this is the will of God.)Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (We are not always rejoicing though we should be.)C. The key words are "we know." Yes, we do know! We know that we can trust God with both our salvation and our daily bread. We can trust God with our lives and welfare.Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.D. Romans 8:28 is an important verse because:1. In a world gone mad – "we know"2. In sickness and death – "we know"3. In persecution and hatred – "we know"4. In financial woes – "we know"5. In uncertain times - "we know"1. The People Of Romans 8:28 – "we ... to them that love God"a. Saved By His Loving Grace - 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.b. Secure Through His Eternal Blood - Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.c. Satisfied By His Faithful Provision - Mark 8:4, 8 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? ... So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.2. The Perception Of Romans 8:28 - "know"a. We Rely On God's Word - Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. b. We Recognize God's Guidance - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.c. We Rest On God's Promises - Matthew 11:28-30 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.3. The Providence Of Romans 8:28 - "all"a. God's Sovereignty - Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?b. God's Scheme - Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:c. God's Security - 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: 4. The Paradox Of Romans 8:28 – "all things"a. The Complexity Of Romans 8:28 - Job 10:15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;b. The Completeness Of Romans 8:28 - 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:c. The Contentment Of Romans 8:28 - Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 5. The Power Of Romans 8:28 – "work...good"a. Suffering Brings Praise To The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,b. Suffering Brings Purity To The Saint - Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.c. Suffering Brings Perfection To The Sufferer - James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 6. The Purpose Of Romans 8:28 - "together for good"a. Suffering Strengthens Our Faith - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: b. Suffering Strengthens Our Resolve- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. c. Suffering Strengthens Our Testimony - Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 7. The Prospect Of Romans 8:28 – "for good"a. The Work Of Suffering - Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:b. The Wisdom Of Suffering - Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. c. The Worship Of Suffering - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. The Plan Of Romans 8:28 - "the called ... purpose"a. God Knows His Purpose - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.b. God Knows Our Needs - Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.8. The Person Of Romans 8:28 - "God"Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. a. Romans 8:28 Is Of Godb. Romans 8:28 Is Through Godc. Romans 8:28 Is To God
Temple Baptist Church - 7-1-2018John 8:31-36Introduction:A. This week, we will celebrate America's 242nd Birthday. It seems like yesterday that we celebrated our Second Centennial Birthday.B. America is the greatest place on earth to live! I have often said that we are so blessed that we take our blessings for granted. America is the Eutopia of the world, a nation of immigrants.C. May God never allow us to forget His blessings upon America and us as citizens.1. Our national blessings. America is a good land! America is a beautiful land! America is a bountiful land! America is a land of freedom!2. Our personal blessings. We have homes to live in! We have good clothes to wear! We have more than enough to eat! We have money to spend and places to spend it! We dwell in safety!3. Our spiritual blessings. We have heard the gospel preached! We have a free salvation through the gospel! We have the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! We have bibles galore!4. Our liberty in law. Something that is being rejected today is the enforcement of our laws. A nation that rejects its laws will soon become a lawless nation!D. Twice in our text, we have seen the word "free."1. Liberty in Conversion - Verse 36. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed!" You will never truly be free indeed until know Jesus Christ as your Saviour!2. Liberty in Continuance - Verse 31-32. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free!" Our Lord, in these verses, was addressing those Jews who had believed on Him. The truth shall make you free! You will never be truly free until you know the truth of God's Word.E. Salvation makes us free from many things, but I want to name just a few.1. Salvation makes us Free from the Curse of the Law. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (The Jews were great believers in Moses and the Law. They followed it through ignorance of God's amazing, saving grace. We that are saved are under grace, not the law! In Christ, the believer finds true liberty.)2. Salvation makes us Free from the Guilt of Sin. Romans 8:31-33 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Our sin has been put on Christ's account! I sleep well at night because I am free from condemnation. Still a sinner? Yes! But a sinner delivered from the penalty of sin.)3. Salvation makes us Free from the Dominion of Sin. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (I may not be all that God wants me to be, but I am not what I used to be! God's children have been freed from the dominion of sin.)4. Salvation makes us Free from the Power of Darkness. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (So many people are under the power of Satan. Drugs, alcohol, perversion, etc. have enslaved them. Many of God's people were once enslaved.)1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.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. Salvation makes us Free from the Fear of Men. 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. (We neither wrestle with flesh and blood nor do we fear them. I know that God holds His children in His hand and He is greater than he that is in the world.)6. Salvation makes us Free from the Sting of Death. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (As we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death," God holds our hand and we fear no evil.)7. And, one day, Salvation will make us Free from this Present Evil World. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 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. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (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: (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. (Oh, that will be glory for me, glory for me. When by His grace I shall look on His face; that will be glory, be glory for me!)
Temple Baptist Church - 6-27-20182 Peter 3:10-13Introduction:A. As we get to the end of the Book of 2 Peter, we find the eminent Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the impending judgement of fallen angels, the unsaved, and the removal of the curse placed upon God's creation. Two things:1. "Looking For" – As God's children, we are excited in anticipation of eternity. A new body, a new home, and a new heaven and earth.2. "Hastening Unto" – It will not be long until time is no more! As we studied in Romans, chapter 8, we found the saved groaning, the creation groaning, and the Holy Ghost groaning. The Lord told John, "Behold, I come quickly." This does not reference a set time but the suddenness of His coming. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.3. "Righteousness" – Sin judged and the curse removed.B. I know that men of God have expounded these verses, but I have never personally heard a sermon preached on the subject. I have never had a pastor who preached through the books of the Bible verse by verse. I believe that this failure (I am not knocking my pastors but explaining the necessity of preaching verse by verse) has led to God's people having a "lack of knowledge" that has hurt their spiritual growth. C. I just want to take a few minutes and look at the sequence of the removal of the curse of sin. The why, when, where, and time of sin's curse removed from God's creation.1. God's creation in all of its purity and perfection. Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Very-vehemence, a superlative; good-beautiful, bountiful, a very good thing, something very special.)Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (No theistic evolution: finished, all the host of them.)Job 38:5-7 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? (6) Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; (7) When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?Psalms 19:1-3 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.2. Sin's entrance and the curse of God's creation implemented. Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (18) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; (19) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands,because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.Isaiah 24:4-6 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. (5) The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (6) Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.Job 25:5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.3. The creation's curse removed, and righteousness restored. There will be a two-fold judgement for sin taking place at the same time:a. The Great White Throne Judgement – Revelation 20:11-15 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. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (God's judgement for man's sinfulness is Fire!)2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (Peter, timewise, ties the judgement of ungodly men and the renewal of the universe together!)b. The Removal of the Curse of the Heavens and the Earth:1) The Time of the Renewal – Revelation 20:11 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. The key to know the time of the renovation is found in Revelation 21:1: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."2) The Method of the Renewal - 2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (God's judgement for sin in the heavens and the earth is also by Fire!)
Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-20181 Kings 21:1-16Introduction:A. We have just read an old familiar story about a man of integrity. A man who thought that his heritage was of far greater worth than money. Naboth died for his decision to not "sell the farm."B. First, I want to give a little typology found in this story.1. Ahab, a wicked king, is a type of Satan and the world.2. Naboth is a type of the people of God.3. The vineyard is a type of church.4. The "inheritance of my fathers" is the antiquity of his forefather's vineyard.5. Naboth's death is a type of the price paid for the inheritance of the vineyard.C. A wicked King desired to buy an old vineyard that was adjacent to the palace. 1. I wonder how many times Ahab looked out at this beautiful vineyard and desired it. Ahab was not a vine dresser! There came a day when Ahab decided to make Naboth an "offer that he could not refuse." I do not think that Ahab offered him less than it was worth because money was no object to the king. He thought that Naboth would certainly sell to him because he was the king and the offer seemed fair. Naboth refused! He refused because it was his inheritance of his family's heritage. 2. Naboth's refusal was a "slap in the face" Ahab. Ahab was sad in spirit because of Naboth's refusal. Jezebel devised a plan to end Naboth's life and take the vineyard.D. I want to give an analogy of our day that represents this story well.1. Harrison Bridge Road intersects with Fairview Road in Simpsonville. Fairview Road has been one of the fastest growing in the upstate as businesses have jumped up everywhere. There are quite a few new housing developments along the road: homes, condominiums, and apartment complexes. High dollar property!2. In close proximity to the intersection that I referred to, there was a huge farm. Beautiful rolling hills, a pond, a home, completely fenced in with plenty of cattle. For a number of years, I watched that farm with interest because of the rising price of acreage and the dwindling amount of open property for builders to buy and sell.3. I was thrilled every time that I took the back way home and passed that old farm! I knew that numerous offers had probably been made and the price, no doubt, in the millions. I knew that some older people probably lived there, and it was the homeplace that children were raised in and not grown children and grandchildren still visited.4. Every time I saw it, I thought, hold out!! I made mention of it to Barbara more than once and I did not want the owners to "sell the farm." It was a constant reminder of a time now gone and a family home place that could be visited.5. Now, the farm is gone, and condos, apartments, and housing are on the land. Home gone, pond gone, cattle gone, fences gone, and family gone. Someone "sold the farm."E. Just bear with me for a few minutes. 1. I was raised at 710 Railroad Street in Earlington, KY. I little coal mining town nestled in the "heart of the coal fields." Our home was rundown when Dad bought it. I remember Dad sitting on the floor joists working as he leveled the floors (as much as could be leveled) and put down beautiful hardwood floors. 2. In size, it was a modest home with just four rooms and a bath. Dad took a walk-through closet and made a small bedroom. It was home to Mom and Dad along with three boys and one special little girl. The year that Barbara and I married, Dad sold the house and bought one in Morton's Gap, KY but—to me—it was never home. I never lived there. 3. I still go by the old house on Railroad Street that needs to be bulldozed, stop and try to look in the windows. The memories of my childhood flood back but it is now just an old empty shell of a house that has become an eyesore. To the world, it is just an old house that is no longer inhabitable because dad "sold the farm!" But, while it stands, it will always be home.4. Around 1990, mom sold our little farm. I now go back, and the old cabin is gone and all is in ruins. The memories flood back with a bitter-sweet feeling of the glory of its past and the ruins of its present. Mom "sold the farm!"F. Throughout the Bible, we find people who "sold the farm."1. Adam and Eve sold out for the knowledge of good and evil.2. Esau sold out for a bowl of pottage.3. Achan sold out for a wedge of gold, a bag of silver, and a Babylonish garment.4. Samson sold out for a loose living woman.5. Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver.6. Demas sold out for the love of this present world.G. Why can we not "sell the farm" at Temple Baptist Church. Satan wants to destroy it and the world would love to have it!1 Because of the Change. Verse 2. "that I may have it for a garden of herbs" a "Herb Garden" instead of a fruitful vineyard. I am not against herbs, but I believe that the change from a well dressed vineyard to a garden of herbs was a serious downgrade. If Temple Baptist Church ever decides to accept the price offered by the world (more people, more money), there will be a swift—radical change. a. The music will change. There will be a "praise leader" and "praise band" to disgrace our pulpit.b. The Old Paths of our fathers will give way to the New Paths of this modern age. c. Casualness will replace respectfulness and the sanctuary will become a place of multi-tasking. The hallowedness of the church grounds will be gone.d. The "must" of worship in spirit and truth will become the worship of "another" spirit with little or no truth.e. The "Gold Standard" of the King James Bible will give way to the corruption of the new versions that add to, take away, and diminish the Word of God.2. Because of the Cost. Verses 2, 6. "Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard." Money cannot buy what we have: the best church that I have ever been a member of. a. A unity that have not found in any other. The peace of God here that passeth all understanding. A fellowship so sweet that we consider each other family with a bond that cannot be broken. A love and fellowship that cannot be bought at any price. If we ever "sell the farm," what we now enjoy and take for granted will change.1 John 1:3-7 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (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. (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.b. A pulpit that will not be compromised. Men who ascend into this pulpit are clean men, King James Bible men, God's men! I thank God for a people who will allow God's man to preach the unsearchable, unchanging truth of an old King James Bible. If we ever "sell the farm," the pulpit will be gone!c. Missionaries that know, love, and pray for us will be gone. We have supported many of these missionaries for over 30 years, many over 20 years. We know them, and they know us! Good missionaries will drop Temple Baptist Church if we ever "sell the farm."d. If we "sell the farm," the cost will be greater than we could ever imagine.3. Because of the Children. Verse 3. "The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." a. As the vineyard once belonged to the fathers, now belonged to Naboth, it also belonged to Naboth's posterity! "Fathers" is plural and is to be understood that the vineyard had been in the family for many generations. b. Though they are young and have little or no say, Naboth would be selling "the children's farm!" The place of their childhood; the stability of their spiritual well-being; their roots. Though some move off, some stay and will raise their children here.c. Thus it is with the church if we "sell the farm." When our children and grandchildren decide to visit, the church that they were brought up in will only be a memory. I wonder what the little farm family's children and grandchildren think when they drive by the old homeplace on Fairview Road? d. Our church is not the most beautiful or the most expensive, but it is ours! It is not only ours but also belongs to our children and grandchildren.Conclusion: The farm on Fairview Road is but a fading memory; our family home in Kentucky along with the little farm are but a fading memory. Let us keep our church for ourselves, our children, and for a light along the highway.
Temple Baptist Church - 6-20-20182 Peter 3:3-8Introduction: A. In these verses, we find those who scoff at the Second Coming of Christ. Peter gives us hope through the analogy of God's time found in the Bible. To scoff is to mock or make fun of something. Present day science falsely so-called is an enemy of God and truth. Biblical creationism has been replaced by the Theory of Evolution which is an assumption based upon false information. I do not want to write a book on this subject, so we will generally explore evolution and move on to preaching truth.1. The Bible says that our universe is only six thousand years old. Evolutionists say that it is billions of years old. Why do scientists talk of billions of years if it is so young? They do so for a several of reasons. a) One, they are God haters! They do not want there to be a God, so they must come up with something plausible to explain Him away and explain the beginning of the universe. Everyone knows that the universe must have had a true beginning, thus the Theory of Evolution. b) Two, if there is no God, then the existence of the universe must have another beginning: thus, the Theory of Evolution.c) Three, for their theory to be plausible, there must have been billions of years to achieve the evolution of our universe from nothing to its present state. Long expanses of time had to have occurred. 1) Theory - a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. 2) Supposition – a belief based upon suspicion, to surmise, a conjecture, speculation, guess, feeling, hunch, assumption, presumption.d) The Theory of Evolution is based upon speculation, not facts. Enough of that crowd as they will never open their spiritual eyes and recognize God.2. God created a mature universe, not a baby one that must grow. God created Adam as a grown man, not a baby.B. Peter speaks of God's time. God's time is not our time. He is always on time. In verse 8, we see time as God sees it. The Second Coming of Christ will be in two distinct parts: The Rapture of the Church and the Lord Coming in His Glory, separated by 1,007 years.THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH: THE CATCHING AWAY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.1. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH: THE CATCHING AWAY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. The next event on the prophetic calendar is the rapture of the Church. A. The word Rapture is not found in your Bible. Rapture comes from the phrase "shall be caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: "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." These four words are one word in the Greek: arpazw harpazo har-pad'-zo, which means to catch up, take by force, catch away, or to pluck, to claim for oneself eagerly. Harpazo is the Greek equivalent of our word Rapture.RAP'TURE, n. [L. raptus, rapio.]1. A seizing by violence. [Little used.]2. Transport; ecstasy; violence of a pleasing passion; extreme joy or pleasure.2. The Rapture is that event in the future when the Lord Jesus Christ will as a thief in the night and will catch away all the saved people of the world. It is a time, known in the Bible as the blessed hope of the believer - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;A. It is eminent (Brand New Feeling In The Air! 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.B. It is encouraging (hard times almost over forever) 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.C. It is exciting (just watching the Lord work and prophecy fulfilling) Revelation 22:20- He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.3. The "last trump" holds tremendous Scriptural truth concerning the rapture. John heard "as it were of a trumpet talking with me" in the Revelation. The first mention of trumpet speaks volumes concerning its meaning and use. Exodus 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. (It was used to gather Israel into the presence of God.)A. In Roman days, when a Roman legion moved, there would be three blasts from the trumpets:B. The first trump would tell the troop to take down their tents, and to prepare to move.C. The second trump would alert them to fall in and line up.D. The last trump would be the signal to move out.E. We are leaving at the "last trump"4. The Rapture will be in fulfillment. of His promise.A. Before Jesus went to the cross, He promised His disciples that He would return for them - John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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.B. He later reaffirmed this promise to the Apostle John - Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.C. When Jesus ascended back into Heaven, angels told His disciples that He would return - Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.5 The Rapture will be in fulfillment of His purposes.A. His purpose was that we might be with Him - John 14:3 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.B. His purpose was to receive His bride unto Himself - Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.6. The Procedure of the Rapture.1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 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: 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.A. The Dead in Christ (saints of God who have gone one before) will rise first. Their spirit and soul is already with the Lord and coming with Him but their bodies will come forth, changed into a body like His glorious body – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.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.1 Corinthians 15:22-23 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.B. The Alive in Christ - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.7. The Rapture In Truth – We are premillennial, pre-tribulation rapture saints.A. The Denial of The Millennium - 2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.1) Post Millennialisma) In Christian eschatology, postmillennialism is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelationwhich sees Christ's second coming as occurring after or post- the thousand year "millennium". Although some postmillennialists hold to a literal millennium of 1,000 years, most postmillennialists see the thousand years more as a figurative term for a long period of time (similar in that respect to Amillennialism). Among those holding to a non-literal "millennium" it is usually understood to have already begun, which implies a less obvious and less dramatic kind of millennium than that typically envisioned by premillennialists, as well as a more unexpected return of Christ. (These teach that the world will get progressively better, revival will break out, and then the Lord will return to sit upon the throne of David.)b) Postmillennialism also teaches that the forces of Satan will gradually be defeated by the expansion of theKingdom of God throughout history up until the second coming of Christ. This belief that good will gradually triumph over evil has led proponents of postmillennialism to label themselves "optimillennialists" in contrast to"pessimillennial" Premillennialists and Amillennialists.2) Amillennialisma) Amillennialism teaches that the Kingdom of God will not be physically established on earth throughout the "millennium", but rather that Christ is presently reigning from heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father, that He will remain with the Christian church until the end of the world, as he promised at the Ascension.b) Amillennialism also teaches that at Pentecost, the millennium began, as is shown by Peter using the prophecies of Joel, about the coming of the kingdom, to explain what was happening, and that, therefore theChristian church and its spread of the good news is Christ's kingdom.3) Premillennialisma) Premillennialism in Christian eschatology is the interpretation of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation in the Bible which sees Christ's second coming as occurring before or pre- his literal thousand year reign on earth (Revelation 19) which some envision to be centered literally on King David's throne in Jerusalem. This is a fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.1 Kings 9:5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.b) Premillennialism is distinct in that it usually interprets these "thousand years" literally; other views often interpret this as a figurative term for a long, undefined period of time (particularly, Amillennialists and manypostmillennialists). Premillennialism also holds this period of one thousand years is eschatological, and has not yet begun.4) The correct position is Premillennialism.B. The Denial Of The Pre-tribulation Rapture1) Mid-tribulation Rapture – Matthew 24:15-21 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Antiochus Epiphanes, B.C. 175-170 – greatly persecuted the Jews and offered a sow on the altar.)2) Pre-wrath Rapture - Zephaniah 2:2-3 Before the decree bring forth, [before] the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. (A relatively newer version of the mid-tribulation rapture theory.)1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,3) Pre-tribulation Rapture – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 4:1 (At the end of the Church Age and prior to Revelation 6:1 and the revealing of the Antichrist.)4) The correct position is Pre-tribulation Rapture. The Church of Believers is absent in Revelation 4-18. The Church is mentioned 17 times in the first three chapters of Revelation, but after John (a member of the Church) is called up to heaven, at the beginning of chapter 4, he looks down on the events of the Tribulation, and the Church is not mentioned or seen again until chapter 19, when she returns to earth with her Bridegroom at His glorious appearing. Why? The answer is obvious: she isn't in the Tribulation. She is raptured to be with her Lord before it begins! (The Church will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. They will then return to earth in Revelation chapter 19 with the Lord.)8. The Rapture In Type A. Manifested In Enoch - Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.B. Manifested In Lot - Genesis 19:22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.C. Manifested In Elijah - 2 Kings2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.D. Manifested In Paul - 2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.E. Manifested In John - Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.9. The Rapture In TimeA. The Analogy of God's Time - 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.Psalms 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.B. The Allotment of God's Time - Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Six thousand years from the beginning to the Rapture and the seventh one thousand years is the Millennium or Sabbath Rest.) C. The Achievement of God's Time - Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.Hosea 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.D. The Acknowledgment of God's Time - Luke 17:26-29 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.Matthew 24:4-8 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.10. The Rapture In Triumph
Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-2018Romans 8:26-27Introduction:A. This verse says nothing about praying in the Holy Ghost. It relays to the believer a tremendous biblical truth: The Holy Spirit makes intercession for God's children.B. Prayer and intercession is a vital part of the believer's life and spiritual welfare. The Bible has much o say at this point so I will just rehearse a few verses to re-emphasize our need to be faithful in our prayer life.Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;1 Timothy 2:1-3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.C. Simple enough? Just pray believing, all day, every day! Right?D. Paul is telling the believer that there will come times in everyone's life when they do not pray or do not know how to pray. Times when we are confused and do not know what we are to do or even what needs to be done. Have you been there? I have!E. I have been in trouble with the waves over my head. There have been times when a problem was so complex that there were no simple answers. I knew that I was to pray but told the Lord that I did not know what to do and asked Him to lead me.F. Romans, chapter 8, begins with "no condemnation." Because there is no condemnation for the child of God, then there are times when you and I must have heavenly help.G. Thank God for other verses such as:Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (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.2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.Hebrews 13:5-6 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. (6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.H. I gave these verses so that we would understand that God has and will work on our behalf. Not only does the Spirit comfort the believer, He also communicates for us. The Work of the Holy Spirit when we do not know how to pray. The Spirit communicates with the spirit of man and communicates with God the Father about things that concern us.1. Verse 26 - The Spirit knows our Infirmities – weakness, frailty2. Verse 26 - The Spirit knows our Confusion.3. Verse 26 – The Spirit knows what we Need. The Holy Spirit prays for us when.a) When we are discouraged.b) When we are disappointed.c) When we are confused.d) When we are crushed.e) When we are sinful.f) When we are dying.4. Verse 26 – fervent but silent praying. Not false tongues of our day.5. Verse 27 – Jesus Christ, the searcher of our hearts, makes intercession according to the mind of the Spirit in the perfect will of God.
Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-2018Joshua 24:15Introduction: A. Father's Day normally takes a back seat to Mother's Day and I have no problem with that. We need to make much of our precious wives and mothers because of their great importance to the family structure. We make much of the ladies and need to do so because we love them and are proud of them.B. This is Father's Day and today we will exalt the man and praise him for the position that the Lord gave to him. 1. He is the glory of his children - Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of childrenare their fathers. (Dads, you are so very important in the lives of your family and especially in the lives of your children!)2. He is the head of his home - 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (The father is the spiritual leader and as goes the father, so goes the home! Weak fathers = weak homes. Strong fathers = strong homes. Spiritual fathers = spiritual home.)a) We, as fathers, need to take that responsibility seriously!b) The wife is to willingly give him that headship. Dr. B. R. Lakin used to say, "Some husbands are so henpecked that they roost on the foot of the bed at night." America needs some men who are born again with a strong spiritual backbone who will begin to lead their family.C. Only time and eternity will show the real importance of men in both the family and the work of the Lord. I am taking a very familiar passage about Joshua, one of the greatest men in biblical history. The man God chose to replace Moses with and lead the children of Israel into the promised land.D. In our text, we find that wonderful testimony of Joshua as he declared to the people that he and his house would serve the Lord. 1. Joshua is well known in the Bible for his unwavering faith, commitment, and fearlessness in battle. Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.2. Joshua was a man of God! Being a good father takes preparation before you become one. Most young men are looking for a good wife while giving little thought to the prospect of fatherhood. E. I want to look at the life of Joshua this morning to see how he progressed to the point of saying, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." What made Joshua a man to lead both Israel and his home?Numbers 27:15-20 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, (16) Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, (17) Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (18) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; (19) And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. (20) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.1. Joshua learned to make War. Exodus 17:9-13 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. (10) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. (Men will never make good Fathers until they are willing to learn to fight. Men need to learn to fight the right fights. Men need to learn war.)Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:2. Joshua learned to be Wise. Exodus 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (Good fathers need to have learned wisdom that comes through our forefathers and history. Good fathers pray about and make good decisions as their families depend upon them.)3. Joshua learned to Work. Exodus 24:13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Good fathers have a good work ethic. Your responsibility is to provide financially and set an example of hard work for the children to follow. This also gives wives confidence in the man's desire and ability to make the home safe and provided for.)4. Joshua learned to Worship. Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (He served before Moses before God allowed him to lead. One day, young men will lead their homes. They will never learn to be good leaders until they learn to be good followers. Leading by example. As time progresses, we are seeing more women step up and more men spiritually setting down.)5. Joshua learned to Wait. Numbers 14:6-9 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: (7) And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. (8) If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. (9) Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. He had done no wrong but never complained during the time of wandering, trusting God's wisdom.)Joshua 1:1-2 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, (2) Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 5. Joshua learned to be Worthy. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (I find no macho in this verse. I am confident that Joshua's family were completely behind his decision to serve the Lord. His family fully followed Joshua because of his past record of living, loving, and leading in a godly manner.)Happy Father's Day! I love the men of this church! Be a good Christian and then you will be a good Dad!
Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2018Romans 8:18-25Introduction:A. This morning, we took a short look at waiting and some of the lessons it teaches us. Tonight, waiting in patience. There are times when we wait because we have no choice, but we do not wait in patience. Two words that we do not like: Wait and Patience!B. I have a two-fold problem with the words "patience wait."1. I am over punctual. If I am on time, I am a few minutes late. I have been that way from my childhood and it is hard to change. It is my make up and, at age 70, I do not expect that to change. Therefore, this morning's message was meant for me.2. I tend to be impatient. My prayer is, "Lord, please give me patience RIGHT NOW!" C. One of the hardest things that you and I will ever do, is wait "open ended." To wait for something to happen but not knowing if it will happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. It is so much easier to wait for something when you know the time of the event you are waiting for. D. I remember well, when in the military, that I became a "short timer." We called it "getting short." Married two weeks when I got my draft notice and in the military two weeks later. Married on June 13th, 1969 and sworn in July 15th, 1969. At the end of my tour of duty, I had a "short timer calendar" and marked off the days until ETS. I could see the end in sight. On July 9th, 1969—I came home for good. As I look back over the past 47 years that I have been home, it seems like a night when it is past. Life is so short.E. In chapter 8, Paul addresses the expectation of the manifestation of the sons of God. By either death or the Second Coming of our Lord, we are quickly approaching eternity and our experiencing the "glory which shall be revealed in us."F. Paul said that those who have this hope should patiently wait for it. The Old Testament saints, with a few exceptions, over a period of 4,000 years—gave up on the promises of God and slept spiritually before the First Advent. G. God's men have preached over 2,000 years concerning the Second Advent or Second Coming of Christ. 1. In John 14, Our Lord said, "If I go away, I will come again." 2. In Acts 1:11, the angel said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." H. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.I. This morning, I said, "God is not in a hurry, we are. If God can accomplish anything immediately and He can, then why does He often make us wait for the answers to our problems? Often, His silences are hard to understand because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours."J. The work "patient," in one form or another, is found 15x in 14 verses. All but three are found in the New Testament. Not that the Old Testament saints had no problem with patience, but the New Testament saints live in busier times with more things to distract.K. Just a few areas that we need to patiently wait in.1. Rest In Patience - 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. (I began with this one because I dealt with learning to rest in the Lord as we wait this morning.)2. Pray In Patience - Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (God has a time and we have a time. Thus the human problem arises when we expect immediate answers to every prayer. As the widow before the unjust judge, we need to continue to pray until the answer comes.)3. Continue In Patience - Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (Patient in godliness is one of our greatest witnessing tools. People watch to see how long we will last.)Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.4. Suffer In Patience - Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (One of the harder aspects of patience is patient in suffering.)1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.5. Fellowship In Patience - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (Love the brotherhood, though they may say and do things that offend. (Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Christ set the example to follow.)6. Labor In Patience - 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (We plow, sow, water, watch, and wait for the fruit of our labors.)7. Witness In Patience - James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (Never give up on a lost loved one!)8. Hope In Patience - Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. ("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." John 14:3)
Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2018Romans 8:25; Isaiah 40:31Introduction: This morning and tonight, as we continue to preach through the Book of Romans, I want to look at waiting. The Bible says that we are to patiently wait.A. I have often said that patience is not one of my "strong traits!" More often than not, when problems come, they do not instantly or quickly disappear. Valleys can be long and hard while God's silences are the order of the day.B. Let me say first that, because valleys are long and God seemingly silent, it is not necessarily a sign that we are either out of the will of God or that God does not care.1. In John 11, our Lord allowed Lazarus to suffer and die before He showed up to raise him from the dead. The Lord used the suffering of Lazarus to manifest His glory and many came to Christ because of it. His suffering was not in vain.2. In the Book of Job, our Lord allowed Job to suffer for a while (we are not sure of the time frame). He lost all plus his health while suffering at the hands of his "friends." God blessed him double in the end and left us this precious book of the Bible to encourage us.3. In the Book of Genesis, our Lord allowed Abraham to wait upon Him for the promise of Isaac for 25 years. God made Abraham a promise but was silent until all hope was gone before giving him a son. They were long, troublesome years for Abraham but left us a promise of hope that God will do what He says He will do.4. Also in the Book of Genesis, our Lord allowed Joseph, having done nothing wrong, to spend years in slavery and prison with no answer as to either how long or why. He suffered for app. 13 years. The Lord then raised Joseph to a position second only to Pharaoh in order to deliver the nation of Israel. What a blessing it is to us today!5. Moses chose to be afflicted with the children of Israel instead of becoming the next Pharaoh and having the wealth of the world at his command. He fled Egypt and was rewarded with 40 years on the backside of the desert for his choice before the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush. There is not greater man in recorded history than this man, Moses, who spoke face to face with God.6. The Lord allowed David, the anointed king of Israel, to spend 17 years running and hiding from Saul before elevating him to the promised kingship. David gave up on God as he went down to Gath and offered to fight against the very people whom he would later rule. David was later enthroned and it will be the Throne of David upon which our Lord sits during the Millennial Reign. C. The list could go on but I believe that we all get the picture. Waiting, in these instances, was vital for both the glory of God and the intended good of those who waited. Waiting is neither a sign of sin on our behalf or a lack of compassion of the part of the Lord. Waiting is one of the hardest things that the Lord will ever require us to do.D. I read this, "If the request is wrong, God says "no;" if the timing is wrong, God says "slow;" if you are wrong, God says "grow;" if the request is right—the timing is right—and you are right—God says "GO!" Waiting on the Lord is both one of the hardest things that we will be asked to do but, in the end, can be one of the most beneficial things that we can do. Isaiah 43:1-5 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (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. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (5) Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;E. God is not in a hurry, we are. If God can accomplish anything immediately and He can, then why does He more often than not make us wait for the answers to our problems? Often, His silences are hard to understand because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours.F. I am not going to preach on all that I know about waiting but I want to deal with just one aspect in question form: what does waiting accomplish in the life of the Christian?1. Waiting on the Lord teaches us submission to His will - Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (The Father did not even answer our Lord's request for immediate removal of His problem. Our Lord bowed to the will of the Father.)2. Waiting on the Lord is a cleansing agent for the child of God - Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (Problems bring about self-examination and self-examination brings about confession and forsaking.)3. Waiting on the Lord produces a sincere prayer life - Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Often, our prayer life becomes a formality because life is good and we have need of nothing. Problems "drive us to our knees" as we seek God's deliverance.)4. Waiting on the Lord teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts - Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (When we do not understand and our problems seem to get the best of us, we need to remember that God is still in control. Paul said, "For I have learned!" God's providence becomes a reality in our lives.)5. Waiting on the Lord teaches us to rest in Him - 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. (The Lord loves us and cares for us. He will always do right in our lives. Yes, sometimes sin must run its course but God still controls everything in this universe and can be trusted.)6. Waiting on the Lord renews our strength spiritually - Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (As bodily exercise profiteth little (and it does prosper), spiritual exercise also makes us to mature in the things of the Lord. As our world is fat and lazy, so do we become if we have all that we want and never have problems. We shall "mount up as eagles!")7. Waiting on the Lord causes us to hope in Him - 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (The older we get; the more problems that we endure; the more we long for home!) Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Temple Baptist Church - 6-6-20182 Peter 3:1-7Introduction:A. Stirring up our minds is an important part of the work of the pastor. Reinforcement is one of teaching's greatest tools. Repetition, repeatedly using the same facts or verses keeps the mind stirred.2 Peter 1:12-15 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. (15) Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.B. Like most preachers, I am always looking for "nuggets" in the Bible so that I can peach something different or from a different perspective. This is good, but it is also important to preach and reproach on the same subjects. C. Often, people write in the margins of their Bibles who preached and when a portion of Scripture was preached. This is both necessary and biblical. 1. First, we tend to forget over time. 2. Secondly, in the past 10 years, we have had children who have grown up and need to hear what you heard. 3. Thirdly, there are new people who join our fellowship who have never heard.D. We stir our cooking food often to keep the right consistency and flavor. 1. The Problem. The possibility and probability of our minds tend to sleep spiritually as we live from day to day. a. We are to remember and be mindful. Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.b. Have you noticed when someone begins to quote a verse that we have not read of thought of in a long time, we are able to finish it? Though we know these verses, we do not think upon them because of our busyness. 2. The Prophecy. The Bible, correct as usual, prophesized the rising denial of creation. To deny creation is to deny God. a. The God Is Dead Theory. Verse 4.1) In this verse, we find the prophecy of the "God is Dead Theory." That God created the heavens and the earth and, in the process of time died. I am sure that you older folks remember those days. 2) Modern "scientists" reject the "God Is Dead Theory, because it implies that there was a God in the beginning. They want that thought thoroughly erased because they do not want there to be a God. Thus:b. The Evolution Theory. Verse 5. 1) Over the past 100 years, the Evolution Theory has become the "Evolution Fact" to be taught in public schools. "Science falsely so-called" has taken the place of true science. To do away with God, some plausible beginning must be concocted. 2) To view the universe in all its perfect design, to view this earth in all its distinction and perfection, and to reject God requires (verse 5) willful ignorance! No randomness caused by the destructive force of an explosion of something that had to previously exist which denies a "true beginning" that all believe in.3. Their Person. Scoffers! a. By both biblical definition and Merriam-Webster, to deride or to ridicule, to jeer or mock, to make fun of. They reject the judgement of sin (Genesis 6) because they do not want the judgement of eternal fire (Revelation 20:15-20) that is to come. b. Our society puts people on medication or in mental institutions that talk to someone who does not exist. When Vice President Pence said that God spoke to him, he was ridiculed but Christians understood what he said. God speaks to the heart of His children and they know His voice. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:1 Kings 19:12-13 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (13) And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?4. Their Perversion. "Walking after their own lusts." When men scoff at the very thought of God, perversion becomes the norm. Just look at our society over the past 60 years as God has been banished from the homes, schools, and nation. Perversion is taught as normal and to be accepted while true Christianity has become abnormal and to be rejected.Conclusion: Saved people have "pure minds" and understand how the beginning transpired but must be careful to not fall into the trap of public opinion and scoffers.
Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2018Romans 8:18-21Introduction:A. Last week, we took a short look at the suffering of this present time. Life is hard; life is unfair; life can both physically and spiritually crush you if you allow it to do so. There are times when I am disappointed, hurt, angry, confused, and just plain tired of life. In these verses, Paul gets the spiritual eyes of the Roman believers on the future instead of this present, evil world.B. One of my favorite songs says, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus; life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One look at His dear face, all sorrows will erase; so bravely run the race, 'til we see Christ."1. Verse 18, we see the comparison. "Not worthy to be compared."2. Verse 19, we see the expectation. "The manifestation of the sons of God."3. Verses 20-21, we see the deliverance from corruption. "From the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." C. The song writer got a spiritual glimpse of the glory to come: "Oh, that will be glory for me, glory for me. When by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me!"D. The glory which shall be revealed. It will be revealed "in" us as well as to us. Let me clarify the use of the preposition "in." Many years ago, when we went to the Grand Canyon, I looked at it through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy. Being raised in Kentucky, I had seen strip pits all my life. We swam in these abandoned surface coal mines. My thought was that the Grand Canyon was the biggest gully that I had ever see. My day said that if he had been there when that thing started and had a couple of bales of hay, he could have stopped it. Most see it in wonder and awe. Everyone sees the same thing with their eyes but their perspective is different. When we get to heaven, we will all see the same thing, but our inward perspective will be the same.1. The Glory of Seeing Christ! For the first time, we will see Christ—not as we imagine Him to be—but as He is.John 14:3 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.John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.Jude 24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.2. The Glory of Experiencing A New Body!Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (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.3. The Glory of Our Eternal Home! Heaven and earth will exceed all our expectations! 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.Revelation 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.John 14:1-2 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.4. The Glory of Former Things Passed Away! One of the greatest things about heaven is what will not be there!2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.Revelation 21:4-5 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. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2017Exodus 17:9-16Introduction:A. The Amalekites were the perpetual enemies of Israel. They ALWAYS fought them. The Amalekites are a type of both the devil and our flesh in this regard. B. This passage is an excellent example of the church/pastor relationship.1. Just as Israel needed Moses, the church needs a pastor. But just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur, the pastor needs people to hold up his hands. This includes both men and women. 2. Too often, people who love their pastor still get the mindset that the ministry and local church are his responsibility alone. When a church gets "too large" for the pastor to handle or the pastor gets old enough to have to slow down, it becomes time to get an "assistant to the pastor" to carry out the responsibility.C. This is a message of how much we need one another at Temple Baptist Church. The pastor needs the people as much, if not more, than they need him. Our is a reciprocal relationship. I want to look at the story for a minute and then draw some biblical conclusions that will help our church.D. Spiritual war is a thing of perpetuality. Exodus 17:16 "war with Amalek from generation to generation." War is not a new thing! We are not alone in it as God's people have always had to fight for what is right. 1. Spiritual war is perpetual because churches are full of people and people have problems. My pastor used to say, "If people did not have problems, they would not need a pastor. If they did not need a pastor, you would have to get a legitimate job!" I always wondered if pastoring was therefore a de-legitimate job? 😊2. Spiritual war is perpetual because the local church has enemies who would destroy the unity, purity, and work of the church. At times, our church is infiltrated with people who are not in doctrinal agreement or bring division.3. Spiritual war is perpetual because Satan hates the local church and will go to any length to destroy it or its pastor. Cut off the head and the church may die.E. We find several things in our passage that directly affect the local church and God's men.1. There is Outward War. Exodus 17:8 "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim" a. Against The Flesh - Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (You can hold up my hands in prayer that I will neither fall nor fail in this life. Pastors are just men and men are human.)b. Against The Devil - Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Satan is a formidable foe and God's men do not need to stand alone in the battle for doctrinal purity, spiritual purity, and unity in the church. As I stand for right, you need to openly stand with men.)2. There is Inward War. Exodus 17:11-12 "And when he let down his hand … but Moses' hands were heavy" The Attrition Rate Is Great. a. God's People Get Tired And Quit - 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (Many of God's people have become disappointed or just plain beaten down by circumstances. Life is hard; life is unfair; sorrow and suffering are a way of life.)b. God's Men Get Tired And Quit - Jeremiah 20:7-9 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, (We older pastors get tired, both physically and emotionally. Perpetual war is never ending, it never lets up. A pastor must "keep his ear to the ground" always. He cannot rest from war as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.)3. The Warning. Exodus 17:11 "and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed."a. The People Could Not Prevail Without God's Man - Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Without God's man, the church people will begin to faint and scatter. This is the way that God intended the church to be. Churches without pastors tend to decline rapidly.)b. The Preacher Could Not Persevere Without God's People - Romans 16:1-6 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. (As the people of the church need God's men, God's men need the people of the church. None of us can stand alone.)4. The Winning. Exodus 17:12-13 "And they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Together they overcame Amalek!a. Israel Needed Moses During The Battle. If Moses' hands were raised, Israel prevailed. Church members need God's men!b. Moses Needed Israel During The Battle. When Moses' hands began to fail, Aaron and Hur seated him to rest and held up his hands. God's men need the local church people.c. You need the pastor and the pastor needs you! The work is not mine; the work is not yours; the work of the local church is OURS!5. The Witness. Exodus 17:14-15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (15) And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: a. God's People need to Remember – "memorial"b. God's People need to Rehearse It – "rehearse it" Rehearse – to practice.Conclusion:Ecclesiastes 4:7 –12 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.1. We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Prayer – You pray for me as I pray for you!2. We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Encouragement – Do not always have to be encouraged, but be an encouragement! 3. We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Faithfulness – You be as faithful to me as I am to you! 4. We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Service – Help with both the physical and spiritual work of the ministry! 5. We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Battle – Be there for me when trouble comes. I will be there for you!
Temple Baptist Church - 5-30-20172 Peter 2:9-19Introduction: A. This chapter deals predominantly with false teachers of the last days. Though angels and wicked men are reserved unto the day of judgement to be punished, Peter speaks of a certain type of lost people, false teachers. Verse 10 uses the words "But chiefly." This tells me that the sins of false teachers is far greater than the sins of most unsaved and, therefore, bring with it a greater condemnation.Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.B. All men are born innocent, but somethings happen that bring men to a place of seared consciences and total apostasy. 1. Though not all who have fallen into the snare of Bible correction are "dogs and hogs," but the fundamental movement of Biblical liberalism is founded by these "dogs and hogs!"2. They have made "merchandise" of many. Many schools and universities are not under the authority of a local church. They are "para-church" organizations. Therefore, their followers are not local church oriented. They do not obey pastoral authority or church authority.3. These "Pied Pipers of Hamlin" make a pretty sound that causes many to follow their pernicious ways. Their way is not faith in the final authority of the Bible but in their own intellect.C. Here is a short breakdown of chapter 2 and these false teachers.1. Their Prophecy Declared– vs. 12. Their Evils Depicted – vs. 23. Their Damnation Dictated – vs. 34. Their Examples Displayed – vs. 4-65. Their Personalities Described – vs. 10-22D. The characteristics of false teachers are displayed in verses 10-19. It is an example of the ravages of sin and the progression of a reprobate mind. Notice the progression.1. They Walk After The Flesh And Not The Spirit – vs. 10 "walk after the flesh"2. They Are Rebellious To Biblical Authority – vs. 10 "despise government"3. They Were Presumptuous – vs. 10 "presumptuous"4. They Were Self-willed – vs. 10 "selfwilled"5. They Have No Fear Of Reprisal – vs. 10 "they are not afraid"6. They Are Destitute Of Biblical Instruction – vs. 12 "natural brute beasts"7. They Hold The Truth In Distain – vs. 12 "speak evil"8. They Have No Shame – vs. 13 "riot in the day time"9. They Make A Mockery Of The Church While Attending – vs. 13 "sporting themselves…feast with you"10. They Have No Control Over Their Passions – vs. 14 "cannot cease from sin"11. They Are Deceptive And Unstable – vs. 14 "beguiling unstable souls"12. They Are Covetous – vs. 14-15 "covetous…wages of unrighteousness"13. They Are Blown About With Every Wind Of Doctrine – vs. 17 "carried with the tempest"14. They Use Organized Religion To Make Converts – vs. 18 "allure…flesh"15. They Are Slaves To Intellectualism – vs. 19 "servants of corruption"
Temple Baptist Church - 5-27-2018Romans 8:16-18Introduction:A. Tonight, I will preach on a subject that I am too often not good at living. Suffering is a way of life! "When you know that life is hard, you can make it!" I am not a fan of suffering and I want to say this right, but neither was our Lord in His humanity. Matthew 26:37-39 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (38) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.B. The question will be asked, "Then why the Lord allows suffering?" Because of sin! Jesus suffered in this life because of His great love for sinners.C. In this life, we will suffer but, in the life to come, there will be a glory revealed in us that will never fade away.D. Suffering can bring about good results. 1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (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: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.1. Suffering is often a fiery trial that brings about heaviness. Tonight, I will not minimize our suffering because it can be painful physically and heartbreaking spiritually. I do not often use the words, "I know how you feel." But I can say that God does.2. In our suffering, we can become better or we can become bitter. I try to choose better! I am not always a "happy camper" as I see the injustice that is in the world, but I do know that God's grace is sufficient.3. Our suffering "might" be found unto "praise and honour and glory" when our Lord comes for His church. But, the verses say, "Might be found." This carries the meaning that it might or it might not. God wants and expects the former instead of the latter.E. Suffering:1. Suffering Strengthens our Faith - 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.2. Suffering Sharpens our Focus - Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.3. Suffering Strengthens our Finish - Philippians 1:20-21 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.F. There are blessings that can only come through our sufferings.1. Sufferings Bring Glory To God - 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:2. Sufferings Introduce Us To God's Sufficient Grace - 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.3. Sufferings Bring About Closeness In Fellowship - 1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.4. Sufferings Bring God's Comfort - 2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.5. Sufferings Purify Our Lives - 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;6. Sufferings Produce Patience - Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;7. Sufferings Strengthen Our Faith - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.8. Sufferings Produce Stability - 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Temple Baptist Church - 5-16-20182 Peter 2:9-22Introduction:A. We need to remember our context tonight to get the proper meaning of the verses that I will deal with. I am going to look at these verses in reverse order to show who these people are and how they got here.B. Verses 20-22 have been used more by way of application than contextual interpretation. 1. I fear that the true meaning of these verses has been lost because of topical peaching. YOU MUST always give a Biblical interpretation of a verse before making a practical interpretation! 2. This is simply Biblical Hermeneutics. It is called the Context Mention of Bible Interpretation. When taking a verse out of its context, it often becomes a pretext! Great application but no Biblical interpretation. This can lead to serious doctrinal problems.3. It lends itself to Biblical ignorance which destroys the people of God. God's people are destroyed for a "lack of knowledge." Preaching through the Bible book by book establishes the people of God doctrinally.C. When you get to these verses, the context has not changed as the first word of verse 20 in the word "For." The Holy Spirit is now going to draw a conclusion to chapter two. Chapter two begins and ends with false teachers!D. In verses 20-22, these Old Testament false prophets and New Testament false teachers did not lose their salvation, they were never saved. You can wash them all that you want to make the outside smell a little better, but that does not change their inward nature: dogs are dogs and hogs are hogs! 1. Their Dereliction. "falling away"2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition …2 Peter 2:17-20 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. (18) For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (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. (20) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.a. Many used the Greek word for "falling away," which gives us a commonly used word "apostasy." The words "falling away" give us the actual meaning of "falling away from a former position." To fall away from something, you must have once stood for something!b. These "dogs" and "hogs" vomited up and left their wallowing in the mire. The "dog" detested but later invested in heresy. The "hog" detested the mire but later returned to its filth.2. Their Deception.a. Their damnableness. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.b. Their deceiving. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means …1) "spirit" A spirit that is disobedient to the Scriptures. Teachers who teach and act contrary to clear Scripture and say that they are led by the Holy Spirit.2) "word" A message that does not comply with the Scriptures. Man-made doctrines that do not line up with the clear doctrinal teaching of the Scriptures.3) "letter as from us" A false "word of God" that takes precedent over "The Word of God." False "bibles" from perverted underlying texts that bring about confusion over what is or is not Scripture.c. Their being deceived. 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. Their Damnation.a. Their return. 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.b. Their accountability. 2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.c. Their damnation. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Temple Baptist Church - 5-13-2018Proverbs 18:22Introduction: A. Mother's Day is one of the most special days of the year. Proverbs 31:29 says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." B. This morning, I want to rise up, call you ladies blessed, praise you! Our ladies are so very special and need to be praised every day of the year. God bless each of you this Mother's Day.C. It is interesting what some great people have said concerning their mothers. The mother has a tremendous influence for either good or evil in the lives of the children.1. Washington Irving – "The love of a real mother is never exhausted. It never changes-it never tires-it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world's condemnation, a mother's love still lives on."2. Charles Spurgeon – "I cannot tell how much I owe to the prayers of my good mother…I remember her once praying, "Now Lord, if my children go on in sin it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold on Christ and claim Him as their personal Savior."3. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers. Someone once came into the drawing room when all the family was there. They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of so they asked him this question: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your family?" Howard had a great admiration for his father and he looked straight across at him and then, without a moments hesitation, he answered, "Mother."4. May R. Coker – "Motherhood is the greatest privilege of life."5. Abraham Lincoln – "No man is poor who has had a godly mother."6. Seen on a church sign: "If evolution is true, how come mothers still have only two hands?"D. I read this somewhere a few years ago and loved it. How moms are made: She must be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 moveable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands. She must have 3 pairs of eyes. One pair of eyes is to see through the closed door as she asks the children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of the head is to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. The third pair is in the front of the head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word. She heals herself when she is sick and can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine-year-old to stand in the shower. Se is made both soft and tough. She can endure and accomplish anything. She will be able to think, reason, and negotiate. She has tears as her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, and her grief. SHE IS BOTH SPECIAL AND SPECIALLY MADE!!! 1. Good women are getting like "hen's teeth!" They are scarce and hard to find, but, thank God, there are still some young ladies being raised for the Lord in such a manner as to make good, godly wives.2. Any woman can become a good woman if she so desires. Godly wives and mothers are made as well as raised. Some of you ladies may not have had the privilege of being raised in a godly, separated home, but you can give your life to the Lord and become as godly as one raised.3. The word "find" does not mean to stumble upon, but rather to make a diligent search. Young men, do not fall for the first pretty face that you see because the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Allow your parents to be involved in the selection of a mate for life! Man looks upon the outward, but God looks upon the heart!4. Find – to obtain by seeking - Matthew 7:7-10 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (If you seek right, the Lord will give you the right mate!)E. I want to look at four women found in the Book of Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom.1. The Gracious Woman - Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. GRACIOUS - Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings. (A mother has the same attributes in many ways that God has.)a. A Gracious Woman Is Forgiving Woman - Nehemiah 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. b. A Gracious Woman Is Kind Woman - Luke 4:22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?c. A Gracious Woman Is Favorable Woman - Proverbs 18:22 Whosofindeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. (She brings the blessings of God on a home!)2. The Virtuous Woman - Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.a. A Virtuous Woman Is A Moral Woman - 1 Timothy 2:9-10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.b. A Virtuous Woman Is An Asset To Her Husband - Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed isas rottenness in his bones.3. The Wise Woman - Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.a. The Wise Woman Builds Her House - Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.b. The Foolish Woman Destroys Her House – "plucketh it down with her hands!"4. The God Fearing Woman - Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beautyis vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.a. The God Fearing Woman Is A Saved Woman - 1 Peter 3:2-4 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.b. The God Fearing Woman Is A Trusted Woman - Proverbs 31:11-12 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (12) She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.c. The God Fearing Woman Is An Appreciated Woman - Proverbs 31:28-31 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (29) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (30) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. (31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 1) By Her Children – "her children" 2) By Her Husband – "her husband" 3) By Her Acquaintances – "in the gates" 4) By Her Lord – "shall be praised"
Temple Baptist Church - 5-6-20182 Peter 2:9-10Introduction: A. Tonight, I want to look at verses 9-10. Lot taught us several lessons:1. You are either lost or saved! There is no middle ground: no purgatory, no limbo, no soul sleep.a) To die saved is to be present with the Lord - 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.b) To die lost is to be present in hell - Luke 16:22-23 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.2. Salvation is not some unbiblical mixture of works and grace. Lot is a great example of the love and longsuffering of God as he had no good works mentioned either before or after he believed.3. The saved are delivered while the unsaved are reserved. The saved are delivered from hell while the unsaved are reserved for hell.4. The love of God and the wrath of God. In these two polar opposites, we find equality. The love of God and the hatred of God are equal!a) The Love of God - 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. b) The Wrath Of God - Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: B. Hell is a reality, not a state of mind or just separation from God. When speaking of the false prophets and angels who sinned, the Bible gives a vivid description of eternal damnation. Hell is a literal place of fire and brimstone. Hell is the unleashed wrath of a holy God. Hell is Hell!C. There are many words in chapter 2 that give a vivid picture of hell. Hell is a reality and not a state of mind. 1. Vs. 1 - Destruction2. Vs. 3 - Damnation3. Vs. 4 – Darkness4. Vs. 6 – Fire5. Vs. 9 - Punishment6. Vs. 9 – Judgment7. Vs. 14 – Cursed8. Vs. 17 – Mist of darkness9. Vs. 17 – Eternally preservedD. The Holy Spirit used the word "reserved" to describe the present state of the lost. We are familiar with the word "reserved" as we use it often. 1. When traveling, we call ahead of time and reserve a hotel room. The hotel room is ours days, weeks, months, and even years at a time. 2. With the eternal reservation of the lost goes a present privilege, one can change their mind and cancel within a certain time while occurring no loss.3. But, most cancelation policies have a time limit on how long that you can wait before having to pay the price of the reservation.4. Salvation is no different. Many falsely teach that everyone can get saved up until the time of death, but the Bible teaches different. God can give the sinner over to a reprobate mind and then the future reservation is "set in stone!"E. I want this message to biblically answer some questions about hell.1. Hell's Creation - Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (Though I would never try to build a doctrinal truth upon this foundation, I do find it of interest that the first judgement pronounced was a "fire from the midst" of Lucifer." I will go no farther on this verse because speculation always leads to misinformation and misinformation to false doctrine.)2. Man's Three Reactions To Hell.a. His first reaction is to deny it.b. His second reaction is to extinguish it.c. His third reaction is to ignore it.3. Hell's Residents.1. The devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 2. The beast and false prophet - Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.3. The unbeliever - Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.4. Hell's Description.a. A place of punishment - Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.b. A place of banishment - 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;c. A place of fire - Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Mark 9:44-48 repeats five times, "the fire is not quenched."Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.d. A place of consciousness and feeling - Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.e. A place of torment - Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.f A place of thirst - Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.g. A place of darkness - 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.Jude 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.h. A place without hope of escape - Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.i. A place of unfulfilled desires and unanswered prayers - Luke 16:27-31 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: (28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.k. A place of remorse - Luke 16:27-28 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: (28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.j. A place of wailing and gnashing of teeth - Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.4. Hell's Reward.a. Hell is the eternal reward for rebellion against God - Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit thewicked.b. Hell is the eternal reward for rejection of Jesus Christ - John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.c. Hell is the eternal reward for wicked works - Revelation 20:12 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.
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