? Temple Baptist Church - 5-5-20242 Corinthians 2:1-11? Introduction:? In these verses, we find the restoration of the fallen brother found in 1 Corinthians, chapter 5.? He got right with the Lord and was forgiven, but the church would not forgive him.? Paul did not want them to be ignorant of the danger of unforgiveness, one of Satan's devices.? A.? I want to continue to preach for a while on the subject of Ignorance.? My work as a pastor is to make sure that you are not ignorant, and your job is to make sure that you are not willfully ignorant!? We have the Word of God, so we are accountable to it.? 1.? Last week, we saw the ignorance of Israel concerning God's righteousness.? Romans 10:3-4? For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.? (4)? For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.? 2.? This morning, I want to start preaching on ignorance of Satan's Devices.? I am not sure how far that I will get this morning, but I am in no hurry because of the importance of what I am preaching so just hang in there.? B.? Lucifer is a powerful angel.? He is a God hater and therefore hates God's children.? Our Lord said that He was hated first, and that hatred would be passed on to us.? John 15:18-20? If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.? (19)? If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.? (20)? Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.? C.? I do not want to preach a series on Satanology or Angelogy (fallen angels) but, in order to understand the fallen angels, we must explore them within the context of Scriptures.? D.? Lucifer was a special angel, a defender of the holiness of God.? Lucifer tried to overthrow the throne of God to no avail and God said, “I will destroy thee, O covering cherub!”? ? Lucifer is a damned angel.? I want to look at a couple of very interesting verses:? E.? Hell was 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 traffick; 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.? 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:? 1.? Satan is Determined.? He will never give up nor give an inch.? In his determination, he does not negotiate nor compromise.? 2.? Satan is Dangerous.? His ultimate goal is to destroy everything God created.? 3.? Satan is Deceptive.? In heaven, with God on His throne, Satan convinced 1/3 of the angels there to rebel.? And we think he cannot deceive us.? 4.? WE ARE NOT IGNORANT of his devices!? ? a)? He has used the same devices since he sinned against God in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28!? ? b)? I used the phrase “willfully ignorant” last week because we all have seen what Satan through love of the world has done to people that we know!? ? 1)? He has destroyed their lives!? 2)? He has destroyed their families!? 3)? He has destroyed their health!? 4)? He has destroyed their testimonies!? 5)? He has destroyed their usefulness!? c)? Satan uses different Devices for different People.? We all have our strong points and weaknesses.? d)? Satan uses different Devices for different Purposes.? Sometimes, Satan attacks people and sometimes he attacks churches/governments, etc.? e)? Satan uses these same devices over and over.? Satan does the same thing the same way because it too often brings about the same results.? 1)? I love devices.? Gadgets, appliances, tools, machines, mechanisms, etc.? Devices are normally specific in their usage to get certain jobs done.? ? 2)? I love Harbor Freight.? They have a tool for about everything that you will ever need to get done.? I drop my wife off at Big Lots (female version of Harbor Freight) which is about three hundred feet away from Harbor Freight and tell her to “shop till you drop!”? 3)? Satan's Devices are designed for singular purposes.? They are not profound in their design.? They are quite simple but highly effective in their work. I have many tools in my workshop that I do not use often as these tools are made for specific jobs.? 4)? I said all that to say this, we can know and fully understand what Satan's Devices are doing and still allow them to work in our lives to the detriment of our spiritual condition and God's work!? F.? This morning, I want to look at Satan's Device of Division.? ? 1.? I would say that the subject of division is one that I preach on more than any else, and especially over the past few years as the coming of our Lord draws nigh.? ? 2.? Satan has pulled out all of the “stops” in his unending efforts to destroy the effectiveness of both families and the local church.? ? ? As goes the family, so goes the local church!? 3.? The pastor's nightmare!? Division!? We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices and one of his best is division.? ? G.? Families are falling apart and marriages no longer lasting.? Then there is the local church.? So many local churches are without a pastor.? Smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter!? Some churches have “run the pastor off,” while in others, the pastor (it is always easy to blame the church rather than to blame oneself) ran himself off.? H.? Satan's Device of Division in the local church.? 1.? Sometimes, wicked people get in the church and divide.? 2.? More often, saved people get their priorities wrong and strive, one with another.? a)? Through Carnality? b)? Through Biblical Ignorance? c)? Through Willful Immaturity? d)? Through Satanic Influence? J.? It is imperative that we remain united and strong as the work of the Lord is of the utmost importance and only a unified body will be effective in reaching the lost.? This type of preaching is not a new thing, nor should it be a sporadic one.? It must be preached often with a no-nonsense approach.? Look in Acts 20:28-31 with me.? Acts 20:28-31 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.? K.? The most important unit on the face of the earth other than the family is the local church.? Satan hates the local Church!? L.? Division can cause much damage to the local church by:? 1.? Division Destroys The Fellowship Of The Church.? (People sit on the pews of the church with malice and unforgiveness in their hearts.)? 2.? Division Destroys The Commission Of The Church.? (Missions have been damaged because of gaining a family and then loosing a family through spiritual nonsense!)? 3.? Division Destroys The Testimony Of The Church. (Church fights and splits have been detrimental to the prosperity of the church, both physically and financially.)? 4.? Division Destroys The Posterity Of The Church.? (Children both see and hear the ungodliness of the parents.? It affects their spirituality and, eventually, they are lost.? 5.? Division Destroys The Worship Of The Church.? (God and His Holy Spirit are grieved with this division and worship is neither holy nor acceptable.)? 6.? Division Destroys The Evangelism Of The Church.? (Instead of keeping our eyes upon the harvest and doing all that we can to win souls, our time is spent in bitterness and souls are lost.)? 7.? Division Hinders The Prayers Of The Saints.? (Malice and unforgiveness are sins and when we regard iniquity in our hearts, our prayers go unheard.)? M.? Division damages the individual believer.? 1.? It Will Divide You From The Pastor – Your Friend? 2.? It Will Divide You From The Pulpit – God's Message? 3.? It Will Divide You From The People – Your Brethren? 4.? It Will Divide You From The Peace Of God – Your Joy? 5.? It Will Divide You From The Place – God's House? 6.? It Will Divide You From The Purpose – God's Harvest? N.? How To Stop Division!? 1.? Always Give Others The Benefit Of The Doubt - 1 Corinthians 13:5? Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;? 2.? Learn To Forgive And To Forget - Ephesians 4:31-32? Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:? And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.? 3.? Beware Of The Root Of Bitterness -? Hebrews 12:15? Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;? 4.? Keep Your Eye Focused Upon The Purpose - Philippians 1:27? ? Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;? Philippians 3:16? Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.? 5.? Esteem Others Better Than Self - Philippians 2:3? Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.? Philippians 2:1-4? ? If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,? Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.? Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.? Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.? 6.? Learn To Keep Your Mouth Shut When There Is A Problem - Proverbs 6:16-19? These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:? A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,? An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,? A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Netanyahu: Israel Will Enter Rafah With Or Without Hostage Deal Israel will invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah with or without a hostage deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 5/1/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Hamas Planning To Reject Hostage Deal A representative of Hamas said on Wednesday evening (1st) that the terror group was planning to reject a recent ceasefire and US-brokered hostage deal, ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 5/2/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Christian worship leader and activist Sean Feucht is taking action in response to anti-Israel protests at well-known campuses such as Columbia University and New York University.

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2024Psalm 119:129-136? Introduction:? A. Psalm 119 contains 176 verses broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza corresponding with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and each stanza containing 8 verses with each verse in the Hebrew beginning with the identified letter. In Psalm 119, we find the ultimate magnification of the Word of God. It is the belief in the Word of God that both identifies and separates the Biblicist from all else.? B. PE -? פ– the 17th? letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. PE means “mouth” or by extension “speech” “breath” “vocalization” Its numerical value is 80 which carries the meaning of strength or maturity. “Three score and ten or fourscore by reason of strength. Moses was 80 years old when he led Israel out of Egypt.? C. When speaking of the Word of God, we often use the expression “God Breathed.”? 1. God breathing out is Expiration. Inspiration is to infuse or to breathe in. When you die, you breathe out for the last time and expire. When you place someone on a ventilator or give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the patient breathes in which is Inspiration.? 2. The best definition of Inspiration is found in Genesis, chapter 2.? Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and Adam became a living soul.? 3. God breathed into Adamis nostrils the breath of life. God infused eternal life into Adam and he became a living soul.? 4. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God or is infused by God. God breathed into men the Word of God. These men breathed out the Word of God under the power and control of the Holy Ghost. The Word of God was infused or Inspired when properly recorded.? 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.? 5. Many of the original manuscripts were a preservation of what the inspired speaker said.? This scribe was known as an “amanuensis”? A·man·u·en·sis (scribe, writer, copyist).? D. The First Mention of Said is found in Genesis, chapter 1.? Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.? E. The First Mention of Breath is found in Genesis, chapter 2. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.? F. The First Mention of Voice is found Genesis, chapter 3.? Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.? 1. God spoke to men. An audible Voice.? 2. God spoke through men. An Inspired Voice.? 3. In both instances, the Word of God came from God, not man!? G. This 17th? Stanza begins with Wonder and ends with Weeping. You either love the Word of God and finding its wonder in the Volume of the Book or you reject the Word of God and find that weeping will be the result of such denial. You love the Bible, or you do not love the Bible. There can be no middle ground.? 1. Verse 129. God's Word inspires Wonder in the loving reader. Wonder of God's Word inspires Obedience to it. The Testimonies of the Word of God show both the Mind of God and the Will of God.? 2. Verse 130. God's Word giveth Light. The Light of God's Word gives Understanding. Obedience leads to Understanding. Once again, we revisit Psalm 119:105. “Thy word? is? a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Our understanding of the Word of God defines the what, how, and when of God. We understand what is going on in our day through the Light of the Scriptures. What God is doing, how God is doing it, and when God will do it.? 3. Verse 131. God's Word brings Desire and Thirsting. To pant after is to seek something with all your heart. Understanding leads to Desire. The Desire for the Word of God brings forth a desire for God!? Psalms 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.? Psalms 63:1-2 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (2) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.? 4. Verse 132. The Word of God introduces us to Goodness and Mercy. God is both Good and Merciful throughout the history of His people. Desire leads to Love. Desire leads to I have heard it said, “I want to get what I deserve.” My cry is the opposite: “I'm glad that I will not get what I deserve!” The word “mercy” in one form or another is found 277 times in the Bible, God's Breathed Word. God gave David that promise when He breathed out the 23rd? Psalm, a story of David's life in Christ Jesus from salvation until eternity.? Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.? 5. Verse 133. The Word of God Orders our Steps. Love leads to Guidance. God's footsteps are hidden but through the Word of God, they are ordered. God has both ordered and secured the steps of the righteous and clarified in the Word of God.? Psalms 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.? Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.? 6. Verse 134. The Word of God brings us Deliverance. Guidance by the Breathed Word of God leads to Deliverance. Here we find deliverance from the enslavement of sin, the deception of Satan, and the oppression from sinners. Though battles had to be fought, Israel's victory had been assured through the Word of God.? Psalms 56:1-3 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. (2) Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. (3) What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.? 7. Verse 135. The Word of God gives us Freedom. In Deliverance, we find Freedom. The Truth is the only thing that will make the child of God free. When King David repented of his sinfulness, God delivered him and answered his request. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation!”? John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.? Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.? 8. Verse 136. The Breathed Word of God causes Weeping. In Freedom, we find Weeping. Oh, that this world would turn their eyes upon Jesus! The spoken Word became the Inscribed Word, and the Inscribed Word became the Incarnate Word! The Word of God is “God Breathed!”

IDF Spokesman On Hostage Video: ‘Until Hamas Frees Hostages We'll Pursue Them Everywhere' IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari responded Wednesday evening (24th) to the video published by the Hamas ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 4/25/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Israelis Mark Passover Under Shadow Of War, Absence Of 133 Hostages Still In Gaza The Jewish holiday of Passover began in Israel on Monday evening (22nd), with families around the ... Read MoreThe post News Digest — 4/23/24 appeared first on The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Western countries have propped up the Iranian economy because of their own selfish and naïve interests, and have continued to release billions of dollars to fund the regime, as the Biden Administration did again in November, following a similar release of billions in what Iranians called the #IranHostageDeal.

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-21-20241 Corinthians 15:58Introduction:? A.? The Corinthian Church was a carnal (fleshly) church and spent both their time and resources upon their natural, temporal desires.? Paul loved this carnal, worldly church as it is the only one that Paul expressed his love for.? 1 Corinthians 16:23-24? The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.? (24)? My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.? B.? Chapter 15: 1-49, Paul speaks of their great salvation through the gospel.? Verses 50-57, the victory that has been won as one day all the church of God will be at home.? C.? The Holy Ghost admonishes the church to be heavenly minded in verse 58 because the real treasures are those that are eternal, not temporal.? The therefore ties this verse to the preceding verses and is a summation or conclusion.? His plea is based upon our blessed position in the body of Christ, the hope of His soon return in the rapture, and our eternal change.? ? D.? “My” denotes ownership.? “Beloved” denotes our dearness to both the Apostle and our Saviour.? “Brethren” denotes a family relationship which is important because our dependence is not only upon the Saviour but also upon each other!? 1.? Steadfastness – deals with the possibility of quitting - Galatians 6:9? And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.? (People are quitting on every hand.? Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, SS teachers, soul winners, church workers, etc.)? 2.? Immovability – deals with the possibility of being swayed - 2 Thessalonians 2:15? Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.? (We are in the midst of the “falling away.”)? 3.? Abounding – deals with possibility of sitting down instead of serving - 2 Corinthians 9:8? And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work.? (The closer to the end of the church age, the more we should labor.? Unfortunately, it is just the exact opposite is true.)? 4.? Knowledge – deals with the understanding that our labor is not in vain - Matthew 10:40-42? He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.? He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.? And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Though we are in the gleanings stage or the Days of Noe, God is still in control of the harvest)? 5.? Reward – God will certainly reward us with fullness - 2 John 1:8? Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (full reward) for our labors (Parable of those who labored through the heat of the day for a penny while others entered the fields much later and received the same.)? ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TWO THINGS:? 1.? It Takes A Real Conversion – 1 John 2:19? They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.? 2.? It Takes A Real Conviction – Jesus is coming again just like He said!? SOME THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN:? 1.? We Need To continue In One Accord? 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.? 2.? We Need To Continue In Prayer? 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.? Colossians 4:2? Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;? 3.? We Need To Continue In Doctrine? Acts 2:42? And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.? 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.? 2 Timothy 3:14? But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast earned them? 4.? We Need To Continue In Fellowship? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Acts 2:42? And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.? 5.? We Need To Continue In The Grace of God? (Salvation's Message)? Acts 13:43? Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.? 6.? We Need To Continue In Encouragement? Acts 14:22? Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.? 7.? We Need To Continue In Soul Winning (Both at home and abroad)? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Acts 26:22? Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great? 8.? We Need To Continue To Live Godly? Romans 11:22? Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.? 9.? We Need To Continue Contending For The Faith? Galatians 2:5? To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.? 10.? We Need To Continue In Service? James 1:25? But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

"Blue Islands… those blue islands in red states and swing states… they could be swayed by LifeWise," host Alex Wagner warned.

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-17-2024John 15:11? Introduction:? A.? In verse 11, we find two kinds of “Joy.”? ? 1.? My Joy.? “remain in you”? A Joy that is found ONLY in Jesus Christ!? ? a)? The Joy of Salvation.? The Joy of Sanctification.? The Joy of Security.? The Joy of Serving.? ? b)? The Key words are “remain in” which implies that the joy of God is given to every believer and can be removed by the believer.? ? ? ? c)? “Living for Jesus” is a song that describes our Joy that is found in abiding in Jesus Christ:? Living for Jesus, a life that is true,Striving to please Him in all that I do;Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,This is the pathway of blessing for me.Refrain:O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.Living for Jesus Who died in my place,Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;Such love constrains me to answer His call,Follow His leading and give Him my all.Living for Jesus, wherever I am,Doing each duty in His holy Name;Willing to suffer affliction and loss,Deeming each trial a part of my cross.Living for Jesus through earth's little while,My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.2.? Your Joy.? The key words here are “be full.”? The implication here is that the believer can have Joy to some degree and still not have fulness of Joy.? To have fulness of Joy is totally tied to the “My Joy” that is found only in our abiding in Christ.? “I had rather be an old time Christian that anything I know!”? Nehemiah 8:10? Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.? 3.? “Your Joy!”? I hear so much “Woe is me” preaching in our day.? People live lives of quiet desperation because of circumstances while God wants His people to enjoy life!? He wants them to enjoy His creation!? Proverbs 15:13? A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.? Proverbs 17:22? A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.? Ecclesiastes 2:24? There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.? Ecclesiastes 3:10-13? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.? (11)? He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.? (12)? I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.? (13)? And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.? Ecclesiastes 3:22? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?? Ecclesiastes 5:18-19? Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.? (19)? Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.? Ecclesiastes 8:15? Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.? Ecclesiastes 9:7-9? Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.? (8)? Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.? (9)? Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.? B.? What is this joy of Christ?? I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from your Bible because “My Joy” is not found in our circumstances which are subject to change.? It is completely found in the “God of my salvation” and the “God … my strength!”? *** Habakkuk 3:17-19? Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: ? (18)? Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ? (19)? The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.? 1.? In these verses, we find both the “Cause” and “Effect” of the Christian's Joy.? The cause and effect is certainly not found in our circumstances as our days are so full for sin and sorrow!? Noah's Day, Lot's Day, Falling Away Days, Laodicean Days, Perilous Times all work together in our day to cause God's people to fret and fear.? Habakkuk used the word “Yet” to introduce “I will rejoice” and “I will joy!”? 2.? In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:? a)? The God of my Salvation.? True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.? John 15:13? Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.? b)? The LORD God, my Strength.? True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.? John 15:5? I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.? 4.? In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:? a)? Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard, and it is:? b)? Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5.? There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not something “worked up” by emotion.? “Popcorn Testimonies” have become a thing of the past.? We need to get our Joy back and Rejoicing will follow without having to be stirred or worked up.? Rejoicing is more than an emotion; it is a realization brought about by relationship and remembrance!? 6.? We live in days when pastors feel the necessity to stir our emotions with fleshly music and preaching as to produce rejoicing.? Thus, they become Promoters—not Pastors, Entertainers—not Preachers.? ? a.? A Pastor is none of these things.? He is to feed the flock of God, not stir them up.? Churches now have “Praise Leaders!”? ? b.? I find that preaching the Word is a divider because the Word brings about the knowledge of sin, the need for repentance, and division from the world.? c.? Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of an inner Joy found in the Lord.? Rejoicing is a product of that inward Joy, not the cause of Joy.? Romans 12:12? ? Rejoicing in hope;? patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;? Philippians 3:1? ? Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.? To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.? Philippians 4:4? ? Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.? 7.? The hymns of the Faith no longer cause Rejoicing, so the modern day “church” is now in the “Entertainment Business” instead of reproving, rebuking, and Exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.? Modern day preaching and music reflect the world because most professing “Christians” are more worldly than spiritual.? C.? Both rejoicing and joy are to be despite our circumstances, not because of them!? Most Christians live in discouragement with little joy.? ? Why?? The answer is simple.? 1.? Because Of Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12? And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.? ? (God's people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in and we now walk at a guilty distance from God and the joy is gone.)? 2.? Because Of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30? But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.? ? (God's people have their eyes upon the “wind and waves” of circumstance and not upon Christ.? When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the “wind and waves” and once again walked on the water.)? D.? Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.? 1.? For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21? And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:? And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.? ? And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.? But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.? 2.? For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4? Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.? 2 Corinthians 8:2? How that? in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty? abounded unto the riches of their liberality.Colossians 1:11? Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,? unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;? 1 Thessalonians 1:6? And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord,? having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:? E.? Loss of joy comes through:? 1.? Losing the freshness of our salvation.? 2.? Losing the burning love for our Saviour.? 3.? Losing the excitement of our service.? WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY? 1.? Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20? Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.? Psalms 35:9? And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall? rejoice in his salvation.? Psalms 51:12? Restore unto me? the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.? Psalms 132:16? I will also clothe her priests? with? salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.? Isaiah 12:3? Therefore? with joy? shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.? 2.? Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13? Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,? that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.? Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17? For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;? but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.? 3.? Christian Joy Is Found In God's Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12? And Nehemia

The war, which has been going on for 6 months, has Israeli families clamoring for their loved ones to come home, including Liran Berman, whose twin brothers remain under hostage by Hamas.

More than 200 people were baptized along a scenic Florida beach on Easter Sunday as part of a worship service hosted by a revivalist who once dabbled in the occult before she was freed by Christ.

Fox News host Pete Hegseth asked “Fox & Friends” viewers and his co-hosts on Sunday to bow their heads in prayer for a Bible-app sponsored segment.

Dallas Jenkins, the creator and director of the Bible-based series The Chosen,? recently spoke with Cody Fields, host of the Westminster Effects Doxology Podcast. The two discussed Jenkins' views on Mormonism, and comments he has made.

Fox News host Pete Hegseth asked “Fox & Friends” viewers and his co-hosts on Sunday to bow their heads in prayer for a Bible-app sponsored segment.

It's hard to imagine how we'd respond in a terrifying situation, but an Atlanta woman who was being held hostage had the foresight and mouthed the words "help me" in order to communicate the nature of her situation.

Headlines bombard us with news about the devastation in Gaza—the staggering death toll, the increasing war and bloodshed, the innocent lives lost. People on both sides cry for an end to the violence and the pain. ? As Christians, we hear the news, and our hearts fill with compassion and anguish. Why is this happening? Why are people so eager to fight—and die—over this one small section of land?Gaza, also called the Gaza Strip, is a thin piece of land of about 140 square miles located between Israel and Egypt. Roughly 2.3 million Palestinians live there, and it is a Palestinian territory. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Egypt on its southwest and Israel on its east and north.However, there is longtime animosity between Israel and Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish state. This was to accommodate a post-World War Two desire for a Jewish homeland, but it came against the will of the local Arab population.On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage in the deadliest attack in Israel's history. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, and as of this writing, more than 30,000 people have been killed.Beyond a territory for present-day Palestine, the land is much desired by both groups. But there is also much biblical importance and history surrounding Gaza. Here are five biblical reasons by Gaza is important.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pawel.gaul

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-31-2024Luke 24:1-12? Introduction:? ? A.? Resurrection Sunday.? A day set apart to celebrate our Risen Lord.? ? Matthew 28:6? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.? B. Once again, we come to the Garden Tomb and find it, as always, still empty!? The “Stone” which the builders rejected became the “Chief Corner Stone” and, ultimately, the “Capstone of Christianity.”? ? C. There are many “Cardinal Doctrines” in the Bible:? Fundamental, Key, Basic, Central, Principal.? When I use the term “Cardinal Doctrine”, I want you to understand that all doctrine is of major importance, but without the doctrine of the Resurrection, all others would be in vain.? ? D. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was both the end and the beginning.? The finishing of the Gospel, a completed work.? The Beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus for the believer.? 1.? The resurrection was the finishing of the Gospel.? In our text for this morning, we find the Gospel.? ? a)? The death of Christ -? Luke 24:7? Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.? b)? The burial of Christ - Luke 24:1? Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.? c)? The resurrection of Christ - Luke 24:6? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,? d)? 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, speaks of the magnitude of the resurrection.? In 1 Corinthians, chapter 15:1-4, we find the Gospel is perfectly defined.? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4? Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;? (2)? By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.? (3)? For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;? (4)? And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:? 1)? Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.? The Son of God died once for all.? Sin's payment was made in full.? The Father looked upon the travail of His Son and was satisfied.? John 19:30? When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.? Romans 5:8? But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.? 1 Timothy 2:4? Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.? 2)? Christ was buried.? Placed in a Garden Tomb for 3 days and 3 nights.? There is no Good Friday found in the Bible!? Christ died on Wednesday.? Matthew 12:40? For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.? 3)? Christ rose again the third day according to the scriptures.? The Father's Acceptance of the price paid.? Romans 1:4? And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:? Matthew 28:6? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.? Mark 16:1-6? And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.? (2)? And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.? 4)? There is the presentation of the Blood of Christ.? ? John 20:17? Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.? Hebrews 9:11-12? But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;? (12)? Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.? 2.? The resurrection was the beginning of a new life in Christ.? ? a.? The Resurrection gives the believer hope in eternity.? I thank God that there's a better day coming!? ? 1)? Without the Resurrection of Christ, Calvary would have been in vain; we would still be in our sins; and there would be no hope of life after death!? 2) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no finishing!? No finishing of the Cross.? I am glad this morning that it is finished for time and eternity. Sin paid for in full and redemption purchased.? Hallelujah, what a Saviour!? 3) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no faithfulness to the Scriptures!? This Bible that I hold in my hands would be just another fiction book.? 1 Corinthians 15:19-22? If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.? (20)? But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.? (21)? For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.? (22)? For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.? 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.? Titus 2:11-14? For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,? (12)? Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;? (13)? Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;? (14)? Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.? b.? The Resurrection gives the believer confidence in life.? Everything is going to be alright!? Philippians 1:20-24? According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.? (21)? For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.? (22)? But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.? (23)? For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:? (24)? Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.? c.? The Resurrection gives the believer peace in death.? Death is the “door” through which we enter into the eternal presence of the Lord!? Psalms 23:4? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.? John 11:25? Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:? Revelation 14:13? And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.? d.? The Resurrection gives the believer boldness in witness.? The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!? Romans 1:16? For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.? 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.? Conclusion:? The Gospel is now finished as Christ has died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again for our Justification.? ? Let's stand and sing together: “Because He Lives.”? “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone; because I know I know He holds my future; life is worth the living just because He lives!? And then one day, I'll cross that river; I'll fight life's final war with pain; and then as death gives place to victory; I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.”

One of our five servers had an outage for about 20 minutes. It is back up and running now. Will post a resolution here when I receive one from the hosting provider.The post Server Outage appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-24-2024Psalm 119:97-104? Introduction:? A. Psalm 119 contains 176 verses with 22 stanzas and 8 verses per stanza with each verse in a stanza beginning with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. An acrostic.? B. Tonight, I want to look at the 13th? stanza, verses 97-104, and the Hebrew letter MEM.? 1. This letter MEM has two different forms – the regular letter? מ, which is open at the bottom? and the special final letter? ם, which is closed. I wanted to mention this without spending a lot of time on it. We are not here tonight to learn the Hebrew language. We are here to convey a simple truth.? 2. The regular MEM? מ, represents everything that we understand while the special letter MEM? ם, represents everything that we do not comprehend.? 3. In Genesis, chapter 1, we find both uses of MEM in one verse.? In the story of the Creation, the text mentions that God separated the waters above the firmament and below it. The first? MEM? represents the waters above the firmament, which we and the second? MEM? the waters below the firmament. Therefore, this letter is connected to the element of water.? Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.? 4. God made a division between the waters above the firmament, which we can see, and the waters below the firmament which we can only see that which is above ground with the water underground not seen.? 5. There are parts of the Bible that we know and understand. There are spiritual truths found in the Bible that are later grasped through continuation of study of the Scriptures.? 6. The numerical value of MEM is 40, an important number in the Bible as it signifies ripeness and maturity.? a) The life of Moses was split into three segments of 40 years. Each segment of 40 was a stage of development in his life and ministry.? b) The rains of the Great Flood lasted for 40 days.? c) Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days to receive the Law.? d) Jonah the prophet told the people of Ninveh that they had 40 days to repent.? e) The Children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years.? f) The LORD Jesus fasted 40 days before the Mount of Temptation.? C. MEM represents water. In this portion of the 119th? Psalm, I want to look at the Word of God in relationship to our spiritual understanding. Many of God's people have only head knowledge of God's Word but, in life, the Word of God has little practical use. Putting the Word of God into practice, especially in decision making.? D. In your Bible, water represents the Word of God.? Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,? John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.? John 4:10-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (11) The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (12) Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? (13) Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.? E. The common thread in these 8 verses is learning.? Proverbs 4:5-7 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. (6) Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. (7) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.? 1. Verse 97. Knowledge. “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” The motivation for growing in God's Word is found in this verse. There are two aspects vital to our learning:? a. Love. “O how love I thy law! The words “O how” are exclamatory. This is a strong statement exemplifying the strength of “love I thy law!” Though punctuation is not a part of the actual text, the exclamation point at the end of the statement agrees with the wording. We will never gain knowledge of the Word of God unless we love the Word of God.? Job 23:11-12 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (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.? ? b. Meditation. “It is my meditation all the day.” Another key to knowledge of Scripture is meditation. Emersed in the Bible! Controlled by the Bible. As we saturate our minds and hearts with the Word of God, the Spirit of God can bring the Word to our remembrance when needed.? Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (10) For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.? c. So, what's the problem in our day? Two-fold:? 1) It is a Pew Problem.? Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.? Hebrews 5:11-12 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.? 2) It is a Pulpit Problem.? Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.? 2. Verse 98. Wisdom. “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies.” Spiritual wisdom is greater than the wisdom of the world and will overcome the wicked.? a. The Master. “Thou … hast made me” is key to adding wisdom to knowledge. By my definition, wisdom is the right application of knowledge. When we love and meditate in God's Word, God the Holy Ghost will teach us how to use it in our daily lives and future days.? b. The Median. “through thy commandments”? Instead of the wisdom of the world which is good to some degree, the wisdom that comes through the application of the Word of God which is all good.? 3. Verse 99-102. Understanding. “Spiritual Engineering.” Knowledge is learning facts; wisdom it learning to put what you learn to work; Understanding is knowing why they work. What does understanding of God's commandment do?? a. Verse 98. They make you wiser than your enemies. You are not ignorant of Satan's devices.? b. Verse 99. They make you wise enough to be an example in both word and truth. You eventually become a teacher of teachers.? c. Verse 100. They make you wiser because you do not follow the wrong paths others before you have trodden.? d. Verse 101. They make you wise enough to know that sinfulness brings about a woeful end.? e. Verse 102. They make you wise enough to not think that you have “arrived” and are foolproof. Satan often attacks us in our strengths in stead of our weaknesses. Never get too wise to be smart!? 4. Verses 103-104. Never get to the place where you are no longer a learner. Often, teachers quit being students and become spiritually stale.? a. Keep the Word of God Sweet so as not to get Stale.? b. Keep the Word of God Faithfully to prevent going into the False Way.

Headlines bombard us with news about the devastation in Gaza—the staggering death toll, the increasing war and bloodshed, the innocent lives lost. People on both sides cry for an end to the violence and the pain. ? As Christians, we hear the news, and our hearts fill with compassion and anguish. Why is this happening? Why are people so eager to fight—and die—over this one small section of land?Gaza, also called the Gaza Strip, is a thin piece of land of about 140 square miles located between Israel and Egypt. Roughly 2.3 million Palestinians live there, and it is a Palestinian territory. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Egypt on its southwest and Israel on its east and north.However, there is longtime animosity between Israel and Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish state. This was to accommodate a post-World War Two desire for a Jewish homeland, but it came against the will of the local Arab population.On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage in the deadliest attack in Israel's history. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, and as of this writing, more than 30,000 people have been killed.Beyond a territory for present-day Palestine, the land is much desired by both groups. But there is also much biblical importance and history surrounding Gaza. Here are five biblical reasons by Gaza is important.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pawel.gaul

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-17-2024Psalm 119:89-96? Introduction:? A. Tonight, we start the last half of Psalm 119. This Psalm contains 176 verses, 22 stanzas, with 8 verses in each stanza. In the Hebrew, each of the 8 verses in a stanza begin with the same Hebrew letter. An acrostic.? B. LAMED? ל? – the 12th? letter is the tallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is the only letter that is allowed to stand taller than the height of the regular script.? C. LAMED is made with a combination of two letters: KAF – which represents a King, and VAV – which represents a Hook (used to hold the Tabernacle together). LAMED is God's way of keeping everything together through the Bible. Without your Bible, all things fall apart.? D. LAMED, in the Hebrew also has the numeric value of 30. The price of betrayal by Judas and the price to purchase a Bride. Christ was sold for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a woman, because He was purchasing us, His Bride.? E. In the first verse of the stanza, verse 89, we find the importance of the immutability of God's Word. Immutability is an attribute of God and is applied in your Bible to the Word of God.? F. In this stanza, we find changelessness in a changing world and circumstances. The Reliability of God's Word to all generations.? 1. Verse 89. Immutability. In John, chapter 1, we find that the Eternal Word of God always was and in verse 89 of our text, we find that the Eternal Word of God always will be. “For ever … settled” Psalms 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.? a. As God is Eternal and Immutable -? Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.? b. God's Word is also Eternal and Immutable.? John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God.? c.? God's Word is settled! The Word was before time in eternity past (though eternity has no time, I used the words “eternity past” so that we finite people can get a glimpse of an infinite Word), and it will remain after time is no more in eternity future. “settled” – We use the phrase “that settles it.” “Settled” leaves no room for either argument or change. Take the Word of God as it is the Word of God.? d. It's God's Word (O LORD) and it belongs to God! The Word is God, the Word is by God, and the Word is for us.? 2. Verses 90-91. Preservation. “faithfulness is unto all generations”? Psalms 119:90-91 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (91)? They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all? are? thy servants.? ? a. This Psalm is not about the earth though it is used for an example as all things continue through the faithfulness of God. Psalm 119 is about the Word of God and man's relationship to it. Verse 89 said it was an eternal Word and the Holy Ghost uses the earth to show the faithfulness of the abiding Word to God's people.? b. The Word of God is the Servant of God. Verse 91 says, ”THEY continue this day … for all ARE thy servants.”? 1) The Promise of the Immutability of God's Word -? Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.? 2) The Necessity of the Immutability of the Word of God -? 1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.? 3. Verse 92. The Word of God stabilizes the believer. As he meditated in the Word of God, he finds the strength to keep him going in his affliction. I am amazed that when I have a special need, verses of Scripture will come back to me. Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of His wonderful Word. In the Word of God, we have an Anchor in the shifting sands of human theology that becomes our benchmark from which all things are measured.? Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.? 4. Verse 93. The Word of God keeps the believer alive spiritually. The Word of God that gave you spiritual life (Romans 10:17) and the Word of God will give you spiritual victory in this life. Without the Word of God, the believer would spiritually perish.? John 10:9-10 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.? 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 Peter 1:1-4 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.? 5. Verse 94. The Word of God gives the believer blessed assurance of who he is (a son of God) and what God can do for him. I am His and He is mine! A child of the King!? 1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.? 6. Verse 95. The Word of God guarantees the protection of the believer. The Lord thinks upon the believer and also controls the circumstances of the believer. God can be trusted fully in every circumstance of life.? Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.? Psalms 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.? Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.? 7. Verse 96. The Word of God endures forever. There is an end to all human knowledge and wisdom. No matter how wonderful and excellent human knowledge has become, it has both limitation and an end. The Word of God has no bounds and is not bound as it is the mind of God, infinite and eternal.? 2 Timothy 2:9b “ … the word of God is not bound.? Conclusion: Divine? Inspiration has no value without Divine Preservation. These two acts, inspiration, and preservation are bound together through the faithfulness of God. The song writer wrote, “change and decay in all around I see” when speaking of the things of this world, but God's Word is forever settled, both in heaven and in earth according to LAMED.

Discipleship: Helping New Christians Grow in the FaithJacob BundyThu, 03/14/2024 - 10:00 One of the great joys of the Christian life is helping to nurture the faith of young Christians. There's just nothing like leading someone to Christ and then encouraging them as they take steps of faith and grow in the Lord.? In its pure definition, New Testament discipleship means to be a fully-committed follower of Christ. This commitment should be the very DNA of our Christian walk.? Furthermore, as church leaders, developing disciples is our? mission—given to us by Christ Himself. Shortly before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commanded His disciples to go, baptize, and teach (Matthew 28:19–20). Thus, both evangelism and discipleship have been at the heart of God's purpose for the church since its earliest days.So how do we engage in this essential process of discipleship? And what are its results?? ? Discipleship helps believers grow up spiritually.“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).Spiritual growth takes place as believers build their lives on the rock-solid foundation of the Word of God. This is one reason biblical preaching is so important. Every Sunday, when a pastor preaches, he may not realize it, but he is discipling his people in the Word of God. By the way he handles it, he teaches them how to handle it. By the way he is moved by it, he teaches them to be moved by it. By the way he obeys it, he teaches them to obey it.But it's not just the pastor who models how to use God's Word. When new Christians have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a “discipler” as they work through a discipleship program, they gain invaluable knowledge from God's Word. In this setting, a new Christian has the opportunity to ask questions, develop basic, systematic doctrine, learn Baptist distinctives, and be personally encouraged in early steps of Christian growth. (In our church, we use Continue by Paul Chappell for our formal discipleship program.)? Discipleship helps believers give back generously.“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew? 20:27–28).One of the challenges of parenting young children is rooting out their innate self-centeredness and teaching them to think first and foremost of others. This task for parents is not always easy, but it is vital if their children are going to grow into maturity.? The same can be said of new Christians. It's important that they learn that the church isn't just a place where others serve them; it's also a place where they serve others. It's important that they learn that it is more blessed to give than receive. It's important that they learn to give back to the Lord and to others.? Part of discipleship, then, is inviting growing believers to give and serve. I love sharing with newer Christians specifically how God has blessed my family's giving in the past, and I love encouraging them to take steps of faith in this area of their lives. I also love sharing with them the various spiritual gifts that God gives members within a church body and encouraging them to use their gifts to serve others.? ? Discipleship helps believers go forth passionately.“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).Evangelism is a calling God places on the life of every Christian, and new believers are not exempt from that calling. In fact, new Christians are typically the people in the church that have the most connections to lost people. What an incredible opportunity that is for those young Christians to see the multiplying effect of evangelism first hand.? As a pastor, I work diligently to engage new Christians in our church outreach. Pairing a new believer with an experienced soulwinner helps the new believer learn how to invite others to church, how to share their testimony, and how to take a lost person through the plan of salvation.? When we, as church leaders, give consistent emphasis to the process of discipleship, God blesses those efforts, and new Christians become mature in the Lord. Category Outreach & Discipleship Ministry Resources Continue Continue Dr. Paul Chappell Tags Discipleship Local Church Church

Temple Baptist Church - 3-13-2024John 14:7-15? Introduction:? A.? I used the title “Passing The Torch” because of an example that many of us older folks possibly remember.? When the Summer Olympics was ready to start some years ago, I remember that the torch that was to light the Olympic Torch at the beginning of the games was carried by individual runners who passed a lite torch from one runner to another until the job was done.? B.? John, chapter 14 shows the same thing spiritually.? The hearts of the disciples are troubled about the absence of the Lord but now Jesus lets them know that the work is theirs to maintain.? C.? Lets look at the introductory verse of this chapter.? ? John 14:1? Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.? 1.? “Ye believe in God” speaks of God their belief in the Father.? God the Father did what He needed to do to redeem and restore mankind.? John 3:16-17? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.? (17)? For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.? a.? The Father sent His Son, heaven's Glory, Jesus Christ who never knew sin to become sin for us.? The Way, the Truth, and the Life.? The Creator of all that is.? The almighty Jehovah God of the Old Testament.? ? b.? The Father place His divine approval upon Christ Jesus when He spoke these words: “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)? And again in Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”? 2.? “Believe also in me” speaks of Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah.? Jesus Christ went to the Jew first through the Gospel.? He never set foot outside of Israel!? The Father sent Jesus Christ to pay the price of sin in full.? Paid In Full is a term that we all know and revel in.? The “burning of the note!”? a.? Jesus Christ suffered everything that we suffer as He got hungry, tired, spit upon, scourged, shame, and would be nailed on the cross like the two thieves He died with.? b.? Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God would become SIN for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.? Philippians 2:6-8? Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:? (7)? But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:? (8)? And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.? Hebrews 12:2? Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.? D.? Then, it was the disciples turn to “put their hand to the plough!”? ? John 14:12? Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do? shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.? 1.? God the Father loved the World and gave His Son.? 2.? Jesus Christ died for the sin of the World.? 3.? Now, the message of salvation needs to be spread to the World through the believers.? Matthew 28:16-20? Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.? (17)? And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.? (18)? And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.? (19)? Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:? (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.? These men turned the World upside down.? Acts 17:6? And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;? E.? Now, it is OUR turn.? 2 Corinthians 5:17-19? Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.? (18)? And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;? (19)? To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.? 1.? Our turn to show and present the Gospel.? a) As salt and light through our good works which they shall behold and glorify our Father which is in heaven.? b)? to plant and water the seed of the Gospel to everyone that we come into contact with.? Matthew 5:13-16? Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.? (14)? Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.? (15)? Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.? (16)? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.? ? 2.? Our turn to send men of God to the world through raising, and commissioning those whom God calls.? (Acts 13)? ? The Lord's Prayer Request.? Matthew 9:35-38? And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.? (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.? (37)? Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;? (38)? ? Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.? 3.? Our turn to support through prayer and giving those who surrender to God's call and go.? 2 Corinthians 8:1-5? Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;? (2)? How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.? (3)? For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;? (4)? Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.? (5)? And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.? Philippians 4:14-19? Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.? (15)? Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.? (16)? For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.? (17)? Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.? (18)? But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.? (19)? But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.