MARRIAGE

[Basics of Christianity #2]

Genesis 2:18-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GOD INSTITUTED MARRIAGE

1. Partnership [v. 18, 22-24, Eph. 5:31-33]

2. Parentage [v. 24, 3:20; Malachi 2:14-15]

…the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

3. Prayers [1 Peter 3:7]

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

II. GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE

1. One Man & One Woman for One Lifetime [Mt. 19:3-12]

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

2. Divine Representation [Eph. 5:23-6:4]

3. Propagation of the Gospel [Mal. 2:15]

Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

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.

III. GOD’S MERCY IN MARRIAGE

1. Everyone Needs Help & Company [Gn. 2:18, 22]

Eccl. 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

2. God Knows this World  [1 Cor. 7:1-17, 9:5]

3. God Knows Our Hearts [Mk. 10:1-12]

Ruth’s husbands

Jacob’s wives

Solomon & Bathsheba

JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE

GENESIS 37

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS CHARACTER

1. Family [37:2-3, 12-14] (his emotional satisfaction)

2. Flesh [39:1-20] (his physical satisfaction)

3. Fame [40:8, 41:15-16] (his mental satisfaction)

II. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS FAITH

1. Faith in God’s Word [37:5-11, 41;28-37]

2. Faith in Spite of the Dark Hours [39:1-5, 20-23]

3. Faith in God [41:51-52, 45:7ff., 50:20]

III. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS COMPASSION

1. Forgiveness [50:20-21] Mr/Mrs Potiphar, Chief Butler, brothers

2. Fearing God [42:18, 25]

3. Faithful Witness [40:8, 41:15-16, 43:19-23]

(without compromise- compromising “right” is not compassion)

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

It is startling to realize the work that the Holy Spirit does for a human being. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts a sinner, the Holy Spirit who regenerates one who trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit who makes him a new creature. It is the Holy Spirit who comforts a Christian, who brings the witness and assurance of salvation into his heart. It is the Holy Spirit who helps a Christian to understand the Bible, helps a Christian to pray, brings to his memory the commands of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who works out and develops and produces the fruit of the Spirit, the Christian graces, in the Christian's life: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 37]

Many people thoughtlessly speak of the Holy Spirit as "it." Perhaps when the matter is called to their attention they say, "Oh, I know better." Well, in one's head one may know better, but actually one has not come to realize that the Holy Spirit is a blessed and real and familiar person, if he speaks of the Holy Spirit as an impersonal, neuter "it." No woman who loves her husband ever speaks of him as "it" because she does not feel that way about him. She knows him as a living, loving person and so calls him by the masculine pronoun. And Christians everywhere who learn to know the Holy Spirit intimately speak about Him and speak to Him with the greatest reverence and with the masculine pronoun, just as we refer to God the Father and just as we refer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, God's Son. The Holy Spirit is a blessed and wonderful person with whom the Christian should become very intimately acquainted. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 38]

The Holy Spirit is the one person of the Godhead with whom the Christian has the most intimate and daily contact. For Christ, with a glorified, resurrected body, is in Heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. But God the Holy Spirit literally lives within the body of the Christian, is with him all the time and represents the Father and represents Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 39]

Did I say in the paragraph above, "God the Holy Spirit"? Yes, and that is exactly who He is. The Holy Spirit is GOD, just as Jesus, God's Son, is GOD and just as God the Father is GOD. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 39]

When a stone is put into the wall of a building and then covered over with mortar and other stones, it is submerged or buried or covered in the wall. It is "baptized" in the wall. in that sense the Holy Spirit baptizes every new convert into the body of Christ, makes him a part of this body, the group of Christians who will be called out when Jesus comes. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 44]

The fact that God put restrictions on what they were doing at Corinth shows us that what they were doing was wrong. When God rebukes what they were doing, it shows it is not miraculous, not God-given. God never gave a miracle and then rebuked somebody for the way he used it. God never gives somebody a miraculous gift and then be angry with the way they use it. No, miraculous gifts don't need rebuking, don't need a restraint put on them; but they did in the use of natural languages over in Corinth. - John R. Rice

To be baptized into the body of Christ simply means that one is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, has the Holy Spirit living in his body, and is now destined to be called out at the rapture of the general assembly and church of the first-born, when Jesus comes for His own. To be filled and covered or baptized with the Holy Spirit for service is another matter, as we will prove elsewhere. But to be buried, baptized into the body of Christ, is the usual and ordinary work of the Holy Spirit, which He does for every single person ever converted. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is another matter which many Christians never do receive, although they should. Every Christian is put into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 44-45]

THE KINGDOM COMES

THE KINGDOM COMES

ZECHARIAH 14

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE KING ENDS THE TRIBULATION [v. 1-7]

1. The Taking of Jerusalem [v. 1-2]

2. The Touchdown of the King [v. 3-4]

3. The Tunnel of Escape [v.5-7]

II. THE KING BEGINS THE MILLENNIUM [v. 8-15]

1. The Living Waters [v. 8]

2. The Lord of Earth [v. 9]

3. The Land of Safety [v. 10-15]

III. THE KING REIGNS [v. 16-21]

1. The Feast of Tabernacles [v. 16]

2. The Punishment of Foolishness [v. 17-19]

3. The Triumph of Holiness [v. 20-21]

THE DAY, THE TIME, THE LORD

MALACHI 4

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE DAY COMETH [v. 1-3]

1. THE DAY OF FIRE [v. 1, 2 Thess. 1:7-10]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2. THE DAY OF FEAR [v. 2, 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19, Proverbs 14:26]

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

3. THE DAY OF FEET [v. 3, Ez. 39]

II. THE TIME TO REMEMBER [v. 4-6, Ecclesiastes 12:1]

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

1. THE PROOF OF SIN [v. 4, Romans 3:20]

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. THE PROPHET OF HOPE [v. 5, 3:1-3, Isaiah 58:14]

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

3. THE POWER OF FAITH [v. 6, Lk. 1:16-17]

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

III. THE LORD OF HOSTS [v. 1-6]

1. GOD IS HOLY [v. 1-4]

2. GOD IS MERCIFUL [v. 5]

3. GOD IS GRACIOUS [v. 6]

The final word in the Old Testament is "curse", the New testament opens with the story of the One who will remove the curse.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 4:12 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.

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. IT WAS REVEALED DIVINELY

1. God The Father is Fully Invested [2 Tm. 3:16, John 14:24]

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

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

2. God The Son is Fully Invested [Mark 8:38, 13:31, Rev. 1:1-2]

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3. God The Holy Spirit is Fully Invested [2 Pet. 1:19-21, 1 Cor. 2:12-23]

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II. IT IS TO BE REVERENCED DEVOTEDLY

1. It is to be Received For What It Is [1 Thessalonians 2:13]

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.

2. It is to Be Loved For Whose It Is [Psalms 119:97]

O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

3. It is to Be Esteemed For Its High Value [Job 23:12, Psalms 138:2]

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

III. IT IS TO BE RIGHTLY DIVIDED

1. It Must Be Read [Isaiah 34:16]

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

2. It Must Be Studied [2 Tm. 2:15]

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

3. It Must Be Lived [James 1:21-25]

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

When you come out of the water, picturing new life, you didn't get that new life in the water. It is an object lesson picturing the new life. You can go into the water a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner. Baptism ought to picture something that has happened already. Do not think that baptism secures salvation. It does not. Baptism pictures salvation. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Baptism pictures salvation. It not only ought to picture that this old man is now dead to sin but also that he is alive to newness of life. New life. New power. Walking like Jesus. Wanting what Jesus wants. Going in His power. Jesus lived and died to save sinners; so that must be the Christian's aim. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Let me tell you, this pussyfooting generation has scholarship but not the power of God. This pussyfooting generation says the only real vital issue is love. Love everybody, pat the Devil's crowd on the back and tell them how nice they are. That is not New Testament Christianity. New Testament Christianity is bold against sin, bold to attack it, bold to expect the hand of God to intervene to save sinners. So our great lack is the fullness of the Spirit, which gives boldness to our testimony. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 203]

I was saved in a Baptist church, and I grew up to love Baptist people. And I suspect I absorbed a lot of Baptist prejudice. Not that it is wrong to be a Baptist, but it is wrong to believe that Baptists are the only people in the world going to Heaven. It ought to be Jesus and the Bible first.
I believe one ought to be baptized by immersion. I believe one ought not be baptized until he is saved. I believe nobody should be a member of the church but saved people. I believe it is wrong to sprinkle babies. I believe when Jesus saves us, we are saved forever. All that is Baptist doctrine. So I am a Baptist.
But some people foolishly claim that it means more than that. Some claim it is loyalty to the denomination, that Baptists are THE people, etc. I do not believe one's loyalty should be to a denomination but to Christ and the Bible. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 230]

You say, "Wickedness is so great. There is so much sin." Yes, but wherever there is sin there is heartbreak. And heartbroken people are easier to win than the self-satisfied. The old Devil is always overstepping himself. God makes the wrath of men to praise Him. God sometimes lets the Devil do some of his work in order to get sinners ready to be saved. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). I say, the fact is, sin never satisfies anybody. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 260]

Do you want to know why I am bold in my preaching? I will tell you why. People may look very mad and talk very sharp, but I know one thing about them: there is something inside that says, "You fool! That preacher is right. You are getting nowhere. You are going to cause your home to break up if you don't watch out. You will lose your job. Then you will wake up in Hell if you don't watch out. That preacher is right!" When I preach sharp, plain and hard messages some people don't like it. But there is something down inside that says, "You had better listen, old boy, to God's man. That fellow is right!" Conscience is a friend of the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 261]

Many long for revival and pray for revival. As solemnly as I know how I urge that there cannot possible be any great revival except by a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit as God's people seek his power and wait upon Him for enduement from on high. And I believe that revival is the only hope of survival for Bible Christianity in the churches. O God, send upon us the power of Pentecost that we may see the revival for which we have so longed prayed and for which we now devoutly yearn! - John R. Rice {The Power of Pentecost, pg. 10]

ISRAEL’S UNIVERSAL PROBLEM

MALACHI 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

So many folk want to get rid of Israel and replace it with the Church but God doesn’t.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: The strange thing is we have the same problem that Israel had and has today. It is the Sin problem.

I. MAN’S DILEMMA [v. 5-7]

1. The Sin Debt [v. 5]

2. The Sovereign Deity [v. 6]

3. The Single Deliverance [v. 7, Acts 4:12, Jn. 14:6, 1 John 5:12]

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

II. SIN’S DENIAL [v. 7-9, 13-15]

1. Distance Denied [v. 7, Is. 59:2]

2. Debt Denied [v. 8-9]

3. Declarations Denied [v. 13-15, Matthew 12:36]

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

III. BLESSING BESTOWED [v. 10-12, 16-18]

1. Blessings Delayed by their sin [v. 10-12, Hebrews 7:2]

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2. Blessings Remembered [v. 16, Psalm 56:8]

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

3. Blessings Promised [v. 17-18]

THE PEACE OF THE CITY

Jeremiah 29:1-7

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PEACE OF YOUR CITY [Jeremiah 29:7]

1. Be Involved [v. 4-7]

"Seek" darash, daw-rash'; a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search)

Christians ought be good citizens- be informed, vote, do your other civic duty [jury duty, report crimes, etc.]

This was not an ideal situation, but it was the will of God [v. 4]

2. Be Interceding "pray" [1 Tm. 2:1-6, Jer. 29:7b]

3. Be Illuminating [Mt. 5:13-16]

II. THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM [Psalm 122:6] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

1. Pray for the Jews [Ps. 122:6-7]

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

2. Present the Messiah [v. 8, Rom. 10:1] through personal testimony and missions

For my brethren and companions sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

3. Prepare for the Future [Ps. 122, Rm. 11]

III. THE PEACE OF ANY CITY

1. Dependent Upon the Prince of Peace [Isaiah 48:22]

There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

2. Dependent upon the Permeation of the Gospel [Genesis 18:32]

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

3. Dependent upon the Prayers of God's People [2 Chr. 7:14]

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Nobody can understand the Bible if you have a thousand detours, if you don't put first things first. Millions have varying theories and tomfool ideas about Pentecost. Some talk about it being the "birthday of the church." Others talk about a new dispensation; others, about social reforms. The only reform God talks about is just keeping people out of Hell. Three thousand saved in one day is a good example! If you get concerned about what God is talking about, you won't go wrong in doctrine. You won't be led astray by every shifting wind. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 141]

"Brother Rice, I don't believe there are any more miracles performed." You don't? What do you think conversions is? What do you think regeneration is? We are talking about things that are supernatural, things only God can do; not ordinary but extraordinary; not human but Divine' not explainable but inexplicable. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth" (John 3:8). That is the way people are born again. . - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145]

You say, "Brother Rice, the day of physical miracles is over." Who told you so? You may have read it in some geography book. Or Darby said it, didn't he? I use a Scofield Bible-the best reference Bible in the world-but on the matter of dispensationalism, it is wrong for anyone to teach that miracles are not for us, that they were just for the Jews. Now God has a plan for the Jews all right, but when it comes to the nature of God, answered prayer, the Holy Ghost, the supernatural intervention in the lives of men, God is talking as much to John R. Rice as he is to Elijah, and anybody else. He sure is! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145-146]

Preachers and Christian workers, if you don't have miracles, then it is worthless. Some say it is getting hard to have revivals. It is not getting hard; it has always been hard, in fact, impossible unless God steps in. You say that sinners' hearts are so hard, that sinners are deaf. They are not deaf; they are DEAD. And if you don't have a God who raises the dead, then shut up and go plow corn, or be a plumber, or a schoolteacher. You have to have miracles to win souls. If you don't have a God who can make a drunkard sober when Alcoholics Anonymous can't, if you don't have a God who can make a harlot pure when there is no other power that can, if you don't have a God who can make an infidel into a happy believer when all the arguments can't, if you don't have a God who can make a sinner bound for Hell into a child of God, then shut your mouth; you are not called to preach. You haven't got anything to say. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 146-147]

Later they [the disciples] said, "There is a storm at sea." They said, "Jesus, wake up! We are about to sink! Don't you care if we perish?" He said, "But where is your faith?" Do you think that boat can go down with the Creator of Heaven and earth in it? Do you THINK any storm can get Jesus? If you do, you have another THINK coming. Where is your faith? The one thing that would decide whether you are scared or not more than everything else put together would be your faith. Oh, how we must grieve Him with no faith! "Have faith in God." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153]

A woman wrote me: "I have read your book on Prayer. I have read others of your books and I know you are a man of faith. I am asking you to pray about. . . ." and she named what she wanted me to pray about. I write a book on Prayer and so somebody says, "Oh, I see that you have a pull with God." I didn't write a book to say what a great pray-er I am; I wrote a book to show what a great answer-er to prayer God is. You may not believe it, but God would as willingly answer your prayers as those of George Muller, Elijah, D. L. Moody, or anybody else. "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come," says Psalm 65:2. All right, then "whosoever"--all flesh-- is to come in prayer. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153-154]

Remember the demon-possessed boy? Jesus came down form the Mount of Transfiguration and with Him were Peter, James and John. And as the mobs and commotion grew, Jesus said, "What is going on?" A man said, "It's my boy! My poor boy! The old Devil throws him in the water and the fire and tries to kill him. He can't talk. He is devil-possessed. I brought him to the disciples and they couldn't do anything. Maybe you can't either."
Jesus said, "You've got the 'if' in the wrong place. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). He said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me" (Matt. 17:17), He healed the boy and gave him to his father. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 176]

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE TRIBULATION

2 Timothy 2:15

Pastor Rick Jackson

This is necessarily a brief synopsis. Thick volumes have been written on this subject and even on just parts of it.

I. THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL [9:24-27]

1. Sixty-nine Weeks (483 years) of the Seventy Weeks (490 years) and the Clock is Stopped [v. 24-26a]

2. Destruction of Jerusalem by Rome approximately 70AD [v. 26b]

3. The Prince that shall Come Restarts the Clock [v. 26-27]

Many implications-revived Roman Empire, Antichrist, Temple Rebuilt, 3 ½ years before true colors are revealed

II. THE LORD LAYS IT OUT IN MATTHEW 24

1. The Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction brings Questions [v. 1-3]

2. The Last Days (from the Incarnation to the Coronation) [v. 4-35]

-the Beginning of Sorrows [v. 4-8]

-the 70^th Week [v. 9-13]

-the Abomination of Desolation Mid-week starting “The Great Tribulation” i.e., latter half of the tribulation [v. 14-22, Revelation 13:14-17]

-the false versus the True [v. 23-31]

-the Tribulation to Millennial Reign [v. 32-35]

3. Prewarned to be Prepared [v. 36-51] Be saved [v. 36-44] & Be Serving {v. 45-51]

III. PAUL’S CURE FOR FRIGHTENED FOLKS IN 2 THESSALONIANS

1. The Rapture of All Believers [2:1-3]

2. The Revelation of the Beast [2:3-12]

3. The Revelation of the True God & Only Saviour [1:7-2:8]

THE REFINER'S FIRE

THE REFINER’S FIRE

Malachi 3:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FACTS                       Several facts are given in this section concerning the Lord’s return in relation to Israel.

1. The Messenger, the Lord Himself, is Coming [v. 1]

2. Israel has been looking for His Appearing [v. 1]

3. His Coming will not be altogether pleasant [v. 2]

Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Joel 2: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Amos 5:18, 20 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. … Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

4. He, the Lord will both purify and purge Israel [v. 3, Luke 3:16]

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

5. Israel will once again offer acceptable Sacrifices [v. 3-4, Rm. 10:16-11:36, I Peter 2:1-10]

Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Hosea 9:4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Malachi 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

II. THE FOLLY [Israel missed an opportunity]

1. Gabriel Explained it to Zacharias [Lk. 1:12-17]

2. Jesus Explained it to the Multitudes [Mt. 11:7-15]

3. Jesus Explained it to the Inner Circle [Mt. 17:9-13]

III. THE FUTURE [Mal. 4:5 - God’s Will will be done]

1. They Prophesy with Power [Rev. 11:3-6]

2. They Finish with Flourish [Rev. 11:7-10]

3. They Stand with God [Rev. 11:11-13]

EARTHLY MOTTOS, HEAVENLY MOTIVATIONS

EARTHLY MOTTOS, HEAVENLY MOTIVATIONS

JOHN 3:30

Pastor Rick Jackson

Some people have a “life motto” or in some cases several life mottos. A phrase or phrases by which they are reminded how they want to live. Davy Crockett’s life motto was “Be sure you’re right and then go ahead.” Lee Roberson’s motto was probably “Die to self.” I have several that have helped me over the years- especially during my ministry at Bradford Baptist Church- “I am Doing Better than I deserve” and “For This I have Jesus.” Bob Jones, Sr. most famously use “Do Right!”

The three phrases I want to share with you this morning may not have been the life mottoes of these individuals but if you examine their lives you will see they well could have been.

I. “He must increase but I must decrease” [John 3:30]

1. John Knew where his blessings originated [v. 28]

2. John Did not Try to be What He Was not [v. 29]

3. John Found His Joy in serving Christ [v. 30-31]

II. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [Philippians 1:21]

1. Paul desired the furtherance of the Gospel [v. 12-18]

2. Paul believed in the Power of Prayer [v. 19-20a]

3. Paul put his life in God’s Hands [v. 20b-29]

III. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” [John 2:5]

1. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Will [Luke 1:38]

2. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Word [Luke 1:38]

3. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Word (Christ) [Jn. 1:1-5, 9-14, John 2:1-5]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Education? Yes, He can use educated people; but now and then He is going to use uneducated men like D. L. Moody, like Billy Sunday, to make a joke of the rest of us nice, stiff preachers with our degrees. Sometimes maybe it is a handicap to some of us that we have an education. We think we are so smart. God says, "I'll by-pass you and use somebody who is not thinking so much about education but who has My power on him." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86-87]

Every Christian was convicted by the Holy Spirit before he was saved. Then the Holy Spirit regenerated him when he trusted Christ. The Holy Spirit came in to dwell in the body of every one He regenerated. Then the Holy Spirit is the Teacher, the Comforter, the Prayer-Helper, the loving Friend of every Christian. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 93]

Do you want to know Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit will manifest Him to you. Do you want to remember what Jesus said? The Holy Spirit will help you to remember; "He will bring to your remembrance all things," Jesus said. The way to remember Scripture and memorize Scripture is to have the Spirit of God put it in your heart, burn it in, recall it to your memory. O Holy Spirit, teach us the Word of God! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 104]

It is quite obvious that Jesus leaves us to do His work. As far as the atoning death on the cross, of course nobody could do that but Jesus. As far as paying the price for man's sin, Jesus alone had to do that. But on the matter of getting out the Gospel, the Lord Jesus has gone away and He has left us - you will understand me - to save all who will be saved in the world. I do not mean we will get the whole world saved. I do not mean we will save anybody without the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. But the getting out of the Gospel and the use of the miraculous power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit in us are left to people today. WE are to do the work of God. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 112-113]

Somebody says, "Well, I will pray." That is all right, but praying will not take the place of obeying. Praying will not take the place of preaching the Gospel. You can pray until you are black in the face but people are not going to be saved without somebody preaching the Gospel to them. People are not going to be saved without being told how. That is God's plan. Romans 10:14 says, "How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?" God is not going to change His plan for one who does not want to obey Him. God still has us to take the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 117]

There are Christians here tonight who have never read the Bible through once. There are preachers here tonight who do not read ten chapters a day in the Bible; and that is your life's work. No doubt some preachers are here tonight who have not read all the Bible through at all. Then you wonder why you have no power! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 125-126]

I tell you, we had better begin to live in this Book. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 126]

POEM OF THE WEEK

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!

— Martin Luther

WHEN GOD NEITHER REGARDS NOR RECEIVES

MALACHI 2:10-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE COMMONALITIES [v. 10]

1. Common Heritage [Matthew 3:9]

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

2. Common Creation [Acts 17:22-32]

3. Common Problem [Romans 5:12]

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

II. THE CRIMINALITY [v. 11-13]

1. The Wicked Charge [v. 11]

2. The Weep-weary Consequence [v. 12-13]

3. The Widespread Corruption [v. 12-13]

III. THE CRITICALITY [v. 14-17]

1. God’s Purpose for Marriage [v. 14-15]

2. God’s Hatred for Divorce & Domestic Violence [v. 16]

3. God’s Weariness for Hypocrisy [v. 17]

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

SEEK YE FIRST

SEEK YE FIRST

MATTHEW 6:33

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PRIORITY OF THIS COMMAND

1. Make it a Prominent Priority   -nothing should come before your relationship to God

                                                                -for the Lost that means come to Christ for salvation

                                                                -for the Saved that means our relationship to Christ comes first

2. Make it a Personal Priority      -no one can make it for you [think of the great invitations]

3. Make it a Passionate Priority  -lukewarmness makes God sick [Rev. 3:14ff]

II. THE PERSON OF THIS COMMAND

1. No Kingdom without the King

2. No Righteousness without God

3. No Salvation without Christ

III. THE PROMISE OF THIS COMMAND

1. All Spiritual Provisions [v. 24-25]

2. All Material Provisions [v. 26-31]

3. All Time & Eternity [v. 32-34]

                                                               

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Darwinism came along. It had hard sledding in America and in England for awhile, but Germany swallowed it whole. The schools there began to take it up. The Bible, they said, may contain the Word of God, but it is not the Word of God. They said Jesus was a good man but not Deity. They said Jesus may have represented God in some form but He was not virgin-born. They said Jesus' spirit may have rose from the dead, but there was no bodily resurrection. But bodily resurrection is the only kind of resurrection there is! It is only the body that was buried. There could be no resurrection but a bodily resurrection. If anyone talks to you about a so-called spiritual resurrection of Jesus or people, that one is either a common and deliberate deceiver, or he is an ignorant fool. The only kind of resurrection the Bible knows is that the body of Jesus Christ came out of Joseph's tomb, because it was the body that was buried. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 45-46]

A woman came to Dr. R. A. Torrey and said, "Dr. Torrey, God has called me to preach."
Dr. Torrey said, "Is that so? I thought you were married."
"I am. I have a husband and eight children."
He said, "Well, that is wonderful. He has not only called you to preach, He has given you a congregation. Now go home and get to work to win your congregation."
You have a crowd. In God's name win those you are accountable for. We can't win everybody, but we ought to be able to win our own. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 66]

One young preacher who had spent some time in a Christian college and who had had two years in a seminary, told me, "I want to be a teaching pastor. I do not want to have too large a church because I would have too many people to visit. I would like a church just big enough to pay me well. I want to be a teaching pastor and spend most of my time in the study. I enjoy my books. I do not feel called to evangelism."
I told him what I tell you" "There is nothing wrong with you that a good old-fashioned revival won't fix. If you would get over your backsliding and get right with God, that would fix your conception of the ministry." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 72-73]

You are to be a soul winner. If you are not a soul winner, you are not a good Christian but a backslider, disobedient, and you are not fulfilling the Great Commission. Your life is on the wrong track. You have left God's blueprint. You are not in God's plan. You are out of the will of God. If you are not a soul winner you are a rebel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 83]

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]

He [Jesus Christ] did not say, "Now, I'll tell you what to do. You are sort of an ignorant bunch, but I have trained you the best I could. Be sure to learn your Scripture. Then when you go get somebody converted, get him baptized, then put him through a Bible institute. Put him through Tennessee Temple Schools, or through Baptist Bible College, or Moody Bible Institute or some seminary." He did not say that. You will not misunderstand me--I am not against education. I was a college teacher. (I have been forgiven for my past sins--you ought not to hold that against me!) But I was a college teacher! I am for education. And I have some degrees (not all deserved, maybe). But, my friends, education is like the snap of a finger--it is an incidental. It is like a feather in the road beside this one main matter of the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86]

THE RAPTURE & THE TOUCHDOWN COMING: TWO PARTS OF A BIG EVENT

2 Timothy 2:7-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

The Rapture and the Touchdown Coming of Christ are only two parts of a multifaceted event- the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This event includes the rapture, the tribulation, the Great Tribulation, the touchdown coming, the salvation of the nation of Israel, the judgment of the nations & the beginning of the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth. Depending on how you divide events it can certainly include dozens of other events but for our purposes we want to show the difference between two parts that people often get confused. We need, by the Spirit’s guidance to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

I. THE REASONS

1. In the Rapture Christ comes FOR His Bride, in the TD He comes with His Bride [1 Th. 4:13-18, 3:13, Jude 14]

2. After the Rapture the Tribulation begins, after the TD the Millennium begins [2 Thess. 1:6-9, Rev. 20:1-7]

3. After the Rapture Only unsaved enter tribulation,  After TD only saved enter millennium [1 Thess. 1:10; 5-9, Rev. 6:12-17, Mt. 25:31-46]

II. THE RESCUES FOR THE TWO EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT

1. In the Rapture Christ claims His Bride, in the TD He comes with His Bride [1Thes. 4:17, Rev. 19:6-14]

2. Christ Comes in the Rapture to Spare Christians, He comes in the TD to Spare the World [1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 24:21-22, Mark 13:19-20]

3. In the Rapture Only His own see Him, in the TD Every eye shall see Him [1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 1:7]

III. THE REALITIES FOR THE TWO EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT

1. In the Rapture Christ comes stays the air, in the TD Christ come to the earth [1Thes. 4:17, Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:11]

2. The Rapture is the Removal of believers, the TD commences the Removal of unbelievers [1 Thess. 4:17, Matt. 24:36-41]

3. Rapture Saved: delivered from wrath, Unsaved experience wrath [1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9, Rev. 6:12-17]

4. No signs precede rapture, Signs precede the TD [1 Thess. 5:1-3, Luke 21:11,15]

5. Rapture Focus: Lord and Church, TD Focus: Israel and Kingdom [1 Thess. 4:13-18, Matt. 24:14]

REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE

                                            

LUKE 17:32                                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

Memory can be a wonderful thing. Memory can also be a curse. There are some things God tells us to forget. God had Paul say, “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.” But there are some things God’s wants us to remember.

Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Nehemiah 4:14 Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord…

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Acts 20:35 remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

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

Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

But what I want you to concentrate on for this message are the very simple, very concise words of the Lord Jesus from Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.

Memories can be a blessing. Remembering can strengthen us in our Christian walk. Remember your salvation! Remember decisions of consecration which you have made: baptism, assurance of salvation, church membership, giving God’s way, witnessing…

But why remember Lot’s wife? It must be important for Jesus to say it. It must be important for the Spirit of God to move Luke to record it. There are a multitude of reasons but three must suffice for this message. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE:

I. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THERE ARE DANGERS IN LOOKING BACK [Gen. 19:17, 24-26]

1. The Danger of Lamenting Over Temporal Loss [Phil. 3:7-9, 17-19, 4:11-13]

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Mistakes [Phil. 4:13] –

-If it can be rectified- do it!

-If it was a sin- Confess it! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

-If it can’t be rectified, and it wasn’t a sin - F.I.D.O.!!!! [FORGET IT & DRIVE ON]

3. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Missteps [Ps. 118:24] This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

II. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THE BEST IS AHEAD

1. We Can Serve Christ [Phil. 3:10-16]

2. We Can Seek Souls [Phil. 1:12-18, 27]

3. We Will See Jesus [Phil. 1:21-23]

III. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THERE IS DIGNITY IN OBEDIENCE

1. Obey God Regardless of Men’s Opinions [Gal. 1:10, Acts 5:29]

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

2. Obey God Despite Circumstances [Phil. 4:11-13]

3. Obey God & Rejoice In It [Phil. 4:3-4]

During the War Between the States a messenger from Stonewall Jackson delivered a message to his pastor. An anxious crowd gathered expecting war news particularly since the letter was dated immediately following a major battle. The letter read, “My dear pastor, I recalled today that my gift to foreign missions was due. Find it enclosed. May the day soon come when this war is over… that we may get back to our primary task of saving the souls of men.”

His heart was on the main business.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

How many of us are fair-weather Christians! How many of us can be happy when we are well but not when we are sick; can be gentle and unselfish and kind until we suffer, until we lose friends, until we face disaster! How many of us are good Christians until we are tired, are good Christians until someone speaks sharply, are good Christians as long as everything is easy! Bless God for the example of the dear Saviour who "the same night He was betrayed," knowing the torment that faced Him, still loved His disciples, still gently washed their feet and taught them to love one another! Does Jesus shine in you when you are sick or tired or disappointed or in trouble? Do you love people when under pressure? - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229-230]

We had as well acknowledge the fact that all Christians walk in a dirty world and need day by day to confess their sins and failures and be cleansed anew. What shall be the attitude of a Christian toward Christians who fail, who do not live as they ought, who bring reproach on the name of Christ? Certainly, the first aim and effort of a Christian in such cases is to seek to wash the dirty feet, that is, seek to help the erring one to see and forsake the way that is wrong, or the sin into which he may have, unawares, fallen, tempted and trapped by Satan. Oh, how wicked it is to hurt an immature Christian, to discourage him, to disfellowship him! - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 240-241]

All Christians need, periodically, to make a new start. I have no patience with the shallow argument that because we have made good resolutions before and failed to keep them, therefore we should not make new resolutions. No man living ever did all he planned to do. No woman ever kept all her vows. But everyone who tried to do better was helped by it. People who try do more than those who do not try. People who resolve do more than those who do not resolve. And however much you may have failed in the past, the coming of the new year or of some special time of refreshing or conviction from God is an ideal time to start over again to live for God and to be what God wants you to be. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 245]

Elisha said, "I am going to be a prophet of God." And he set out to be.
When Bill Rice was in a meeting close to Kansas City, he drove his car in to be serviced. The fellow working on the car said, "Brother Rice, my name is so and so."
"I am glad to meet you," said Bill. "You are a Christian?"
"Oh yes," he said. "I am called to be an evangelist just like you. I am called of God as an evangelist."
Bill said, "Well, are you preaching?"
"No, I have a family and there is no way to make a living without this work. But I am an evangelist just like you." Bill replied, "No, you are not just like me. I was called too and we starved but we went to Moody Bible Institute. I gave up my job when I only had one or two revivals ahead of time. I gave my life to it. I am going to preach or starve. No, you are not like me unless you are out preaching like I am."
Elisha said, I am going to be the prophet of God and put off the old garment and I am going to wear this mantle of the man of God the rest of my days." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 24-25]

God's law, such as "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," is just as true about ten men as it is about one man; just as true about a whole city of men as one man; just as true about a nation of men as about one man. Sin brings death, ruin, failure. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" is just as true of a nation as an individual. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 35]

It is clear, from many, many cases in the Bible, that nations are punished for their sins. And God is going to hold America accountable for her sins. We, as a nation, are heading on toward judgment, and it is time for repentance, time for Christians to take stock of themselves to see what they can do and what they ought to do to stop the judgment of God. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 35]

I wish I could go into detail about France, how she got into a bloody revolution. We talk about communism as if that were so bad. But communism and socialism are about the same. The New Deal socialism in America is Karl Marx' teaching, just like communism of Russia is Karl Marx' teaching. It is godless, it is atheistic, it is against government, against Christianity, against American free enterprise. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 44-45]

THE IDENTITY OF THE ANTICHRIST

Daniel 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

Back in the 1960s and the 1970s there was a rumor going around that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was the Antichrist. Later in the 70s it was rumored to be Jimmy Carter. Since then I have heard that Ronald Wilson Reagan or Bill Clinton must be the Antichrist. There was an email going around the Internet in March 2008 that said:

According to the book of Revelations [sic] Chapter 13: The beast will be allowed to have authority for 42 months, which is almost a four-year term of a Presidency. The anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40's, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal. The prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything. Is it OBAMA?

I have read where people thought the Antichrist was the pope. One Bible teacher of former days thought Mussolini, the Italian dictator up into WWII was the Antichrist. At least he had some factual information to go on. What does the Bible say about the Antichrist? Can we identify him? Is he alive today?

I. THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANTICHRIST

Just as the Bible gives us information to identify Christ the Messiah (His tribe, place of birth, time of birth, type of birth, etc.) which not only identify Him but excludes others (anyone born outside of Bethlehem for example) so the Bible does the same for the Antichrist. There are certain things we know that will be true of him that identify him and excludes others. Here are just a few.

1. He's the man of a place [Dan. 9:26-27] -the revived Roman Empire

2. He's the man of a people [Rev. 13:1, 17:15] -the nations of the Gentiles

3. He's the man of perversions [Dan. 11:36-39]

II. THE EXPRESSION OF THE ANTICHRIST [1 John. 2:18]

John reminds his readers that while the Antichrist is coming since we are in the last days already (in his day and on up into ours) there are many expressions of Antichrists already. The expression of antichrist thinking is blatantly anti-trinitarian. These are characterized by:

1. Liars that deny the Father and the Son [2:22-23]

2. Liars that deny the Holy Spirit and the Son [4:1-6]

3. Liars that deny the Deity of Christ [2 Jn. 7-11]

III. THE INCARCERATION OF THE ANTICHRIST [Rev. 19-20]

The Antichrist will be Satanically empowered. Who can stop this blasphemer yet to be revealed?

1. The Lord Jesus will be revealed at the end of the tribulation [19:11-16]

2. The False prophet and the Antichrist will be thrown into the lake of fire [19:19-21]

3. Satan himself will be incarcerated [20:1-10]