IF GOD...

[“If” Series #5]

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. IF GOD IS YOUR GOD WHY WORRY? [Matthew 6:30]

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

II. IF GOD IS YOUR FATHER YOU WILL LOVE JESUS [John 8:42]

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

III. IF GOD IS YOUR GOD MAKE YOUR PLANS WITH HIM IN MIND. [Acts 18:21, 1 Cor. 4:19, 16:7; Heb. 6:1-3, James 4:15]

-But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

-But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will...

-For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

- Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

-For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that

IV. IF GOD BE FOR US WHY FEAR ANYONE, OR ANYTHING, ELSE? [Romans 8:31]

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

V. IF GOD BE GOD WHY COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS TIMETABLE? [Romans 9:22]

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

VI. IF GOD BE GOD UNDERSTAND HE WILL DEAL WITH THE LACK OF FAITH [Romans 11:18-27]

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

VII. IF GOD IS WILLING TO SAVE, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO WITNESS [2 Timothy 2:25]

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

VIII. IF GOD BE GOD, HE WILL JUDGE THE WICKED [2 Peter 2:1-9]

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

IX. IF GOD IS OUR GOD WE OUGHT TO LOVE OTHERS AS GOD LOVES US [1 John 4:11]

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

PITY THE BLIND!

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

I was a drama major in college before the Lord called me to preach. After he called me to preach I went ahead and finished my degree at the secular institution I was in to have a degree with which to enter seminary. The way I figured it was, "I will be involved in public speaking as a preacher I might as well have a degree in it via drama!"

When I was a Junior a 6 hour course was developed for drama majors called "Drama Conservatory". About every three weeks we would put on a one-act play and were involved in almost every aspect of the "theatre". One of us would direct and the others would act, construct the set, sell tickets, etc. My first part was a very small one because the other students did not know if I had any talent (some people still don't think the answer is no). Eventually we did over 20 plays in 2 years and I was able to have a few starring roles, so to speak.

Back to my first part. I played a blind man lost in the woods with several other blind people. The one sighted person had died of a heart attack unbeknownst to us. I had one line "Pity the Blind!" which I gave at several intervals. Apparently I was not only blind... I had a screw loose as well! The others were much more conversant than me and the play was called.... are you ready for this? "The Blind." Fortunately it was the first production we did and was soon mercifully forgotten as we rolled out the other plays every 2 to 3 weeks.

Blind people do not necessarily need pity more so than anyone else. A strange fact I learned in St. Augustine, home to the Florida School for the Deaf & Blind, is that, generally speaking, deaf people feel sorry for blind people because they cannot see while blind people feel sorry for deaf people because they cannot hear!

There is a saying, "There are none so blind as those who WILL not see." I know a lot of people like that and I'm figuring you do too. I was reading an excellent book, PAY-PER-VIEW, by Dr. Jeff Amsbaugh the other day [this column first appeared in a slightly different form on the blog on 2-13-2009] and one paragraph reached out and slapped me in the face. It could have been written about several couples I know but I am sure Amsbaugh had someone else in mind. The paragraph went like this:

In certain homes one parent is emotionally distant and unavailable while the other parent gets too close to the child and smothers him or her with attention. Sometimes one parent is authoritarian while the other parent is completely passive. When the parents do not present a united front, the child becomes confused. This confusion has the potential to be a breeding ground for bitterness and rebellion.

That is exactly what happened in one of the homes I alluded to earlier. Unfortunately they decided to blame the local church for their family problems and so who knows if they will ever get resolved. Hopefully, by the grace of God they will. In the meantime let us be careful of our own blind spots and remember to, "Pity the blind!"

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

I found during World War II that when our soul-saving literature was used on ships taking soldiers away to the battle zones, many, many were saved. They felt they must face possible death and ruin, and many were saved. But I found when others were returning home, chaplains who used the same literature did not find as good a response. People who are happy, well and prosperous with no sense of need do not turn to the Saviour as quickly as those who feel the great need and the great danger. So money and wealth can be a snare. - John R. Rice

A man must come to Christ, not as a rabbi, a teacher, not even as a good teacher, not even as the best teacher in the world or the best man, but as the Son of God, the Perfect, Sinless, Blameless Lamb of God who took our sins upon Him and died. No one gets saved who doesn't come to Jesus, taking Him at face value, as all He claimed to be. In John 8:23,24 Jesus said, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in yours sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John R. Rice

There is no way to get saved unless you believe that Christ is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God, as He claimed to be, and rely on Him. - John R. Rice

One who would reach Heaven must see himself a poor, lost sinner. No one but sinners ever get saved. For whom did Jesus die? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," says 1 Timothy 1:15. Oh, if you want to be saved you must get in line with those who feel their guilt and come asking for mercy like the publican in the Temple who said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." - John R. Rice

God furnishes the Saviour and all you have to do is furnish the sinner. - John R. Rice

All the sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed to one holy Sacrifice. The bullock represented the burden-bearing Savior. The scapegoat pictured the One who would carry the sins of mankind. The mourning turtledove pictured the "Man of Sorrows." The pure and white pigeon symbolized the purity of Christ. The lamb pictured the innocent, defenseless One dying without a murmur for the guilty (John 1:29). But all these were not enough; they only pictured an innocent One who had not yet come. - John R. Rice

If God and men are yet strangers and enemies, it is no fault of God's. He has provided Himself a Lamb which pays for man's sins. He has anointed His own Son to be a High Priest to make intercession for us. - John R. Rice

IF THE TRUMPET GIVE AN UNCERTAIN SOUND… [“IF” SERIES # 4]

1 CORINTHIANS 14:8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PRIMARY INTERPRETATION [1 Cor. 14]

1. Biblical Tongues Refers to a Learnable Language [v. 16, 21]

2. Biblical Teaching must be done in a language known to the Hearers [v. 9-11]

3. Biblical Trumpets communicated a specific message [v. 6-8]

II. A POWERFUL APPLICATION [15:8-9]

1. An Uncertain Sound Concerning Inspiration [1 Thessalonians 2:13]

Falsehood - "The Bible contains the Word of God"

Truth-the Bible IS the Word of God “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. An Uncertain Sound Concerning Creation

Falsehood - "It doesn't matter how long God took to create everything or how He did it as long as we recognize He did do it."

Truth- since God specifically told us how long He took and how He made it- it does matter! [2 Peter 3:5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

3. An Uncertain Sound Concerning Salvation [John 14:6, Acts 4:12]

Falsehood – “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

LARRY KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?

JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know . . .

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong. I believe here’s what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God can judge a person’s heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don’t know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don’t know. I’ve seen their sincerity. So I don’t know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

Truth- John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way °, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby ° we must be saved.

III. A POINTED EXPECTATION

1. Speak the Truth [Romans 9:1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2. Speak the Truth Plainly [1 Corinthians 14:19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

3. Speak the Truth Plainly knowing we are accountable [Matthew 12:36, James 3:1ff.] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTION

ROMANS 5:12, 17

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE CONNECTION OF HISTORY [Rm. 5:12-21]

1. A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH [v. 12-13]

Adam's life brought death, Christ's death brought life. You have 1 connection-make the other!

2. IT'S A THORNY PROBLEM [v. 14-16]

Adam's sin brought thorns into the world, Christ wore a crown of thorns to remove the thorns.

Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Mark 15:17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

3. A CURSE OR A BLESSING? [v. 17-21]

Adam brought a curse upon creation, Christ became a curse to be a blessing to His creation.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

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.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

II. THE CONNECTION OF HOLINESS

1. CHRIST COMES TO YOU WHERE YOU ARE [Rm. 5:6-7]

2. CHRIST LOVES YOU AS YOU ARE [Rm. 5:8]

3. CHRIST SAVES YOU FROM WHAT YOU ARE [Rm. 5:9-11]

III. THE CONNECTION OF HERITAGE [1 Cor. 15:20-23, 44-58]

1. FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE [1 Cor. 15:20-23]

2. FROM NATURAL UNTO SPIRITUAL [1 Cor. 15:44-46]

3. FROM EARTHLY UNTO HEAVENLY [1 Cor. 15:47-58]

SHOW US THE FATHER!

John 14:6-9, 6:1-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. HOW JESUS IS LIKE GOD THE FATHER [JOHN 6]

1. JESUS CARES FOR ALL OUR NEEDS [v. 2, 5]

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. JESUS KNOWS WHAT HE WILL DO [v. 6]

Isaiah 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

3. JESUS KNOWS US [v. 2, 15]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

John 2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

II. WHAT JESUS LIKES TO DO [JOHN 6]

1. JESUS LIKES TO HELP US GROW [v. 5-6, 2 Peter 1:1-9, 3:18]

2. JESUS LIKES TO PRAY [v. 11, 15]

Mark 6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

3. JESUS LIKES TO MEET OUR NEEDS TOTALLY [v. 11-12a]

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

III. WHAT JESUS LIKES [JOHN 6]

1. FAITH [v. 8-9]

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Hebrews 11:6 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.

2. ORDER [v. 10]

Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

3. SERVICE (work) [v. 11-13]

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

John 1:9 tells us about Jesus, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Oh, yes, there is no man in the world but who had some call, some visitation from God, some sweet moving of conscience, indication that he needs forgiveness. And Jesus said in John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." And the next verse explains, "This he said, signifying what death he should die." Oh, the Saviour died for the sins of the whole world! That is what we are told in 1 John 2:2, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." - John R. Rice

Is there a reader who never read the Bible, one who is not conscious of God all through His Word? Shame on you, anyone who can read but never read a Bible! In nearly every hotel room is a Gideon Bible; in the Woolworth Store are New Testaments for a few cents.Christians are giving out Testaments, Gospels or tracts nearly everywhere and you never read that God commands sinners to repent, that He pleads for all to come to Christ in heart and trust Him for salvation! Shame, I say. Oh, worse, millions have a Bible in the house and never read it! - John R. Rice

If there is a world there is a World-maker. If there is such an infinitely wonderful human body, with intricate inborn abilities and processes beyond human understanding, SOMEONE, God, infinite and mighty, planned it, made it, maintains it, reproduces it. - John R. Rice

Oh, there is no excuse for the Christ-rejector, the so-called agnostic, the willing atheist. - John R. Rice

In a tense, dramatic scene under a big tent in Oklahoma City, I waited and the people waited in deathly stillness. A young woman stood to her feet, then came weeping down the aisle: "What will my friends think," she said aloud, "my walking down a sawdust aisle to get saved! And what will my father think! Oh, but no matter what anyone thinks, I am not going to Hell for anybody! I must be saved!" And she was. - John R. Rice

The cross speaks of a loving Saviour who does not want you to be lost. - John R. Rice

In Duke, Oklahoma, a man who had long posed as an infidel, a scorned of Christians, sneering at preachers, came to our united campaign. After God's Word and God's Spirit convicted him deeply, he said to me, "If I thought God would take an old reprobate like me, I would come in a moment!" And when I quoted to him Isaiah 1:18, God's invitation, "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," he was glad to come to Christ and trust Him. - John R. Rice

IF THE FOOTMEN WEARY THEE... [“IF” series #3]

JEREMIAH 12

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. A SAVED MAN QUESTIONS GOD [v. 1-4]

1. Why do the Wicked Prosper? [v. 1]

2. Why Do You Bless Hypocrites? [v. 2]

3. Why Don’t You Judge Them Now Like You do Me? [v. 3-4]

II. GOD QUESTIONS A SAVED MAN [v. 5-6]

1. What Will You do When Men Increase Their Attack? [v. 5a]

2. What Will You do When Nature Makes it Worse? [v. 5b]

3. What Will You do When Unexpected Sources Attack? [v. 6, 10]

-If your faith isn't strong enough to trust God in the bad times how can it handle the terrible times?

-Vance Havner said, "God marks some days "WILL EXPLAIN LATER".

III. GOD ANSWERS A SAVED MAN [v. 7-17]

1. God Hates Sin [v. 7-12]

2. God Will Judge Sin [v. 13-14]

3. God Offers Salvation [v. 15-17]

The Storm

Bob Reed, President - Global Baptist Schools

Mt. 14:22-27

1. The Lord Knows Where I am [v. 22, Ps. 139]

"One thing we never have to do in prayer is inform God."

2. The lord is Praying for Us [v. 23, Heb. 7:25]

3. The Lord is With Me [v. 24, 28:20, Josh. 1:9, Is. 41:10, Ps. 16:8, Col. 1:27]

When God sends us through a storm He is trying to teach us something:

- about Him

-About us

-About the relationship between the two

Learn to thank God for the storms. He is with us. He is doing something for us.

SYNC YOUR SCHEDULE WITH GOD'S

JAMES 4:15 “…ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

Pastor Rick Jackson

What is God doing this day? What is God's daily schedule like? Does God have a daily schedule? The answer is "Yes! and so should we!"

I. 3 THINGS ON GOD'S DAILY SCHEDULE!

1. ADD TO THE CHURCH [Acts 2:47]

-And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

2. EXTEND MERCY [Lamentations 3:22-23]

-It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

3. EXTEND BENEFITS [Psalm 68:19]

-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

II. THE BEGINNING SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

1. SETTLE SALVATION SINCERELY [2 Cor. 6:2]

-(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2. LISTEN TO THE CREATOR [Ps. 19:1-8]

3. FOCUS ON HIM TODAY [Jm. 4:13-15]

-Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

III. THE CONTINUING SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

1. PRAY [Mt. 6:9-11]

-After this manner therefore pray ye: ...Give us this day our daily bread.

2. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES [Acts 17:11]

-These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

3. DIE TO SELF [Lk. 9:23, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Psalms 118:24]

-And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

-I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

-This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Listen to me! Rearing godly children is a matter of conscience and Christian religion. And it is just as much the Word of God as John 3:16. I have no patience, no confidence in the sincerity and the Christian character of anybody who is not willing to do what God says about raising children. It takes character to be a good Christian. And if it doesn't show in your children, you haven't got it. - John R. Rice

I hear often, "Well, Brother Rice, you never can tell how children will turn out." Mrs. Rice and I heard that a long time ago, so we made up our minds we would turn them out ourselves, then we would know how they would turn out! You don't have to leave it to the schools, the infidel teachers. You don't have to leave it to the TV and the radio. You don't have to leave it to the gossip on the school yard. The Bible has a clear word here in Proverbs 19:18, "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." Begin on time. - John R. Rice

Listen! If you don't have enough character to do right about discipline, you are not a good Christian. You are going to answer to God for the way you raise your children. Discipline your children. - John R. Rice

How many here have read every line in the Bible at least once--Revelation, Habakkuk, Chronicles, "So-and-So begat So-and-So, and he begat So-and-So"? Less than half of you have. The rest of you people are baby Christians, aren't you? You don't read the Bible, so the first time the tongues and Pentecostal crowd comes along, you go off with them, or Herbert Armstrong or Colonel Theime or someone else who teaches false doctrine. You are a kind of baby Christian, a carnal Christian, not a well-developed Christian. You are not going to be the right kind of a dad or mother until you read the Bible and have it in your heart. I would never let a year go by without reading it through. - John R. Rice

You say we ought to have prayer in the school. But you don't even have it in your own house. Who believes your sincerity? The communists and infidels and left-wing Supreme Court and your kind of Christians are about to take America to Hell. Yes, with your kind of Christianity that doesn't have time for the Bible every day. You talk a nice line! Pharisee! You are playing church; you who don't have time for the Bible every day with your children. - John R. Rice

So, the Bible plainly says about the atheist, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Ps. 14:1). What a fool a man is to consider all this mighty universe and not to believe there is a God who made it! The heathen believed that life originated of itself. But Louis Pasteur proved that any matter totally isolated from germs and bacteria could never have life. He proved the absolute impossibility of spontaneous generation of life, that life could begin of itself. Ten thousand other scientists have proved it after him. Then what a fool a man is to think that life began back yonder by some accident millions of years ago without God. The Bible says they are fools. No, here is a world that requires a World-maker. Here are the sun, moon and stars and they require Someone who could make a universe out of nothing. - John R. Rice

Spiritual light is from God and there is a blindness mentally as concerning truth for those who do not know God and reject Christ. Nothing is scientific that is a matter of pure guesswork which goes against all the laws of nature that men know. No, an ape could not make a man; it took God for that. - John R. Rice 


All quotes taken from the book: Was Pope John I a Born-Again Christian?

IF JUDGMENT BEGIN...

(“IF” Series #2)

1 Peter 4:12-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE JUDGMENT OF SUFFERING [v. 12-16]

1. DON'T BE SURPRISED AT SUFFERING [v. 12]

2. LEARN TO EMBRACE CHRIST'S SUFFERING [v. 13-14]

Acts 5:40-41 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

3. DON'T FAIL TO UNDERSTAND ALL SUFFERING IS NOT THE SAME [v. 15-16]

II. THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS [v. 17-19]

1. BELIEVERS ARE JUDGED SEPARATELY FROM UNBELIEVERS [v. 17, Rev. 20:4-6, 2 Cor. 5:10-11]

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2. BELIEVERS JUDGMENT IS NOT BASED ON THEIR GOODNESS [v. 18, 1 Cor. 3:10-15]

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

3. BELIEVERS CAN REST IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD [v. 19, 1:3-7]

III. THE JUDGMENT OF UNBELIEVERS [v. 17-19]

1. THEIR END IS UNPLEASANT [v. 17, 1 Th. 1:9-10, 2 Th. 1:5-10]

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 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. THEIR END IS BEFORE GOD [v. 18, Rev. 20:11-15]

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

3. THEIR END IS INEVITABLE [v. 19, Hebrews 10:29]

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

THE LORD'S SUPPER

1 COR. 11

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

1. There is no saving power in communion. Not part of the Gospel. [1 Cor. 15:1-6ff]

2. There is not set schedule for the Lord’s Supper [1 Cor. 11:26] some churches to it every week, some do it every 5th Sunday, the Jews has Passover only once a year, but this is not technically Passover…

3. It is not a sacrament, it is an ordinance. 1 of only 2 given in the New Testament for believers. The other is baptism by immersion for believers only. It symbolizes the death of Christ. It sets forth the broken body (not bones) and shed blood of Christ, just as baptism pictures the same and His resurrection. (1 Cor. 2:1-8, 11:23-26)

II. THE LORD’S SUPPER POINTS IN 3 DIRECTIONS

1. A past transaction (1 Co. 11:26)

we are called upon with the Lord's Supper to remember what was accomplished on Calvary

2. A present experience (1 Co. 11:26) "as oft as ye..."

3. A future event (1 Co. 11:26 "...till He come.", Mk. 14:25, Rev. 19:6-9)

III. THE LORD'S SUPPER PRESUPPOSES PREPARATION [Mt. 26:17]

1. Review & examine (1 Co. 11:27-32, 2 Co. 13:5) (known disobedience)

2. Repent & rely (1 Jn. 1:9)

3. Rededicate & partake (Rm. 12:1-2, 1 Co. 11:28b) "...so let him..."

LIVING IN PERILOUS TIMES

2 Timothy 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. PERILOUS TIMES COMES FROM PEOPLE [v. 1-9]

1. Lovers of Self [v. 1-4a]

2. Lovers of Pleasure [v. 4b-6]

3. Lovers of Godless Learning [v. 7-9]

II. PERILOUS TIMES CREATE PERSECUTION [v. 10-14]

1. Exemplify Christ! [v. 10]

2. Expect Persecution! [v. 11-12]

3. Ever Persevere! [v. 13-14]

III. PERILOUS TIMES CAN’T DEFEAT TRUTH [3:14-4:2FF]

1. Know the Source! [v. 14]

2. Know the Scripture! [v. 15, 2:15]

3. Know the Service! [3:16-4:2]

QUESTION of the Week - How Should Christians View Biological Classification?

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Latest Answers January 26, 2019 View in browser A Tragic Anniversary Forty-six years ago, seven justices on the Supreme Court of the United States made a decision that stained their hands with the blood of tens of millions of children. These men legalized abortion across the United States. Their decision, and the subsequent decisions of millions of women have cost nearly sixty million children their lives. Read Now "Around 1,000" People at the March For Life? Fake news has been in the news a lot this week. In an obvious display of their anti-life bias, most major news outlets completely ignored the massive crowd at the annual March for Life, in Washington, DC. But one outlet, CNN, condescended to cover the story but claimed only "around 1,000 people" showed up to march in defense of the defenseless. But that's fake news! Find Out More The Sanctity of Life DVD Set Explore the science and the biblical view on the critical topics of abortion, euthanasia, stem cell harvesting, human cloning, and more. DVD Set  $59.96 $39.99 Created in His Image Why are humans—from the unborn to the infirm—so important to God? This DVD set reveals the movements and political pressures that have resulted in society's low regard for the sanctity of life. Yet it keeps the focus on the foundation that every Christian's worldview must be based upon—the Bible. Order Now Lab Strips Co-Discoverer of DNA of His Titles James Watson, the co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, was stripped of his honorary titles by the laboratory where he did most of his work. But why? Learn More → How Should Christians View Biological Classification? Has modern classification been hijacked by evolutionary cladistics? Learn More → Get Equipped to "Answer a Fool" Proverbs 26:4–5 may seem like a contradiction when you first read it. But what does it mean to answer and not answer a fool according to his folly? Learn More → Schedule a Unique Group Adventure at the Ark Encounter Are you looking to plan an unforgettable trip for your youth or school group? Look no further than a trip to the Ark Encounter for an overnight adventure! Learn More → Experience Exciting Adventures with Buddy Davis in 2019 Did you know you could join Buddy Davis on exciting adventures as well? Check out what opportunities are available for you and your children in 2019! Learn More → Teach through the Bible in four years with this chronological Sunday school curriculum for all ages. Get equipped to confidently share the gospel and biblical authority with this award-winning worldview magazine. Teach kids that the Bible is more than a dusty book of stories so they can trust its life-changing message of salvation! Copyright © 2019 Answers in Genesis, All rights reserved. PO Box 510 Hebron, KY  41048 view in browser