COMMON CHRISTIANITY

COMMON CHRISTIANITY

JUDE 1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WE [Bible-believing Christians] HAVE SOMEONE IN COMMON

1. We Have God  our Father in Common [Colossians 1:1-2]

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We Have Christ our Saviour in Common [1 Timothy 2:5, 2 Peter 1:1]

-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

- Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

3. We Have the Holy Ghost our Comforter [John 14:16, 26; 15:26, 16:7]

-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

-But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

-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:

-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.

 

II. WE [Bible-believing Christians] HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

1. We Have a Common Salvation [Jude 3]

2. We Have a Common Faith [Jude 3]

3. We Have a Common Mission [Jude 21-23]

 

III. WE [Bible-believing Christians] HAVE SOMEPLACE IN COMMON

1. We Have the Throne of Grace [Hebrews 4:14-16]

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2. We Have The Kingdom of Heaven [Matthew 8:11]

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

3. We Have the Father’s House [John 14:1-6]

-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

- Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 

 

THE BIBLE AND THE TRINITY

THE BIBLE AND THE TRINITY                      

MATTHEW 28:16-20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

One great Bible doctrine that confuses many of the cults is the doctrine of the Trinity. Any group that denies the Trinity is a group you want no part of. Someone may say, “But I don’t understand it.” John R. Rice once said, “The things you don’t understand would fill a mighty big book.” There is a lot that is true that you and I don’t understand- but that doesn’t make it any less true. The Word of God is True, and the Word of God teaches the Trinity.

 

I. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD

 

1. So Says the Law [Dt. 4:35, 6:4]

- Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.

-Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

 

2. So Says the Prophets [Is. 43:10-11, 44:6]

- Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.

-Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

 

3. So Says the Saviour [Mark 12:28-30]

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

 

II. THERE ARE THREE PERSONS IN THIS ONE GOD

 

1. The Word “One” in these Passages refer to a Compound Unity [Gn. 2:24, 11:6, Jn. 17:22, Gal. 3:28]

- Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

- And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

- And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

- There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

2. God Uses Plural Pronouns referring to Himself [Gn. 1:26, 3:22, Is. 6:8]

- And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

- And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

- Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

3. The New Testament often refers to the Trinity [Mt. 3:16-17, Eph. 4:4-6, 2 Cor. 13:14]

- And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

- There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

-The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

 

III. GOD IS ESSENTIALLY ONE AND IS ALSO THREE

1. God is Spirit [Jn. 4:24]

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

2. God is Infinite [Ps. 147:5, Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 40:18-31]

-Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

- God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

3. God is a Trinity [Mt. 28:19] physical example- H20- water=liquid, steam=vapor, ice=solid

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

LADIES of HEBREWS 11

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SARA’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

1. Sara had Faith in God’s Word [v. 11a, Rm. 10:17] why do we repeat this so much? Because- “Faith cometh by…”

2. Sara had Faith in God’s Work [v. 11b, Luke 1:37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.

3. Sara had Faith in God [v. 11c, Mark 11:22] And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

II. RAHAB’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF DESTRUCTION

1. Rahab had a Sincere Faith [v. 30-31, Joshua 2:9-11]

And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

2. Rahab had a Saving Faith [v. 31a, Joshua 2:12-21, 6:22-25]

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

-But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

3. Rahab had a Serving Faith [v. 31b, 1 Thessalonians 1:3]

-Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

III. FAITH IN THE FACE OF DEATH

1. A Slave’s Faith [v. 23]

2. A Widow’s Faith [v. 35, I Kings 17]

3. A Great Woman’s Faith [v. 35, 2nd Kings 4:8-37]

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

MATTHEW 28:19-20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES

1. He is Omnipresent [Ps. 139:7-10]

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

2. He is Omnipotent [Lk. 1:35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

3. He is Omniscient [Jn. 14:26, 16:13, 1 Co. 2:10-11]

- But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

- Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

-But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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.

4. He is Eternal [Heb. 9:14]

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?

 

II. HE PARTICIPATES IN DIVINE WORK

1. Creation [Gn. 1:1-2, Job 33:4]

-IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

-The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. - Elihu

2. Giving Life [Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.]

3. Gave Scripture [2 Sam. 23:1-3, Acts 1:16, 2 Tm. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20]

-Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

- Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

-For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

4. Salvation [Jn. 3:5]

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

III. HE IS CALLED GOD DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IN THE SCRIPTURES

1. By Peter [Acts 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:2]

- But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

-Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

2. By Paul [2 Cor. 13:14; Eph, 4:4-6]

-The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

- There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

3. By Christ [Mt. 28:19, Mk. 12:36]

- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

- For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

GOD’S WARNING TO ALL NATIONS!

2 KINGS 17

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE REMOVAL [v. 1-6]

1. The Last Royal of the Northern Kingdom [v. 1-2]

2. The Last Rebellion of the Northern Kingdom [v. 3-4]

3. The Last Report of the Northern Kingdom [v. 5-6]

 

II. THE REASON [v. 7-23]

1. Sins Against the Lord [v. 7-12]

2. Stubbornness Against the Lord [v. 13-18]

3. Spreading Against the Lord [v. 19-23]

 

III. THE RESULT [v. 24-41]

1. No Focus [v. 24-28, Philippians 3:13]

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

2. No Fidelity [v. 29-33, “Semper Fi”, 1 Corinthians 4:2]

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3. No Following [v. 34-41, Luke 9:23, John 10:27, 12:26; 1 Peter 2:21]

- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

-If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

-For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

MRS. JOB

JOB 1:1-2, 2:7-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HER INCLINATION PROBED

1. Sorrow in which She Blamed Job Wrongly [1:18-22, Exodus 4:26]

So he let him go: then she (Zipporah) said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

2. Spiritual Apathy in which She Blamed God Foolishly [2:9-10]

3. Selfishness in which She Didn’t Want to Care for Job in His Illness [2:7-10] she said nothing until Job got sick

 

II. HER ENDING POSSIBILITIES

1. She was Replaced [42:13-15]

2. She was Recycled [1:2, 42:13-15]

3. She was Repentant [42:7-10]

 

III. HER INTERESTED PARTIES

1. Satan had Use for Her [1:12, 2:9-10, Luke 4:8, Mt. 16:23]

--Why did Satan leave her? Same reason the Soviets sent Madalyn Murray O'Hair back to America. She would help their cause.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

-But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

--Are you a spiritual help or hindrance to those around you?

2. Job had Love for Her [2:10, Ps. 14:1, 74:18] He didn’t call her a foolish woman but said she was speaking like one

-The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

-Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

3. God had Lessons for Her [2:10b]

JESUS IS GOD

JOHN 20:24-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Let us not be shy or coy about this matter. Let all doubt and disputation flee from our minds, our mouths, our meaning. Jesus is God. He is as much God as God the Father and God the Spirit. Let no namby-pamby, mealy-mouthed cowardice keep us from this great and important Truth – the deity of Jesus Christ! The great  missionary C.T. Studd but it this way, “If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great of me to make for Him!” And He is God!

 

I. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF HIS WORD

 

1. He Spoke with Authority [Mk. 1:22, 27; John 6:63, 7:46]

- And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

-And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

- It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

- The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

 

2. He Indirectly Claimed to be God [Jn. 11:39-45]

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

 

3. He Directly Claimed to be God [Jn. 8:51-59]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

II. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF HIS ACTIONS

 

1. He Forgave Sins [Lk. 5:20-25]

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

 

2. He Accepted Worship [Matthew 2:11, 4:8-10, 8:2, 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, 28:9, 17]

- And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

- Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

3. He Rose from the Dead [Ecclesiastes 8:8, John 10:18, Rm. 1:4]

-There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death

- No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

- And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

III. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

 

1. Demons Recognized His Divinity [Luke 8:27-28]

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

 

2. Certain Men Recognized His Divinity [Ps. 110:1, Luke 23:42, Jn. 1:1-4, 14-17; Acts 9:1-6]

- A Psalm of David. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

- And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

- IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men

- And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 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. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

3. God the Father & God the Holy Spirit Proclaim His Deity [Heb. 1]