DAVID'S SERVICE, OUR SERVICE

ACTS 13:22-23, 34-36

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE COMPONENTS OF SERVICE

1. A Heart to do God’s Will [v. 22, Rm. 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. A Saviour to Trust [v. 23, P3. 63:1]

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

3. A Message to Share [v. 32-35, Ps. 2, Ps. 16:10]

 

II. THE COMPUNCTION OF SERVICE

1. The Will of God [v. 22, 36, Rm. 12:2]

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2. General Sanctification [1 Thessalonians 4:3-4]

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;

3. Specific Tasks [v. 22, 33, 35, Acts 9:6]

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

III. THE COMPLETION OF SERVICE [v. 36]

1. Find the Will of God [point II above]

2. Fulfill the Will of God [v. 22, 25, 27, 29, 33, 2 Tm. 4:6-7]

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

3. Finish the Will of God [2 Tm. 4:7-8]

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

“All to Jesus I Surrender”

CHOICES, TRUTHS & DECLARATIONS

Acts 13:1-4, 13-16

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THREE CHOICES

1. God’s Chosen Nation [v. 17-21]

2. God’s Chosen King [v. 22]

3. God’s Chosen Saviour [v. 23-25]

 

II. THREE TRUTHS

1. Salvation Available for Everyone [v. 26]

2. Salvation Accessed by Faith [v. 27-29, Heb. 4:2]

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3. Salvation Allowed through the Gospel [v. 29-30, Rm. 1:16, 1 Cor. 15:1-5ff]

 

III. THREE DECLARATIONS

1. We Have the Good News [v. 31-32]

2. We Have the Great Saviour [v. 33-35]

3. We Have the Great Commission [v. 36-43, Mk. 16:15]

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

THESE THINGS

JOHN 16

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Over 40 times John’s gospel uses the phrase “these things.”  7 are found one chapter 16 which speaks of men’s ignorance of and God’s knowledge of “these things.” Let us examine these things and see if we can lose some ignorance and gain some knowledge.

 

I. WE DONT ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR US [v. 1-15, esp. v. 6-7]

1. Jesus Knows What People Will Do. [v. 1-2]

2. Jesus Knows Why People Do What They Do [v. 3, 2:25, 15:18, 24-25]

3. Jesus Knows What We Will Need [v. 4-15]

 

II. WE DO NOT KNOW ALL FUTURE DETAILS [v. 16-17]

1. We Don’t Know the Rapture Details [Mt. 24:36-42]

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

2. We Don’t Know the Kingdom Details [Acts 1:6-7]

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord , wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

3. We Don’t Even Know What Tomorrow Will Bring [James 4:13-14]

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.

 

III. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE THINK WE DO KNOW [v. 18-33]

1. Our Understanding is Limited [v. 16, 18]

2. Heavenly Resources are Available [v. 13, 15, 19-28]

3. Our Understanding will Ultimately Increase [v. 29-33, 1 Co. 13: 9-12]

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW

Isaiah 45:17-25, Rm. 14:11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IN THE LORD JESUS ONLY IS SALVATION

 

1. Individual Jews Shall Be Saved [Is. 45:17, Rm. 1:16]

But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

John R. Rice told the story of his friend, Louis Zuckerman. who had spent 8 years in a school of the Talmud preparing to be a Rabbi before leaving Russia for the U.S. In Chicago, this Hebrew scholar taught in the Hebrew Institute. But familiar as he was with the O.T. in the original Hebrew, he had never noticed Micah 5:2, promising that the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem in Judea, until he heard it in the 1st Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.

He stormed out of the church declaring that the preacher was a liar and was deceiving the people, that no such promise was in the O.T. But back in his room he looked in his Hebrew O.T., and there it was!

As a result of that verse, he was convinced that Christ is the Messiah, and he accepted Him as his Saviour.

 

2. Ignorance is an Enemy of Salvation [Rm. 10:1-15]

 

3. Arrogance is an Enemy of Salvation [Rm. 10:16-21]

 

II. CHRIST IS CREATOR AS WELL AS SAVIOUR

 

1. Jesus Created [Is. 45:18, Jn. 1:1-5]

- For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

2. Jesus Calls [Is. 45:19-20, Rm. 10:8,14, 17-21]

 

-I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

 

3. Jesus Commands [Is. 45:21-23, Rm. 14:11]

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

 

III. BOW THE KNEE TO CHRIST, GOD INCARNATE [Rm. 14]

 

1. The One Who is Lord & Master [Rm. 14:1-8]

 

2. The One Who Died & Rose Again [Rm. 14:9]

 

3. The One Who is the Living Lord & Judge

[Rm. 14:10-12, Is. 45:23-25]

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

THE BLESSED BOOK

Psalm 138:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson*

 

I. THE BIBLE IS THE GOD-GIVEN BOOK [2 Tm. 3:16]

 

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

1. It is the Eternal Book [Ps. 119:89]

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

2. It is the Everlasting Life Book [John 5:24, 39]

- Verily, verily, I say unto you , He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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

3. it is the Purifying Book [Ps. 119:11, Acts 15:9]

- Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

- And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

 

 II. THE BIBLE IS THE MAN-BLESSING BOOK [Ps. 1:1-2]

 

1. It Is Precious [Ps. 126:5-6, 139:17, 2 Peter 1:4]

- They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

- How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

-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.

2. It Is Personal [Ps. 119:18, 140]

- Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

- Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

3. It Is Comforting [Ps. 119:50; Is. 40:1, 61:2; Rm. 15:4]

- This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

- Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

- To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

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

 

III. THE BIBLE IS THE “NO-HOLDS BARRED” BOOK [Is. 58:1]

 

1. It Is An Exposing Book [Ps. 119:130, Heb. 4:12]

- This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2. It Is an Alarming Book [John 5:45-47, 12:48]

- Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

-He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

3. It Is an Uncompromising Book [Jm. 1:17-18]

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

*[based on an idea by Lee Roberson]