Our Theme Verse: "Preach the Word! Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." - 2 Timothy 4:2

What The Bible Says - Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Live from Sewickley Lighthouse Baptist Church in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Live from Sewickley Lighthouse Baptist Church in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Welcome to our Sunday morning service. We would love to have you join us in person at our campus in Hampton, GA. Visit our ...

The reason families are suffering.

AIBC Live: Title: Suffering as Christian Scripture: 1 Peter 4 Speaker: Bro. Joy Darla.

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-22-2024John 16:15-22? Introduction:? A.? Staying within the context of chapters 14-16, we find the sorrow that has filled the hearts of the disciples because of the impending departure of the Lord Jesus, their Friend, Mentor, Guide, Provider, Protector, and constant Companion.? ? B.? We know a little about what they were feeling when we sit at the deathbed of a loved one knowing that shortly we will never seen them again in this life.? I thank God for pictures of these departed loved ones that bring back the pain of loss, the joy of remembrance, and in the case of the believer an assured hope.? C.? “A little while.”? This phrase is used 7 times in our text for tonight.? The Lord used “a little while” 4 times and the disciples used it 3 times.? 1.? The phrase “a little while” refers to a short but indefinite time period.? 2.? The “times” are in the Father's hand.? ? Acts 1:7? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.? 1 Timothy 6:15? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? 3.? To some degree, we can understand the times.? ? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2? But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.? (2)? For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.? D.? Our Lord was going away for “a little while” which means a “small space” or time.? The disciples wanted to know what “a little while” was.? ? 1.? When Bro. Harold Smith was in the Nursing Home, we would always tell him that we would be back shortly or after a little while because he would want to go home with us.? “Shortly” or “after while” he would be good with, but he got wise to us.? One day, I told him that I would be back in “a little while” and he asked, “Preacher, how long is little while?”? ? 2.? The disciples wanted a definite period of time!? No one likes “open ended waiting!”? E.? Verse 20, the Lord said that the “a little while” would be a time of weeping, lamenting, and sorrow while the world rejoiced.? BUT the disciples' sorrow would be turned into joy!? F.? Life is hard at best for all people, but for the child of God, sorrow is increased.? The worldly belong in this sinful world but the children of God, though sojourning here on earth, are a heavenly people.? This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through,My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.Refrain:O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,If heaven's not my home, then, Lord, what will I do?The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.? (Anonymous)? 1 Peter 2:9-11? But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:? (10)? Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.? (11)? Dearly beloved,? I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;? ? (Strangers – foreigner, not belonging to; Pilgrims – resident foreigner)? G.? Our Lord knew sorrows and wept.? If Christ sorrowed and wept, we will not be exempted!? Isaiah 53:3? He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.? H.? Verse 21.? The Lord gave the disciples an analogy of suffering that turns into joy.? A woman who carries a child in her womb for 9 months and then faces the travail of childbirth.? After childbirth, the travail of delivery is forgotten because of the joy of a son or daughter being born into this world.? J.? Using Biblical Hermeneutics is one of the most beneficial ways to study your Bible.? I want to look at the First and Last Mentions of sorrow.? In the Bible, the First Mention and the Last Mention will always be consistent and will show you God's mind on the subject.? 1.? The First Mention of Sorrow is followed by Joy.? Genesis 3:16? Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.? John 16:21? A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.? 2.? The Last Mention of Sorrow is followed by Joy.? ? Revelation 21:4? And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.? K.? There is much sorrow in life.? “Life is hard.”? ? Job 14:1-2? Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.? (2)? He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.? 1.? The sorrow of sin.? ? So many people ruin their lives with sin.? ? Proverbs 23:29? Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?? Ecclesiastes 1:16-18? I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.? (17)? And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.? (18)? For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.? 2.? The sorrow of youth.? So many young people make bad choices in life.? ? Ecclesiastes 11:9-10? Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.? (10)? Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.? 3.? The sorrow of the times.? “Change and decay in all around I see.”? A world gone mad because of rejection of the one true and living God.? ? ? Matthew 24:4-8? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.? (5)? For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.? (6)? And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.? (7)? For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.? (8)? All these are the beginning of sorrows.? 4.? The sorrow of the lost.? Family, friends, acquaintances, and the world.? ? Romans 9:1-3? I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,? (2)? That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.? (3)? For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:? 5.? The sorrow of fainting and failure.? Jeremiah 8:18? When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.? Job 17:7? Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.? 6.? The list could go on, but I believe that we all get the point: sorrow is a part of life.? L.? The Bible gives the problem of sorrow.? ? 2 Corinthians 2:7? So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.? 1.? “Overmuch sorrow” is a combination word expressing two things.? Much sorrow is a terrible state of mind and heart.? Overmuch means “over the top” or an unrealistic sorrow that discourages the heart to the point of spiritual desolation.? ? 2.? “Overmuch sorrow” is the lack of acceptance of the promised consolation and comfort of the Holy Spirit.? ? 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.? M.? The Bible gives the promise of sorrow.? ? Psalms 30:5? For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.? (Joy follows weeping.)? ? 1.? The Joy of Repentance unto Life.? ? 2 Corinthians 7:10? For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.? 2.? The Joy of Trials and Tribulations.? a.? The Old Testament.? Job 23:10? But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.? b.? The New Testament.? 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:? 3.? The Joy of Death.? At life's end, we “fly away!”? “One glad morning, when this life is over, I'll Fly Away.? I'll fly away, O Glory, I'll fly away.? When I die, Hallelujah, I'll fly away!” Though sorrow is a part of life, there will be joy for the child of God in the end of life.? ? Psalms 90:10? The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.? 4.? The Joy of the saints gone on before us.? ? We sorrow but we sorrow in hope.? You cannot lose that which is not lost.? They cannot come to us, but we can certainly go to where they are.? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14? But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.? (14)? For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.? 5.? The Joy of “no mores!”? Revelation 21:4? And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.? No more broken bones? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more Dr. KevorkiansNo more incurable diseases? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more heat by dayNo more suffering? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more cold by night? ? ? ? ? ? No sightless eyes? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more hungerNo cripples? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No fat bodiesNo retarded children? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No crazy dietsNo more jails to build? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more povertyNo law officers? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more stormsNo more guns ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more divisionNo more wars? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more thorns? ? ? ? ? No more devil to annoy? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more chiggers? ? No more funeral homes? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more mosquitos, ticks, fleas,No more headaches? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more heartachesNo more death? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more filth to seeNo more nursing homes? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more temptation to sinNo more disappointments? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more fightingNo more Discouragements to hinder? ? ? No more inflationNo more dismal failures? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more hurt feelingsNo more wicked thoughts? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more confusionNo more strife and contention ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? No more broken families? 6.? The Joy of Eternity.? ? WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE

? 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 - 5-8-2024John 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.

Jenkins, the lead creator of additional content for the hit series The Chosen, is the co-author of the new Bible study God's Goodness for The Chosen explores how God uses suffering to bring about good in the lives of those He loves.

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-1-2024John 15:17-25? Introduction:? A.? ? The Lord is giving some last words to His disciples just prior to going to the Cross.? ? 1.? If they kept His commandments and continued to abide in Him, the world would hate them in His stead and take their wrath out on them.? Tonight, we will take a short look at why the world hated Christ so much and now hates the Christian.? 2.? Peter would deny Christ thrice shortly for fear of retribution from the crowd who took Christ.? B.? In these verses, Christ reiterates His command that we should love one another.? Spiritually, we are all that we have outside of Christ.? Though they still hate Christ, He now sits at the right hand to the Father and there is nothing that they can do to Him.? We MUST be there for each other.? C.? I preach quite a bit on loving the brethren because the world and Satan are doing their best to divide us.? “Divide and Conquer” is a biblical principle that Satan knows full well:? Matthew 10:36? And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.? Mark 3:25? And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.? D.? Christ wanted His disciples to know what would happen to them and why it would be so.? Their persecution would be linked to obeying Christ's commandments.? 1.? Verse 17.? They had the human option of not obeying so as to not draw attention to themselves.? In that case, they would not be identified and persecuted.? 2.? If they obeyed Christ's commands, they would be easily identified and singled out for persecution.? 2 Timothy 3:10-12? But? thou hast fully known? my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,? (11)? Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.? (12)? ? Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.? E.? Let us look at what Christ said to the disciples as he gave them reasons for persecution.? ? 1.? Christ wanted His disciples to know that they were in the right Company!? “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”? Acts 2:1? And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.? Hebrews 10:24-25? And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:? (25)? Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.? 2.? Christ wanted them to know that they were not of the world.? “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world.”? 1 John 4:4-6? Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.? (5)? They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.? (6)? We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.? 3.? Christ wanted them to know that He chose those who believe to be His.? “but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”? 2 Thessalonians 2:13? But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:? 4.? Christ wanted them to know the fellowship of His suffering.? ” 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;”? 1 Peter 4:16? Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.? 5.? Christ wanted them to know that the world rejected His word.? “if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”? Revelation 1:9? I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.? 6.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated them because of His name.? “But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”? Philippians 2:10-11? That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;? (11)? And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.? 7.? Christ want them to know that He exposed their religion as false.? “because they know not him that sent me.”? 2 Corinthians 4:4? In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.? Ephesians 6:12? For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.? 8.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him because He exposes their sinfulness.? “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.”? Romans 5:12-15? Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:? (13)? (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.? (14)? Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.? (15)? But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.? 9.? Christ wanted them to know that the works they hated would be done by His followers.? “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.”? Ephesians 2:10? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.? 10.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him because He fulfilled the Scripture.? “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law.”? When we fulfill scripture, they will not like us either.? John 19:36? For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.? 11.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him for no good reason.? They just hated Him!? “They hated me without a cause.”? Luke 23:41? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.? 12.? Christ wanted them to know that He was still their Friend in persecution.? John 15:14? Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.? 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.? James 4:4? Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.