HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR SPOTS?

Genesis 28:10-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

Years ago, I heard Evangelist Wendell Calder preach a message on “Holy Ground Spots” which really spoke to my heart. The Lord laid this message on my heart recently and though it may have some similarities [I should hope] I did not go back and review Brother Calder’s message before preparing this one. May the dear Lord guide our thoughts to His Word!

Every person should have at least three holy ground spots. You can have more but you should have at least these three. The question is, “Have YOU found them? Have YOU found your spots?”

I. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SALVATION? [Acts 9:1-5]

1. This Cannot [nor need not] be Repeated [Jn. 3:1-8]

2. This Should be Remembered [Isaiah 51:1]

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

3. This Ought Be Referenced [Acts 9:1-5ff, 22:1-10ff, 26:9-15ff, 1 Cor. 15:8]

II. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SURRENDER? [Acts 9:6]

1. When- ideally at the moment of Salvation [Rm. 10:9-13]

2. What- identification with Christ by dying to self [Matthew 10:39]

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

1 Cor. 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

3. Why- it is the way to live life to its fullest! [John 12:24]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

III. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SERVICE [Psalm 100:2]

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

1. Begin with presentment [Romans 12:1]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. Continue with Commitment [Job 5:8]

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

3. Conclude with Contentment [Philippians 4:11]

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

REJOICE NOW, REJOICE LATER

1 PETER 1:1-9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THIS JOY IS FOR THE ELECT [v. 1-2, 6, 8]

1. Pete’s Point [v. 1-2]

2. God’s Part [v. 2]

3. Our Participation [v. 2]

II. THIS JOY IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN [v. 3-5, 23, 6, 8]

1. It takes God’s Mercy [v. 3, Eph. 2:4, Titus 3:5]

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us

Titus 3:5 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;

2. It takes Christ’s Resurrection [v. 3, 1 Cor. 15:1-6]

3. It Involves Our Inheritance [v. 3-5]

III. THIS JOY IS FOR THOSE WITH PRECIOUS FAITH [v. 1-9, 6, 8]

1. Joy in What You Have [v. 1-6a]

2. Joy in Who You Serve [v. 6b-8]

3. Joy in That He is Doing [v. 8-9]

LIFELONG THREE DAY SCHEDULE

HEBREWS 13:8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. YESTERDAY

1. Forget Failures [1 John 1:8-9]

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Forget Successes [Philippians 3:13]

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

3. Forget Worrying [Romans 8:28]

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Yesterday is gone, leave it with God.

II. TODAY

1. Today is the Day for Salvation [2 Corinthians 6:2b]

…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2. Today is the Day for Standing [Ephesians 6:13]

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

3. Today is the Day for Serving [Joshua 24:15]

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.

Today is the day to live for God.

III. TOMORROW

1. I May Face Entirely Unexpected Situations [Proverbs 27:1]

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2. I May Face Eternity [James 4:13-15]

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

3. I May Face Exceeding Joy [Titus 2:13]

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Tomorrow must be entrusted to God. I know not what the future holds, but I do know Who holds the future.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Excuses! Excuses! Lying, insolent, deceiving excuses! That is all that men offer when they will not have Jesus as Saviour and pretend that it is for some good reason. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

"I am as good as most church members," someone tells me. Perhaps you are. . . . But then, on the other hand, I doubt whether you are as good as church members. You critics, you Christ-rejecters, you who stand outside and point the finger of scorn at church people, let me tell you of a difference between you and them. Church people at least are for Christ, or claim to be, and you are against Him. Most of these in the church want Christ, and you do not want Him. They love Him, and you despise Him. They accepted Him while you rejected Him. They have confessed Him openly while you have denied Him. And every church member who is honest and has really come to Jesus Christ is a thousand times better off than the man on the outside who points the finger of scorn and either derides or imitates the church member. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

"I have doubts about the Bible," or, "How do I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" That is the kind of excuse that others offer when urged to turn from their sins and take Christ as Saviour. I do not deny that some have doubts about the Bible. But they never earnestly sought to know the will of God about the Bible. They have never tearfully, prayerfully, and with holy zeal, set out to apply the Bible to their daily lives and to seek with humble heart the will of God. I do not have any doubt that some people really doubt the deity of Christ. Why should they not doubt? They have never, with all their souls, sought to find Him, the Fairest among ten thousand, the Chosen of God and the "express image of his person." They have not accepted Christ, so they do not know Him. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151-152]

Do you know why doubt flourishes in your life? It grows in the seedbed of a sinful heart and a sinful will. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

People do not feel right because they do not do right. People who serve Satan find that he brings doubts with him. Thousands of unbelievers have found that when they submitted their will to God and sought Him with their whole heart, God would reveal Himself. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

Your doubts grow on the stem of your sin! Repent of your sins and seek God, and you will find your doubts will disappear. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

Someone says, "I'll be saved tomorrow. A little later I will turn from my sins. I am not quite ready yet. But when I get established in business, or when I have married and settled down, then I'll be a Christian." Oh, the deceiving of Satan! Do you not hear the sweet word of the Holy Spirit, "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation"? (Heb. 3:7, 8). Tomorrow never comes. The road of By-and-By leads to the town of Never. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 153-154]

ART THOU GREATER? [Part 2]

JOHN 4:6-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GREATER THAN NATURE [John 6]

1. Greater than the Laws of Nature [v. 16-21]

2. Greater than the Fear of Nature [v. 19-20]

3. Greater than the Fury of Nature [v. 18]

II. GREATER THAN MIRACULOUS MANNA [John 6]

III. GREATER THAN SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS [John 8]

1. Greater than the Darkness [8:12, 1:6-14]

2. Greater than the Patriarch [8:51-59]

TRIPLETS OF BLESSEDNESS

ROMANS 5:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF BEING [v. 1]

1. Not Justified by the Law [3:20, 28]

2. Justified by God’s Grace [3:23-24; 8:33]

3. Justified by Faith in Christ [ 3:24, 26; 4:5; 5:1]

II. THE BLESSEDNESS OF HAVING [v. 1]

1. The Blessedness of Having the Maker’s Peace [1:7, 2:10-11, 14:17, 15:13, 15:33, 16:20]

2. The Blessedness of Having the Mind of Peace [5:1, 8:6, Isaiah 26:3]

3. The Blessedness of Having the Message of Peace [3:17, 14:19]

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF ACCESS [v. 2]

1. Access to God Through Christ by Faith [v.2, Jn. 14:6]

2. Access to Grace [v. 2, 1:5, 1:7, 3:24, 4:4, 4:16, 5:15, 5:17, 5:20-21, 6:1, 11:6, 12:3, 12:6, 15:15, 16:20, 16:24]

3. Access to Glory [v. 3-5, 11]

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

In Texas, I one time said to a young man, "Don't you want to be a Christian?"
"I could be a Christian if I wanted to, couldn't I?" he asked.
"Why of course you could," I said.
"Then it seems obvious that I do not want to be a Christian," he said, and turned away.
He was right! One who wants to be a Christian can be. One who wants to have everlasting life can have it. The only ones who do not turn to Jesus Christ and find peace and forgiveness; the only ones who do not accept the gospel invitation and plan to attend the heavenly banquet in the kingdom of God are those who love theirs sins and are not willing to face Jesus Christ honestly on that matter. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 148-149]

Oh, sinner, why will you die with excuses upon your lips and lies in your heart! You turn down Jesus Christ and pretend to be for morality. You reject the Saviour who died for you and pretend to have a tender heart. You pick flaws in others and point out hypocrites and argue about doctrine when in your poor, wicked heart you are not willing to come to Christ and do not want Him to change your heart and make you a Christian. Excuses, excuses--lying, insulting, silly excuses! That is what men offer instead of accepting Christ as Saviour! - - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 149]

"There are so many hypocrites in the church," someone says. Indeed there are! Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, was a hypocrite who never did trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, never was converted, and who betrayed Him. If one out of the twelve, then, was a deceiver and hypocrite, there may be one of twelve in the church today who is a hypocrite. I do not know. Hypocrites? They are all around us. There are hypocrites in the lodge, but you do not leave the lodge. There are hypocrites in the grocery business, but you do not leave the grocery business. Hypocrites work on railroads, and yet, some of you hold your railroad jobs. The Bible makes it clear that there will always be unconverted people in the churches and that Jesus Himself will have to show who is saved and who is not. He alone knows the heart and knows who has honestly repented and trusted Him for salvation. But what has that to do with you, poor sinner rejecting Christ? The question is not the church but Jesus. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 149-150]

The question is not the hypocrites but Jesus Christ. Do you have any fault to find with Him? Was He ever insincere? Did He ever fail to keep His promise? Was there any lack in His holiness and purity? How have you a right to reject the Son of God, to crucify Him afresh, to harden your heart against His entreaty, to stubbornly go on in your sins against Jesus on the foolish alibi that there are hypocrites in the church? It is silly; it is senseless; it is wicked! That is an insolent excuse for those who do not love Jesus Christ and do not want to serve Him. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 150]

"I am as good as most church members," someone tells me. Perhaps you are. In that case, you will go to Hell like every church member who is depending on his morality. You will go to Hell like every church member who depends on his confirmation or his baptism. You will go to Hell like every church member who depends on living according to the square and compass of his lodge, or keeping the golden rule or the Ten Commandments. I tell you frankly that every person who depends on his character and his morality will land in Hell, in the fire that never goes out and among worms that never die according to the clear teaching of the Word of God. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 150]

As good as church members? Poor, lost sinner, that is not good enough! Jesus said, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Not by righteousness of men, not by good works, not by human morality can a poor sinner with a black heart get into Heaven. It is only by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and by the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is accounted to the merit of a poor, undone sinner, that one can enter Heaven. As good as a church member is not enough! You must have a new heart, washed in the blood. You must have the righteousness of Christ counted to your credit. You must be born anew! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 150-151]

“Jesus Himself also said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). When you trusted Jesus Christ, He saved you. I will pray for you that you will believe God and quit depending on your feelings and emotions. It would be wrong for me to be praying for God to give you the kind of feeling you want. That is not the way we are to know we are saved. We know we are saved because God said it and we have faith to believe it. Faith takes God's Word as true and relies upon it.”
― John R. Rice, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions

CONTINUING DAILY

 (Daily Rules from God's Word)

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart

Pastor Rick Jackson

1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day.

Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 61:8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

2. Freshen Up!! The best way to freshen up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

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

Mt. 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you , They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly .

3. Hush Up!! Learn to listen. 2 ears + 1 mouth=listen twice as much as we speak

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

4. Stand Up!! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

5. Look Up!!... To the Lord.

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

6. Reach Up!!... For something higher.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily , and follow me.

7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.

Psalm 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Psalm 88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

8. Study Up!

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.

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

9. Speak Up! ...

Psalm 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

10. Then One Day we will be CAUGHT UP!

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

DON’T FEAR… DO FEAR

MARK 4:35-41

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. DON’T FEAR

1. Circumstances when you are in the Will of God [Mk. 4:35-40]

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

2. Persecution when you do the Will of God [Mt. 10:16-27]

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

3. Those that kill the body when you do the Will of God [Mt. 10:28]

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

4. Not having Men’s Respect when you do the Will of God [Mt. 10:29-33]

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men , him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

5. God not knowing your Human Frailties when He tells you to do His Will [Lk. 5:8-10]

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished , and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

II. DO FEAR

1. DO FEAR Facing God Unsaved [Mt. 10:28]

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

2. DO FEAR Facing God Unconvinced [Mark 4:41]

And they feared exceedingly , and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

3. DO FEAR Facing God Unconfessed [Mark 5:24-34] “knowing the terror of the Lord”

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse , When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

4. DO FEAR Facing God Unclean [2 Corinthians 11:3]

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

5. DO FEAR Facing God Unafraid [1 Peter 2:17] (without awe or without reverential fear)

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

That there are unsaved people in the churches I have not a doubt. The Bible expressly teaches that there would be. The parable of the tares and of the net in Matthew 13, the parable of the wedding in Matthew 22, and the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 clearly are intended to show that many claim to be saved, or expect to reach Heaven, who have false hopes and are lost. But we are expressly taught that we are not to judge which are tares and which are wheat, lest we root up the wheat also, thinking it tares (Matt. 13:29, 30). YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO IS SAVED AND WHO IS LOST. TO DARE SAY YOU DO IS A SIN, violating the plain command of Christ. - John R. Rice [page 104, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions...]

Some people are hypocrites about prayer. They stand on street corners and in synagogues and want people to hear them pray and hear them say, "My, he is lovely in prayer."
A pastor once said to me, "If you want somebody to lead in prayer, call on Sister So-and-so. She is very able in prayer." I never called on her. God deliver me from these people who are "able in prayer." I suppose he meant she was very eloquent, using beautiful language.
Watch your temptation. People are listening and you will talk to the people instead of God if you don't watch it. When you pray, don't be a hypocrite; praying to be heard of men. - John R. Rice [Great Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount, pg. 9]

When Jesus was born, the wise men came seeking "him that is born King of the Jews." When Jesus died, over His head was written, "This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews." The Angel Gabriel told Mary that "He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:33). So Christ can have no kingdom that leaves out the Jews. Born of a Jewish mother, raised in a Jewish home, worshipping in a Jewish synagogue, preaching in the land of the Jews, calling twelve Jewish apostles, dying on a Jewish Passover day, fulfilling the Jewish prophecies, ending the Jewish ceremonial law, Jesus was and is a Jew. His kingdom will be, in some sense, a Jewish kingdom since it is a restoration of the throne of David over Israel, centered at Jerusalem. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 118-119]

On the cross, just before Jesus died, He cried with a loud voice, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). You cannot buy salvation with money. You cannot buy salvation with good deeds. You cannot buy salvation by crying and praying. You cannot buy salvation by joining the church and being baptized. YOU CANNOT BUY SALVATION ANY WAY IN THE WORLD! You can accept salvation free, or you can reject it. There is nothing else you can do. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 130]

Did you notice in the Saviour's parable of the great supper that the master first "sent his servant at suppertime to say to them that were bidden. Come . . ."? Those previously invited are reminded first. It is true that God gave Scriptures to the Jews before the Gentiles. It is true that to the Jews was given the law of Moses, the sacrifice picturing the Saviour's death, the tabernacle which prefigured His glorious sacrifice and ministry. But even in the Old Testament times, the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews. Naaman the Syrian, Ruth the Moabitess, Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian king, the inhabitants of Nineveh, and multitude of other Gentiles found Christ in Old Testament times. The gospel was for all. But now that Jews have heard the gospel and rejected it, the command is to take the gospel to all the world, to press it upon every creature, to say "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 131]

There is an unpardonable sin, but if you will remember one simple thing about it, it will save you any misunderstanding and heartache on this question. There is no unpardonable sin for one who will turn to Jesus and trust Him. There is no unpardonable sin for one who is willing to accept the blessed invitation. The only unpardonable sin there is can only be committed in rejecting Christ, in turning down the gospel invitation. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely"! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 135]

If you go to Hell, you pay your own way; but you go to Heaven on a free pass. -John R. Rice

ART THOU GREATER?

JOHN 4:6-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. BETTER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST

1. Better “Light” [1:4-9]

2. Better “Office” [1:15, 19-36]

3. Better “Connection” [3:22-36]

II. BETTER THAN JACOB

1. Better “Water” [4:6-14]

2. Better “Prophet” [4:15-24]

3. Better “Man” [4:25-42] than even Jacob’s son Joseph

III. BETTER THAN ANGELS

1. Better “Hours” [5:1-6]

2. Better “Service” [5:7-9]

3. Better “Personage” [5:10-18]

THE THREE SOLDIERS

2 SAM. 21:15-22

Pastor Rick Jackson [inspired by a Johnny Pope message]

I. LESSONS FROM DAVID [v. 15]

1. The Battle is Ongoing [Eph. 6:10-18]

2. The Spirit is Willing [Matthew 26:41]

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

3. The Flesh is Weak [Rm. 7:14-25]

II. LESSONS FROM ISHBIBENOB [v. 16]

Understand the picture- David is an older man now. He learned his lesson about NOT going to war. He goes to war and during the battle he turns to see a massive man who could easily have said to him, "My name is Ishbi-benob. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

1. The Enemy is Strong [Matthew 12:28-29]

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

2. The Enemy is Prepared [Ephesians 6:11]

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

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

3. The Enemy is Motivated [1 Peter 5:8]

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

III. THE LESSONS FROM ABISHAI [v. 17-22, 1 Chr. 2:15-16]

David the seventh: Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

1. The Lord Provides Our Help [v. 17]

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

2. The Lord Prioritizes Our Place [v. 17]

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3. The Lord Provides Our Purpose [v. 18-22]

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Some people believe that Satan himself is master and manager of Hell. That is not true. Satan is not even in Hell now. He goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is called "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). But the time is coming when he will be cast into Hell and be punished forever. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 112]

In Revelation 1:7 is another plain statement proving that all those in Hell as well as those on earth will see Jesus when He comes to the earth in clouds of glory to reign: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 117]

Those who do not believe in the second coming of Christ are illogical as well as ignorant. I tell you that Calvary could not be the end for the Son of God! The dealing of a wicked world that hated the Saviour must be punished. Christ must be vindicated! Do you think that God would permit that the last contact Jesus should have with this old world would be when He was hated and despised bi it? Do you think that the world could dispose of Jesus with the crucifixion? Do you think that God would let men get by with that? No, a just and holy God will see that the Lord Jesus comes back to reign where He was crucified. And He will see that the men who hated Him, the men who denied Him and rejected Him and crucified Him, see His glory. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 117]

It would be a good thing if you could just put your foot on the throat of that old sinner man that you used to be and say, "By God's grace he is not going into the new year with me! Oh, he is there, but I am going to beat him down." The Scripture says we should mortify the deeds of the flesh. That is, we should disown them and say, "You are not my boss, and I am not going your way. I am crucified daily and count myself dead." That is what a Christian ought to do. - John R. Rice [Great Controversial Subjects Settled from the Bible, pg. 71]

The best resolution anybody can make for the new year is to take Christ as Savior now. A man may quit tobacco and may so avoid cancer of the lungs; he may decide to spend more time with his children this year, or to make his wife happy, or to give more money to the poor. These are all good, but to tie a few good fruits on to the same old bad tree does not change things essentially. Any effort to do right must start with a new heart. And Jesus is ready to give everyone a new heart just as He changed Zacchaeus from a crooked, money-loving extortioner into a liberal, kindly, and just man (James 4:8; Isa. 1:18; John 6:37). - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 192-193]

Would not this be the best time you will ever have to turn to Jesus and trust Him, dear sinner friend? If you realize that you are a sinner and want to be saved, then I beg you run to Jesus now. He is just as eager to receive you as He was to receive Zacchaeus. And he will give you a new heart and then you can start out on a new life today. Will you do that? - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 193]

Daniel "purposed in his heart" that he would not defile himself. I was just thinking about this tonight - I don't know whether it is original with me; I don't know whether anybody else ever thought of it or not - but my resolutions are the only real, true John Rice there is. You may look at me. You look at the way I live and the way I act and the failures I make, but you don't know my heart at all. Only in my resolutions am I what I long to be. "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Not until I see the Saviour, not until I am all that I want to be, all that I am hungry to be, all that I resolve to be, will I be what I ought to be, when my resolutions catch up with me, or when I catch up with my resolutions. So resolutions are the only true John Rice there is, or the only true anybody else. So make your resolutions. That is the right thing to do. - John R. Rice [Sweet Family Ties in Heaven and Hell, pg. 154]

Not a single Scripture ever gives you the right to judge any one as to heart and motive or whether they are saved. - John R. Rice [page 104, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions...]

“I HAVE SPOKEN”

John 16:31-33

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. I HAVE SPOKEN A WORD OF WARNING “In the world ye shall have tribulation”

1. Against Entanglement [2 Peter 2:20]

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

2. Against Enemies [Matthew 13:28]

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

3. Against Enamorment [1 John 2:15]

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

II. I HAVE SPOKEN A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT “be of good cheer”

1. For the Forgiveness of Sins [Matthew 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.

2. For the Person of the Saviour [Mark 6:50]

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.

3. For the Veracity of God’s Word [Acts 27:25]

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

III. I HAVE SPOKEN A WORD OF REASON “I have overcome the world”

1. This Reason is a Person [John 14:1-6]

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

2. This Reason is a Promise [1 John 5:4-5]

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

3. This Reason is a Product [Romans 8:37]

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

John 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.