Long-standing norms against drinking, tattoos, and Catholic-coded church practices have rapidly fallen. What's going on?Something has happened in the last 25 years in American evangelicalism—what I believe to be a massive generational shift. I’d like to sketch a picture of the change I see and ask if you see it too.First, though, let me set the scene. I have in mind low-church Protestant traditions in the United States: churches centered on the Bible, evangelism, and personal faith in Jesus; often but not necessarily nondenominational, with moderate to minimal emphasis on sacraments, liturgy, and ecclesiastical authority; and marked by a revivalist style as well as conservative beliefs about sex, marriage, and other social issues. Historically, these congregations were predominantly white and middle- to lower-class, though not as uniformly as is often imagined. Many were founded within the last three decades, and they’re typically given to long sermons, contemporary worship, monthly Communion, and lots of lights.These are the churches in which I’ve noticed what I would call a kind of loosening. This shift is largely unwitting, or at least unplanned. It is not consistent or ideological; it is not a program or platform; it’s not even conservative or liberal per se (and my goal here is not to render an overall positive or negative judgement on the change). This loosening consists of a broad relaxation of previously unspoken—or at least unwritten—social norms.The most obvious example is attitudes about alcohol. For generations, American evangelicals were known to be highly suspicious of drinking, sometimes to the point of being teetotalers. This remained true through my teen years, and when I heard that Brother Joe or Sister Jane enjoyed a glass of wine before bed, it was whispered ...Continue reading...

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-19-2024Psalm 119:137-144? Introduction: Reiteration or Reinforcement! The work of the Pastor.? A. Psalm 119: 176 verses broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza correlating with one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. Each stanza is made up of 8 verses which, in the Hebrew Bible, each verse begins with the associated letter of the Hebrew Alphabet forming an Acrostic. What a wonder that we hold in our hands tonight!? B. Psalm 119 was written for two reasons: 1) To Magnify the Word of God and 2) To show the importance of each believer having a relationship to the Word of God so that the Word of God can have a relationship with each believer. God has magnified His Word above ALL His name, and we are to magnify the Word of God also!? C. I know that we do not have to know Hebrew and Greek to understand the Word of God, but Psalm 119 gives us Hebrew letters in each of the 22 stanzas. This leads me to understand that the interpretation of each of these letters is important in understanding where the stanza is leading us.? D. Tonight, we will look at TZADDI? ץ? (pronounced Sau-di), the 18th? letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. TZADDI means “righteous” and “the path of the righteous.” In the Hebrew, by righteous it means man in his original state before sin. The goal of the Word of God is to help fallen man be restored back to God through salvation spiritually, and back to a righteous state through sanctification.? E. To put TZADDI (Sau-di) in perspective, I want to look at two passages in the New Testament that beautifully describe the ultimate goal of the Word of God.? Romans 8:28-30 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. (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. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.? 1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (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. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him? purifieth himself, even as he is pure.? F. The will of God for His children is that:? 1. They be scripturally saved. I know this is a little factious since you cannot become a child of God with a spiritual or new birth. So many church people never have a relationship with God through His Word because, as unsaved, they have no desire to read what they cannot understand.? 1 Corinthians 2:11-14 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.? 2. They continue to grow spiritually.? 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.? 3. They systematically conform to the image of Jesus Christ.? 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.? G. This stanza is broken down into 3 parts when speaking of a righteous path.? 1. Verse 137. The Righteousness of God's Path.? a. “Righteous art thou, O LORD” The Righteousness of God is manifested in His Person and His path is a righteous one.` God never leads in an unrighteous way because of His name's sake.? b. God is completely righteous as holiness in all His works are displayed. This creation declares the glory of God in both the heavens and on the earth. Perfectly designed to meet every need of billions of people. As knowledge on earth grew, the resources were already there to carry out their progress.? c. “and upright? are? thy judgments.”? The Righteousness of God is manifested in His Judgements. The judgements of God perfectly set for the wicked's punishment and for the godly's protection. Israel used a system of “Retribution” instead of “Incarceration” and the penalty suppressed the lawlessness.? d. The path of righteousness begins with Salvation and ends with Death.? Psalms 23:1-3 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2)? He maketh me? to lie down in green pastures:? he leadeth me? beside the still waters. (3)? He restoreth? my soul:? he leadeth me? in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.? 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.? 2. Verses 138-140. The Righteousness of God's Word.? a. Verse 138. “Thy testimonies? that? thou hast commanded? are? righteous and very faithful.” The Word of God holds testimonies to be read and observed; testimonies to be followed; faithfulness to be found. We can trust the Word of God to always led right.? b. Verse 139. “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.” A zeal to exercise. We live in days of apathy and spiritual carelessness. Zeal: enthusiasm, passion, intention, and fanaticism. We are called fanatics (devoted, followers, zealots) simply because we have a zeal for God's Word. In a world that has “forgotten thy words,” fanatics stand out. We may be nuts, but we are screwed onto the right Bolt!? Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.? c. Verse 140. “Thy word? is? very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”? You will never follow the Word of God fully until you recognize it for what it is, THE WORD OF GOD! Every child of God needs to love the Word of God! And “thy servant loveth it!”? 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.? d. We that stand for an unchanging Bible. The path of righteousness found in salvation continues in God's Word.? 3. Verses 141-144. The Righteousness of the Believer. Now that we have gotten our salvation right, the Word of God right, the believer has a clear path to personally follow.? a. Verse 141. “I? am? small and despised:? yet? do not I forget thy precepts.” God's people who follow the Word of God do not forget its precepts as they are right. The poor are rich in faith and God chose to use “ignorant and unlearned men” in Acts, chapter 4.? 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.? 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 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.? b. Verse 142. “Thy righteousness? is? an everlasting righteousness, and thy law? is? the truth.” The righteous path of God NEVER changes. Often, people tell me how times have changed and that we need to change with the times. Religions are changing and I have seen much of that change in my short lifetime. I do not find the precept of change in my Bible. Right is still right and wrong is still wrong. The Word of God is truth!? John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.? c. Verse 143. “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me:? yet? thy commandments? are? my delights.” There will be days of trouble ahead for the Biblical believer and there will be anguish (pain and suffering) because of it, but we need to understand that God's ways are right and following the path of righteousness brings delight instead of shame and guilt. Remain in the Old Paths of our Fathers and you will be alright in the end.? d. Verse 144. “The righteousness of thy testimonies? is? everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Through understanding of the Scriptures and the following thereof, we find life more abundantly.? True rightness has a path that begins with salvation in a Righteous God then trusting in a Righteous Word of God and ending up following a clear, righteous path for God!

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-19-2024Acts 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31? Introduction:A.? What man thinks impresses God normally does not!? 1.? We do not see as God sees nor what God sees!? Therefore, our “Measuring Stick” must be the Bible!? ? 2.? In Acts, chapter 2, we find the amazing portion of Scripture that records the fullness and power of the Holy Ghost that fell upon, indwelt, and impowered men to finish the word of the Messiah, Christ Jesus.? 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.? B.? We are making a short study of the word “ignorant” in the Bible.? ? 1.? The word “ignorant” is found 17 times in your Bible: 3 times in the Old Testament and 14 times in the New Testament.? I guess that the Old Testament saints were not as ignorant as the New Testament saints.? 2.? Ignorance defined: a lack of knowledge or information.? In our days, the word “ignorance” has become a word for lack of intelligence.? ? 3.? The Bible does not use “ignorance” in that way.? Ignorance can be importance if the ignorance is not willful.? 4.? Ignorance is the foundation for discovery and invention.? Without ignorance, there would be no desire to learn and obtain knowledge.? C.? Our verse for this morning tells us of the astonishment of these highly revered and educated men: the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Lawyers.? There amazement in that God would use “ignorant and unlearned men” is found in Acts 4:13.? 1.? God could not use these men who prided themselves as “students of the Word of God” who MISSED the coming, death, burial, and resurrection: the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, their MESSIAH, and our LORD Jesus Christ.? 2.? God could not use these men of great knowledge and education but rather chose the men in question who had no formal education.? They “marvelled” at them!? This morning, I want to take a biblical look at the people that God chooses to use in the Bible.? 3.? Though they saw the power of God upon these men and knew that they had been with Christ, their education and pride still would not accept the words that these chosen men of God spoke.? 4.? As often as not, education has become a? “stumbling block”? with men and women, not a? “steppingstone.”? Look at the results of this in secular colleges and universities of our day.? Anti-God, anti-Israel, and anti-America.? Let me be political for a moment.? Look at the difference between Blue and Red states or the “fly over states.”? The ruckus is being found in the Blue states, not the Red ones.? ? 5.? Look at this in so-called Bible Colleges and Universities of our day.? Many mock Bible believers, calling us cultic while correcting and changing the Word of God without knowledge of what they are doing or no care for what they are doing!? 6.? I am not just “going off” on people this morning, but we need to see that God has never used many wise, noble, or mighty people in the Bible.? ? 7.? If God did not use them in the New Testament, I believe that we can justly say that He does not use many in our day either.? D.? In I Corinthians 1:18-31, we find that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God and the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world.? 1 Corinthians 1:18-31? For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.? (19)? For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.? (20)? Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?? (21)? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.? (22)? For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:? (23)? But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;? (24)? But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.? (25)? Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.? ? (26)? For ye see your calling, brethren, how that? a)? not many wise men? after the flesh, not? b)? many mighty,? c)? 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.? E.? I want to look at these three classes of people in reverse this morning.? 1.? Verses 26, 28.? God chooses to use the “base things of the world” instead of the “noble.”? ? a.? The “noble” are people of social and political status that cause them to rise above the “base” people.? The words “base things” in the underlying Greek mean “without kin” or “without descent.”? There is an old saying, “The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.”? ? b.? Believe it or not, America is quickly developing a “caste system” such as is found in many third world counties.? c.? God has chosen to use the baser sort of people because the socially and politically elite believe that their social and political elevation trumps the poor and hard working people of this world.? ? d.? God chooses the baser sort of people.? The “noble” people choose the “First Churches” instead of the smaller Bible believing churches that are “getting the job done.”? 2.? Verses 26, 27.? God chooses the “weak things of the world” instead of the “mighty.”? a.? By “mighty,” we are not talking about physical strength but rather powerful clout.? You would think that the rich would be thankful to God for the possessions, but they are not.? They normally use their financial clout to leverage their will over others.? b.? By “weak,” we are talking of people without the financial means or political pull of the “mighty.”? There are not many millionaires in small, Bible believing churches.? But Gods uses the tithes of the poor and the offerings of the faithful to do the work of the church and missions!? Matthew 19:23-24? Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.? (24)? And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.? Luke 21:1-4? And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.? (2)? And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.? (3)? And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:? (4)? For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.? c.? I often tell people of how God has used a small church in Laurens, SC to support almost 200 missionaries and put millions of dollars on the mission field.? It amazes the church going people, but they never come to our church to see and have a part of such an amazing work.? James 2:5-6? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?? (6)? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?? 3.? Verses 26, 27.? God chooses to use the “foolish things of the world” instead of the “wise.”? In our text, God used “ignorant and unlearned men” to confound the wise men of that day.? Matthew 23:7-8? And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.? (8)? But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.? a.? Rabbi, Rabbi!? Doctor, Doctor!? These are used to show the education of men and tend to elevate these men over the uneducated.? Today, we find many who precede their names with this title, Doctor.? Our Lord said, “But be not ye called!”? 1)? Education is not to Exalt Position.? 2)? Education is there to Enhance Preaching.? b.? In the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we find the “deeds of the Nicolaitans” turned into the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans” during the Church Age.? This “doctrine” simply explained is the clergy over the laity.? The elevation of the clergy in the human sense is to bring division between the pulpit and the pew!? c.? Secular so-called Wisdom.? Secular Colleges teach Evolution instead of Creation.? God calls their wisdom foolishness.? The Fool? d.? Spiritual so-called Wisdom.? Seminaries today teach Errancy instead of Inerrancy.? Multiple “bibles” teach lack of inspiration through preservation which makes ALL “bibles” the work of men.? They are all different which teaches of errancy instead of inerrancy.? 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.? e.? These liberally educated people do not believe these verses.? I do!? ? Their teachers want them to have confidence in them as to what the original autographs said or meant when they do not own one and have never seen one.? All that they correct are preserved documents.? I do not want your confidence in me but rather in the precious Word of God, the King James Bible!? It is your final Authority for both faith and correction.? ? f.? The wisdom of the least esteemed in the church.? 1 Corinthians 6:4? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.? Conclusion:? ? 1.? Many people are ignorant of whom God chooses as the want to fill the church with the wise, mighty, and noble.? I have heard it said that these are the kind of people that we want in our churches.? These are not the people (though God can use those of them who get saved and right with Him) that God has chosen to get the work of the ministry done.? God has always used small things such as the woman with the cruse of oil in the Old Testament and Mary Magdalene who anointed the feet of her Lord with oil in the New Testament.? (26)? For ye see your calling, brethren, how that? a)? not many wise men? after the flesh, not? b)? many mighty,? c)? not many noble, are called:? (27)? ? But? God hath chosen? the? d)? foolish things of the world? to confound the wise;? and God hath chosen? the? e)? weak things of the world? to confound the things which are mighty;? (28)? And? f)? 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.

What we can learn from the chronicler's stories about the kings of Israel.To the dutiful Bible reader, Chronicles might seem a bit baffling. As we read, we might find ourselves wondering, Haven’t I read this before? The short answer is yes and no . The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles retell some of the same stories of Israel and Judah that appear in the books of Samuel and Kings. But the chronicler also offers a fresh perspective on those years by incorporating new material and leaving other stories aside. His decision about what to keep and what to add is not arbitrary but intentional. And if we’re paying attention, we will find that the chronicler has a distinct message that we can learn from today.First, only 50 percent of Chronicles is repeated material from Samuel and Kings. On the one hand, that’s a lot of overlap. But on the other, that also means that half of Chronicles is brand new material. Which means we cannot afford to overlook it!And while the content of Chronicles overlaps with previous material, it emerged over 100 years later—giving the chronicler the benefit of hindsight and the opportunity to address a new set of challenges for his generation. The people of Judah had just returned from exile and were facing the massive task of rebuilding the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem, which King Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed. This task profoundly shapes the backdrop to the books of Chronicles.If you set Chronicles side-by-side with Samuel and Kings, you’ll find that the new material focuses on two primary topics: David and the temple. The chronicler spends extra time on the genealogy of David’s family and the details of David’s legacy. And although Kings focuses on the northern kingdom of Israel, Chronicles highlights the southern ...Continue reading...

A statue of Rev. Billy Graham will be unveiled in the US Capitol later today. The likeness depicts Dr. Graham gesturing toward an open Bible in his hand.

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-15-2024John 16:7-15? Introduction:? A. Once again, let me reiterate that this will not be a Systematic Theology study of Pneumatology. But because of the context found in John 14-16, we find some important things about the Person and Word of the Holy Spirit. The Person is the Holy Spirit and when speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit, the name the Holy Ghost is used.? B. Last week, I “scratched the surface” on two things: the Work of the Comforter to the comfortless. The disciples' hearts were “filled with sorrow.” Two words need to be explained: Comforter and comfortless:? 1. Comforter (παράκλητος? paraklētos? par-ak'-lay-tos)? in the Greek means to be summoned to the side of or to come to the aid of the comfortless. Our Lord said that it was “expedient” that He went away but would pray the Father to send the Comforter in Christ's stead. While Christ comforted the disciples for 3 ½ years, the Comforter would abide with them forever.? John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;? 2. Comfortless in the Greek comes from the word Greek word? ὀρφανός? orphanos? or-fan-os'? from which we get our English word orphan. Orphans have no families but the child of God has a spiritual family: our Father which is in heaven; our Saviour and Friend who love us; and the Holy Spirit that indwells us. Aren't you glad that you are not an orphan.? John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.? Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.? All of our sorrows, come what may! Death, sickness, persecutions, trials and tribulations, personal failure, discouragement, disappointment, defilement, both real and imagined. He will not leave us comfortless: orphaned!? C. The Second name given to the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of truth,” which I will look at in a little more detail tonight.? John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.? D. Why do people not get saved and why do some saved never grow? The verses that we read to night are the problem.? 1. There are those who reject Christ CANNOT know the truth. “seeth him not … neither knoweth him”? 1 Corinthians 2:11-14 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.? 2. Both lost and the carnal saint oft times who reject the Bible CANNOT know the truth! The truth is available in our day.? Zechariah 7:11-12 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. (12) Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.? Acts 7:54-57 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. (55) But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (56) And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (57) Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,? E. The Work of the Spirit of Truth:? 1. Verse 8.? John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:? a.? The Holy Spirit teaches us about Sin.? John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;? 1)? The Truth about Adamic Sin.? Romans 5:12a Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;? Psalms 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.? 2) The Truth about Willful Sin.? Romans 5:12b and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:? Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;? 3) The Truth about Recompense for Sin.? a) Temporal Recompense.? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.? b) Eternal Sense. Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.? b. The Holy Spirit teaches us about Righteousness.? John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;? 1) Lack of Righteousness of the Sinner.? Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.? 2) Perfect Righteousness of the Saviour.? 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.? 3) Imputed Righteousness of the Saint.? Romans 4:20-25 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.? 3. The Holy Spirit teaches us about Judgment.? John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.? a) The Judgment of Satan and fallen 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:? 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.? b) The Judgment of Sinners and their works.? 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.? 2. Verse 12-13.? John 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.? a. In Depth Teaching. “he will guide you into all truth”? Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;? b. In Inspired Revelation. “and he will shew you things to come.” The canon of Scripture was not Plenary until after the death of the Apostles as they would continue to write under the inspiration of God in their lives. After their death, the canon of Scripture was Plenary, complete.? 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.? c. In Prophecy. Eschatology. Things to come. Knowing what the future holds and Who holds the future, we can face tomorrow and all our tomorrows in faith confidence through faith. “I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow and Who holds my life in His hands!”? Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.? ? 3. Verse 14. John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.? a. The Holy Spirit does not speak of or exalt Himself. Be careful around people who constantly speak of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost.? b. The Holy spirit ALWAYS glorifies the Saviour and not Himself! We certainly honor and love Him, but He only speaks of and directs us to our Lord.

The highlife musician challenged the materialism and extortion he encountered too often in the church. Kofi Owusu Dua-Anto, a Ghanaian gospel musician who challenged church leaders with his catchy songs, died last month age 45. Known professionally as KODA, the artist passed away suddenly on April 21 after a yet-undisclosed short illness.KODA won awards for his vocal and musical finesse and production skills, but he used the platform his music offered him to speak out against the materialism and self-promotion he believed had overtaken his country’s church leaders.“What is being preached from the pulpit? If it’s just the aesthetics of Christianity … the flashy things of how the man of God has visited 20 churches in the UK or the US and how he stood in T. D. Jakes’s church … if that’s the vision … then that’s what [Christians will] chase,” he said in 2021.In 2013, KODA put these concerns to music when he released “Nsem Pii” (“Many Issues”).“Fifteen ways to be successful, 13 ways to make much money, but the one way to make to heaven, preacher man, you don’t preach about it,” he sang in both Twi, a Ghanian local language, and English. “Listen, last Sunday I heard you preach; I must confess, I was confused, was that church of GIMPA?” (GIMPA or Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, is a prestigious public university in Ghana.)The track surprised many in the local Christian community, one that traditionally practiced unquestioned reverence toward pastors and church leaders, and the gospel music industry, which generally only sang about God and commented little on culture.KODA credited the Bible as his inspiration for his lyrics.“I was reading the Acts of the Apostles from [chapters] 1 to ...Continue reading...

If he had known that the crying he heard at Lumber River State Park on April 27 was that of a woman who was about to take her life, Johnnie Jacobs believes he would have tried to help. Jacobs now regrets not checking to see what was going on before he heard a gunshot when Pastor John-Paul Miller's late wife, Mica Miller, decided to kill herself.

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-8-2024John 14:15-19; 15:26-16:7? Introduction:? John 14:15-19 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.? John 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (27) And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.? John 16:1-7 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (2) They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (4) But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. (5) But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? (6) But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. (7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.? A. As we continue to look at the prophecy of? Christ's work on earth ending, it has caused great consternation to His disciples.? 1. The Lord has said that He is going away and they cannot go with Him but promises that they can come to where He is later.? John 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.? 2. The Lord has foretold that His disciples will be hated for His name's sake as they hated Him first.? 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.? 3. The Lord has foretold that His disciples will be persecuted and put out of the synagogues and ultimately will die for the cause of Christ.? John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.? 4. Sorrow has “filled” their hearts. “Filled:” A sorrow that consumed them at this time.? John 16:6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.? B. The Lord is now telling His disciples that it is “expedient” that He go away.? 1. “Expedient” – a means of attaining an end. Something good and profitable. In their best interest! Oft times, troubles, and trials in the child of God's life are expedient. They are necessary in the short term to bring about something good in the long run.? 1 Peter 1:6-7 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:? 2. They did not understand now but, when the fulness of the Person of the Holy Ghost will come, they will realize the expedience of Christ's going away.? C. Why expedient?? 1. Because the price for sin had to be paid, the resurrection of the dead had to be accomplished, and the two ascensions had to occur. The first ascension to place the blood of Christ upon the Mercy Seat in heaven and the second ascension so as to produce our High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator.? 2. Because God dwelling with man was not sufficient as God dwelling in each man individually. Christ in the flesh was limited because He became flesh and flesh cannot be everywhere at one. The Holy Spirit of God could indwell each individual man.? 3. Because of the empowering of each believer to bring about boldness in witness.? D. I do not want to preach a series on Pneumatology, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, but do want to do justice to what is said in these verses. In verse 7, we find that the Lord will send the “Comforter” to them. “Comforter” –? παράκλητος? paraklētos? par-ak'-lay-tos? – Summoned or called to one's side, especially called to one's aid. An intercessor, succorer, assistant.? 1. The Promise of the Comforter.? John 14:16-19 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.? a. Verse 16. The Promise of His Coming. “I will pray the Father, and He shall give”? b. Verse 16. The Promise of His Comforting. “Another Comforter” To take the place that Christ had before His death, burial, and resurrection.? c. Verse 16. The Promise of His Continuing. “abide with you for ever” He will never leave nor forsake the child of God. “I have Somebody with me, to bear my heavy load!”? d. Verse 17. The Promise of His Counsel. “The Spirit of truth”? e. Verse 17. The Predicament of His Presence. “whom the world cannot receive”? f. John 15:26. The Purpose of His Work. “He shall testify of me” A lot of religionists speak much of the work of the Holy Ghost, but the work is not His entire purpose. The Holy Spirit, in His Person, and the Holy Ghost, in His Word, ALWAYS POINT THE BELIEVER TO CHRIST AND NOT TO HIMSELF!? 2. The Person of the Comforter. He is God! At this point, I want to look at a theological statement that shows the Equality of God the Holy Spirit..? “God is one God, manifesting Himself in three Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. These Three are all co-equal in all power and attributes.”? a. He is One with God. “God is one God, manifesting Himself in three Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.”? b. God is one God! “One God” shows the absolute truth of the unity of the Godhead or Trinity. The word “Trinity,” like the word “Rapture,” is not found in your Bible but the truth of the Trinity is all through your Bible.? 1) The word “Godhead” is used three times in the Bible with the number three speaking of perfect unity. “Godhead” speaks of divinity and comes from a root word meaning “perpetual.” The word “perpetual” means unending or continuing forever.? Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the? Godhead? is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.? Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and? Godhead; so that they are without excuse:? Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the? Godhead? bodily.? 2) In the Old Testament, we find the unity of God established. the First Mention of God is found in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God” with the word “God” being plural. This Hebrew name for the Trinity was used in the plural form:? 'ĕlôhı̂ym? el-o-heem'? 3) In Genesis 1:26 and 11:7, we fine the? phrase? “let us”? used when speaking of the Godhead or Trinity.? 4) In the New Testament, we find the three-fold work of the Godhead? separated? and explained.? 1a)? God the Father sent? His Son to die for the? sin of the world;? 2a) God the Son gave His life for the payment of the sins of the whole world;? 3a) God the Father sent? the Comforter (Holy Spirit)? to indwell and teach the believer.? c. In the New Testament, we find the separation of offices.? 1) As the United states has three branches of government, the Godhead has three Persons with distinct works.? 2) The Holy Spirit has every attribute (Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence) of God the Father and God the Son making Him also Almighty God.? 3) “These Three are all co-equal in all power and attributes.”? 3. The Purpose of the Comforter.? a. He was to be their Comforter! I thank God every day for the amazing grace that He has extended to us in salvation and given to us in our earthly sorrows. My beloved sister, Sharon, who has cancer has been one of the greatest examples of God's grace that I have ever seen. We love and may miss her for a little while here but will spend eternity with her there. We then comfort others with the comfort that we have comforted of God.? 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 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. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.? b. He was to be their Teacher. “Spirit of Truth.”? 1) The world cannot discern the Truth of the Word of God.? John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.? 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.? 2) The Believer can know the Truth of the Word of God.? John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Christians can study creation for God's glory and our good. But science doesn't trump the Bible. God's Word is the ultimate authority because it's flawless.

? 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!”

Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2024Romans 10:1-17? Introduction:? A.? Verse 3 says, “They being ignorant.”? Ignorant?? Lacking knowledge or? comprehension? of the thing specified.? The implication of the word “being” is to ignore.? In the Bible, we find two kinds of ignorance:? 1.? Ignorance as a result of not hearing or being taught.? Amos 8:11-12? Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:? (12)? And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.? 2.? Willful ignorance as a result of rejecting what is heard or taught.? 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.? 3.? As your pastor, it is my responsibility that, if you remain ignorant, it will have to be willful ignorance!? 4.? Israel was Ignorant, but their ignorance was willful!? Look at the preceding verses found in chapter 9:32-33.? “As it is written!”? THEY HAD THE WORD OF GOD!? THEY KNEW THE WORD OF GOD!? THEY DISREGUARDED THE WORD OF GOD!? ? 5.? SO IT IS IN OUR DAY AS WE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD!? The problem today is the same as the problem then.? ? Hosea 4:6? My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:? because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee!? B.? One of the age-old problems (and one that remains in our day) is that people are ignorant of what it takes to get to heaven.? Most religions along with so-called Christian denominations add works to faith in one degree or another.? C.? Self-righteousness in Salvation.? Salvation through personal merit or a mixture of personal merit and faith.? The Bible is perfectly clear about the separation of faith and works.? Romans 11:5-6? Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.? (6)? And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.? Ephesians 2:8-9? 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.? Acts 4:11-12? This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.? (12)? Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.? ? 1.? Self-righteousness manifests itself in those who believe that they are good enough to go to heaven through personal merit.? 2.? Self-righteousness manifests itself in those who believe that they are good enough to maintain their salvation through personal merit.? ? 3.? Both doctrines are heretical!? D.? In our text, we find why Israel turned from their Messiah, Christ Jesus.? Israel, who had the truth of God's Word and the Covenants, turned from the faith of their father, Abraham, to the wickedness of self-righteousness.? ? 1.? In the 400 hundred silent years that preceded the coming of Christ (around 100 B.C.) between Malachi and Matthew, two main branches of Judaism came into dominance: 1)? The Sadducees who upheld the Written Law? 2)? The Pharisees who upheld the Oral Law.? ? 2.? ? Galatians 6:12-14? As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ? (13)? For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. ? (14)? But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.? ? 3.? They had the unbiblical perspective that they had “arrived” spiritually through their outward appearance and separation from the world.? This attitude resulted in exclusion!? E.? The Pharisees were separatists and, unfortunately, they eventually began to rely upon their system of “do's and don'ts” for righteousness with God instead of becoming obedient to God's righteousness.? The Lord rebuked them for making clean the outer appearance while the inner man was full of dead men's bones and rottenness.? ? In Matthew 5:20, our Lord said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”? F.? The problem still exists today.? Separatism and Phariseeism are not the same.? God command us to be separate but, if not watchful, the same problem arises again.? I once saw on a sign this quote, “People are like fish: you catch them but let God clean them.”? ? G.? Paul's desire and prayer for Israel was that they would recognize who Jesus Christ was and turn to Him for salvation.? Israel had “zeal” for God but not according to knowledge.? Spirit is good but leaves one lost without truth.? I want to look at a few things in this text.? 1.? Ignorance of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “not according to knowledge…ignorant of God's righteousness”? ? Psalms 71:19? Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!? a.? Ignorance is not necessarily a bad word as it means that one has not learned.? In Romans 10, I believe that the ignorance mentioned was willful.? ? b.? Israel was familiar with the Old Testament and especially the Pentateuch.? One of the greatest of Old Testament truths found in these first 5 books was that of the holiness of God.? Mt. Sinai should have left a lasting impression upon the nation of Israel as God thundered from a mountain that was on fire.? ? ? c.? Israel's ignorance was willful!? The world's ignorance is willful!? The world of today tries to bring God down to man's level and man up to God's level.? 2.? Impeccability of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “God's righteousness”? The Bible declares that God dwells in a light that no man can approach unto.? He is impeccably holy.? He is immutably holy.? He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.”? 1 Timothy 6:15-16? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? (16)? Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.? a.? Salvation must always be by grace through faith because God demands absolute perfect holiness, and He alone is impeccably holy.? b.? Acceptance of God's righteousness is the rejection of personal righteousness.? 3. Impossibility of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “going about to establish their own righteousness.”? ? Ecclsiastes 7:20? For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.1 John 1:8-10? 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.? a.? One fact that every saved person understands is that of personal sinfulness.? There are those who believe that they are sinless, but they are deceived and lost.? ? b.? No conviction of sinfulness means there is no Holy Spirit there to convict.? Men everywhere are trying to be right with God with what they do instead of what He did.? 4.? Insubordination to God's Righteousness.? Vs. 3.? “have not submitted themselves”? ? Galatians 3:1-3? O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?? (2)? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?? (3)? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?? ? a.? Along with recognition of God's righteousness, one must become obedient to the holiness of God's demand: obedience to the gospel.? Vs. 16.? ? b.? Romans 1 shows the progression of the knowledge of God rejected:? 1)? When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God - God gave them up)? 2)? They changed the truth of God into a lie - God gave them up again? 3)? They did not like to retain God in their minds - God gave them over to a reprobate mind.? 5.? Imputation of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 4.? “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”? Salvation is a result of God's righteousness being imputed to the believer through propitiation and faith.? ? 2 Corinthians 5:21? For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.? 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.? ? “Dressed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne.”? “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I AM!”? 6.? Invitation of God's Righteousness.? Vs. 13.? “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”? ? ? ? “Whosoever” covers it all!? Come to Jesus Christ with your bankrupt life and He will impute His righteousness to you.

Preaching how God hates abortion has its place because He calls us to speak His truth in our generation, but it must be done in love and gentleness. God's most interested in drawing lost sinners to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-21-2024Psalm 119:121-128? Introduction:? A. I keep reiterating this so as to not lose our perspective on the Psalm as a whole. There is an old saying, “You can't see the forest for the trees.” When we spend many weeks in Psalm 119, we see individual passages within the Psalm but can lose the perspective of the Psalm in its entirety.? B. Psalm 119: 176 verses, 22 stanzas, 8 verses in each stanza, each verse in the Hebrew begins with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. An amazing example of Divine Design.? 1. In Psalm 119, we find the magnification of the Word of God.? 2. In Psalm 119, we find a reciprocal relationship.? a) The relationship of the Word of God to the believer and? b) The relationship of the Believer to the Word of God.? c) The Word of God cannot maintain a relationship with the believer who does not maintain a relationship to the Word of God.? C. AIN –? ע? -? 16th? letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.? 1. AIN is translated “eye” or “sight.” Our sight brings things into perspective. Of all the organs or senses that can be lost, I believe that our sight would be worst case scenario.? 2. Some people such as Fanny Crosby and Hellen Keller, were born blind. To never have seen a sunrise or sunset, to have never seen a beautiful flower such as the rose, to have never seen the face of mother or father or sibling or friend, is to learn to operate in total darkness.? 3. There are other people who have lost sight through accidents or physical failures. The born blind know not what they are missing, but to have seen and lost sight is a terrible thing. Macular degeneration is one of the things that has affected members of our families.? 4. To be blind to the Word of God is to change our perspective of our circumstances and surroundings.? a) First Mention of “Vision” – 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days;? there was no open vision.? b) Short sightedness caused by a lack of the Word of God or the understanding of the Word of God. “Precious” – valuable, made rare, scarce.? c) Second Mention of “Vision” – Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.? d) “No vision” is tied to not keeping the Law or the Word of God.? D. We live in days of perplexity (confusing times) and spiritual disappointment (sorrowful times). Everything that is good is now bad, right is wrong and wrong is right, and there is no quick fix in sight. Sound bad enough for you. The reason that I continue to tell you this is because of our propensity to allow these days to discourage you.? E. The Word of God, in Psalm 119:105, is called a “lamp unto my feet” and a “light unto my path.”? Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.? 1. Our Light is right but is no good to one who cannot see. Our perspective also needs to be right.? 2. A lamp and light are of no avail to one whose vision is impaired. To properly see the world and what is transpiring, there needs to be a right perspective which involves seeing it through the eyes of the Word of God.? F. Here in AIN, we find the biblical solution. Seeing things correctly through the “Lens of the Word of God!” Now, let me explain:? 1. I have impaired vision and have had it for many years. Therefore, I wear glasses that have tri-focal lenses. My vision is impaired up close, intermediately, and afar off. With my corrective glasses, I see well up close, intermediately, and afar off.? 2. The Word of God allows us to see this confusing, disappointing world through the eyes of God who knows the end from the beginning.? 3. I know that this introduction to this stanza is lengthy but feel that it is imperative that we know that, when seeing the world and circumstances through God's eyes, our perspective changes from disappointing to encouragement.? 1. Verses 121-122. The Word of God and Oppression. I have done right and am oppressed for it. For the first time in Psalm 119, we find the words “oppressors” and “oppress.” Through the lens of God's Word, we find that God is our surety, and He will not “leave” us at the mercy of those who hate us.? a. Oppressors are the wicked people who now control our nation and choose to persecute all who believe in God and are trying to live right with good citizenship. We are not their enemies, but they have become ours.? b. Oppression nowadays is an abuse of power, taking advantage of the underprivileged.? Hebrews 13:5 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.? c. The Bible declares that God will take care of those who continue to do right.? 2. Verses 123-125. The Word of God and Salvation or Deliverance. Salvation for the Servant from the Sovereign. Through the lens of the Word of God, we see that God holds today and tomorrow in His hands. “I don't know about tomorrow … but I know Who holds tomorrow … and I know Who holds my hand!” Teach me and give me understanding through Thy Word.? a. We are His Servants.? b. He is our Sovereign Saviour.? c. Our lives are secure.? 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.? 3. Verses 126-128. The Lord is Righteous. Through the lens of the Word of God, we can see the end from the beginning. God allows our suffering for a reason. He could deliver us from our problems but chooses to deliver us in our problems. The Lord is Righteous, and the Lord is Just. The Righteous Judge of all the earth will both reward the just and the unjust. As one man said, “Leave God's ‘toys' to God!” He knows what He is doing and everything will turn out alright in the end.? Psalms 58:11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.? a. Verse 126. It is time for Thee to work. Lord, it is about time that You do something to help. The world has made void God's Word in their hearts but cannot make God's Word void! His Word will stand after the Satan, the world, and the wicked are no more.? b. Verse 127. We are to love the Word of God and desire it above all earthly treasures. Job said to desire it more than our necessary food.? c. Verse 128. Through the lens of God's Word, we find that it is right in all things. We can see our up close problems, our intermediate future problems, and our long range problems with clarity and trust through the Word of God.

? 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

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-14-2024Psalm 119:113-120? Introduction:? A.? Psalm 119 – The Magnification of the Word of God.? 176 verses broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza containing 8 verses.? Each stanza begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet with each verse of the stanza in Hebrew beginning with the correlating letter.? An Acrostic. A masterpiece that only God the Word could have given to us.? B.? SAMECH – infinity or infinite – also used for support or ladder – The 15th? letter of the Hebrew alphabet – its numerical number is 60 which represents completeness.? It is one of the two closed letters with the other being found in MEM in its final form at the end of a word.? It is circular in form with no beginning or end and protects that which is within.? C.? We understand that we live in a sinful world and in sinful times.? ? 1.? In my lifetime, I have seen the world changing in so many ways as it downwardly spirals into utter depravity.? As God's children, we try to abstain from all appearance of evil while living in the midst of it.? 2.? More than ever before, we need to realize that God holds our lives in His hands.? We have a promise of perpetual protection as we walk with God within the Word of God.? ? 3.? We need to make sure that we remain within the “hedge” that God has placed around us.? Through willful sin and willful ignorance, we often remove ourselves to some degree out of the protection of our Lord.? D.? In Jewish tradition, SAMECH represents one's inner journey.? Verse 113 begins with the words “I hate vain thoughts.”? ? These words show the importance of maintaining the invisible man as well as the physical man.? Proverbs tells us “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)? E.? While we can only see the outside, God is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.? Who we are is what we are inwardly!? This 15th stanza shows the believer that there are Divine inner and outer protection available and this protection is found in God's Word.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? F.? God affords the believer “layers” of protection that will help to keep one's heart and mind (1) Stable and therefore (2) Stayed upon the Lord.? Then there is the outward layer of protection afforded the believer.? 1.? ? Verse 113.? Our Spirit.? The Word of God protects our thought life.? The godly man's hatred of vain thoughts.? Vain – to no avail or worthless.? The most dangerous battlefield known to man is the struggle of good and evil thoughts.? The greatest wars are waged in the mind of the believer.? Inherently, man has a God given understanding of both right and wrong.? I heard it said that man does not have a problem knowing right from wrong.? The struggle is choosing right over wrong.? Here, we once again find the love of God's Law as the deciding factor in our thought life.? ? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5? For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:? (4)? (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)? (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;? 2.? Verse 114.? Our Surety.? God protects our temporal life.? The child of God is hated by Satan, the world.? God is our infinite Refuge during the hard times of life, but it is through God's Word that we find our sanctity and peace.? When everything is going wrong in life, everything we need is in our hand tonight.? Protection from temporal calamities and persecutions.? God's Word is our chamber of retreat where we hide and find safety both physical and spiritual.? It is in the Word of God that we hide while taking the “shield of faith” in our hands.? The Word of God? supplies us grace, strength, light, life, and comfort here, and for glory hereafter.? Psalms 9:9? The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.? 3.? Verse 115.? Our Sanctification.? God protects our interaction with the world.? The world is a constant distraction of God's people and the ultimate state becomes defilement.? Our protection is through the Word of God.? We that are saved are not only separatist, we are separated from.? In this verse, we see the desire of the godly to distance himself from those who do evil.? This does not speak of staying away from every sinner for the Bible says that we would have to leave this world to do so.? It means to stay away from those who have a pattern of life that is wicked.? “Evildoers” is a persistent condition.? The Power of the wicked:? Psalms 37:35? I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.? 4.? Verse 116.? ? Our Stability.? God protects our feebleness in life.? The Word of God is the “Rock” upon which we stand.? Unmovable, unshakable, unerring, an anchor is an ever changing world.? Through the Bible, we can be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord according to 1 Corinthians 15:58.? Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”? Psalms 94:17-18? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.? (18)? When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.? 5.? Verse 117.? Our Safety.? God protects us in the perils of life.? We live in perilous times.? In the news, all we hear is about the dangers of living in the greatest nation on earth.? Because sentence against evil works is not executed, people have no respect for law and order.? ? Ecclesiastes 8:11? Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.? Proverbs 21:31? The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.? 6.? Verse 118.? Our Sinfulness.? God protects us in our temptations in life.? One of Newton's Third Law of Motion states: “? For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”? Spiritually, though God is so often gracious to the sinner, with willful sin, for the most part it is followed by a willful judgment.? Their deceit is falsehood.? What they appear outward is not the reality of that which we see outwardly.? Hebrews 4:12? For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.? 7.? Verse 119.? Our Salvation.? God protects us from our enemies in life.? The Lord will take care of the wicked.? We just need to love and stay with the Word of God.? The wicked may seem to be on the winning side for a while but the justice of the Lord will be manifested.? Jeremiah 6:28-30? They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.? (29)? The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.? (30)? Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.? 8.? Verse 120.? Our Submission.? Our protection, “safety is of the Lord,” is perpetually in the hand of God.? Life is still hard at best, but remaining in the will of God through the Word of God affords the child of God a perpetual protection.? Proverbs 19:23? The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church? There are plenty of scriptures about meeting together, so, maybe it's out of obedience. Or maybe it's tradition, or maybe it's the fear of being accused of not being a good Christian. Maybe you go to church because it's something to do or it feels like a good thing to have some sort of faith-based support. Maybe you've formed good friendships, or you enjoy the programs churches have to offer. Maybe you like being part of a community of like-minded people. Maybe you've just always gone and so you continue to go out of habit or routine.? Everyone has their opinions about church, but does God have an opinion?Today, when churches almost everywhere are broadcasting online, does it really matter if you actually get dressed and head out on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night? What about a Bible study, does that count? You can read the Bible alone and grow in your faith and you can pray alone and grow in your faith, and you can worship alone and grow in your faith. Yet each one of these faith actions has two sides: personal and inter-personal.? Most people are comfortable with reading the Bible and praying together, but worship is different. Why is that? People are sometimes less comfortable expressing themselves in worship when others are around than they are worshipping alone. But is one “better” or more spiritually beneficial than the other? Photo Credit:©GettyImages/CreativaImages

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-10-2024John 15:1-11? Introduction:? A.? Last week, we saw the Prophecy of the True Vine.? Jesus Christ is the Root of the Vine and the Vine itself along with being the Branch.? This tells us several things about Christ: He was before all things, He made all things, He sustains all things, and He will be after all things.? B.? Tonight, we will look at the Purpose of the True Vine.? God does everything both Perfectly and with Purpose.? 1.? verse 1.? The Personality of the True vine.? a)? As the Root, Christ is the Anchor that holds the Vine.? He is the Chief Cornerstone of salvation.? He is the Rock of the believer.? As the Vine, Christ sustains the believer.? The Root supplies the nutrients along with the water necessary for spiritual growth and productivity through the Vine to the branches.? b)? As the Vine, Christ is Attributer that feeds the branches.? The sap flows through the vine to the branches.? The vines do not produce anything other than branches.? It is the branches that are responsible for bearing fruit.? c)? As the Branch, Christ is our Example of both life and fruit bearing.? 2.? Verse 2.? The Purpose of the True Vine.? Fruit!? Without fruit, the True Vine would have no reason to exist.? Jesus Christ has a reason for His being and we are that reason.? a) The Vine gives birth to the branches.? We are born again through the finished work of Jesus Christ.? b) The vine gives the necessities of fruit bearing to the branches.? c)? The Lord has and is doing His part because we are both saved and capable, as long as we abide in Him, of producing fruit.? C.? The Priority of the True Vine.? 1.? The Importance of Abiding in the Vine.? ? a)? These verses do not speak of being Attached to the True Vine.? Each of God's children get their live through Christ Jesus and are a part of the True Vine.? If you are saved, you are and always will be a branch.? b)? But not all branches continue to draw life from the vine for various reasons.? After a storm, we all find a lot of dead branches in our yards.? God uses storms and strong winds to prune trees and other plants.? Gardeners prune their plants to help the plant to produce maximum fruit.? 2.? How do we Abide in the True Vine.? ? a)? By drawing all that we need for life and godliness from the sap that flows from God to usward.? I use these verses often because of their importance to all of us that are saved.? 2 Peter 1:2-3? 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:? b)? God gives us everything that we need so it is Available.? 2 Peter 1:2-3? 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:? c)? There are two aspects of our spiritual drawing from God.? To ignore either of these will cause the believer to become unproductive.? 1)? The Word of God.? I cannot over emphasize the importance of our Bible!? I do not “major on a minor” as it is the “MAJOR!”? It is the “sap” that we draw from reading, studying, listening to, and rightly applying the Word of God.? God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.? 2)? The Spirit of God.? The second way that we draw “sap” from the True Vine is through the presence of and obedience to the Holy Spirit which indwells us.? He is our Teacher, Comforter, Guide, and Friend.? 3.? The branch that does not produce fruit is broken off by men and cast into the fire.? ? John 15:6? If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.? (Notice that it is still a branch and the men who break them off and burn them shows the chastening rod of God.? “And many sleep!”? D.? Verses 2-11.? The Product of the Abiding Branches.? We now understand that failure to abide in Christ causes lack of fruit and possibly physical death.? ? 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.? 1.? Verse 2, 4-5.? ? The Qualification of the Fruit.? The branch must be attached to the Vine!? ? If you are not in the Vine, then there is no way for you to share in the Vine's life. This is all about a vital union between the believer and the Lord Jesus Christ, the True Vine.? a.? The Purging of the Vine.? John 15:2-3? Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.? (3)? Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.? b.? We must have a close relationship with the Vine.? Prayer, Bible reading and study, self-denial.? c.? We must be available for use by the Vine.? Availability and dependability are the greatest abilities.? This in all God needs.? 2.? The Quality of the Fruit.? Fruit!? The grace extended is all the same.? The faith exercised is all the same.? The salvation given is all the same.? a.? The quality of the fruit is not necessarily the responsibility of the branch.? The quality of fruit depends upon the quality of the Vine.? ? b.? God reproduces His life through our lives.? As salt and light, the world sees our good works and glorify the Father in heaven.? c.? This has been called a “Liberating Truth!”? We are free from the consequences of their personal choice.? We cannot save, we can only give savor and light.? 3.? The Quantity Of Our Fruit.? ? a.? ? So many people whip themselves because of a lack of visible results but there are those who plant, those who water, and only God can give the increase.? This? is not the responsibility of the branch. Some will produce much; some will produce little.? b.? The fruit, more fruit, and much fruit depend upon the will of the Vine. I have known some of the godliest, best missionaries and pastor who have spent their lives with little seeable fruit.? ? 4.? The Quandary of the Branches.? ? 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.? a.? Not every branch is what God intended for it to be.? Our relationship to the Vine is what we make of it.? b.? This branch is still attached to the Vine but is not abiding in the Vine.? Let me explain.? ? 1)? It is the Husbandman who Purges the branches: to wash them through the Word of God.? 2)? It is the Husbandman who Prunes the branches by breaking the branches OFF from the Vine.? c.? Our duty is to abide in God and allow God to abide in us!? Conclusion:? Not abide in Christ:? a.? Loss of Fellowship – “cast out”? b.? Loss of Living – “withered”? c.? Loss of Reward – “burned'

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-7-2024Hebrews 13:1? Introduction:? A.? Chapter 13 is the “capstone” of the Book of Hebrews.? ? 1.? As all Hebrew Christian Epistles, the Book of Hebrews is a transitional book.? ? 2.? By interpretation, the Book of Hebrews is written to the Jewish believer.? ? 1 Peter 1:1? Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,? 3.? By application, the Book of Hebrews is written to every believer.? B.? It helped the Jewish believers transition:? 1.? From the Old Covenant to the New Covenant? 2.? From Law to Grace? 3.? From Mount Saini to Mount Zion? 4.? From “DO” to “Done”? 5.? From Atonement to Propitiation? 6.? From the Temple to the Local Church? 7.? From the Levitical Priesthood to the Individual Priesthood of the Believer? 8.? From the Mediation of Moses to the Mediation of Christ? 9.? From Individualism to Corporatism.? ? 10.? From Abraham's Bosom to Heaven? C.? Chapter 13 is all about the unity and innerworkings of the local church and the individual responsibilities within the body to each other, to the pastor, and to the church.? ? Paul begins this chapter with the “tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”? The spiritual “glue” that holds together the individual pieces, believers, into a single piece, the local church.? Hebrews 13:1? Let brotherly love continue.? (Let or let not!? Let means to allow something to take place that would not naturally occur.)? 1.? In order to continue in love, you must start in love.? ? 1 John 4:7-8? Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.? (8)? He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.? 1 John 5:1? Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.? a.? So many profession believers have no real desire to be close to those who possess salvation.? You can tell by their desire to assemble or lack thereof.? You can tell by their distancing or closeness.? b.? They come to church because they feel that they must to be right with God but have no love for the church nor its people.? c.? “Have you started right?” is a question that needs to be answered as eternity hinges on it.? D. Temple Baptist Church cannot have unity, nor can it survive without Christian love permeating its pews.? The Bible says so much about this love that must continue so, let's let God define brotherly love for us.? John 13:34-35? A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.? (35)? By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.? John 15:17? These things I command you, that ye love one another.? Acts 2:1? And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.? Acts 2:46-47? 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,? (47)? Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.? Acts 4:32? And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.? Romans 12:9-10? Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.? (10)? Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;? Galatians 5:13? For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.? 1 Thessalonians 4:9? But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.? 2 Thessalonians 1:3? We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;? 1 Peter 1:22? Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:? 1 Peter 3:8-9? Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:? (9)? Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.? 1 Peter 4:8? And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.? 2 Peter 1:5-8? And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;? (6)? And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;? (7)? And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.? (8)? For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.? 1 John 2:7-10? Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.? (8)? Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.? (9)? He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.? (10)? He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.? E.? Brotherly love is also found in the word? charity.? ? 1 John 4:7-8, 12? ? (3)? Beloved, let us love one another:? (1)? for love is of God; and (8)? He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love ... ? (12)? No man hath seen God at any time.? (2)? ? If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.? 1.? Brotherly love issues from God –? “for love is of God”? 2.? Brotherly love is instilled in the believer by God –? “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”? 3.? Brotherly love must be maintained by the believer –? “Beloved, let us love one another:”? F.? Brotherly love must be a universal love, a consistent love, an overlooking love, an equal love of the brethren.? ? 1.? Brotherly love has nothing to do with social status.? 2.? Brotherly love has nothing to do with financial clout.? 3.? Brotherly love has nothing to do with ethnicity.? 4.? Brotherly love has nothing to do with gender.? 5.? Brotherly love has nothing to do with faithfulness.? 6.? Brotherly love is uniform from the pulpit to the pew.? From the pew to the pulpit.? From the back pew to the front pew.? ? G.? 1 Corinthians gives a Biblical definition of Charity or Brotherly Love.? I will not take the time to do a verse by verse exposition of chapter 13 but will give you the gist of it.? Brotherly love is the binding love of the brethren.? It is what holds the local church together.? ? 1.? Charity is longsuffering.? 2.? Charity is kind.? 3.? Charity is unselfish.? 4.? Charity behaves itself.? 5.? Charity is overlooking.? 6.? Charity hates evil but not the sinner.? 7.? Charity loves in truth.? H.? ? Brotherly love? is an unfailing love.? Times change but biblical charity endures.? 1.? In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, Paul names three remaining gifts: faith, hope and charity.? 1 Corinthians 13:13? And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.? 2.? The greatest of the three remaining gifts is charity: brotherly love.? Our faith and our hope are anchored in the greatest of the three, Charity.? 3.? Over these past 37 years, we have had a multitude of people come THROUGH our church.? We were not what they were looking for!? Our church has endured a lot of things: trials, division, etc.? ? BUT? our church has endured because of its love for Christ and love for one another!? 4.? ? “LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE!”? ? I do not know what the future holds for Temple Baptist Church, but I do know that our love for Christ and each other will carry us through whatever comes our way.? a)? Let means that brotherly love may or may not continue.? Think about it.? b)? Let means that we, each one of us, has control of brotherly love's continuance.

Saying you live in Sodom would be about like saying you named your kid Judas. Sodom is known most by its immorality. There has been considerable discussion about the nature of the sin which caused Sodom to be destroyed. But do we know anything about the city itself? Have there been any artifacts from this city?? Where Is Sodom in the Bible?? The city of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 18 and 19. It is often paired with Gomorrah, as both were destroyed as an act of God's judgment. In Genesis 18, God reveals to Abraham his plan to focus upon the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham attempts to negotiate with God—asking if it can be preserved if even a handful of godly people are present. God agrees, but the problem is that no righteous individuals are found there. Genesis 19 is an explanation in story form of their wickedness. As that chapter closes, we read this:? The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.? And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Sodom continues to appear throughout the Bible but not as a standing city. Instead, it is mentioned only as a reference point for Israel. Israel's wickedness is often compared to that of Sodom—invoking a memory of God's judgment upon that place. Jesus even mentions it to highlight the wickedness of Capernaum. Jesus says, “If the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.”? Sodom, then, is known for its wickedness throughout the Bible. But what do we know of the city itself?Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka?

Occasionally I find myself in a conversation with a non-Christian friend. Sometimes, I have to pay close attention to the language I use if the talk turns to things related to God and ultimate reality. I want to be understood, but the normal Christian terms are a foreign language to many people, Christians included. The terms are difficult to use when they don't communicate.No longer are Christian terms and biblical concepts commonplace. Most people are not familiar with the story of Job, or Peter's triple denial of Jesus. Things have changed; meanings that once were common in the culture have become rare in the minds of many people.Certainly we must continue to use large words that carry theological weight: propitiation, justification, atonement, righteousness, regeneration, trinity, incarnation, and redemption (among others). Each of these stands for a definite doctrinal teaching of the Bible that must be explained, grasped, and repeated using special terminology. I don't think that other terms will do for describing these realities of salvation and God.The terms that are distinctly religious but don't seem to communicate any longer are a distinct category that causes me concern. I ask students what they mean when they say, for example, “It's for God's glory.” I reply, “What do you mean by glory?” They don't have a clue. They really mean that that the event or decision in question somehow serves God's purposes. If so, then let's just say that. My concern is that we have settled for using as jargon the Christian terminology because it seems rightly religious, not because we understand or intend the actual meanings these terms stand for.Here is my list of seven troublesome words and brief explanations.Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock

Saying you live in Sodom would be about like saying you named your kid Judas. Sodom is known most by its immorality. There has been considerable discussion about the nature of the sin which caused Sodom to be destroyed. But do we know anything about the city itself? Have there been any artifacts from this city?? Where Is Sodom in the Bible?? The city of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 18 and 19. It is often paired with Gomorrah, as both were destroyed as an act of God's judgment. In Genesis 18, God reveals to Abraham his plan to focus upon the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham attempts to negotiate with God—asking if it can be preserved if even a handful of godly people are present. God agrees, but the problem is that no righteous individuals are found there. Genesis 19 is an explanation in story form of their wickedness. As that chapter closes, we read this:? The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.? And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Sodom continues to appear throughout the Bible but not as a standing city. Instead, it is mentioned only as a reference point for Israel. Israel's wickedness is often compared to that of Sodom—invoking a memory of God's judgment upon that place. Jesus even mentions it to highlight the wickedness of Capernaum. Jesus says, “If the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.”? Sodom, then, is known for its wickedness throughout the Bible. But what do we know of the city itself?Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka?

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-3-2024John 15:1-2? Introduction:? A.? In John 15:1, we find the last of the Seven “I AM's” of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is openly claiming to be the great “I AM THAT I AM” of the Old Testament, Jehovah God.? ? 1.? The Jews fully understood the ramifications of each of these statements.? Jesus Christ was telling them? that it was He who spoke to Moses? from the burning bush in the Book of Exodus!? 2.? This Jews knew that Jesus was a great teacher who did things that could have only been done by one sent from God.? ? Here we find great accountability!? John 3:1-2? There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:? (2)? The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.? B.? The Book of John portrays Jesus Christ as the Son of God which makes Him Divine.? In the Book of John, we find that each of the seven “I AM's” express a different aspect of Who and what Jesus did.? “I Am Bread of Life” – John 6:35.? We need sustenance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am Light of The World” – John 8:12.? We need luminance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am Door of The Sheep” – John 10:9.? We need entrance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am the Good Shepherd” – John 10:14.? We need guidance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am Resurrection and The Life” – John 11:25.? We need assurance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – John 14:6.? We need salvation.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? “I Am the True Vine” – John 15:1.? We need abiding.? C.? Each of the “I AM's” expressed a different attribute of Jesus Christ and these aspects could only be pertain to Almighty God.? 1.? ? In the phrase “I AM,” we find singularity.? Jesus Christ, in each of these sayings, is telling the world that these 7 things find their totality in Him and Him alone.? ? 2.? ? There is also an unstated truth? found in these words.? If there is a “True Vine,” and there is.? His name is Christ Jesus, our Lord.? ? Then there must also be “False Vines,”? and there are.? 3.? ? Too often God's people break away from their attachment to Jesus Christ? and become attached to the “vines” of this world.? These attachments stop fruit bearing for God and cause fruit bearing for their worldly vines.? We will deal with these believers later.? D.? The analogy:? “I am the true vine.”? I want to look at three aspects of the analogy as to give us the right Biblical perspective of what Christ is telling us in these verses.? 1.? ? The Prophetic aspect? fulfilled in Christ Jesus.? “I am the True Vine.”? 2.? ? The Owner's aspect? fulfilled in the Father.? “My Father is the Husbandman.”? Luke 10:21? In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.? 3.? ? The Spiritual aspect? fulfilled in the Believer.? “Every branch in me.? Romans 12:5? So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.1.? The Prophetic aspect fulfilled in Christ Jesus.? ? a.? When our Lord gave the truths found in John 15 concerning the relationship of the believer to Christ in abiding in the “True Vine,”? these were not unfamiliar words? to the Jew.? ? When speaking to the Pharisees,? our Lord told them Who He was!? John 8:57-58? Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?? (58)? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.? Christ was before Abraham making Christ the Great I AM!? Genesis 1:1? In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.? Ephesians 3:9? And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:? Colossians 1:15-17? Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:? (16)? For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:? (17)? And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.? Revelation 4:11? Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.? b.? We find the Prophecy of the True Vine in the Book of Isaiah which was written app. 740 years before the birth of Christ.? Isaiah 11:1? And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:? ? A rod: a strong branch; a stem: the trunk or stump; a Branch: capitalized: Christ Jesus, which grows from “his roots!”? 1)? “A Branch (Christ, Israel's Messiah) shall grow our of His roots.”? The Branch …His roots!” Christ is both the Root and the Branch that grew from the Root through the Stem of Jesse: of the linage to David.? Isaiah 11:10? And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.? Here, in the same context, Christ the Branch is called the “root of Jesse” from which Christ came.? 2)? Chapter 11 of Isaiah is also prophetic of the Millennial Kingdom of the last days which will transpire after the end of the Tribulation Period or Jacob's Trouble.? At the time that the Book of Isaiah was written, this is prophetic of an event that will be 2,740 years in the future (740 BC to 2,000+ years AD).? Isaiah, chapter 53, which is prophetic of the Messiah's rejection and crucifixion, Christ Jesus is called a “tender plant … as a root out of dry ground.”? A Babe is born in the darkness of Israel Who is the almighty Jehovah God, the “Root!”? Isaiah 53:1-2? Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?? (2)? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.? 3)? In the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, we find that Christ Jesus is the “root and the offspring of David.”? As the Root, He bears David and as the “offspring,” David bears Christ.? Revelation 22:16? I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.? c.? ? In the Book of Luke, chapter 3:23-38, we find the genealogy of Christ from “(as was supposed) the son of Joseph back to Adam who was the son of God.? Luke 3:23? And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,? Luke 3:38? Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.? Conclusion:? ? The Prophecy of Christ, the True Vine, was neither foreign nor was it unknown to the Jews.? “I AM the True Vine” simply spoke of Israel's Messiah, Christ Jesus, being Jehovah God of old.? 1.? Christ is both the “Root” and the “Vine.”? Revelation 22:16? I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.? ? Christ is the root from which David, the King of Israel, was born.? 2.? Christ was the root from which the Messianic Line came.? John 8:58? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.? ? 3.? God's children are the branches that grow out of the vine.? Notice I said “grow out” of the vine because the vine is Christ!

Marriage is declining in America. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, the percentage of Americans who have cohabited was larger than that of those who have been married. This is not surprising, considering that “most Americans find it acceptable for unmarried couples to live together, even for those who don't plan to get married.”? ? Since Western societies are becoming more secularized, we should expect the rejection of religiously grounded practices like marriage. People have tried to redefine marriage, wanting to abandon the biblical practice and definition of it. For example, in 2015, the American Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This expanded “marriage” to include same-sex couples, granting them legal rights and privileges.? Those who practice consensual non-monogamy (also called ethical non-monogamy) argue that dating or being in a sexual relationship with another person outside of their spouse is not adultery if all individuals involved give their consent. According to an? article? by Psych? Central,? this? arrangement? in which? husband and wife are willing for their spouse? to have? additional partners is seen as a? healthy way to cope with being “attracted to multiple people at once.”? Amid this whirlwind of ideas and changes to the definition of marriage, where should Christians stand? Do we give in to the whims of an ever-changing culture so that we are relevant? Are we supposed to ignore or reinterpret the verses in Scripture that define marriage and discuss sexual relationships just to appease the world?? Even though the culture will continually shift, the Bible does not change. We should follow God's Word and remain steadfast to its truth. This includes being faithful to what Scripture teaches about marriage.? ? Although society increasingly wants to move beyond it, marriage is still important. Here's why:? Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Nadtochiy

As Christians, we are to leave vengeance to God, but He made us inclined toward action. To say a prayer for justice can feel like inaction, but what if we were granted an audience with the most powerful leader in the community, state, or nation in the face of wrongdoing? ? We would go and make our appeal, and it would not feel as if we'd done nothing. When we pray for justice to our Creator God, we are making our case before the Highest Power in the universe.God calls us to enact justice when it is within our power (Micah 6:8), but the greater injustices are too often outside our human influence to redress. The people of God have suffered injustice throughout their existence. Many Christians around the world are treated unjustly even today because of the name of Jesus. We sometimes suffer daily injustices based on things about us we can't change or because we encounter others who are largely out for only themselves. ? People all around us suffer injustice, whether they follow Jesus or not, and as we witness their pain, we may feel helpless and small, but God has given us an avenue to appeal on their behalf.Now, it's true that justice can get confusing on this side of Glory. Our prayers can be muddled in a world with much deception and where people imagine themselves victims with sometimes very little evidence or cause. This is all the more reason to bring these cases before God, as He is perfect, knows all truth, and judges rightly.Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (ESV).Deuteronomy 32:4 reads, “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (ESV).So, how do we go about praying for justice? What can the Bible tell us about this process?Photo Credit:©GettyImages/olegbreslavtsev