JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

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

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

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

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

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

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

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

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

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

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS OF A FIGHTING HEART

1 Samuel 17:17-32

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

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

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

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

There are certain ingredients to have a fighting heart:

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

- Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD

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

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S [v. 1-2]

 

1. By Edict [v. 1a]

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

1. His Possession [v. 3]

 

2. His People [v. 4]

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Joshua 1:1-9

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GOING TOO FAR

Psalm 78:1-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

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

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

 

 I. WHEN A NATION GOES TOO FAR

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

 II. WHEN THE HEATHEN GO TOO FAR

 

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

 

2. Life Becomes Hopeless [Genesis 6:3]

 

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

 

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

 

III. WHEN THE CHRISTIAN GOES TOO FAR

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

HE WAS NOT WITH THEM WHEN JESUS CAME

JOHN 20:19-24 

 

Pastor Rick Jackson 

 

I. OPPORTUNITIES MISSED [v. 19-23] 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

II. ONGOING MISERY [v. 24-25] 

 

1. Absence is Noticed [v. 24] 

 

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

 

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

 

III. OUTPOURING OF MERCY [v. 26-31] 

 

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

Faithful are the wounds of a friend 

 

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

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

 

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

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

HE IS RISEN!

MT. 28:1-10

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE RESURRECTION PROVES THE DEITY OF CHRIST

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

 III. THE RESURRECTION PROVIDES THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTIANITY

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOOD WEDNESDAY, PASSOVER, & THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

EXODUS 12:1-8

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A SIMPLE EXPLANATION  [Ex. 12, Is. 53]

 

1. The Lamb illustrating the Submissive Messiah [Ex. 12:1-8, Is. 53:7]

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

2. The Unleavened Bread illustrating the Sinless Messiah [Ex. 12:8, Is. 53:10]

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

 

3. The Bitter Herbs illustrating the Suffering Messiah [Ex. 12:8, Is. 53:4-6]

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

II. A NECESSARY SALVATION [Ex. 12, Jn. 1]

 

1. “A Lamb” showing the Necessity of the Substitute Lamb [Ex. 12:3]

 

2. “The Lamb” showing the Necessity of the Specific Lamb [Ex. 12:4, Jn. 1:29]

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

3. “Your Lamb” showing the Necessity of the Personal Lamb [Ex. 12:5, Jn. 1:12, 1 Cor. 5:7]

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:

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

 

 III. AN IMPORTANT PREPARATION [1 Cor. 11:18-34]

 

 1. The Right Reason [v. 18-22]

 

2. The Right Remembrance [v. 23-26]

 

3. The Right Reflection [v. 27-34]

THE GREAT SHEPHERD

PSALM 23

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

As we recently saw Psalm 22 presents Christ as The Good Shepherd. A truth also taught in John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Psalm 24 presents Christ as The Chief Shepherd. The New Testament clearly repeats that doctrine in 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

But now we look at Psalm 23 where Christ is presented as The Great Shepherd. Once again there is a clear New Testament reference to this in Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Even though the 23rd Psalm is one of the most quoted and well known chapters in the Scriptures it is relatively mis-quoted and unknown by the majority of people in the world, even those that claim it. That is it beautiful is undeniable, that it is universal is untenable. It is the proper confession of a saved individual. A lost person has no right to claim it though he should desire it. When you can claim it, what are you saying?

 

I. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO OTHERS? [v. 1-3]

 

1. A word of testimony- I am trusting Him and He is mine [v. 1]

 

2. A word of trust- I am depending on Him and He will provide [v. 1b-2]

 

More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but "I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time". -Matthew Henry

 

3. A word of transference- I am in Him and He will guide me [v. 3]

 

II. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO GOD? [v. 4-5]

 

1. Wherever you lead I'll go [v. 4a] [destination]

 

2. Whatever you say I'll trust [v. 4b] [direction]

 

3. Whatever you give I'll take [v.5] [devotion]

 

III. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO YOURSELF? [v. 6]

 

1. God is good [Mark 10:18 ... there is none good but one, that is, God.]

 

2. God is merciful [Ps. 62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy...] v.6 note the duration

 

3. God is forever gracious [Eph. 1:7, 2:7]

 

How unlike the world's philosophy, "Life stinks, and then you die."

 

Note the comforting words... walk...shadow...with me... comfort me...will dwell

THY KING COMETH! [PALM SUNDAY]

ZECHARIAH 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

               

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PROPHECIES OF PALM SUNDAY   [Zech. 9:9, Luke 19:28-34]

 

1. The Presentation of the King [Zech. 9:9a]

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee”

 

2. The Person of the King [Zech. 9:9b]

“He is just, and having salvation; lowly”

 

3. The Preparation of the King [Lk. 19:28-34] Jesus is always prepared

II. THE PEOPLE OF PALM SUNDAY [Luke 19:29-40]

 

1.  Some People are Willing to Obey [v. 29-32]

 

2. Some People are Willing to “Pay” [v. 33-36]

 

3. Some People are Willing to “Say” [v. 37-40]

 

III. THE POTENTIAL OF PALM SUNDAY [Luke 19:41-48]

 

1. The Problem of Ignorance [v. 41-44]

 

2. The Price of Arrogance [v. 45-46]

 

3. The Power of Attendance [v. 47-48, 1 Tm. 4:13]

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Why should I have to "pray through" for that which Jesus has already "paid through"? - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 115]

Bible conversions were always simple, and always an instantaneous matter. Sinners may be convicted before they are saved, struggle with God before they are saved, but that is always part of our wicked self-will. The instant any poor sinner is willing to receive Christ and depend upon Him, he has salvation and everlasting life. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 115]

Note that they said [in Acts 1], "THIS SAME JESUS." The Jesus in Heaven is not another but the same. The Jesus who will return for His saints is not another but the same. When He comes again to Jerusalem, Jews will look on Him whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). They will ask, "What are these wounds in thine hands?" He will answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech. 13:6). His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). Jesus now has hands and feet, the same with which He went away, hands and feet with the marks of nails! And this same Jesus now abides in Heaven with a physical body. I tell you, Heaven must be and is a real, literal, physical place! ― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

Of all the race of mankind, the only two men that we know definitely went to Heaven without dying were Enoch and Elijah. They were translated while yet alive and physically transferred to Heaven. With chariot and horses of fire, Elijah was carried to Heaven in a whirlwind. Therefore, we know there are at least three beings in Heaven with physical bodies—Jesus, Enoch and Elijah.

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

Eventually, if enough masses are said and prayers uttered, the soul may pass from purgatory into Heaven. But that is not taught in the Bible. It is based on a doctrine of salvation by works and by the [Roman Catholic] church instead of redemption by the blood of Christ. It is used to extort money from those who hope to shorten the period of suffering of their loved ones that they may the sooner enter Heaven.

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

In Luke 23:39-43 we see how the repenting thief turned to Jesus on the cross beside him and said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” With loving forgiveness, Jesus turned to the penitent sinner and promised salvation not only in the distant day of His kingdom but "to day," said Jesus, "shalt thou be with me in paradise." That very day the dying thief entered into the Paradise of God with Jesus or, in the term to which we are accustomed, entered Heaven that day.”

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

Paul said in II Corinthians 5:8, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Every saint who is absent from the body is present with the Lord Jesus in Heaven. At death the soul of the Christian is carried by the angels of God straight Home where Christ and the Father are.

― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

GOD IS LOVE

1 John 4:8-10

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD IS LOVE BECAUSE OF “WHO” HE LOVES . . . “US”

 

1. “US” – THE WORLD [v. 9, Jn. 3:16]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

2. “US” – THE SINNERS [Rm. 5:8]

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

3. “US” – THE SAVED SINNERS [Rm. 5:9-10, 8:35-39]

-Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

-Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

II. GOD IS LOVE BECAUSE OF “HOW” HE LOVES [John 3:16]

 

1. HE LOVES AGRESSIVELY - “HE GAVE”

 

2. HE LOVES GENEROUSLY – “HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON”

He may not have bankrupted Heaven but He gave Heaven’s Best!

1 Peter 1:19...But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:4...To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1 Peter 2:6-7...Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

3. HE LOVES UNIVERSALLY – “THE WORLD”

1 Jn. 2:1-2  MY little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

III. GOD IS LOVE BECAUSE OF “WHY” HE LOVES

 

1. HE LOVES BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS [Zephaniah 3:17, Ephesians 2:4, Titus 3:4]

- The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love,     he will joy over thee with singing

- But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

- But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared

 

2. HE LOVES BECAUSE OF WHAT HE IS [1 Jn. 4:7-8]

 

3. HE LOVES US BECAUSE OF HOW HE IS

 

A man in a movie once proposed to a rich widow by saying, “I love you. Marry Me!” To which she wisely responded, “You wouldn’t love me if I wasn’t rich.” To which he honestly replied, “I might but I’d keep my mouth shut.”

But God, because of HOW He is EXPRESSES His love in the Book He has written, EXERCISES His love in the Blood He has given and EXPLAINS His love by His Spirit He has sent! GOD IS LOVE.