THE OTHER SIDE

MARK 5:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE CHANGE

1. Untamable by Mankind [v. 1-5, Jm. 3:6-8]

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

2. Delivered by Jesus [v. 6-15, Rm. 7:24, 2 Tm. 4:18

-O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

-And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. Now Open for God’s Business [v. 7, 18-19]

II. THE CHARGE

1. “Come Out” [v. 8-13]

2. “Depart Out” [v. 14-17]

v. 10 the demons liked that country but Jesus made them change houses

v. 17 the people asked Jesus to leave their coasts- he was not good for business

3. “Go Home… and Tell” [v. 17-19]

 

III. THE CHALLENGE

1. It Was Specific [v. 19]

2. It Was Sound [v. 19-20, Ph. 1:23-25]

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

3. It Was Successful [v. 17, 19-20, 7:31-33]

WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS

WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS

1 JOHN 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BEHOLD [v. 1]

1. The Manner of Love [John 10:3, Romans 9:25-26]

-he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

- As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

2. The Master of Love [John 3:16, 1 John 4:10]

-For God so loved the world

3. The Man of Love [Luke 10:22]

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

 

II. BELOVED [v. 2]

1. We ARE the Sons of God [Jn. 1:12-13, Rm. 5:1]

- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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

2. We ARE Going to be Like Him [Rm. 6:5, 1 Cor. 15:49]

-For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

-And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

3. We ARE Going to See Him [Job 19:26, 1 Th. 4:17]

-And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

-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.

 

III. BELIEVERS [v. 3]

1. Only Believers Have This Hope [Eph. 2:12, 1 Th. 4:13]

-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, and without God in the world:

- But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

2. All Believers Have This High Calling [Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 3:1]

- I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

-Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

3. Believers Will Attain His Likeness [Psalm 17:15]

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

LOVEST THOU ME?

MARK 14:18-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DO WE HEED THE WARNINGS?

1. The Warning of Being Offended [v. 26-29] skandalizo

2. The Warning of Denial [v. 30-31]

3. The Warning to Pray [v. 32-37]

 

II. DO WE FAIL THE TESTS?

1. Failing to Pray [v. 38-41]

2. Are We Offended? [v. 42-50]

3. Do We Deny Him? [v. 66-72]

 

III. DO WE UNDERSTAND? [JOHN 21]

We don’t always heed the warnings. We often fail the tests, but do we understand?

1. We are His Still [v. 1-14]

2. He Desires Our Love [v. 15-17]

3. He Desires Us to Follow Him Still [v. 18-22, Mt. 4:19]

THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART

LUKE 5:18-26

Pastor Rick Jackson

1 Samuel 16:7 Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

I. THE CHARACTERS

1. Four Men Wanted their Friend Healed [v. 17-20, Mk. 2:3]

2. The Friend actually Wanted Salvation [v. 20-25]

3. The Crowd Witnessed God at Work [v. 26]

 

II. THE CRITICS

1. Critics are Like Broken Cisterns [v. 17, Jer. 2:13]

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

2. Critics are Like Broken Records [v. 21a]

“Critics are a dime a dozen. Any fool can criticize.” -Lee Roberson

3. Critics are Like a Broken Clock [v. 22b]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

 

III. THE CHRIST

1. Christ Knows the Thoughts of Men [v. 22]

He knew the critics’ thoughts, the friends’ thoughts, the infirm man’s thoughts.

2. Christ Knows the Limitations of Men [v. 23]

3. Christ Knows What We Need to Know [v. 24-26]

ISN’T HE WONDERFUL?

1 JOHN 2:21-3:2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TRUTH OF GOD IS WONDERFUL [1 JOHN 1:21, Ps. 31:5]

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

1. The Spirit is Truth [John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1 Jn. 5:6]

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

- But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

- Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

-it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

2. The Bible is Truth [Jn. 17:17, 2 Co. 6:7; Eph. 1:13, 1 Th. 2:13, Jm. 1:18]

- Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

-By the word of truth, by the power of God

-In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:

-For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

-Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth

3. The Saviour is Truth [Jn. 1:14, 17, 14:6]

-And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth

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

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

 

II. THE EXPOSING OF SIN IS WONDERFUL [Jer. 5:30-31]

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

1. A Denier that Jesus is the Christ is a Liar & an Antichrist [1 Jn. 2:22]

-the Bible says Jesus is Christ [John 20:31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

-the Spirit says Jesus is Christ [Acts 18:5] And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

-the Father says Jesus is Christ [Acts 2:36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

2. A Denier that Jesus is the Christ denies the Father and the Son [v. 22-23a, John 5:23]

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

3. A Believer in Jesus Christ has the Father and the Son [v. 23b-24]

 

III. THE EXPECTATION OF THE BELIEVER IS WONDERFUL [I JOHN 2]

1. Abide in Truth [v. 24-27, John 3:36]

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

2. Abide in Christ [v. 28]

3. Abide in Confidence [v. 28-29, Jn. 15:4-7]

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

THE PRACTICAL POWER OF JESUS

MATTHEW 12:1-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE ACCUSATION OF THE PHARISEES [v. 1-2]

1. The Allowance of the Lord [v. 1] He surely knew they were hungry

2. The Dinner of the Disciples [v. 1]

3. The Perversion of the Pharisees [v. 2]

 

II. THE ANSWER OF THE LORD [v. 3-8]

1. He Cited the Historical Books Concerning David [v. 3-4, 1 Sam. 21]

2. He Cited the Law Pentateuch Concerning the Priests [v. 5-6, Num. 28:9-10]

And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

3. He Cited the Prophets Concentrating on Hosea [v. 7, Hosea 6:6]

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

4. He Cited His Authority Concerning His Deity [v. 6, 8; Gen. 2:1-3]

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

 

III. THE PRACTICING OF WHAT HE PREACHED [v. 9-14]

1. The Pharisees Tried to Trap Jesus [v. 10]

2. The Profit Margin Explained [v. 11-13, James 4:17]

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

3. The Pharisees Dilemma [v. 14]

-they couldn’t argue with the Scriptures Jesus gave

-they couldn’t argue with the Logic Jesus used

-they wouldn’t agree with Jesus

-they resorted to violence

ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS EVER!

JOHN 20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. CHRISTIANS ARE INDIVIDUALS [v. 1-11]

1. Mary Wept in Ignorance [v. 1-2]

2. Peter Investigated in Confusion [v. 2-7, 9-10]

3. John Believed in Providence [v. 2-10]

 

II. CHRIST IS UNIQUELY RESPONSIVE [v. 11-18]

1. Jesus Reassured Mary Personally [v. 11-16]

2. Jesus Taught Mary [v. 17]

3. Jesus Commissioned Mary [v. 17-18]

 

III. CHRIST IS RISEN! [v. 19-22]

1. Jesus Restores their Joy

[v. 19-20, John 16:16-22]

2. Jesus Reiterates Their Mission [v. 21]

3. Jesus had Them Receive Their Comforter

[v. 22, 14:16-20, 15:26-27, 7:38-39]

-And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

-But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

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

OH, IT IS WONDERFUL

1 JOHN 1:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WE CAN HAVE IT [1 JOHN 1]

1. Full Fellowship [v. 3, 5-7]

2. Full Joy [v. 4, Philippians 3:1, 3, 4:4]

-Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

-For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

-Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

3. Full Forgiveness and Cleansing [v. 7-10]

 

II. WE HAVE IT [I JOHN 2]

1. Heaven’s Undefeated Lawyer [2:1]

2. His Unlimited Atonement [2:2, 2 Cor. 5:14, Rm. 5:18, Jn. 3:16]

-For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.

- Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

3. His Unvarnished Truth [2:3, 2 Tm. 1:12]

 

III. WE CAN KNOW [I JOHN 2]

1. We can Know Him [2:1-3a, 5:13] (that’s relationship)

2. We can Know His Presence [2:3-5, 1:6-7] (that’s fellowship)

3. We can Know His Truth [2:18-21, Jn. 15:13-19, Jm. 4:4] (that’s friendship)

- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God

 

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]