LIFE & DEATH

 

LIFE AND DEATH

JOHN 5:16-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THIS IS TOTALLY PERSONAL [3:36, 1 Jn. 5:11-12]

Life is wrapped up in a Person- the Lord Jesus Christ

- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

- And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

that is, it’s wrapped up in a Person- the Lord Jesus Christ

1. The Inerrant Claim [v. 16-18]

2. The Inarguable Comparisons [v. 19-22]

3. The Inescapable Conclusions [v. 23]

II. DEATH HAS BEEN MISDEFINED

1. Death is NOT Annihilation [v. 24, Rm. 5:8]

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

2. Death is NOT in Degrees [Eph. 2:1]

either dead or alive – “he’s dead, but he’s deader, and he’s the deadest”

Spiritually as well-And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

 

3. Death is NOT the End [Heb. 9:27]

“Death & judgment” NOT “Death and taxes” are the two sure things

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

 

III. UNDERSTAND DEATH TO UNDERSTAND LIFE

1. Death is Separation [2 Cor. 5:8, Is. 59:2, 2 Th. 1:9]

Physical death=material/immaterial

spiritual death=immaterial/God

2^nd death=immaterial forever/God

-We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

- But your iniquities have separated between you and your God

-Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power

 

2. Physical Life, Opposite of Physical Death, is Union [Gn. 2:7] And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

3. Spiritual Life, Opposite of Spiritual Death, is Union [Rm. 8:38-39]

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

THE MAN WITH EVERYTHING

JOHN 1:29

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE HAD EVERYTHING HE NEEDED

1. A GREAT SAVIOUR [1:35-41]

2. A GREAT PRIORITY [1:41]

3. A GREAT BROTHER [1:41-42]

 

II. HE HAD EVERYTHING HE COULD WANT

1. A LAMB-FOCUSED MENTOR [1:6-8, 15-37]

2. A LIKE-MINDED FRIEND [1:43-46]

3. A LIFE-LONG MISSION [1:41, 6:8-9, 12:20-23]

- One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

- And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

 

III. HE HAD EVERYTHING HE NEVER DREAMED

1. A NEW PEACE [Rev. 1:9-10]

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

2. A NEW PATH [Mt. 4:18-19a]

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me…

3. A NEW PURPOSE [Mt. 4:19-20]

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

BE OF GOOD CHEER BROTHER!

Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

   Ever feel grumpy? Not too long ago I was feeling less than my best when a cashier asked me, “How are you doing?” By reflex I replied with what I have replied with since Thanksgiving 2000, “Better than I deserve,” and instantly my attitude changed.

 

   Several days later, I was experiencing the doldrums again when the Lord directed me to our text in my daily reading. Brother, that’s a wake-up call. So here we are, and I want to share this truth with you if you are a child of God, “BE OF GOOD CHEER BROTHER!” “BE OF GOOD CHEER SISTER!”

 

 

Now you may be thinking: Why? How? What? Who? When? Oh man, I’m glad you asked. Be of Good Cheer because:

 

I. YOU ARE SAVED [Mt. 9:2]

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

 

II. CHRIST IS WITH YOU IN YOUR TROUBLES

[Mk. 6:50, Acts 23:11]

-For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

- And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

III. CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD [Jn. 16:33]

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

IV. CHRIST IS IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION

[Mt. 9:22, Mk. 10:49, Acts 27:22

 -But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

-And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

-And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

V. GOD’S WORD IS TRUE [Acts 27:23-25]

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Conclusion,  earlier today I was finishing a book I have been reading, Compassion Unlimited, by the late Lee Roberson and he made this statement that kind of sums up what we have been saying:

 

“Take an inventory. See what you have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Child of God, you can be optimistic of Christ the Saviour. You have the Word of God---the Bible. You have prayer. You have the fact of His coming again. You have the assurance of His presence with you in every hour. Come and rejoice, and be optimistic because of that which God has done for you”. 

THE PLACE OF GOD’S BLESSING

PSALM 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PLACES TO AVOID [v. 1]

1. Avoid Walking in the Advice of the Ungodly [Jude 14-16]

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

2. Avoid the Lifestyle of the Lost Sinner [Rm. 1:32]

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

3. Avoid the Dwelling of the Derisive (mocker) [Pr. 14:9]

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

 

II. PLACES TO INHABIT [v. 2]

1. The Place of Delight [Psalms 40:8]

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

2. The Place of Deliberation [Ps. 143:5, Pr. 15:28]

-I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

-The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

3. The Place of Permanence [Psalm 63:6]

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

 

III. PLACES OF PARTICIPATION [v. 3-6]

1. Planted in Prosperity [v. 3, Joshua 1:8]

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2. Hearing from Heaven [v. 4-5, Mt. 7:24-27]

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

3. Valley of Decision [v. 6, Joel 3:14, Joshua 24:15]

-Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

-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.

PILATE'S PERSONAL PROBLEMS

John 18:28-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PILATE DID NOT KNOW TRUTH [Jn. 18:28-38]

Pilate’s first meeting with Jesus

1. He Did Not Know Truth is a Reality [John 1:14, 17, 4:23-24, 5:33, 8:32]

- 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.

- For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

- But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

- Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

- And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

2. He Did Not Know Truth is a Book [Jn. 17:17]

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

3. He Did Not Know Truth is a Person [John 14:6]

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me

 

II. PILATE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS [Mt. 27:15-22]

1. It Is A Personal Question [v. 22, 1 John 5:12]

-Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

-He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

2. It Is A “Do” Question [v. 22, Acts 16:30-32]

- 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. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

3. It Is A “Jesus” Question [Mt. 27:22, 11-14, 17-18, 23]

 

III. PILATE DID NOT KNOW HOW INCONSISTENT HE WAS

1. He Touted His Authority To One with All Authority [John 19:10-11]

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

2. He Contented People He Had Authority Over [Mk. 15:15]

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

3. He Didn’t Show Backbone Until It Was To Late [John 19:19-22]

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

 

LEARNING WHAT GOD DOES

GENESIS 37  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Why doesn’t God do something? Why didn’t God stop that wicked man? Why? What? Where? How? When?

 

I. WHY DOESN’T GOD DO SOMETHING TO HELP JOSEPH?

1. He Has [Gn. 37:3-4, 8, 11-22]

2. He Will [Gn. 37:23-28, 42:18-22, 44:18, 33-34]

3. He Did [Gn. 45:1-8]

 

II. WHAT DID JACOB LEARN ABOUT JOSEPH AND GOD?

1. He Is Alive [Gn. 45:26]

2. He Is Lord [Gn. 45:9, 26]

3. He Is Loaded [45:10-11, 27-28]

 

III. WHAT SHOULD WE TAKE FROM THIS?

1. Whatever “this” is - “This” Is For the Glory of God [Jn. 11:40]

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

2. Whatever “this” is - “This” Is For Our Good [Gn. 50:20, Rm. 8:28-39]

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

3. Whatever “this” is - Grant God the Right to Be God [Rm. 9:20, 11:30-36]

THE FRIEND OF GOD

 

THE FRIEND OF GOD

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The idea that one can be a friend of God is one that fascinates me. There may be some people we would consider it to be a privilege and an honor to be their friend. But then, to think of being “the friend of God.” Mind blown. There are a few people the Bible calls God’s friend. A few more that are implied to be God’s friend like in Exodus 33:11 where the Bible says, “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” But with Abraham there is no implication. The Bible is clear, we have, first of all,

 

I. THE CREDENTIALS OF GOD’S FRIEND [Genesis 12:3]

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

1. The Land [2 Chr. 20:7]

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

 

2. The People [Isa. 41:8]

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

 

3. The Book [James 2:23, Rm. 3:1-4]

-And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

-What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid : yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S FRIEND [Gen. 18]

1. Abraham Received Him [Gn. 18:1-8, Heb. 11:17-19]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

2. Abraham Rejoiced over Him [Jn. 8:37-40, 56-59]

3. Abraham Repeatedly Chose Him [Gen. 18:17-19]

 

III. THE COLLECTION OF GOD’S FRIENDS

 

1. Believe Him for Imputed Salvation [James 2:23]

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith , Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

 

2. Obey Him for Intensified Service [John 15:13-15]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 

3. Choose Him for Identifying Sanctification

[Jm. 4:3-4, Jn. 19:12]

-And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.