Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Pictures of the week! What were they thinking?

Not my job.
I don't know whose kid it is... they all look the same to me.
What can Brown do to you?
Yep, the Hamburglar's going to be really glad to see you!
Don't you "But I'm the King of the Beasts" me!

Monday, July 30, 2007

THE FIRST WEEK

GENESIS 1:1-2:3

Pastor Rick Jackson

We celebrate "firsts" don't we? First place in a race, the first step a baby takes, the first word they say, the first tooth. We remember "firsts" also. The first Americans to fly, the first man on the moon, the first president. Nothing wrong with that. It should not be considered unreasonable then that we remember the first man, the first woman, the first murderer, and the first murder victim. All of which can be found in the first book of the Bible. Where we also find our subject for this message... the first week.

I. THE FIRST DAY OF THE FIRST WEEK- GN. 1:1-5

1. It was a Sunday (even though that name for the first day of the week hadn't been invented yet).

2. According to the Bible it was approximately 6 to 10 thousand years ago.

The Bible date is taken from the genealogies. The age is probably closer to 6000 years old. Some claim the genealogies have gaps in them but even if they did (I say, "Nay, nay") they couldn't be over 4000 years of gaps. Hence the 6-10 figure.

The evolutionists hate that so they ignore the fact that 90 percent of dating methods that have been used to estimate the age of the earth point to an age far less than the billions of years asserted by evolutionists.

AIG lists some on their website (with longer details and documentation than I can give here):



Red blood cells and hemoglobin have been found in some (unfossilized!) dinosaur bone. But these could not last more than a few thousand years—certainly not the 65 million years from when evolutionists think the last dinosaur lived.

The earth’s magnetic field has been decaying so fast that it couldn't be more than about 10,000 years old.

Helium is pouring into the atmosphere from radioactive decay, but not much is escaping. But the total amount in the atmosphere is only 1/2000th of that expected if the atmosphere were really billions of years old.

Salt is pouring into the sea much faster than it is escaping. The sea is not nearly salty enough for this to have been happening for billions of years.

3. The Lord created the heaven, earth and light on day one. God saw the light and noted that it was good (v.4).

II. THE SECOND DAY OF THE WEEK- GN. 1:6-8

1. Monday

2. The waters are divided by the firmament of the atmospheric heaven

3. Some suppose the waters above to be clouds but they would be in the atmospheric heaven, not above it. Many believe the world was enveloped by a vapor canopy which caused a general greenhouse effect and provided additional protection from the sun's rays, thus causing longer life for men and animals (reptiles generally grow all their life, this could also explain the massive size of some dinosaurs).

III. THE THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK- GN. 1:9-13

1. Seas and dry land gathered together [v. 9-10] 1 supercontinent is likely

2. Plant life appears and is regulated "after his kind" (no oranges on apple trees) [v. 11-12a]

3. Angels had to have been created before this day according to Job 38:4-7 apparently after light was created (Ps. 104:1-5) as noted by the late Dr. Henry Morris.


4. On Tuesday God saw noted the work He had done "was good" [v. 12b-13]

IV. THE FOURTH DAY OF THE WEEK- GN. 1:14-19

1. One purpose of the heavenly lights [v. 14-15]

2. Another purpose of the lights [v. 16-18a]

3. On Wednesday, God noted "that it was good" [v. 18b-19]

V. THE FIFTH DAY OF THE WEEK- GN. 1:20-23

1. God creates sea life and flying creatures [v. 20]

2. Detail on these creatures (same pattern for man's creation, overview 1:26-31, then detail 2:7-25) [v. 21-22]

Note "after their kind... after his kind". In High School biology we learned of the "fixity of the species". Though man's concept of "species" may not be the exact same as God's "kinds" both truths doom evolution's basic need, for one kind to turn into another. Mutations (now called micro-evolution by some though it isn't really evolution per se) within a kind are not true evolution (macro evolution). Creationists believe God allowed for wide variety and adaptations within a kind but no kind has turned into another and the honest evolutionists admit that fact.

3. Thursday was the fifth day [v. 23]

VI. THE SIXTH DAY OF THE WEEK- GN. 1:24-31

1. God creates all land animals (including dinosaurs) and insects [v. 24-25a]

2. God notes that "it was good" [v. 25b]

3. God takes special care in the creation of "mankind" [v. 26-28]

-v. 26 hints at the Trinity (revealed more fully in the New Testament but referred to often in the Old Testament- Ps. 2, etc.)

-v. 26-27 man has and must answer to authority, reason, (a trinity himself -soul, spirit, body- as some suggest?)

-v.27-28 God designed the differrence between male and female, the physical relationship between the two is not wrong within the confines of marriage, established by God Himself)

4. Man and animals originally vegetarian (what variety was lost in the fall and the flood?)

5. God notes on Friday that everything He had made was good hence Satan's fall had not occurred at this point [v. 31]

VII. THE SEVENTH DAY- GENESIS 2:1-3

1. Six 24 hour days of creation [v. 1]

2. God rested though He was not tired [v. 2]

3. God established the 7th day on Saturday (2500 years later He would establish the Sabbath on this basis, here He establishes a 7 day week, explained no where else in the universe that we know of).

The first week, 6000 years ago. Those were the days!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

CHARACTERISTICS OF A BACKSLIDER

LUKE 22:31-34


Pastor Rick Jackson


The Devil has a will for your life! The Devil's will for you is that you never be saved!


2 Corinthians 4:4 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.


But he has a will for saved people too! See what Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:31! Peter was God's man in Satan's sifter! Peter is now with Jesus and safe from that sifter... but you're not! The Devil wants to ruin your testimony, wants you to be defeated, discouraged and despondent! Peter knew what that was like and he warned us about it in 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


So what ate some characteristics of a backslider that we might avoid them like the plague?


I. PRIDE [Lk. 22:33]


1 Peter 5:5 "... for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."


Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.


Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.


II. PRAYERLESSNESS [Lk. 22:40, 45]


Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;


Psalm 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.


James 4:2 ... ye have not, because ye ask not.


III. ACTING WITHOUT THINKING [Lk. 22:50-51, Jn. 18:10]


Mt. 26:52-54 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?


Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.


IV. FOLLOWING AFAR OFF [Lk. 22:54]


1 Samuel 14:36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.


Saul didn't follow that advice and the consequences weren't good.


James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.


V. KEEPING WRONG COMPANY [Lk. 22:55]


II Cor. 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty


Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.


VI. DENY THE LORD (BY LIFE OR LIPS) [Lk. 22:57-60]


Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.


2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.


2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:


Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.





If you are backsliding in any area come back to the Saviour. Confess that sin as sin and start anew living for the loving Saviour! If you are not a Christian you aren't a backslider, you're lost! Come to the Saviour now!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Q: Did Adam have a belly button?

A: A belly button is actually a scar. It’s where you were attached to your mother’s womb through the umbilical cord. After you’re born, the cord is cut, and you’re left with this very obvious scar.

In other words, a belly button is proof you were born of a woman!

Now think about this: Adam and Eve weren’t born this way. They were direct acts of creation by God. Adam was made directly from dust; Eve was created directly from Adam’s side. Thus, there’s no reason to believe Adam or Eve would have had such a scar.

Even our belly button should remind us that we’re children of Adam, the first man who rebelled against his Creator—thus we’re all sinners in need of salvation .

For more information on the importance of understanding how the Genesis account of the first Adam relates to our salvation and the Last Adam, see Death: A Curse and a Blessing at the AIG website (from which came this information) using the link in the upper left.

Friday, July 27, 2007

POEMS OF THE WEEK!

On Behalf of Ink and Lead

by Rick Jackson

How often have you stopped to think,

Of all the lead and all the ink,

That gave their lives that you might read,

Whenever you felt you had the need?

That's silly, you say, no lives were given.

No ink and lead were really livin'.

How you think that, I Can't abide...

It was murder then, not suicide!

HE IS COMING BACK!

by Henry Hodges, Lawtey, FL

The judgment seat, keep it in sight.

Be a good soldier in the fight.

Hold His banner ever so high,

For we shall see Him by and by.

Much to be done, much to be said.

In His Word, we are fed.

The judgemnt seat, keep it in sight.

Go neither to the left, go neither to the right.

He's in a far country, But is coming back,

His soon return, a Biblical fact!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Why are you kept waiting?

In this case I have been cleaning my garage all day (and into the night). Tomorrow's blog will be the poems of the week. But since I have kept you waiting here is a poem I once wrote on that subject:

Waiting

Ah, when I think of this modern age,

How far we have come from the printed page.

Things that previously were found in books,

Now call us, audibly, to give them a look.

We have faxes, and modems, and gadgets galore,

Sold by the piece, the lot, or the store.

Palm sized gadgets and laptops too,

Make desktops something that many aschew.

We download books and read them all right,

Or choose to listen and thus save our sight.

Like Buck Rodgers, Sulu, or good Captain Kirk,

we can communicate by giving our wrists a slight jerk.

Flip open our phone and even have mail,

Makes the old postman seem like a snail.

With all this we''ve mentioned it must seem like baiting,

Where did I come up with the odd title...Waiting?

Copyright ©2006 Frederick A. Jackson

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

PLACED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE BODY (HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK III)

I CORINTHIANS 12:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE BODY

1. Multiple members with multiple functions [v. 14-17]

2. One Designer with One to delight [v. 18]

3. One body with mutual need [v. 19-20]

II. THE BOND

1. Necessity exists [v. 21-22]

2. Honour examined [v. 23-24]

3. Shared expression [v. 25-26]

III. THE BOSS

1. His Spirit does the work [v. 1-13, Eph. 4:1-6]

2. His Body is the Warehouse [v. 27a, Eph. 4:7]

3. His members are the workers [v. 27b, Eph. 4:11-16]


Though this information comes from many years of study and many sources I must give thanks to Sumner Wemp for the idea and the general series. Check out his fantastic website using the link in the upper left of my blog.

PRAY FOR SUMNER WEMP

I got this email today! -Rick

Sumner in hospital pray for Him

Jul 25, 2007

Sumner wanted me to write this up and send it out since he is in the hospital tonight. He had to go to emergency room today for a catscan - had a problem this morning and blacked out for a minute or so. Before he went in we said the Lord must have somebody waiting to be saved up there today.

He gave out tracts to everybody he met and one unsaved nurse from India told him he would be spending the night for observation, he said he didn't want to spend the night and she said "You have to to give more of these (tracts) out. Everybody needs one". He felt that was amazing that she had enough wisdom to see that when lots of Christians don't.

Finally a young man named Ryan who had recently married came to take him to an observation room for the night. When he asked him if he knew for sure he was going to heaven, he said well, I believe I am when he followed that up with why? he told him he like to help people. Of course Sumner proceeded to give him the gospel how that we were all in the same boat and had all done wrong and that God loved us so much he sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins and he was buried and rose again and was seen by hundreds. He listened intently and responded yes, when Sumner asked if he would like to receive Christ as His Savior and prayed out loud with him. Then he went over about reading the Bible and where to start etc.

He probably gave out 30 tracts this afternoon. As he would say - they're everywhere!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

QUOTES OF THE WEEK!

The whole concept of forgiveness IS that you don't deserve it!

His hands were pierced in order that His arms might embrace. -Fred Afman

The Blood must be applied!

When saints die they go to people Heaven. It was the Saviour's wish that His own should be with Him in glory (John 17:24). Thus their death is precious seeing they help the Lord realize His holy wish and will. As each saint leaves earth there is another addition to the Father's joy, the Saviour's delight, and the angels' wonder and delight above. -Herbert Lockyer

The Blood can wash away any sin!
I read a little of the Scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me,and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. -George Mueller

Any sin will take you to Hell.

All sin is against God.

All sin is not the same (though all sin is bad).

No sin is too great for Him to forgive.

No sin is too small to not need forgiveness.

Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion. - Thomas Brooks

To be rightly related to Christ makes you a Christian, To be rightly related to the Holy Spirit makes you a spiritual Christian. -Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer

Let go and let God!

Preacher, you are not the CEO of a Fortune 500 Company: you are the overseer of a family business! -Sumner Wemp

Monday, July 23, 2007

FIRST THINGS FIRST

GENESIS 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

People say that you can interpret the Bible to say anything you want. In a sense, that's true. It's true in the same way that you can interpret the newspaper to say anything you want, a book, a conversation, a song. You can interpret white to mean black, bad to be good, young to be old... in short, you can interpret whatever you like to mean whatever you want until the (in our case) English language means nothing. Of course, we don't do that because the results would be chaos and confusion. We generally use simples rules of interpretation in our every day lives without thinking about them. We should approach the Bible with the right rules of interpretation in mind.

I. THE FIRST RULE OF INTERPRETATION

"When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. Therefore take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate text, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, clearly indicate otherwise."

Put simply:

1. When the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense.

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.

2. The Bible should be taken literally but not "letterally".

We use figures of speech in our everyday language and no one thinks a thing about it. "You are pulling my leg." Is a figure of speech. So it is in Luke 13:32 when Jesus said unto them, "Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." Jesus was casting out demons but no-one thinks Herod was a four-legged animal.

When we approach the Bible this should be our approach. When we approach Genesis this should be our approach. When we approach the Creation account in Genesis 1 & 2 this should be our approach. When we approach the first few verses of Genesis 1 this should be our approach.

3. Scripture should interpret Scripture

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

II. THE FIRST DAY [GN. 1:1-5]

1. THE DAY IS SETTLED [Gn. 1:1-5, 31; 2:1-3; Ex. 20:9-11, Heb. 4:4]

2. THE DATE IS SETTLED [Gn. 1:1, Mt. 19:4-6]

"Controversy has raged over whether these are literal twenty-four-hour days or geological ages. This controversy completely misses the point of the Genesis account. It should be clear to anyone reading the passage that Genesis does not focus upon the question of time." -RCS

To which I would reply, "What? What Bible are you reading?" Gn. 1:1, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31, 2:1-3

"In the beginning" of what? The beginning of the time-space-matter continuum (i.e., creation) which Jesus plainly states Adam and Eve were "in the beginning" that is, present the last 2 days of the first week [Mt. 19:4-6].

3. THE DIFFERENCE IS SETTLED

Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

The so-called gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 was only invented after Christians tried to reconcile the Bible to the untested theories of some scientists instead of taking the Word of God, Who was there, Who never lies and Who has revealed what He Himself did, how He did it, when He did it (to within a few thousand years-not billions) and how long He took to do it and even why He took that long!

1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

The Gap Theory is unbiblical, unscientific and completely unsatisfying. It has caused multitudes to wrest the Scriptures, many to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

III. THE FIRST LIGHT

1. A DIVINE LIGHT [v. 3, Jn. 1:1-9, Rev. 21:23-24]

2. DIVIDING LIGHT [v. 4]

3. A DEFINING LIGHT [v. 5]

Sunday, July 22, 2007

MAKE THE RIGHT APPROACH

GENESIS 1



Pastor Rick Jackson



It was in the wee hours of the morning when he approached 1703 E. 12th Street in Chattanooga, Tn. with robbery on his mind. He and his partners had already hit several houses in the neighborhood and had quite a haul piled up on the street waiting to be loaded into their car. This house had a five foot fence around it but no big deal, they were young, stealthy, and cocky with the thrill of the successes of the night. May as well hit these last two houses on this side of the street.



Inside the house I awoke when I heard the unmistakable sound of someone slowly scaling a chain link fence. Shadow, our 80 lb. Weimaraner, had heard it too and waited as I slowly unlocked the back door and let him slide into the yard. He must have been quite a sight in the full moon as he ran down the driveway because the burglar's approach to the fence had changed drastically. Very noisy and very, very quick.



Our approach to things can change depending on our circumstances. When I read the Gainesville Sun I approach it with some skepticism. When I read an article in the Biblical Evangelist by Robert L. Sumner there is a lot more trust in what I am reading. I remain fully aware that he is human but I also know where he stands in matters of faith. When I read the Bible I know that the author is none other than God Himself and I need not judge the Book, the Book judges me!



What then should be our approach to Genesis? To hear some tell it you should approach Genesis as you would a book of myths and legends. Others say, "Nay, nay. Come seeking to understand what God is saying through parable-like stories that are intended to display deeper applications than appear on the surface." The simple truth is you should approach Genesis as you do the rest of the Bible... as the verbally inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God!



Approach the Bible, including Genesis, with reverence for its Author, respect for it's message, and realization for its intent.



I. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REVERENCE FOR ITS AUTHOR--- GOD!



"A light view of God produces a light view of sin." If you reverence His Person you will reverence:



1. HIS KNOWLEDGE



Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.



Brother Jim Johns said on June 20, 1993, "Does He know? Sure He does! Ignorant and God don't go together!"



2. HIS CHARACTER



Numbers 23:19 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?



Someone said, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" My friend, God said it and that settles it whether I believe it or not! When it comes to Genesis, God revealed it as fact and Moses recorded it as history.



Psalm 119:160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.



3. HIS ABILITY



Is. 46:9-11 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.



2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:



He said it, He did it!



But not only should we approach Genesis and the rest of the Bible with reverence for its Author, but also we should:



II. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH RESPECT FOR ITS MESSAGE



If the Bible is:



1. HEAVENLY REVEALED (which it is as indicated by the doctrines of inspiration and revelation! II Peter 1:21)



then, it is, without question,



2. HISTORICALLY CORRECT



Mt. 19:3-6 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.



3. SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE



"But the Bible's not a science textbook!" Good, then it doesn't have to be revised every few years. The Gainesville Sun isn't a science textbook either but it's generally accurate when it gives the times for sunrise and sunset. The Bible is even more scientifically accurate than any document ever written or printed.



We believe that all true discoveries, whether "in heavens above, in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth," will harmonize with that which is written in the Word of God; and if they do not thus harmonize, they are perfectly contemptible in the judgment of every true lover of Scripture. This gives great rest to the heart in a day like the present, so productive of learned speculations and high-sounding theories, which alas! in too many instances, savor of rationalism and positive infidelity. It is most needful to have the heart thoroughly established as to the fullness, the authority, the completeness, the majesty, the plenary inspiration of the Sacred Volume. This will be found to be the only effectual safeguard against the rationalism of Germany and the superstition of Rome. ...May the Lord, in His great grace, abundantly increase in our midst... accurate acquaintance with, and profound subjection to, the Word..."

- CHM



III. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REALIZATION FOR IT'S INTENT



Someone foolishly says "The book of Genesis... is not very much concerned with how things happened. But it is very concerned with who made them happen."



Balderdash and poppycock! That's just nonsensical gibber-jabber! The Bible clearly tells us Who created, how He created and how long He took to do it!



"But isn't Genesis 1 and 2 Hebrew poetry?", someone says.



Dr. Fred Afman told us preacher boys at Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, "Anyone who says Genesis 1 and 2 are Hebrew poetry doesn't know Hebrew and doesn't know poetry!"



God created for His glory!



Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.



God created for His pleasure!



Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.



All the Scriptures treat the Genesis creation account as pure history. When you read it the clear intent is to give a pure history. When you realize the intent of the Bible, recognizing its truth and reverencing its Author it does several things:



1. IT ALLOWS THE WORLD TO MAKE SENSE (Ps. 73:1-3, 17, 24-28)



2. IT ALLOWS THE WORD TO MAKE SALVATION KNOWN



Among many other things if you consider what He did in 6 days and what He has been doing for 2000 years (Jn. 14:1-6)



3. IT ALLOWS THE WILL TO BE SURRENDERED



Like Peter at the Sea, Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Q: Can speciation occur quickly?

A: If the account of Noah’s Ark in the Bible is true, then two of every kind of land animal (and seven of some) came off Noah’s Ark in the Middle East. For instance, two members of the dog kind walked off the Ark. Then, as the number of dogs increased, eventually the population split up and different groups formed.

As the gene pool was split up, different combinations of genes—inherited from the original dogs—would end up in different groups. Thus, different species would form, such as dingoes, wolves, and so on.

Evolutionists have often insisted that such a process happens slowly, and therefore, the Bible can’t be right when it says that the land animals came off the Ark only about 4,300 years ago.

But in the journal Science, a report stated:

“These examples say that natural selection can cause a population to change very quickly and hint that speciation could [occur] very quickly …”

Once again, true operational science confirms the biblical history. The account of Noah’s Ark in the Bible fits with real observations, including natural selection and speciation.



This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

Friday, July 20, 2007

On this day

On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon! WOW, this staggers me. You and I may be the first humans since Enoch (and Elijah), to walk in heaven without dying. Jesus may come any minute and we will be caught up alive to meet Him in the air and go to heaven without dying! I'm ready. Are you?

Pray for (all) kings...that they might be saved 1 Tim. 2:2-4. God told us to! Do you? "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin" James 4:17.

Sumner Wemp (see link at left)

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Men Are Just Happier People ...

This was sent to me in an email accompanied by this tag, "No wonder men are happier. Send this to the women who can handle it and to the men who will enjoy reading it." I have edited it for content. -Rick

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never get pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. For that matter, you can wear NO shirt to a water park (although that is rude).

Car mechanics tell you the truth. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress: $5000.00. Tux rental: $100.00. The occasional well-rendered belch is not only appreciated by your friends, but practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color (That's just not true...we just don't paint it). The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look (again...rude). You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK II)

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. UNDERSTANDING WHEN

1. UNDERSTAND THIS WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

2. UNDERSTAND THIS BEGAN ON RESURRECTION SUNDAY (NOT PENTECOST)

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

JOHN 20:1-9, 19-22

3. UNDERSTAND THIS HAPPENS NOW AT SALVATION [EPH. 1:12-14]

II. ACCEPT WHO

1. ACCEPT THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN IS INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Rm. 8:9-11 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 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

2. ACCEPT THAT EVEN CARNAL CHRISTIANS ARE INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT [I Co. 2:12-3:4]

3. ACCEPT THAT EVERY CHRISTIAN IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD [I Cor. 6:19]

III. BE AWARE WHY

1. BE AWARE THAT CHRISTIANS ARE INDWELT TO GLORIFY GOD [I Cor. 6:19-20]

2. BE AWARE THAT CHRISTIANS ARE INDWELT TO GRANT PROTECTION [I Jn. 4:1-4]

3. BE AWARE THAT CHRISTIANS ARE INDWELT TO GUARANTEE SECURITY [Eph. 1:13-19, 4:30]


Though this information comes from many years of study and many sources I must give thanks to Sumner Wemp for the idea and the general series. Check out his fantastic website using the link in the upper left of my blog.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

QUOTES OF THE WEEK!

Faith is fully assured, that when God puts away sin, it must be put away entirely--that, when Jesus exclaimed "IT IS FINISHED," the work was done, God was glorified, the sinner saved, the whole power of Satan completely destroyed, and peace established on the most solid basis. Hence, we find, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant." He was the God of judgment at the cross; He is the God of peace at the opening grave. Every enemy has been vanquished, and eternal peace proclaimed, though the blood of His cross; He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father." He rose "in power of an endless life," and associates every believer with himself, in the power of that life in resurrection. Having been cleansed by His blood, they are accepted in His Person. -CHM

The burden of its message to the lost sinner is, "Come, for all things are now ready"; the question of sin is not raised-- "Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ having perfectly satisfied God about sin, the only question now, between God and your heart, is this: Are you perfectly satisfied with Christ as the alone portion of your soul? This is the one grand question of the gospel. Christ has settled every other to the glory of God, and now the Father is going to "make a marriage for His Son," to honor, exalt and glorify Him. Is your heart in full harmony with God's on this point? Work is not required at your hands-- strength is not needed-- fruit is not demanded-- God has provided everything, and prepared everything. It is all grace-- the pure grace of God-- "only believe." "Come, for all things are now ready," --the marriage supper, the wedding garment, royal honors, the Father's presence, fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore-- all are ready, --ready now-- "ready to be revealed." Dear reader, are you ready? -C. H. MACKINTOSH

Sunday, July 15, 2007

BEFORE CREATION

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. BEFORE CREATION- THE ETERNAL TRIUNE GOD [PS. 90:1-2]

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1. GOD THE FATHER

Genesis 21:33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Deuteronomy 33:27a The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...

Psalm 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Habakkuk 1:12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

2. GOD THE SON

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (compare with Jn. 1. Col. 1)

Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

3. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Hebrews 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. BEFORE CREATION- THE SETTLED WORD OF GOD

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (The Bible is certainly one of His works!)

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

I Pt. 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Ps. 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

I Cor. 2:9-16

III. BEFORE CREATION- THE PERFECT PLAN OF SALVATION

Rm. 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 4:24-28 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Eph. 1:3-13

THREE KINDS OF CRITICISM

MATTHEW 7:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

I would love to take credit for this message but I came across it in my files rather anonymously. It had none of my usual references as to who preached it (besides myself twice in the past) and yet I have the feeling it is not totally original with me. But then what really is original? Moody once said, "If a borrowed thought is better than an original one---use it!" I have heard so many preachers in the past that I know much of this information is from at least two to three different sources and so I put it out here with all the honesty of a borrower of knowledge with the hopes it may bless someone else as much as it has me.

There are three different kinds of criticism in this passage and at least one of them is totally justifiable and useful.

I. DELIBERATE CRITICISM [V. 1-2]

1. IT IS FORBIDDEN [V. 1]

This is a matter of trying to find something wrong in an area of the unseen. It is negative in every way and it is forbidden by the Lord Jesus. Judging motives violates this direct command of the Lord Jesus. We must be careful not to be guilty of this sin.

2. IT IS FAULTY

It purports to be able to judge motives which only God can do.

1 Samuel 16:7b ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

This is like when some prideful pompous self-righteous Pharisee says, "Oh, you said a bad word, you must not be saved." Or some such nonsense. They would have had a field day when Peter cursed and swore and denied he know the Lord.

Lk. 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not...

3. IT IS FOOLISH [V. 2]

It will turn the eye of God upon you and your sin. This sin often goes unconfessed because the pride of the individual doesn't see it as sin, though it is a stench in the nostrils of a thrice Holy God.

Dr. Lee Roberson used to say, "Critics are a dime a dozen. Any fool can criticize!" (and often does)

II. DELUDED CRITICISM [V. 3-5]

1. REMOVES NOTHING [V. 3]

While he might want to help his brother remove a speck he's more liable to hurt his brother with the beam sticking out of his own eye. The only thing he seems to be able to remove is his own personal responsibility for the way he's living. That beams obscures his vision anyway.Note Jesus says "Why?" Why do you not look in the mirror of God's Word and look at yourself.

Ps. 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

2. RELIES ON NEGATIVITY [V. 4]

With his vision obscured the person given to deluded criticism overlooks the obvious and relies on negativity. They want to tell you what you have wrong in your life but don't see the glaring problems in their own life which ends up ruining their testimony in many cases.

3. REVEALS NATURE [V. 5]

Some people are "speck hunters" instead of humble servants of Christ. At my first church we had several boys that were attending church faithfully for the first time in their lives. For some reason their mother, who claimed to be a Christian, started criticizing our church, and trying to get the boys to go to another church. The youngest boy was adamant that he wanted to come to our church, where he had been saved, where he had been baptized, where he was being taught the Word of God. She coyly turned him against us by emphasizing the church building wasn't a pretty red color like this other church. Eventually they all quit church.

"They sing too Loud" or "They don't sing loud enough"

"His sermons are too long" or "His sermons are too short"

"He preaches too many expository messages" or "He preaches too many topical messages"

"The people are too friendly" or "The people aren't friendly enough"

What is all this doing? It is revealing their nature. If you send a buzzard out flying over a beautiful landscape of blue lakes, flowering trees, green meadows, winding paths, etc. what will he tell you he saw? A dead deer with maggots! Why? Because his answer reveals his nature... he's a buzzard!

Don't look for specks. it reveals you have bigger problems yourself!

But there is a third kind of criticism in this passage and it isn't spoken against by the Lord. It is:

III. DISCRIMINATING CRITICISM [V. 6]

Today if you try to stand against sin and say something is wrong someone is almost sure to quote verse 1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged". We've already seen that verse 1 doesn't mean that. In verse 6 you have to make 4 different judgements in order to follow the Lord's command. You have to judge (1) what is holy, (2) who is a dog, (3) what is a pearl, and (4) who is a swine! In others words, you must make some discriminating judgements!

Let's discuss this and then I'll make three points and we'll close.

II Cor. 6: 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

We have a clear command not to yoke up with an unbeliever so we have to make some judgement about what constitutes an unbeliever. What are the fundamentals of the faith, the cardinal doctrines of Christianity, the essential truths that you cannot deny and still have true Bible Christianity? The doctrines that if a person denies he is considered an unbeliever?

Think of it this way. Our church van has many things that aren't essential to it though they may be nice to have. The spare tire is not a fundamental. The radio,tape deck is not an essential. The air conditioning and heating system is not a fundamental and the same thing could be said about a few other things as well. Nice but not fundamentals. But the motor, the motor is a fundamental. The battery and the gas tank are fundamentals. It will not run without them. they are necessary.

In Christianity there are certain doctrines which are fundamental. They are necessary. If a person denies them they are not a Christian no matter what they say, they are an unbeliever.

(1) the virgin birth of Christ is a fundamental. If He was born like us He has a sin nature and cannot be the Saviour. (Is. 7:14, Ps. 51:5)

(2) the substitionary death of Christ is a fundamental (II Cor. 5:21)

(3) the bodily resurrection of Christ is a fundamental (Rm. 10:9. I Cor. 15)

(4) the verbal inspiration of the Bible is a fundamental (II Tm. 3:16-17)

These are some of the fundamentals. You cannot deny these and still be considered a Bible Christian.Let me give you three principles.

1. BE CAUTIOUS

I Jn. 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

II Tm. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The unbeliever may call himself a modernist or a liberal but remember, he is not ignorant of the truth, he denies the truth! He knows what it says but it rejects it as valid.

2. BE CHARITABLE (OR COMPASSIONATE)

I Cor. 13:4-6 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Jude 20-22 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Now I am an independent, fundamental, premillennial Baptist but I know others will be Heaven. I expect to see the Presbyterian Evangelist Billy Sunday, the Methodists John & Charles Wesley, and others there!

Dr. Roberson used to say, "I love Presbyterians. I'd like to baptize every one of them!"

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity."

You may disagree on some things but our first loyalty must be to Jesus not a church or a denomination.

3. BE CHRISTLIKE

2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Jn. 14:15, 21-24

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Q: Should Christians divide over different interpretations of Genesis?

A: Many Christians think that what we believe about Genesis isn’t that important, as long as a person believes in the virgin birth and resurrection of Christ—they see Genesis only as a “side issue.” But we need to look at a number of issues here, including “the big picture.”

First of all, the major principle involved is biblical authority. Does it matter how you read the Word of God? If the Bible clearly states something, like creation in six days, but we say we don’t have to believe that, then we’ve unlocked a door that undermines biblical authority. And if we do this, what’s to stop others from pushing that door open through the rest of Scripture, as many have done, and to deny the bodily resurrection of Christ?

Second, the foundation of the gospel and why Jesus came and died for our sins is dependent on Genesis being literal history. Is this a side issue that we can sweep under the carpet while agreeing to disagree? We suggest that a non-literal understanding of the historical account given in Genesis leads to a slippery slope of compromise in other areas of Christian doctrine.
We certainly must stay true to God’s Word, and accept it all as written.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WITH THE SAVIOUR

1. HIS BIRTH

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.

Mt. 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

2. HIS BAPTISM & MINISTRY

Lk. 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
4:1, 14-21 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ...And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

3. HIS DEATH

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?

4. HIS RESURRECTION

Rm. 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.

II. WITH THE WORLD

1. HE GAVE THE WORD

II Pt. 1:21 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.

2. HE CONVICTS THE WORLD

Jn. 16:7-11 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

3. HE HINDERS THE WICKED ONE [II Th. 2:1-8]

III. WITH THE MATTER OF SALVATION

1. THE INVITATION CALL

Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Gn. 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man...

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

2. THE NEW BIRTH [JN. 3:1-8]

Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

AWESOME OR AWFUL?

Almost every week I post a blog of a question and answer about creation/evolution from Answers In Genesis(AIG). Someone accused AIG of plagiarizing me! Now that is either awesome... or awful... or both!

Awesome because I consider their questions and answers to be highly informative, quite logical, and Biblically compelling. For someone to think I originated them is quite the compliment.

Awful because I never intended to take credit for that which I did not do. I think maybe I got a little careless about not always making it crystal clear where I got the information. I just assumed most of my readers were familiar with the past references to AIG and knew where I got the information. My apologies to the great staff at AIG. They were very understanding about the whole thing and want me to continue blogging their stuff. And I plan to do just that... with an additional byline to make sure they aren't accused of plagiarizing me and to make clear that I am not trying to plagiarize them either!

I have been a supporter of Ken Ham since his ICR days and am pleased to be associated with a joint ministry (The Biblical Evangelist -check their link). I highly recommend both organizations. May the Dear Lord continue to bless these fine ministries!

One Life To Live

On this date in 1968 television premiere of "One Life to Live." What a sermon. How eternally true. We must "so number our days." and "prepare to meet thy God"

"... joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance" Lk 15:7. Therefore "Preach the gospel to every person" Mk 16:15. "How Christ died for our sins, (paid the debt in full) was buried and rose again and was seen by hundreds" 1 Cor 15:1-4. But though we are an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed" Gal 1:8. Make sense? Have you believed and received Jesus? Do it now. -Sumner Wemp (for more great stuff, use link at left)

Pictures of the week!






Monday, July 09, 2007

THE WHOLE ISSUE

by Sumner Wemp

The Vicarious Death of Christ.

"The wages of sin is death" Rom 6:23. The whole issue of the Bible is did, the Lord Jesus, the sinless Son of God, suffer and die for our sins and pay the debt of sin in full or didn't He. God said He did. That should settle it.

This says it all

"For Christ also has once (once and for all, never to be repeated- so indicates the Greek) 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" 1 Pet. 3:18. We are all in the same boat, we have all done wrong, we have all sinned, haven't we? "There is none righteous, (perfect) no not one" (not you nor me nor anyone else) Rom 3:10. If truthful we must all acknowledge that fact, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Rom 3:23.

Christ died for our sins

That alone is the gospel, the good news. He did not just die on the cross. Those two thieves died on a cross. He did not just die for us. Those soldiers die for us on the battle fields but they did not and could not die for our sins. He paid the debt in full! We must understand and believe that to be saved. The good seed that was sown in Matt 13 fell on "good ground", "understood" and brought forth fruit. To produce the eternal "new Birth" every individual must "understand" what Christ really did on the cross and believe it will save him too. The vicarious death is essential to be saved.

"God laid on Him the iniquity of us all" Isa. 53:6 and He cried out "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me" Matt. 27:46. The answer is simple, He took our place, died for our sins, was separated from God, was buried but rose again, was seen by hundreds and now in heaven waiting for anyone to believe and receive Him personally. Have you?

Do it now if not, You are loved by God and me, All because of Calvary. sumner

Pray for Steve and his wife Alyssa. She is expecting and having a lot of morning sickness! Go to our prayer board and pray for others, add your request, let us pray for you. www.sumnerwemp.com and enter the drawing as well.

On this date in 1893 the first successful open heart surgery was performed. "Daily" God is performing an open heart surgery spiritually on any one who will receive the Lord Jesus and make them a new creature. Have you had this operation too?

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them. -- W. Clement Stone

Sunday, July 08, 2007

THE ABC's OF GENESIS

GENESIS 1

Pastor Rick Jackson


I. "A" IS FOR AUTHORSHIP


1. THE DOCUMENTARY HYPOTHESIS


A few years back some decided that the common thought concerning the authorship of Genesis was erroneous. These anti-God, anti-miraculous latter-day Saducees came up with what is called the documentary hypothesis, of JEDP. The thought is that all the writings that use the name "Jehovah" for God were written by one man (or school), those using "Elohim" wrote some, the priestly writings were from another group, and the Deuteronomic writings were by another and that they were all edited together much later (500 BC) to produce Genesis. Their primary reason that Moses didn't write Genesis was that there was no writing in the time of Moses!


Archaeology has proven that there was advanced writing long before Moses but rather than give up their ridiculous hypothesis they merely fell back on what had been their weaker arguments (difference in style, etc.). All can be answered by the fact that the topic was different rather than the writer. Much like the writer of TV shows will change much of his terminology when writing for a medical show as opposed to a police show.


2. MOSES


Many times in the Bible, the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible are referred to as the books of Moses or some other such derivation. The general implication being that Moses wrote all 5. The case should be settled once and for all by the Lord Jesus Himself in Lk. 24:25-32.


3. GOD [II Tm. 3:16, II Peter 1:21]


II. "B" IS FOR BREAKDOWN

1. "Genesis" means "beginning" or "origin".


The book of Genesis is the book of beginnings. The beginning of the universe, the earth, life as we know it, man, marriage, sin, death, salvation, clothing, family, language, civilization, the nations, the Jews, government... and on and on it goes. Genesis is foundational. People who have problems with accepting Genesis as part of the Word of God will eventually have problems with other parts of the Bible. The Bible stands or falls on Genesis.

2. The divisions of Genesis


Genesis is divided into two main sections. Genesis 1-11 describes God's universal dealings with mankind and cover approximatly 2000 years separate by four great events. The 4 events are Creation, the fall, the flood and Babel. Genesis 12-50, and indeed the rest of the Old Testament describes God's dealing with the man Abraham, his descendants, and the rest of the world using those descendants.

The second section of Genesis, chapters 12-50, cover roughly 300 years and deal with 4 main individuals. Abram (Abraham), Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and Joseph. Valuable lessons can be found in the studies of each man's life. I can hardly wait to get started.

3. What's not in Genesis?

What isn't in Genesis is what God was doing in eternity past before Creation. Martin Luther answered that very nicely by saying that He was in the forest cutting switches for people who ask such questions. The whole Bible doesn't even contain all that Jesus has done so why would you expect 1 book out of 66 to do so?

Jn. 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

III. "C" IS FOR CHRISTOLOGY

In Genesis, the Creator becomes the promised redeemer and is shown to be the Messiah of the Jews and the Saviour of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ. History truly is His Story and this is made clear from a proper understanding of the Bible from Gn. 1:1 through Rev. 22:21. The greatest commentary on Scripture is not J. Veron McGee or John R. Rice. The greatest commentary on Scripture is Scripture!

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1. Christ as Creator [Gn. 1:1, Jn. 1:1-3, Col. 1:16-17]

2. Christ as Redeemer [Gn. 3:14-15, Is. 7:14, Mt. 1:18-21]

3. Christ typified [Adam=I Co. 15:22, 45-50, the offerings, Isaac, Joseph]

LITTLE PEOPLE & BIG PEOPLE

LK. 19:1-10


Pastor Rick Jackson


(Inspired by the life and the message of Dr. Lee Roberson as lived for Christ)


"The world is full of little people. Most of us fall into this category at times. In spite of all the royal possibilities before us, we deal in little matters." -Lee Roberson


I am not referring to smallness of stature but rather to smallness of heart, littleness of spirit, soul and mind. David was small of stature compared to Goliath but David was the "bigger" man. We can think of men like King Saul, Lot, Joseph's brothers and others who seemed to be engulfed by smallness. Some like David, Moses, and Peter were giants with snatches of smallness exposed to us in their lives as recorded in Holy Writ.


What separates little people from big people? Look first at:


I. CHARACTERISTICS OF LITTLE PEOPLE -MT. 23 (the Pharisees were little people)


1. Little people are Hypocrites (Mt. 23:13-15)


2. Little people are Self-serving (Mt. 23:16-28)


3. Little people are Critical (Mt. 23:29-35)


A man was criticizing Jerry Falwell to a friend. The friend said, "I like what he's doing more than I like what you're doing!" The man got mad but later realized his friend was right and repented of his critical spirit.


Little people may be religious, they may even be saved, but they have limited vision in spiritual realities!


II. CHARACTERISTICS OF BIG PEOPLE -II TM.


1. Big people aren't ashamed of Jesus & His servants [II Tm. 1:7-12]


2. Big people have convictions (II Tm. 1:13-14, 2:15, 3:16-17)


3. Big people have compassion (II Tm. 1:15-18)


4. Big people are Christ-centered (II Tm. 2:1-3, 8-15)


"To the degree that He fills your life, to that degree you become a big person in the sight of God." -Lee Roberson


III. CHANGING FROM LITTLE TO BIG -LK. 19


1. Receive Jesus [v. 1-6]


2. Radiate Joy in your testimony [v. 6-8]


3. Respond judiciously with what you have been given [v. 9-27]

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Q: Did Adam have to learn a language?

A: We’re born with the ability to speak, and then our parents teach us a language so we can communicate with each other.

But when Adam and Eve were created, they were mature human beings. Their brains were also mature. God must have programmed them with a language so they could speak to each other, speak to God, and understand everything perfectly.

As you know, the Bible makes it clear there was no death or bloodshed of man or animals before sin. But some Christians claim that there must have been death before Adam—in order to account for the supposed millions of years of fossils. They then say that Adam would have had to actually observe death to understand what God meant when He said that Adam would die if he ate the fruit he was commanded not to.

But Adam didn’t have to observe death to know what the word meant. He was already programmed with a language so that he could speak to God. Adam knew the meaning of every word perfectly from the beginning—including the word death.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

Oh, by the way, here's a few of the thousands of modern scientists who have accepted the biblical account of creation

Dr. Paul Ackerman, Psychologist
Dr. E. Theo Agard, Medical Physics
Dr. James Allan, Geneticist
Dr. Steve Austin, Geologist
Dr. S.E. Aw, Biochemist
Dr. Thomas Barnes, Physicist
Dr. Geoff Barnard, Immunologist
Dr. Don Batten, Plant physiologist, tropical fruit expert
Dr. John Baumgardner, Electrical Engineering, Space Physicist, Geophysicist, expert in supercomputer modeling of plate tectonics
Dr. Jerry Bergman, Psychologist
Dr. Kimberly Berrine, Microbiology & Immunology
Prof. Vladimir Betina, Microbiology, Biochemistry & Biology
Dr. Raymond G. Bohlin, Biologist
Dr. Andrew Bosanquet, Biology, Microbiology
Edward A. Boudreaux, Theoretical Chemistry
Dr. David R. Boylan, Chemical Engineer
Prof. Linn E. Carothers, Associate Professor of Statistics
Dr. David Catchpoole, Plant Physiologist (read his testimony)
Prof. Sung-Do Cha, Physics
Dr. Eugene F. Chaffin, Professor of Physics
Dr. Choong-Kuk Chang, Genetic Engineering
Prof. Jeun-Sik Chang, Aeronautical Engineering
Dr. Donald Chittick, Physical Chemist (interview)
Prof. Chung-Il Cho, Biology Education
Dr. John M. Cimbala, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Harold Coffin, Palaeontologist
Dr. Bob Compton, DVM
Dr. Ken Cumming, Biologist
Dr. Jack W. Cuozzo, Dentist
Dr. William M. Curtis III, Th.D., Th.M., M.S., Aeronautics & Nuclear Physics
Dr. Malcolm Cutchins, Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Lionel Dahmer, Analytical Chemist
Dr. Raymond V. Damadian, M.D., Pioneer of magnetic resonance imaging
Dr. Chris Darnbrough, Biochemist
Dr. Nancy M. Darrall, Botany
Dr. Bryan Dawson, Mathematics
Dr. Douglas Dean, Biological Chemistry
Prof. Stephen W. Deckard, Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. David A. DeWitt, Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience
Dr. Don DeYoung, Astronomy, atmospheric physics, M.Div
Dr. David Down, Field Archaeologist
Dr. Geoff Downes, Creationist Plant Physiologist
Dr. Ted Driggers, Operations research
Robert H. Eckel, Medical Research
Dr. André Eggen, Geneticist
Dr. Dudley Eirich, Molecular Biologist
Prof. Dennis L. Englin, Professor of Geophysics
Prof. Danny Faulkner, Astronomy
Prof. Carl B. Fliermans, Professor of Biology
Prof. Dwain L. Ford, Organic Chemistry
Prof. Robert H. Franks, Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Alan Galbraith, Watershed Science
Dr. Paul Giem, Medical Research
Dr. Maciej Giertych, Geneticist
Dr. Duane Gish, Biochemist
Dr. Werner Gitt, Information Scientist
Dr. Warwick Glover, General Surgeon
Dr. D.B. Gower, Biochemistry
Dr. Robin Greer, Chemist, History
Dr. Dianne Grocott, Psychiatrist
Dr. Stephen Grocott, Industrial Chemist
Dr. Donald Hamann, Food Scientist
Dr. Barry Harker, Philosopher
Dr. Charles W. Harrison, Applied Physicist, Electromagnetics
Dr. John Hartnett, Physicist and Cosmologist
Dr. Mark Harwood, Satellite Communications
Dr. George Hawke, Environmental Scientist
Dr. Margaret Helder, Science Editor, Botanist
Dr. Harold R. Henry, Engineer
Dr. Jonathan Henry, Astronomy
Dr. Joseph Henson, Entomologist
Dr. Robert A. Herrmann, Professor of Mathematics, US Naval Academy
Dr. Andrew Hodge, Head of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Service
Dr. Kelly Hollowell, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacologist
Dr. Ed Holroyd, III, Atmospheric Science
Dr. Bob Hosken, Biochemistry
Dr. George F. Howe, Botany
Dr. Neil Huber, Physical Anthropologist
Dr. Russell Humphreys, Physicist
Dr. James A. Huggins, Professor and Chair, Department of Biology
Evan Jamieson, Hydrometallurgy
George T. Javor, Biochemistry
Dr. Pierre Jerlström, Creationist Molecular Biologist
Dr. Arthur Jones, Biology
Dr. Jonathan W. Jones, Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Raymond Jones, Agricultural Scientist
Prof. Leonid Korochkin, Molecular Biology
Dr. Valery Karpounin, Mathematical Sciences, Logics, Formal Logics
Dr. Dean Kenyon, Biologist
Prof. Gi-Tai Kim, Biology
Prof. Harriet Kim, Biochemistry
Prof. Jong-Bai Kim, Biochemistry
Prof. Jung-Han Kim, Biochemistry
Prof. Jung-Wook Kim, Environmental Science
Prof. Kyoung-Rai Kim, Analytical Chemistry
Prof. Kyoung-Tai Kim, Genetic Engineering
Prof. Young-Gil Kim, Materials Science
Prof. Young In Kim, Engineering
Dr. John W. Klotz, Biologist
Dr. Vladimir F. Kondalenko, Cytology/Cell Pathology
Dr. Leonid Korochkin, M.D., Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology
Dr. John K.G. Kramer, Biochemistry
Prof. Jin-Hyouk Kwon, Physics
Prof. Myung-Sang Kwon, Immunology
Dr. John Leslie, Biochemist
Prof. Lane P. Lester, Biologist, Genetics
Dr. Jason Lisle, Astrophysicist
Dr. Alan Love, Chemist
Dr. Ian Macreadie, molecular biologist and microbiologist:
Dr. John Marcus, Molecular Biologist
Dr. George Marshall, Eye Disease Researcher
Dr. Ralph Matthews, Radiation Chemist
Dr. John McEwan, Chemist
Prof. Andy McIntosh, Combustion theory, aerodynamics
Dr. David Menton, Anatomist
Dr. Angela Meyer, Creationist Plant Physiologist
Dr. John Meyer, Physiologist
Dr. Albert Mills, Animal Embryologist/Reproductive Physiologist
Colin W. Mitchell, Geography
Dr. Tommy Mitchell, Physician
Dr. John N. Moore, Science Educator
Dr. John W. Moreland, Mechanical engineer and Dentist
Dr. Henry M. Morris (1918–2006), founder of the Institute for Creation Research.
Dr. Arlton C. Murray, Paleontologist
Dr. John D. Morris, Geologist
Dr. Len Morris, Physiologist
Dr. Graeme Mortimer, Geologist
Dr. Terry Mortenson, History of Geology
Stanley A. Mumma, Architectural Engineering
Prof. Hee-Choon No, Nuclear Engineering
Dr. Eric Norman, Biomedical researcher
Dr. David Oderberg, Philosopher
Prof. John Oller, Linguistics
Prof. Chris D. Osborne, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. John Osgood, Medical Practitioner
Dr. Charles Pallaghy, Botanist
Dr. Gary E. Parker, Biologist, Cognate in Geology (Paleontology)
Dr. David Pennington, Plastic Surgeon
Prof. Richard Porter
Dr. Georgia Purdom, Molecular Genetics
Dr. John Rankin, Cosmologist
Dr. A.S. Reece, M.D.
Prof. J. Rendle-Short, Pediatrics
Dr. Jung-Goo Roe, Biology
Dr. David Rosevear, Chemist
Dr. Ariel A. Roth, Biology
Dr. Jonathan D. Sarfati, Physical chemist / spectroscopist
Dr. Joachim Scheven Palaeontologist:
Dr. Ian Scott, Educator
Dr. Saami Shaibani, Forensic physicist
Dr. Young-Gi Shim, Chemistry
Prof. Hyun-Kil Shin, Food Science
Dr. Mikhail Shulgin, Physics
Dr. Emil Silvestru, Geologist/karstologist
Dr. Roger Simpson, Engineer
Dr. Harold Slusher, Geophysicist
Dr. E. Norbert Smith, Zoologist
Arthur E. Wilder-Smith (1915–1995) Three science doctorates; a creation science pioneer
Dr. Andrew Snelling, Geologist
Prof. Man-Suk Song, Computer Science
Dr. Timothy G. Standish, Biology
Prof. James Stark, Assistant Professor of Science Education
Prof. Brian Stone, Engineer
Dr. Esther Su, Biochemistry
Dr. Charles Taylor, Linguistics
Dr. Stephen Taylor, Electrical Engineering
Dr. Ker C. Thomson, Geophysics
Dr. Michael Todhunter, Forest Genetics
Dr. Lyudmila Tonkonog, Chemistry/Biochemistry
Dr. Royal Truman, Organic Chemist:
Dr. Larry Vardiman, Atmospheric Science
Prof. Walter Veith, Zoologist
Dr. Joachim Vetter, Biologist
Sir Cecil P. G. Wakeley (1892–1979) Surgeon
Dr. Tas Walker, Mechanical Engineer and Geologist
Dr. Jeremy Walter, Mechanical Engineer
Dr. Keith Wanser, Physicist
Dr. Noel Weeks, Ancient Historian (also has B.Sc. in Zoology)
Dr. A.J. Monty White, Chemistry/Gas Kinetics
Dr. John Whitmore, Geologist/Paleontologist
Dr. Carl Wieland, Medical doctor
Dr. Lara Wieland, Medical doctor
Dr. Clifford Wilson, Psycholinguist and archaeologist
Dr. Kurt Wise, Palaeontologist
Dr. Bryant Wood, Creationist Archaeologist
Prof. Verna Wright, Rheumatologist (deceased 1997)
Prof. Seoung-Hoon Yang, Physics
Dr. Thomas (Tong Y.) Yi, Ph.D., Creationist Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Ick-Dong Yoo, Genetics
Dr. Sung-Hee Yoon, Biology
Dr. Patrick Young, Chemist and Materials Scientist
Prof. Keun Bae Yu, Geography
Dr. Henry Zuill, Biology
 
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