MY EMPTY PAST, MY ABUNDANT PRESENT, MY GLORIOUS FUTURE

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MY EMPTY PAST – WITHOUT CHRIST [EPHESIANS 2:11-12a]

 

1. Without Hope [v. 12]

-That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope

without Christ, without the community of faith, without covenants, without God’s Word, without hope

 

2. Without God [v. 12]

-without God in the world:

without Christ is to be without God in this world

 

3. Without Strength [Rm. 5:6]

- For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly

 

II. MY ABUNDANT PRESENT – IN CHRIST

 

1. I Have His Peace [Eph. 2:13-14a, Jn. 14:27, Rm. 5:1, Philippians 4:7]

- But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace

- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

- THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

- And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

2. I Have His Perfection [2 Cor. 5:17-21]

-Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

I have a new godly nature, I am reconciled to God by Christ, I am appointed as His representative, I have His righteousness

 

3. I Have His Promised Holy Spirit and His Promises [2 Cor. 1:18-22, 2 Pet. 1:4ff.]

-But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

-Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

III. MY GLORIOUS FUTURE – WITH CHRIST [Romans 8:18]

-For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 

1. I Will Be in His Place [John 14:1-3]

- 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.

 

2. I Will Be in His Presence [1 Th. 4:16-17]

- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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.

 

3. I Will Be in His Likeness [Ps. 17:15, 1 Jn. 3:2]

- As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

- Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 This salvation that is already finished is of God's grace, not of man's works. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

A finished salvation is free, not earned. A finished salvation is instantaneous the moment you trust Christ and receive it. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

A finished salvation is an everlasting salvation. It is like a piece of furniture for which cash has been paid and there is nothing due upon it. No furniture van will ever back up to the door to re-possess that furniture because some installment had not been met! There are no more installments to be met on a salvation which is finished! When Jesus died the entire transaction was settled, the salvation was finished. Now all a sinner has to do is with a penitent heart receive it by faith. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159-160]

The rich man in Hell looked with the deepest concern upon the affairs of the earth and said, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." He knew that his brethren had not repented. Abraham in Heaven knew more about it than the rich man did and said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." How strange that both Heaven and Hell look on with such intense concern for the conversion of the wicked here on earth while we who have an opportunity to warn them do so little about it!

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

Here is God's simple way to be saved. You are a sinner, your heart is wrong, you cannot save yourself, you are already condemned. The thing you are to do then, to be saved, is to simply trust the Lord Jesus with that matter. When you trust Him, then you have God's promise: "Thou shalt be saved." - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 191]

I do not mean that you are simply to believe that there is a God or that there is a Saviour. Devils believe that and tremble (James 2:19). You can believe that a certain physician is a good doctor without calling him to be your doctor when you are sick. You can believe that a man is a good lawyer without taking him as your lawyer to defend your case. You are not just to believe the truth about Jesus, you are to believe on Him, that is, depend upon Him, risk Him, trust Him; and when you do, you are saved. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 191]

We had as well admit, then, that no man deserves saving and no man can save himself. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 192]

THE ROAD TO FAILURE

MK. 14:29-31                                                    

 

Pastor Rick Jackson [inspired by Howard Hendricks]

 

I. BOASTING TOO MUCH [v. 27-31, Jer. 17:9]

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

The problem was not insincerity- it was ignorance!

“When I try- I fail. When I trust- He succeeds!”

 

II. PRAYING TOO LITTLE [v. 32-42, Jn. 15:5]

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.

The act of prayer is a recognition of our personal bankruptcy and of God’s total adequacy.

My need is not partial- it is total.

 

III. ACTING TOO SOON [v. 43-50]

This always happens in the energy of the flesh [Moses].

-he was sleepy

-he was angry

-he was unprepared [1 Samuel 17:39]

And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

 

IV. THINKING TOO LATE [v. 66-72]

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly °, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

1 CHRONICLES 12:33

 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DOUBLE HEARTED [1 CHRONICLES 12:33]

 

1. A Double-hearted Person is Untried [1 Chronicles 12:33]

 

2. A Double-hearted Person is Unfaithful [Ps. 44:18, 1 Cor. 4:2, Acts 2:46]

- Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

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

- 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,

 

3. A Double-hearted Person is Undisciplined [Ps. 78:9, 1 Corinthians 9:27]

- The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

II. DOUBLE TONGUED [James 3]

 

1.  A Double-tongued Person Exhibits a Lack of Control [v. 1-8]

 

2. A Double-tongued Person Exhibits a Lack of Consistency [v. 9-10]

 

3.  A Double-tongued Person Exhibits a Lack of Character [v. 11-14]

 

III. DOUBLE MINDED [James 1:5-8]

 

1. A Double-minded Person is Unstable Because they are Worldly [4:1-4]

 

2. A Double-minded Person is Unstable Because they are Carnal [4:5-6]

 

3. A Double-minded Person is Unstable Because they are Devilish [4:7-10]

THE BLOOD, THE BOOK & THE BLESSED HOPE

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BLOOD TAKES MY SINS AWAY

 

1. The Blood Washed Away Our Sin [Rev. 1:5]

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

2. The Blood Bought Us Close [Eph. 2:13]

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 

3. The Blood Enables Us to Actually Serve God [Heb. 9:11-14]

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 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. THE BOOK TAKES MY CARES AWAY

 

1. The Book Emphasizes Prayer [Heb. 4:14-16, Phil. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 5:7]

- Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

- Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

- Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.]

 

2. The Book Emphasizes His Presence [Heb. 13:5-6]

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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

3. The Book Emphasizes His Plan [Titus 2:14]

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

III. THE BLESSED HOPE TAKES ME AWAY

 

1. The Blessed Hope is a Lordly Hope [Jeremiah 17:7]

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

 

2. The Blessed Hope is a Living Hope [Titus 2:11-15]

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

3. The Blessed Hope is a Lively Hope [1 Peter 1:9]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Reader, do you know the difference between salvation by work and salvation by grace? Then remember that "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). Remember that Ephesians 2:8, 9, tells us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Praise God for salvation already finished, a salvation purchased by the blood of Christ and not by works of man. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 158-159]

But another question will answer this one: How can the Lord Jesus in Heaven be happy? Surely He knows all things here. He looked into Hell and heard the cries of the rich man tormented in flame. And He, with God the Father, knows the fall of every sparrow and numbers every hair on every head. He looks at the heart of every unrepentant sinner and grieves at the mistakes and failures of every Christian. Can Jesus be happy in Heaven? The Scripture answers: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied" (Isa. 53:11). We know that Jesus on earth looked forward to the joy in Heaven, for we are told: "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). Yes, Jesus, knowing all the wickedness of this world, is happy in Heaven. So are the saints in Heaven.

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

The rich man in Hell looked with the deepest concern upon the affairs of the earth and said, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." He knew that his brethren had not repented. Abraham in Heaven knew more about it than the rich man did and said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." How strange that both Heaven and Hell look on with such intense concern for the conversion of the wicked here on earth while we who have an opportunity to warn them do so little about it!

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

Reader, do you know the difference between salvation by work and salvation by grace? Then remember that "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). Remember that Ephesians 2:8, 9, tells us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Praise God for salvation already finished, a salvation purchased by the blood of Christ and not by works of man. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 158-159]

When Jesus died, "By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Christ paid for all my sins of the past (it was before I was born, before I ever sinned). But that offering also paid for all the sins of the future. Christ will never die again. He will never need to die again for MY sins. And I will never need to die for them either, because when He died once, that settled the matter for ever. Here is a perfect salvation, already provided, already paid for, offered free to all who will have it. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

What must I do to be saved then? The jailor asked it in Acts 16:30. Paul and Silas answered in Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Trust the matter with Jesus! And when you turn your soul over to Jesus for salvation, "It is finished!" There is nothing more to pay, nothing more to do. Let Jesus give you this free salvation which He finished when He died on Calvary. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

God is not trying to sell salvation. He is offering it free. God is not trying to get you to save yourself. He is offering to save you Himself, to give you the perfect salvation based on the finished work of Christ. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS OF A FIGHTING HEART

1 Samuel 17:17-32

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

David had a fighting heart. Moses had a fighting heart… Joshua… Gideon… Elijah… Daniel… John the Baptist… JESUS!

A fighting heart keeps one going: -when all else fails, -despite adverse circumstances, -when all seems lost

Having a fighting heart is more than being:  -submissive to God, -having compassion, -being fundamental in belief

There are certain ingredients to have a fighting heart:

 

I. A FIGHTING HEART MUST BE RIGHT WITH GOD [Jer. 24:7, Rm. 10:8-11, 1 Jn. 1:9]

- And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

- But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

II. A FIGHTING HEART MUST HAVE FAITH [Heb. 11:1-3, 6]

-NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.            But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

All the way through. Faith must be a part of our lives. Faith must be fresh and vibrant. Faith helps in time of weakness. Faith encourages us in times of danger. Faith builds us up in time of sorrow.

 

III. A FIGHTING HEART MUST HAVE COURAGE [Josh. 1:7, Heb. 13:5-6]

Jesus often said “Fear not!” Fear not is found over 360 times in the Bible.

- Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

- 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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

IV. A FIGHTING HEART MUST HAVE DETERMINATION [Phil. 3:13,14, 1 Cor. 9:26-27]

- 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.

-I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

V. A FIGHTING HEART MUST HAVE DEVOTION [Jn. 21:15-17, Mt. 22:35-40]

- So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

- Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD

Psalm 24, 1 Peter 5:4 - And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S [v. 1-2]

 

1. By Edict [v. 1a]

 

2. In Total [v. 1, Ps. 89:11]

The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

 

3. By Creation [v. 2, Col. 1:16-17]

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

II. HEAVEN IS THE LORD OUR SAVIOUR’S [v. 3-6]

 

1. His Possession [v. 3]

 

2. His People [v. 4]

 

3. His Purchase [v. 5-6, Acts 20:28]

 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

III. THE FUTURE IS THE LORD OUR KING’S [v. 7-10]

 

1. He is Coming to a Specific Place {v.7, 9, Zech. 14:4]

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

2. He is Coming for a Specific Purpose [v. 8, Zech. 14:1-3, Rev. 19:11-13]

BEHOLD, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

3. He is Coming with a Specific People [v. 10, Rev. 19:14, Mt. 25:31]

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Joshua 1:1-9

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. LET GOD’S WILL BE FOREVER MY LIFE’S GOAL [v. 1-4]

 

1. May I Have a Submissive Heart [Eph. 6:6]

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

 

2. May I Have a Sanctified Heart [1 Th. 4:1-8]

FURTHERMORE then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

 

3. May I Have a Grateful Heart [1 Th. 5:18]

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

II. LET GOD’S WISDOM BE FURNISHED IN MY LIFE [v. 5-6]

 

1. The Wisdom of a Christ-focused Life [Philippians 1:21, Gal. 2:20]

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

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.

 

2. The Wisdom of a Spirit-filled Life [Gal. 5:16, Eph. 5:18]

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

3. The Wisdom of a Prayerful Life [James 1:5, 3:17-18]

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

 III. LET GOD’S WORD BE FLESHED OUT IN MY LIFE [v. 9]

 

1. Faith Enough to Accept Whatever God Designs [Genesis 50:20]

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

 

“God knows His plan, so He sometimes interrupts ours.”

 

2. Faith Enough to Accept We Don’t Live Outside of God’s Care [Rom. 8:28, 10:17]

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.

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

 

3. Faith Enough to Accept God’s Way is the Best Way [Rm. 6:13]

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 The Bible says nothing about how much sorrow one must have before he can accept Christ so I have no doctrine about that. The Bible says that "godly sorrow worketh repentance" (II Cor. 7:10), so any time one honestly turns in his heart to Christ, he has had enough sorrow for sin to be saved. Of course no one turns from his sins and turns to Christ unless he is sorry for his sin and wants to be saved. But the Bible makes no issue about that and, of course, no one else ought to. There ought to be plain preaching against sin. People ought to be taught to turn from sin in genuine repentance. ― John R. Rice, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions

The resurrected Jesus was not just a spirit. Jesus had a spiritual body in the sense that it was not carnal, with the taint of sin. But it was a literal, physical body. In [Luke 24] verse 39, Jesus said, "A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." The resurrected Jesus showed them that His was a body with flesh and bones. Jesus encouraged them to handle Him and see for themselves, and when they could scarcely believe Him for joy, He further proved the literalness of His physical, resurrection body by calling for food. Before them He ate a piece of broiled fish and part of an honeycomb. - John R. Rice

You wonder whether you may have committed the unpardonable sin. No, you have not. First, the unpardonable sin is the sin of a lost person, one who has never accepted Christ, one who has never been saved. One whose sins are forgiven cannot commit the unforgiveable sin. Second, the fact that you are burdened and concerned and want God's blessing is proof that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. One who had committed the unpardonable sin would have no conviction, no burden, and would not want God and salvation. The unpardonable sin is a sin of rejecting Christ, after great enlightenment. Anyone who is trouble about it and trying to be right with God has not committed the unpardonable sin. ― John R. Rice, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions

This salvation that is already finished is of God's grace, not of man's works. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

God is not trying to sell salvation. He is offering it free. God is not trying to get you to save yourself. He is offering to save you Himself, to give you the perfect salvation based on the finished work of Christ. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

What must I do to be saved then? The jailor asked it in Acts 16:30. Paul and Silas answered in Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Trust the matter with Jesus! And when you turn your soul over to Jesus for salvation, "It is finished!" There is nothing more to pay, nothing more to do. Let Jesus give you this free salvation which He finished when He died on Calvary. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

When Jesus died, "By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Christ paid for all my sins of the past (it was before I was born, before I ever sinned). But that offering also paid for all the sins of the future. Christ will never die again. He will never need to die again for MY sins. And I will never need to die for them either, because when He died once, that settled the matter for ever. Here is a perfect salvation, already provided, already paid for, offered free to all who will have it. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 159]

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GOING TOO FAR

Psalm 78:1-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

Years ago, at our house found a snake skin so we knew we had one around. A little later we saw him right past our deck. A 5-foot yellow rat snake. I put him in some bushes away from the house and Clydie was fine with that. Then later Clydie was sitting on the deck repotting some plants and she looked up and the snake was on the deck drinking water out of the dog’s bowl- not 5’ from where Clydie was sitting! Minutes later the snake lived out at Crosby Lake Cemetery near the pond. Why? It went too far.

Nations go too far. The unsaved go too far. Saved people go too far. God is longsuffering but there comes a point where God just will not put up with it anymore.

 

 I. WHEN A NATION GOES TOO FAR

 

1. It Becomes a Reproach [Proverbs 14:34] Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

 

2. It Becomes Cursed [Joshua 6:16-18]

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

 

3. It Becomes an Example [Deuteronomy 28:37]

 

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

1 Kings 9:7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

 

 II. WHEN THE HEATHEN GO TOO FAR

 

1. Life Becomes Hard [Proverbs 13:15] Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

 

2. Life Becomes Hopeless [Genesis 6:3]

 

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

 

3. Life Becomes Death [Rev. 20:14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

III. WHEN THE CHRISTIAN GOES TOO FAR

 

1. There are Serious Consequences [Heb. 12:5-14]

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed

 

2. There are Spiritual Consequences [Ps. 51:12, 1 Corinthians 9:27] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway

 

3. There are Physical Consequences [1 Cor. 11:30-32]

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

HE WAS NOT WITH THEM WHEN JESUS CAME

JOHN 20:19-24 

 

Pastor Rick Jackson 

 

I. OPPORTUNITIES MISSED [v. 19-23] 

 

1. We May Miss a Special Presence of Christ [v. 19] 

 

2. We May Miss a Specific Change of Heart [v. 19-20] 

 

3. We May Miss a Sure Word from the Lord [v. 21-23]

 

II. ONGOING MISERY [v. 24-25] 

 

1. Absence is Noticed [v. 24] 

 

2. Another’s Account is Never the Same [v. 25] 

 

3. A Missed Blessing May Cause Bitterness/Resentment [v. 25] 

 

III. OUTPOURING OF MERCY [v. 26-31] 

 

1. A Right Rebuke is a Mercy [v. 26-27, Proverbs 27:6]   

Faithful are the wounds of a friend 

 

2. A Right Response is Mercy’s Goal [v. 28, Rev. 3:19] 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

 

3. A Righteous Rebuke is a Reminder [v. 29-31, Romans 2:4] 

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

HE IS RISEN!

MT. 28:1-10

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE DEITY OF CHRIST

 

1. According to David & Peter [Acts 2:22-34, Ps. 16, 22, 110]

 

2. According to Jesus [Mt. 12:38-40]

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

3. According to Paul [Rom. 1:1-4]

PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

II. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST’S ATONEMENT

 

1. The Resurrection Proves the Bible [1 Cor. 15:12-15]

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

 

2. The Resurrection Proves that Sins are Forgiven [1 Cor. 15:16-17]

For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

 

3. The Resurrection Proves that Heaven is Real [1 Cor. 15:18-20]

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 

 III. THE RESURRECTION PROVIDES THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTIANITY

 

1. The Resurrection Provides the Peace of Salvation [John 20:19-21a]

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:

 

2. The Resurrection Provides the Ongoing Task of Soul-winning [John 20:21]

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

3. The Resurrection Provides the Indwelling Spirit of God [John 20:19, 22, 7:39]

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

(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 R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 For what did Jesus pray [in the Garden of Gethsemane]? Some have thought Jesus prayed to be spared the crucifixion. Some have thought that after agreeing to die for man's sin, planning it with the Father even before the world began, that Jesus would now avoid it! Some have thought Jesus was here praying against the Scriptures, contrary to the will of God. Some have thought that even now Jesus supposed there might be some other way to save poor sinners. God forbid! No, no; Jesus was praying IN the will of God, and not contrary to it. And He got what He asked. To understand the prayer of Jesus, twice-repeated, see the explanation of it in Hebrews 5:7, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." Jesus prayed in Gethsemane to the Father "that was able to save him from death' that night, save Him from the unscriptural death in the Garden of Gethsemane, and spare Him for the Scriptural death on the cross tomorrow. That is what Jesus asked, and that is what He got! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pgs. 135-136]

Jesus did not ask that the bitter cup of death would be avoided and taken entirely away. Rather He prayed that it should pass from Him for the time being [in the Garden of Gethsemane], that He might not die that night, "and was heard in that he feared." God the Father granted that prayer. Jesus prayed in the Father's will and not contrary to it. In fact, in the prayer itself, Jesus had plainly said He was not asking for His own will, but according to the Father's will. He said, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). That was not a prayer of sad resignation to a duty that He did not want to perform. No, no! Rather it was fervent prayer that the Father would send help and help Him live until tomorrow to die according to the Father's own plan.

Oh, thank God, the Saviour's prayer was heard! Jesus had said, "I knew that thou hearest me always" (John 11:42). So an angel was sent and strengthened Him, and Jesus lived to die on the cross "according to the scriptures." - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 136]

Any careful student must be profoundly impressed with the thoroughness God used in proving His case that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Born of a virgin, of the house of David, of the tribe of Judah, in Bethlehem; dying on the appointed dau, hands and feet peirced with nails after having been betrayed by a friend, fulfilling the picture of Psalm 22 perfectly, with soldiers casting lots for His garments, with the elders mocking Him, He fulfilled every detail of prophecy. And then, when He gave up the ghost, a soldier, surely not knowing what he did, took the spear and pierced His side! Thus the Scripture was fulfilled. Thus, then, "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced." - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 137]

The unpardonable sin is committed only by lost people, and then it is the sin of those who do not want to be saved and deliberately refuse salvation. There is no other unpardonable sin. ― John R. Rice

I believe that Jesus was not crucified on Friday, but on Wednesday. Preachers have usually accepted the Roman Catholic teaching that He was crucified on Friday and have never investigated what the Bible teaches on that subject. All Bible evidence proves that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, buried that night, and arose from the dead some time Saturday night, before sunrise Sunday morning. Remember that the Jewish day began at sundown and the night was counted a part of the following day.

Matthew 12:40 plainly says that Jesus would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, or the grave, like Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly. If Jesus were crucified Friday and raised Saturday night, or before sunrise Sunday morning, He would have been in the grave one day and part of two nights. Certainly that would not fulfill His plain promise.

Many people have supposed that John 19:31 was evidence that Jesus was crucified on Friday since the Jews wished to take His body down before the Sabbath. Notice, however, that "that Sabbath day was an high day." It was not an ordinary weekly Sabbath, but an annual Sabbath, the one mentioned in Exodus 12:16. It was a day of rest, the first of seven days of eating of unleavened bread, the day on which the Passover lamb was eaten.

So Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, was taken down from the cross before sunset Wednesday (John 19:31)... Jesus stayed in the grave fully seventy-two hours, three days and three nights, and arose then some time Saturday night, that is, part of Sunday, the first day of the week which began at sundown. - John R. Rice [Dr, Rice, Here is My Question, question 55]

Jesus will be the only one in Heaven with scars. His wounds will be the eternal reminder of salvation by God's wonderful grace through faith in the death of His Son. ― John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 143]

We have good reason to believe that when Jesus comes and our vile bodies are changed and glorified, we will have no more scars. In Isaiah 35:5, 6 we are told that in the happy day of the resurrection "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." The weakness, the frailties, the scars of our mortal bodies will all be cured in the glorified bodies. In Romans 8:23 Paul reminds us that "ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Our bodies are to be saved then, cured from the marks of our sin. ... I believe this crooked nose which I got playing college football will be straight, and many another crooked thing about my nature, as well as scars on my body, will be cured in that good day. When I was called to the Army, in 1917, the induction papers carried a record of the scar on my right wrist cut by an axe, of the slash on the side of the left elbow cut when a bull ran into the fence with me. But in Heaven that Army record will be out of date. My scars will be gone! ― John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 143]