Monthly Archives: April 2009

Beautiful Behavior

Wednesday Evening Sermons

Titus 2:1-10

Preached Wednesday April 22, 2009

 

Introduction:

         

          There is a special skill required to dress well.  Certain styles of clothing can only be worn with a specific matching piece.  We have all witnessed fashion tragedies when striped ties are combined with plaid coats.  Guys in Bible College are taught that we are not to mix busy with busy.  Some people have a special skill, not only to avoid the awful but also to blend style, fabric, color, and body type perfectly.  When that perfect outfit is recognized sometimes we use the phrase, “That outfit really becomes you.”   

 

          The word “becomes” means that one has been distinguished by a thing.  It means that the clothing fits together perfectly.  The Christian life is made up of several areas that are to go together like a matching outfit.  They must not be considered separately, but as they match each other.  The Christian is to have love, but a professed love alone does not please the Lord.  The Corinthian Church was warned that they needed more than their love feasts in order to please the Lord.  The Christian is to have good doctrine, but doctrine alone does not please the Lord.  The Church at Ephesus was commended for their doctrine, but rebuked and warned because they had lost their first love.  The Christian is to have good behavior, but keeping a list of rules alone is not enough.  The Pharisees were sternly warned that their legalistic approach alone did not please God.

 

          Often we tend to focus on one of these areas rather than blending all into a very well matched spiritual outfit.  Paul told Titus that He needed not only to teach love for Jesus and expound sound doctrine, but also encourage behavior that becomes, or matches the other qualities.  

 

          God is very organized.  I was reading in my devotions today how each family and clan in the Levite tribe had a specific function regarding worship and the Tabernacle.  Each person was born with the ability to fulfill a specific role.  Each of us have different roles, depending upon who we are.  Paul told Titus that no matter what role we fulfill, our lifestyle must match our doctrine.  We need to adorn beautiful behavior.

 

 

I.                   Aged Men

 

Titus 2:2

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 

 

A.    Be sober = abstaining from wine entirely.

 

               1 Thessalonians 5:6-7

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

 

B.     Be grave = reverent

C.     Be temperate = curbing one’s desires and impulses, to be self controlled.

 

 

1 Corinthians 9:25-27  25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

James 1:20

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 

D.    Be sound ( healthy) in:

 

1.     Faith = The Faith – basic body of Christian doctrine.

 

2.     Love = Agape love produced in the heart of a saint yielded to the Holy Spirit.

 

3.     Patience = the ability to remain under trials and afflictions.

 

James 1:3

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

 

II.                Aged Women

 

 

Titus 2:3

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  

 

A.    Behavior that is befitting of a sacred place

 

1 Timothy 2:9-10

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

 

B.     Not false accusers = diablos = a slanderer.  This is the same word translated as “devil” in other scriptures.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

                  

C.     Not given to much wine. = Not a slave to wine.

D.    Teachers of good things = to younger women.

 

Hebrews 5:12

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

 

III.             Young Women

 

Titus 2:4-5

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

A.    Taught to be sober = sane, to be recalled to one’s senses.

 

Romans 6:11

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

B.     Taught to love their husbands.

C.     Taught to love their children.

D.    Taught to be discreet = having a sound mind, being careful about what one does or says.

E.     Taught to be chaste = not indulging in unlawful sexual activity.

 

1 Peter 3:1-2

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

 

F.      Taught to be keepers at home = caring for their own home rather than running from house to house with gossip.

 

1 Timothy 5:13

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

 

G.    Taught to be good = kind, unselfish

H.    Taught to be obedient = a military word acknowledging rank.

 

1.     So that God’s Word is not blasphemed ( spoken reproachfully of)

2.     Because the wife pictures Christ’s relationship to the church.

 

Ephesians 5:22-24

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

 

         

IV.              Young men

 

Titus 2:6-8

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

 

A.    Admonished to be sober minded = demonstrating self control, curbing one’s passions.

B.     Admonished to be a good example

 

1.     In doctrine

2.     In uncorruptness = purity

 

2 Corinthians 2:17

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

 

3.     In sound speech = speech that cannot be condemned by those who wish to discredit your ministry.

 

V.                 Servants – employees

 

Titus 2:9-10

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;  10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

 

A.     Obedient

B.      Please the boss in all things

C.     Do not back talk after orders are given.

D.     Not purloining = carrying away for one’s self – stealing

E.      Fidelity = faithfulness, care and exact observance of duty

 

Conclusion:

 

          Does your behavior fit with your doctrine?  You claim to believe in God, His Word, and His Son.  You say that He has made you a new creature.  If you are saved, you are right.  Does your behavior match?  Do you behave as God would have you to as an aged man or woman, as a younger woman or man, as an employee?  We must examine our lives and adorn beautiful behavior.

Church Discipline in our Covenant – Part 1

Sunday Evening Sermons

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

 

Introduction:

 

          Tonight we will look at the sobering subject of Church discipline.  In the past several weeks we have studied what we have promised God and each other when we joined this assembly.  Tonight we will study the things that God has placed in His Word, and the things that are in our constitution that will help enforce compliance to both.  

 

 

(The following is taken from Article V. Section D of our Constitution)

 

SECTION D – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

 

1        PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE

 

The purpose of this Church’s discipline shall be to maintain its spiritual and doctrinal purity; to insure its self-perpetuation and existence in accordance with its original purposes; to follow the injunction of the New Testament regarding the maintaining of local church purity (I Corinthians 5:6-8); to head off, where possible, disunity and discord, both of which are not pleasing to the Lord; and to provide an atmosphere in the church which is conducive to carrying on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to His greatest glory. While it is recognized that the individual member’s purity and correction should be sought (Galatians 6:1,2), where this is not possible, the purity and welfare of the Church as a whole must be the guiding principle in the discipline of its members. (Matthew 18:17; II Thessalonians 3:6, 7; Titus 3:9-11)

2        REASONS FOR DISCIPLINE

 

A member of this Church shall be subject to church discipline for anyone of a number of causes among which are:

 

a)                 Any member who discloses the confidential business of the Church to other than members;

b)                 Any member who circulates any report to the disparagement of this Church or any of its members;

c)                  Any member who is publicly guilty of common rumor charging him with gross impropriety of crime;

d)                 Any member who is not maintaining the standard of a member in good standing according to Section A, Paragraph 1 (see also Section C, Paragraph 2) of this Article, or pursuing any course of conduct, which in the judgment of the Church is considered unbecoming as good citizens and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, or is considered disreputable to the Church as a body, or which tends to subvert the truth as we hold it;

e)                 Any member who holds and advocates doctrine and practices opposed to those set forth in the Church’s Statement of Faith, Covenant, or Constitution;

f)                   Any member who treats the acts or decisions of the Church contemptuously or pursues such a course which produces discord, disunity, or dissention.

.

 

 

I.                   Purpose for Church Discipline

 

A.     Maintain purity

 

1.     Spiritual/ moral

 

1 Corinthians 5:1-2

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

 

2.     Doctrinal

 

Romans 16:17

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

Titus 3:9-11

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

 

B.      Insure self perpetuation

 

Revelation 2:5

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 

C.     Head off disunity and discord

 

James 3:13-16

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

 

D.     Provide a Godly atmosphere of ministry in the church.

 

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

 

E.      Help an erring brother or sister find restoration and forgiveness through repentance.

 

Galatians 6:1-2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 

Matthew 18:15-17

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

 

II.                Reasons for Church Discipline

 

A.     All discipline comes from the sin of not repenting.

 

2 Timothy 2:25-26

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.  

 

B.      Disclosing confidential business of the church.

 

Proverbs 11:13

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 

 

C.     Circulating a report that hurts the reputation of the church or her members.

 

Proverbs 17:9

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 

 

D.     A member guilty of living publically in a state of sin.

 

 

1 Corinthians 5:9-11

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

 

E.      A member not in good standing.

 

1.     Behavior unbecoming to a Citizen

 

1 Timothy 3:7

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

 

2.     Behavior unbecoming to a Believer

 

Matthew 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Titus 2:4-5

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

F.      A member who holds doctrine not in line with our statement of faith, covenant, or constitution.

 

2 Timothy 4:3

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

 

G.     A member who stirs up discord regarding the decisions of this church.

 

Proverbs 22:10

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

 

Proverbs 6:12-19

12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.  15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

The Passion of Our Christ

Sunday Morning Sermons

Matthew 21:12-22

Preached Sunday Morning, April 19, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

          Often when the World thinks of our Savior, they think of Jesus as a meek, spineless individual who has little drive or personality.  They see Him as so passive that He never creates a stir.  

 

          The Bible describes Jesus as one who has great passion.  According to Webster’s Dictionary, to be passionate is to have strong emotion, to be animated.  Today we will see that Jesus is very passionate about certain things.  Make no mistake, Jesus never sinned.  He was, however, very emotional about certain things.  We can learn a lot about Jesus as we study our text this morning and discover the Passion of Our Christ.

 

I.                   Jesus is passionate about Holiness

 

Matthew 21:12-13

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

 

A.     The Temple was a place for people to meet with God.

 

B.     The Passover was coming – Jesus was the final and ultimate Passover sacrifice.

 

C.     The people used this season as a business opportunity

 

D.    The animals were sold directly out of the temple making an increased profit for all involved.

 

E.     Jesus took personal offense to this “My house”

 

F.      Jesus took deliberate and specific action

 

1.     Jesus did not lose His temper

 

Hebrews 4:15

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

1 Peter 2:21-22

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

 

2.     Jesus took the time to deliberately fashion a whip

 

John 2:15

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

 

3.     Jesus deliberately mixed the money of the merchants

 

4.     Jesus acted with authority like He owned the place.

 

G.    Our bodies are God’s Temple this side of Calvary

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

è      What are you allowing to defile your Temple?

 

II.                Jesus is passionate about honor.

 

A.     People recognized His power after He stood with authority for holiness

Matthew 21:14

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

B.     The children shouted praise to the Messiah

Matthew 21:15-17

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read,  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

 

1.     Their faith was pure and simple enough to believe and respond.

2.     This simple faith enraged the self-righteous religious establishment.

C.     Jesus is worthy of all honor!

Luke 19:37-40

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

 

III.             Jesus is passionate about feeding the hungry

Matthew 21:18-22

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.  20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

A.     The literal fig tree

1.     Jesus was hungry

2.     The tree was all leaves and no figs

3.     Jesus cursed the unfruitful tree

B.     Symbol of unfruitful Israel

1.     Religious teaching happened under fig trees

2.     All leaves = a superficial list of external compliance.

3.     No figs = No fruit of a changed life and the reality of a relationship with God.

C.     Symbol of unfruitful Christians

John 15:8,16

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

If Christ Be Not Raised

Sunday Morning Sermons

I Corinthians 15:12-22

Preached Easter Sunday Morning April 12, 2009

 

1 Corinthians 15:17

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

 

Introduction:

 

          Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!  On this Easter Sunday morning, we celebrate one of the basic doctrines of orthodox Christianity, the resurrection.  Have you ever wondered why it is necessary that Jesus actually rise from the grave?  We know that He is sinless and paid the price for our sin with His death.  If His death paid the price, why does the Bible say that Jesus had to rise from the grave?  Why could Jesus not just go immediately to Heaven to be with His Father?  Some would say that He had to prove that He had power over sin and death.  To whom did He have to prove this?  Would our salvation really hinge upon this proof?

 

          This morning we are going to take a detailed doctrinal look at the reason behind the statement of 1 Corinthians 15:17.  We will discover that Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

 

I.                   Essential Elements of the Gospel

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

A.     Christ died for our sins

 

1.     Because the price for sin is death.

 

 

 

Romans 5:12

12 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: 

 

2.     Because we cannot pay that price with works.

 

Romans 3:19-20

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

Galatians 2:21

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

B.     Christ was buried

 

1.     Dream- an altered reality

2.     We are unaware of what is happening around us

3.     Are unable to respond to danger

4.     Are unable to warn others of danger

 

C.     Christ rose again on the third day.

 

1.     This is essential to our salvation

 

1 Corinthians 15:17-18

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

 

2.     If Christ did not rise again, then your faith is in vain

3.     Why was the resurrection an essential element of the Gospel?

4.     Could not Jesus have still paid the price of death without the resurrection?

 

è    Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

 

II.                The Essential Elements of the Passover

 

Exodus 12:3-7, 12-13

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:  4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

 

12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 

 

 

A.     A spotless lamb

B.     A beloved lamb

C.     Slay the lamb before all

D.    Apply the blood to the doorposts

 

1.     Sign of the Trinity

2.     The death of the Lamb was not enough

 

E.     Jesus is our Passover Lamb

 

1 Corinthians 5:7

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

 

 

III.             The Essential Elements of the Day of Atonement

 

Hebrews 9:7-9

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

 

 

A.     There was a separation between God and man, the veil.

 

Leviticus 16:2

2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

B.     The only one allowed access to the Mercy Seat was the High Priest

C.     The High priest must enter with innocent blood offered for his sins and the sins of the people.

 

Leviticus 16:6,16

6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 

 

IV.              Jesus Ascended to Heaven after the Resurrection

 

 

A.     Mary was told not to touch Jesus

 

John 20:11-17

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 

B.     Eight days later Jesus told men to go ahead and touch Him

 

John 20:26-28

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

C.     The Blood had been applied

 

V.                 Jesus Had to Rise Again in order to act as our High Priest and Apply His Blood for Us

 

 

 

Hebrews 9:11-14

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

 

A.     There is a Mercy Seat in Heaven

B.     Jesus enter Heaven with His own blood

C.     Redemption was obtained when the Blood was applied

D.    The Blood stains the mercy seat, purging you from dead works.

 

Their Mouths Must Be Stopped

Wednesday Evening Sermons

Titus 1:1-16

Preached Wednesday April 15, 2009

 

Introduction:

         

          Today we begin studying the last of the Pastoral Epistles.  Titus was also an assistant to Paul.  We will find some similar thoughts in this letter as we found in those written to Timothy.

          Why do we need preachers?  There are those that advocate a pooling of opinions from a group of believers and studying the Bible in a forum setting rather than hearing an authoritative sermon.  Our passage gives us the answer to this question.  There will always be false teachers, driven by lust and money, who seek to deceive the masses for their own personal gain.  There will always be trusting and ignorant people who will follow these spiritual predators. The seasoned veteran, the Apostle Paul, warns Titus about these enemies of the truth.  It is important that pastors be trained, ordained and ready to stand against lies and for the truth.  When it comes to these clever false teachers, their mouths must be stopped.

I.                   The Minister of God must understand his divine role.

Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;  3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

 

A.     Servant of God= One who gives himself up to the will of another

B.      Acknowledging truth

C.     Anchored on the Hope of eternal life

D.     Realize that God chose preaching to reveal His word to the world.

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21

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.

E.      The Word has been committed to God’s servant and he must be a good steward of that revelation.

1 Corinthians 4:1-4

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.  4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 

 

II.                The minister of God must understand his qualifications.

Titus 1:5-9

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

A.     Churches need pastors

B.     Blameless = that which cannot be called to account

C.     Husband of one wife

D.    Faithful children = reliable

1.     Not accused of riot = wild partying

2.     Not unruly

E.     A good steward

F.      Not self willed

 

 

2 Peter 2:10

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 

G.    Not soon angry

Proverbs 15:18

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

 

H.    Not given to wine

Proverbs 31:4-5

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.  

I.       Not a striker = a brawler

J.      Not ruled by a lust for money or material possessions

K.     Loves hospitality

L.      Companies with good men

M.    Sober = of a sound mind

N.    Just = doing what is right

O.    Holy = pure, unpolluted

P.     Temperate = self controlled

Q.    Holding tenaciously to sound doctrine

Jude 3

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

III.             The minister of God must deal with the enemies of the truth

A.     Unruly deceivers

 

 

 

Titus 1:10

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

B.      Their mouths must be stopped

Titus 1:11

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

C.     They must be rebuked sharply

Titus 1:12-14

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

D.     To the pure all things seem to be pure

E.      To the unbelieving, nothing is pure

Titus 1:15-16

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.