There are some things that are worse than wars. In God's sight, sin is always worse than bloodshed. Many thousands of the best men this world has ever seen have resolved that it were better to go to the war than be slaves; that it is better to die than lose freedom. In the words of Patrick Henry they said, "Give me liberty or give me death!: War is not necessarily the worst thing in the world. There are times when nations ought to fight. There are times when Christian men ought to go to the army, shoulder arms, obey orders, and if need be, die for their country. - John R. Rice
Certainly no Christian should hate individuals. No Christian ought to take delight in killing. A good father does not take delight in punishing his child although he knows it is necessary and right. A godly physician does not enjoy the pain that he gives in an operation of removing cancer, but he knows that it is necessary and right. A good officer of the law does not take vengeance on a criminal when he arrests him and stops a crime. A preacher does not indicate hate in his heart when he preaches that sinners must be born again or go to Hell. And so no one needs to have hate in his heart to obey the plain command of God about being a soldier when he is called. - John R. Rice
There are such good people, Christian people, who, because they misunderstand the Bible, are outright Pacifists. I can believe a man if he is a noble Christian and lives like a Christian, and if his denominational teaching has been that he should never take part in a war nor serve as a soldier--I can believe he is sincere and I can think that arrangements might be made to give leeway to his convictions. Men ought to obey God rather than men, but my own understanding of the Bible is that if men obey God they will obey the government, too, on this matter. And I have no confidence in a so-called "conscientious objector," who is a friend of communism and who would hinder the American war effort and bring about disobedience and rebellion among the citizenship. - John R. Rice
I have genuine respect for many Mennonite groups and Brethren groups who are conscientious objectors. Unfortunately, they usually turn away from the Old Testament as it it were not the Word of God on this matter and teach that the New Testament contradicts the Old and that Christ teaches a different morality from the Old Testament. On this they are wrong. However, we believe they are generally sincere. - John R. Rice
No one has a right to be unpatriotic or guilty of treasonous activity and claim it is from Christian scruples. - John R. Rice
Let no one take wartime as an excuse to be a rebel against government and thus a rebel against God. Sabotage, giving aid to enemies, strikes, false rumors--these are the works of criminals, not of Christians. I refer to strikes in such cases as would be against the national welfare as they often manifestly are, and as of course they always are if there is bloodshed and hate. To be a good Christian, one must be a good citizen. "The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" (Rom. 13:1, 2). - John R. Rice
Can Christians make good soldiers? Or to put it the other way around, Can a soldier in war be a good Christian? The answer is that he certainly can if his heart is right with God and if he is in obedience to his government in a good cause. - John R. Rice
Friday, November 17, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
WHAT ABOUT THE MANSIONS?
JOHN 14:1-6
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE MISCONCEPTIONS
1. Each Christian will have a Huge House in Heaven
2. It will be Built by the Materials we send up Ahead of our
Arrival
3. It can a “Gold one that is silver-lined”
Note- none of these are Biblical, there are from songs and
other sources
II. THE MEANINGS
1. Mansion [v. 2, 23 are the only 2 places in Scripture] mone;
a staying, i.e. residence (the act or the place): --abode, mansion. -Strong’s
The English word
mansion… originally had the basic meaning of “a dwelling place.” Chaucer wrote
(c.1384) that "Everything has its proper mansion (i.e. dwelling place) to
which it longs to return." Somewhat later, in the King James translation
of the Bible (1611), Jesus says (John 14:2), "In my Father's house are
many mansions," assuring the people that there would be dwelling places
for them in God's house. But [later] the meaning had narrowed to "the
chief residence of a lord; a manor-house." …eventually, a mansion came to mean a large
and stately residence, a rich man's dwelling. - Stephen Trussel
I first became aware of this meaning in a secular college in
a secular class, Theatre History. A
mansion stage is a stage for theatrical performances. They originated in
churches where they were small wooden platforms with supports and a roof.
Mansions were stage structures used in medieval theatre to represent specific
locations, such as Heaven or Hell. The actors would move between these mansions
as the play demanded. In England, pageant wagons were used for the cycle dramas
to hold the mansion, the plateau, and a dressing area. These were used to move
the scene from one audience to the next, unlike in the church where the
mansions were stationary and both the performer and the congregation would move
from mansion to mansion. - wikipedia
2. Place [v. 2-3] topos;
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; i.e. location (as a
position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially,
a scabbard: --coast, licence, place, plain, quarter, + rock, room, where. -Strong’s
whereas 5561 is a
large but participle locality, the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. a space of
territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants):--coast,
county, fields, ground, land, region.) -Strong’s
3. Whither [v. 4] hopou;
what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever),
whither (+ soever). -Strong’s
III. THE MESSAGE
“I Need a big house in Heaven” WHY? For all my stuff [what stuff?] to show off [to who?] for my
family to live [what family are you referring to?]
“Well, I still want a big house in Heaven” WHY?
“I think I deserve a big house in Heaven” NO. If you get what you deserve you will be
in Hell.
1. It’s the Father’s House [v. 1-2]
2. Jesus Prepares It [v. 3]
3. It is so we can be with Him [v. 3b]
4. Only One Way to be there [v. 4-6]
Monday, November 13, 2017
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KINGDOM, REFLECTIONS OF THE KING
MATTHEW 18
THAT’S MY KING
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. GREATNESS IN THE
KINGDOM [v. 1-7]
1. Must be Saved [v. 1-3]
2. Must Be Humble [v. 4, Philippians 2:8]
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross
3. Must be Helpful [v. 5-7, Acts 10:38]
How God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
II. PRIORITIES IN THE
KINGDOM [v. 8-20]
1. Salvation [v. 8-14] of self, of others
2. Spirituality [v. 15-17, Galatians 6:1]
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted
3. Supplication [v. 18-20, 7:7]
III. FORGIVENESS IN
THE KINGDOM [v. 21-35]
1. The Inquiry of Peter [v. 21-22]
2. The Illustration of Perspective [v. 23-24]
3. The Application of the Parable [v. 35]
Sunday, November 12, 2017
WHERE IS GOD?
PSALM
42:1-3, 2 KINGS 2:11-15
Pastor Rick Jackson
After a tragedy people are often heard to say, “Where is
God?” Some foolishly charge God with wrongdoing or lack of right doing. I
guarantee you that every child of God who died on 9-11, every Christian who died
in any war, accident or storm of nature knows exactly where God is! It is those
left behind who ignorantly question what they don’t understand. It is those who
in some cases are willingly ignorant that charge God foolishly. Those who know
their Bibles know exactly where God is.
I. WHERE IS GOD FOR
THE BELIEVER?
1. God is before us- Dt. 1:30-33 (taking point)
2. God is above us- Dt. 4:39 (good vantage point), Ps. 14:2,
102:19
3. God is beneath us- Dt. 33:27
4. God is around us- Dt. 4:39, Ps. 125:1-2
5. God is behind us- Ps. 139:5-10, Is. 30:18-21, Rev. 1:10
6. God is with us- Joshua 1:5, Mt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5
7. God is in us- 1 Co 6:19, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 Th. 1:1,
1 Pt. 5:14 Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
II. WHERE IS GOD FOR
THE UNBELIEVER?
1. He is everywhere- Ps. 139:7-13, Jer. 23:23-24
2. He is separate- Is. 59:2. Heb. 7:26
3. He is near- Is. 55:6-11
III. WHERE IS GOD IN
YOUR LIFE?
1. Is He in you? -Rm. 8:9-11
2. Is He in fellowship with you? -1 Jn. 1
3. Is He outside the door? -Rev. 3:20
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Question of the Week: How could Noah build the Ark? 🔨
From: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>
Subject: How could Noah build the Ark? 🔨
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday, November 10, 2017
John R. Rice Quotes of the Week
Children are an heritage of the Lord. And rear them right. If you are going to raise trash who don't obey anybody, with no discipline, no control, and don't learn to work, and don't make good grades in school and turn out to be dope-heads and drop-outs, and live on welfare, then you had better not marry; you are not fit to have a home. - John R. Rice
But those godly people who raise godly children, with discipline and a family altar and great moral standards, oh, God will prosper that. We need that kind of children, too. "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them." - John R. Rice
This Word of God, what a comfort it is! If children learn to read the Bible, they learn to read other books. They learn good language. They learn big words. They learn great moral principles. It was no accident that my children all sailed through college. You have a good start for a college education when you read the Bible through and aloud, with everybody listening. That instills character and discipline. - John R. Rice
It pays to put Christ at the head of your home. Put the Bible in your home, and God will bless you. - John R. Rice
The Bible is the only rule by which a Christian may safely go. Right or wrong, for the Christian, is settled by the will of God as expressed in His Word, the infallible Bible. - John R. Rice
Some foolish and some wicked men say that the death penalty, when assessed by the court and executed in the electric chair, is only legalized murder. But they do err, not knowing the Scriptures. God has plainly commanded that organized society shall kill murderers and those guilty of certain other crimes. - John R. Rice
God demands that "whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." And thereafter, through all the Bible, in all dispensations, this rule has held good and holds good today. God demands that murderers shall be put to death by society. - John R. Rice
But those godly people who raise godly children, with discipline and a family altar and great moral standards, oh, God will prosper that. We need that kind of children, too. "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them." - John R. Rice
This Word of God, what a comfort it is! If children learn to read the Bible, they learn to read other books. They learn good language. They learn big words. They learn great moral principles. It was no accident that my children all sailed through college. You have a good start for a college education when you read the Bible through and aloud, with everybody listening. That instills character and discipline. - John R. Rice
It pays to put Christ at the head of your home. Put the Bible in your home, and God will bless you. - John R. Rice
The Bible is the only rule by which a Christian may safely go. Right or wrong, for the Christian, is settled by the will of God as expressed in His Word, the infallible Bible. - John R. Rice
Some foolish and some wicked men say that the death penalty, when assessed by the court and executed in the electric chair, is only legalized murder. But they do err, not knowing the Scriptures. God has plainly commanded that organized society shall kill murderers and those guilty of certain other crimes. - John R. Rice
God demands that "whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." And thereafter, through all the Bible, in all dispensations, this rule has held good and holds good today. God demands that murderers shall be put to death by society. - John R. Rice
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
A LIFE OF FAITH NOT A LIFE OF FEAR
MATTHEW 10:17-23
Pastor Rick Jackson
Jesus is referring to the time of the tribulation, but the applications
of the truths are eternal.
I. DON’T FEAR THEIR
DECEPTION [v. 24-27]
1. Your Identification is with the Saviour [v. 24-25]
2. Your Vindication is Assured [v. 26]
3. Your Expression is Appreciated [v. 27]
II. DON’T FEAR THEIR
DESTRUCTION [v. 28]
1. The Can Only Touch the Temporary [2 Corinthians 4:18]
2. The Cannot Touch the Eternal
3. God Touches Both
III. DON’T FEAR THEIR
DEVALUATION [v. 29-42]
1. Jesus Establishes Value [v. 29-31]
2. God Encourages Virtue [v. 32-33]
3. Christians Experience Conflicts [v. 34-42]
Monday, November 06, 2017
THE KING’S GLORY
MATTHEW 17
THAT’S MY KING
I. THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF THE KING [v. 1-13]
1. The Glory from Within [16:28-17:2]
2. The Glory from Without [v. 3-4]
3. The Glory from Above [v. 5-8, 2 Peter 1:11-18]
4. The Glory to Come [v. 9-13]
II. THE COMPASSION OF
THE KING [v. 14-21]
1. The Glory of Mercy [v. 14-15, Psalm 145:8-9]
2. The Glory of Power [v. 16-17, Psalm 145:10-16]
3. The Glory of Holiness [v. 18-21, Psalm 145:17-19]
III. THE MISSION OF
THE KING [v. 22-27]
1. The Heavenly Reality [v. 22-23]
2. The Earthly Reality [v. 24-27]
Sunday, November 05, 2017
YOU CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY
ACTS 16:9-15
Pastor Rick Jackson
The Lord basically uses three avenues to bring people to
Himself. He uses His Word, His people, or circumstances to get someone’s
attention and have them hear what He has to say. This is even true of Christians
who have gone astray but it is definitely used for the lost.
I. GOD USES THE WORD
OF GOD
1. The Planting of the Seed [16:10, 13; Rm. 10:17]
2. The Power of the Sword [16:14, Heb. 4:12]
3. The Pattern of the Saved [16:15, 2 Tm. 3:16-17]
II. GOD USES THE WITNESS
OF BORN-AGAIN CHILDREN OF GOD
1. A Christian Led of the Spirit of God [16:9-10]
2. A Christian Longing to do the Will of God [16:11-12]
3. A Christian Laden with the Word of God [16:13-14]
Andrew told Peter, Philipp told Nathanael, woman at the well
told the Samaritans, someone told you…
III. GOD USES
CIRCUMSTANCES [Acts 16:26-32]
1. The More Someone Ignores # 1, the more someone denies # 2,
the Greater the Circumstances
2. It Can Lead the Lost to Accepting God’s Grace & Mercy
[Rm. 2:4]
Nebuchadnezzar heard the Word via Daniel’s interpretation,
heard the testimony of Daniel and his friends, spent 7 years as a beast
resulting in Dan. 4:36-37
3. It leaves the Lost with No Excuse [Ps. 19, Romans 1:20]
Pharaoh heard the Word, the testimony of Moses, then faced
the plagues [Exodus] and died in rebellion [Rm. 9:17]
---------------
People ask, “Why has this happened?” Because God loves them,
He is trying to get their attention and have them hear what He has to say
before it is too late. One Christian organization reports over 500 being saved
because of the hurricanes that hit Florida, Louisiana, and Texas this year.
Have you received the Word?
Are you a testimony?
Does God need to get your attention?
Saturday, November 04, 2017
Question of the Week: How did cats come to rule the world? 🐱
From: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
