REMEMBERING LOT’S WIFE

LUKE 17:26-32

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MARY, THE WOMAN WHO KNOWN FOR WORSHIPPING JESUS

1. She Sat at Jesus feet to hear His Word [Luke 10:38-42]

2. She Fell at Jesus Feet in Sorrow [John 11:19-36]

3. She Knelt at Jesus feet in Devotion [John 12:1-11]

Mark 14:8-9 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever  this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

 

II. ANDREW, THE MAN KNOWN FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TO JESUS

1. He Brought Family to Jesus [John 1:40-42]

2. He Brought Children to Jesus [John 6:5-9]

3. He Brought Strangers to Jesus [John 12:20-23]

 

III. BE REMEMBERED FOR JESUS IN YOUR LIFE [Mt. 22:34-46]

1. Love Christ Supremely Like Mary [Matthew 22:34-38]

2. Love People to Christ like Andrew [Matthew 22:39-40]

3. Recognize Christ as God Incarnate [Matthew 22:41-46] (note the Trinity here)

BE SOBER

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

When the Bible says “BE SOBER” it does not always refer to alcohol though sometimes it does. It is primarily referring to the thinking process. Of course we know, alcohol inhibits the thinking process. Under the influence of alcohol people do things they should not do, say things they should not say, lose inhibitions, lose the ability to walk straight, talk straight, think straight, ad nauseum. So why does the New Testament tell us to be sober?

 

I. BE SOBER BECAUSE THE DEVIL IS AFTER YOU [1 Pt. 5:8]

1. You Have a Personal Adversary [Luke 8:12, Eph. 6:11]

-Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

-Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

2. You Have a Powerful Adversary [Jude 1:9, 2 Timothy 2:26]

-Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

- And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

3. You Have a Predatory Adversary [Acts 10:38, Jn. 8:44]

-How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

- Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

 

II. BE SOBER BECAUSE THE SAVIOUR IS COMING [1 Th. 5:1-11]

1. No One Knows When He is Coming [v. 1-3]

2. But We Know HE IS COMING [v. 4-5]

3. We Can Be Ready When He Comes [v. 6-11]

 

III. BE SOBER BECAUSE CHRIST’S COMING CHANGES EVERYTHING

1. If Saved, Live Like It! [1 Pet. 1:13-19]

- Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2. Both Saved and Lost Will Give Account [1 Pt. 4:2-7]

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

3. If Lost, Turn to God and Receive Christ [2 Cor. 4:3-7]

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL [Part 2]

1 JOHN 5:11-21]

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WORDS THAT ASSURE [v. 10-13]

1. Internalized by Reception [v. 10, Jeremiah 15:16]

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

2. Externalized by Writing [v. 11, 13, 2 Tm. 3:16, Rm. 15:4]

graphe; a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it), scripture.

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

-For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

3. Eternalized by God [v. 11-13, 1:2, 5:20, Ps. 119:89]

-For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

 

II. PRAYERS THAT ASSURES [v. 14-17]

1. In His Will [v. 14, 3:21-22]

2. In his Time [v. 15]

3. In His Wisdom [v. 16-17, 1 Cor. 11:30-32, Acts 5:1-11 Ananias & Sapphira] Let God be God

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

 

III. UNDERSTANDING THAT ASSURES [v. 18-21]

1. The New Nature is Untouched [v. 18, 3:6, 9]

2. The New Nature is Unattached [v. 19]

3. The New Nature is Unavailable [v. 20-21]

COMFORT YE, COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE

ISAIAH 40

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE GREAT COMFORTS [v. 1-11]

1. The Comfort of the Saviour [v. 1-5, Phil. 2:1, 5]

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, …Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

2. The Comfort of the Scriptures [v. 5-8, Rm. 15:4]

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

3. The Comfort of the Shepherd [v. 9-11, Jn. 10:11, 14]

-I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

- I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 

II. THE GREAT GOD OF COMFORT [v. 12-25]

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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.

1. The God of Creation [v. 12, 26, 28]

2. The God of Knowledge [v. 13-14, 26-28]

3. The God of Uniqueness [v. 15-25]

 

III. THE GREAT BENEFITS [v. 29-31]

1. Power to the Faint [v. 29a]

2. Strength to Them with No Might [v. 29b, 2 Cor. 12:9, 13:4]

-And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

-For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

3. Watching Him Work in your Life as you Wait on the Lord [v. 30-31; Ps. 27:14]

- Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

FOOLISH PEOPLE HAVE FOOLISH PROBLEMS

Jeremiah 4:22, 5:4, 5:21,10:8

Lamentations 2:14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Allow me to paraphrase something someone said, “Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is you're foolish and make foolish decisions.” Now that’s true. Let’s tighten it a bit and just say a foolish person is a fool. Fools make foolish decisions and have foolish problems. The Bible has much to say about fools.

 

I. THE FOOL HAS PROBLEMS WITH OTHERS

1. Some Fools Will Not Listen to Instruction [Pr. 1:7, 12:1, 23:9]

- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

-Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

-Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

2. Some Fools Will Not Listen to Their Father [Pr. 15:5, 17:21]

-A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

-He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

“What kind of life you think it is being the father of a young dummy?”

3. Some Fools Listen to Their Own Heart [Pr. 13:20, 28:26, Jer. 17:9]

-He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

-He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

-The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

II. THE FOOL HAS PROBLEMS WITH HIMSELF

1. Fools Have a Problem with Their Mouth [Pr. 15:2, 18:6, 29:11]

-the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

-A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

-A fool uttereth all his mind

2. Fools Have a Problem with Their Mind [Pr. 1:22, 10:21, 17:10]

-How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

-fools die for want of wisdom.

-A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

3. Fools Have a Problem with Maturity [Pr. 10:23, 13:19, 14:9]

- It is as sport to a fool to do mischief:

-the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

-Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

 

III. THE FOOL HAS PROBLEMS WITH GOD

1. Some Fools Don’t Believe in God [Ps. 14:1, 92:5-6]

- The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

- O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

2. Some Fools Don’t Believe the Bible [Lk. 24:25, Rm. 1:20-22]

– Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

- 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: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

3. Some Fools Don’t Prepare for the Afterlife [Lk. 12:20]

God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

1 JOHN 5:1-13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BEHAVIOR THAT ASSURES [v. 1-6]

1. Loving Other Children of God [v. 1-2a]

2. Keeping God’s Commandments

[v. 2b-3, John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

3. Overcoming the World [v. 4-6]

in context with a sin nature

 

II. WITNESSES THAT ASSURE [v. 6-9]

1. Heavenly Witnesses [v. 6-7]

2. Earthly Witnesses [v. 8]

3. Inscripturated Witnesses [v. 9]

 

III. WORDS THAT ASSURE [v. 10-13]

1. Internalized by Reception [v. 10, Jeremiah 15:16]

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

2. Externalized by Writing [v. 11, 13, 2 Tm. 3:16, Romans 15:4]

graphe;  a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture.

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

-For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

3. Eternalized by God [v. 11-13, 1:2, 5:20, Psalm 119:89]

-For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

THE RIGHTEOUS KIND

DANIEL 3:1-7

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE RIGHTEOUS KIND OF MEN [v. 8-17]

1. The Righteous Kind of Men are not Anarchists [v. 8-12, Gn. 9:6]

a person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power

-Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.                                                                                                                 

2. The Righteous Kind of Men are not Arrogant [v. 13-16]

3. The Righteous Kind of Men are not Atheists [v. 17]

 

 II. THE RIGHTEOUS KIND OF FAITH [v. 17-18]

1. The Righteous Kind of Faith is Personal [v. 17, Rm. 10:9]

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

2. The Righteous Kind of Faith is Loyal [v. 17-18, Rm. 10:10-13]

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

3. The Righteous Kind of Faith is Biblical

[v.17-18, Rm. 10:17, Heb. 11:6]

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

- 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.

 

 III. THE RIGHTEOUS KIND OF MEN OF FAITH [v. 19-30]

1. The Righteous Kind of Men of Faith Leave the Results with God

[v. 17-18]

2. The Righteous Kind of Men of Faith Look to Jesus [v. 19-25]

3. The Righteous Kind of Men of Faith Live for Jesus [v. 26-30]

 

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.