WHAT IS EXPECTED OF US

 

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF US

1 COR. 15:57-58

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BE MOTIVATED

1. Be Thankful [v. 57, Ps. 100:4, Col. 3:15]

-Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

2. Be Steady [v. 58, Col. 1:23]

-If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

3. Be Abounding in the Work [v. 58]

 

II. BE FAITHFUL [1 Cor. 4:2]

1. Be Generous with God’s Bounty [16:1-4]

2. Be Open to God’s Will [16:5-9]

3. Be Supportive of God’s Men [16:10-12]

 

III. BE REAL

1. Be Strong [v. 13]

2. Be Right [v. 14]

3. Be Addicted [v. 15-18]

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT

1 COR. 15:51-58

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE MYSTERY UNVEILED

1. Not All Christians Will Die [v. 1-2, 51, 1 Th. 4:15-17]

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

2. All Christians Will Be Changed [v. 51, 1 John 3:2]

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3. The Change Will Be Quick [v. 52] moment=atomos, unlike false purgatory

 

II. THE VICTORY UNVEILED

1. Corruptible Becomes Incorruptible [v. 52-54]

2. Mortal Becomes Immortal [v. 53-54]

3. Death Is Swallowed in Victory [v. 54, Mt. 23:24, 2 Cor. 5:4, Heb. 11:29, 1 Pt. 5:8]

-Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

- For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

- By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

III. THE STING REMOVED

 

1. Death’s Sting & the Grave’s Victory are Missing [v. 55]

2. Separation is Defeated by Unification [v. 56, 1 Th. 4:17, Job. 19:25-27]

- Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

- For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

3. Christ Took the Sting & Secured the Victory [v. 57]

-it’s Given by God [Eph. 2:8-9]

-In Christ [Romans 6:9] Christ removed the stinger

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Christian Quotes

by the late evangelist, Robert L. Sumner [from the book "Hebrews- Streams of Living Waters"]

Someone says, I thought He [Jesus] went to Hell and suffered an additional three days and three nights." Then you thought wrong. His testimony is that His vicarious atonement was completed on the cross, finished forever. We will not quote them again here, but go back and reread Hebrews 9, especially verses 25, 26 and 28. Our Lord will not offer up Himself again. Nor can anyone else offer Him. - Robert L. Sumner

It is either a "once-for-all" salvation or a "not-at-all" salvation. There is no middle ground. - Robert L. Sumner

But He is a God of love only as far as His justice, holiness, and righteousness will permit! His justice never contradicts His love and His love is in perfect harmony with his justice. If your doctrine makes them oppose one another, your theology is out of sync with Scripture.  - Robert L. Sumner

Almighty God has promised judgment and threatened eternal punishment for all Christ-rejecters. To break His word would be sin and God cannot sin.  - Robert L. Sumner

Abel was also the first of the human family to experience physical death- and it was through murder! He suffered death because of another's sin, the transgression of his elder brother Cain, who, in a fit of rage, killed him in cold blood. At the same time, thanks to faith in the sin-offering, he overcame death. The first man to descend into the Valley of the Shadow of Death was the first one to triumphantly march straight through it into the Paradise of Glory. He stepped from the excruciating pain of mortal manslaughter's hate into the exquisite land of eternal delights prepared by the Father's love! He led the way, like a pioneer, for all subsequent generations of men and women of faith throughout human history.  - Robert L. Sumner

One cannot walk very close to God when he is holding hands with the Devil, obviously. - Robert L. Sumner

God will judge those who treat lightly their marriage vows, or who engage in other forms of sexual impurity, saying: "whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." There is no such thing as "safe immorality," known erroneously today as "safe sex." It doesn't work. - Robert L. Sumner

CREEPY UNGODLY DENIERS

JUDE 3-4, 8, 10-11                                       

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE WAY OF CAIN [v. 11, Gen. 4]

1. Faithless [Heb. 11:4, 6; Eph. 2:8-9, Rm. 10:17]

- By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

- For by grace are ye saved through faith

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

2. Bloodless [Heb. 9:22, 12]

- without shedding of blood is no remission.

- 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.

3. Worthless [Heb. 11:4, Pr. 14:12, Eph. 2:12]

it is worthless because it is Christless

-By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

-There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death

-That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

 

 II. THE ERROR OF BALAAM [v. 11]

1. Motivated by Greed not God

[2 Pt. 2:15, 1 Tm. 6:10]

-Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

-For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2. Cast Stumbling Blocks Before Others [Rev. 2:14, Mark 9:42, Is. 56:11]

- But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

- And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

- Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

3. Desire Earthly rather than Heavenly Rewards [v. 11, Mt. 6:19-20]

- Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 

III. THE GAINSAYING OF KORAH (CORE) [v. 11]

1. Rebel Against God-given Authority [Num. 16:19]

-And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

2. Replacing God-given Authority with Self [3 Jn. 9-11]

- I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

3. Results in Destruction for Both Leader & Followers [Matthew 21:40-42, Num. 16:32-35]

- When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

- And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

THOSE WHO SEE

MARK 10:46-52

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BLIND HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO SEE

1. He Knew Jesus Was the Christ [v. 46-48, Mt. 22:41-42]

- Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

2. He Knew Jesus Was Merciful [v. 47-48, Mt. 9:13]

-But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

3. He Knew Jesus Was Lord [51-52]

 

II. THE BLIND BEGAN TO SEE MORE CLEARLY

1. He Cried to Jesus [v. 46-47]

2. He Continued Despite Critics [v. 48]

3. He Came in Response to the Call [v. 49-50]

 

III. THE BLIND HAD BETTER SPIRITUAL SIGHT THAN SOME SEEING

1. Some Thought Jesus Couldn’t Be Bothered With a Blind Man’s Prayer [v. 48, Psalm 65:2]

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

2. Some Thought to Encourage People to Come to Jesus’ Invitation [v. 49-50, Mt. 11:28-30]

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

3. Some Thought to Follow Jesus [v. 51-52, Jn. 21:22]

-And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

-Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

CONTEND FOR THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED

 JUDE 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. CONTEND

1. Against Wickedness [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.

2. Against Other's Weakness [Gal. 2:11]

-But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

3. Against Worldliness [1 Jn. 2:15-17]

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

II. CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

1. Based on the Word of God [Acts 6:7]

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith

2 Basic to Salvation [Acts 24:24, 13:1ff]

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

3. Basic to Growth [Acts 14:22, 16:4-5]

-Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

-And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily .

III. ONCE DELIVERED

1. Once for All [Jude 1:3]

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.

2. Once For Ever [1 Peter 3:18]

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

3. Once for Eternity [Hebrews 9:7, 26-28]

-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:

-For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

WHEN SHOULD SOMEBODY DO THAT?

LUKE 2:52

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

One of the great questions in life is “when?”. When should I go to school? When should I get a job? Get Married? Buy a house? Ad nauseum. Here are 3 of the most important “when” questions answered from the Book of Books, the Bible.

 

I. WHEN SHOULD SOMEBODY GET SAVED?

1. Get Saved as a Child [Mt. 19:14, 2 Tm. 3:15]

- But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

- And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2. Get Saved as an Adult [Acts 8:35-37, 16:30-31]

- Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

-And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

3. Get Saved as a Senior Citizen [2 Chron. 33:1-2, 10-13]

-Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

-And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

In short, get saved now! [2 Cor. 6:2] behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

II. WHEN SHOULD SOMEBODY TAKE A STAND FOR GOD?

1. Take a Stand as a Child [Dan. 1:8]

- But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

2. Take a Stand as an Adult [Heb. 11:24]

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

3. Take a Stand as a Senior Citizen [Josh. 23:1, 24:15]

- And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD

In short, take a stand for God now! [Eph. 6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

III. WHEN SHOULD SOMEBODY BE A WITNESS FOR GOD?

1. Be a Witness as a Child [2 Kings 5:1-4, Mt. 21:16]

- Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

- 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?

2. Be a Witness as an Adult [John 1:6-8, 15]

-There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

- John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

3. Be a Witness as a Senior Citizen [Lk. 2:25-38, Phile. 1:9]

- Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

In short, be a witness for God now! [Ps. 107:2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;