John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

You see, when he [the prodigal son] bit down into the apple, he found a worm. That is what you always find when you bite into the Devil's apples! Sometimes when you bite into the Devil's apples, you will find half a worm! Some of it you will have already swallowed! That is not a joke when you apply it to sin, as I am applying it now. Lots of times when you bite in and do not find a worm, you have already swallowed it. The sin is committed and you can't get done with it as easily as you think. You will find out the Devil is a liar when it is too late to retract some things, when it is too late to live over some things. - John R. Rice [from the message "All Satan's Apples Have Worms"]

If preaching is worth doing, it is worth preparation for it. No one would set out to be a lawyer or a doctor with expecting to do a lot of study and work. Well, preaching is more important, and it deserves the best that any man has. There is no way to be greatly used of God without spending the time and the study and the prayer and doing whatever is necessary to learn to do it right. - John R. Rice

They continued in prayer and in supplication. Prayer is asking; supplication is begging. - John R. Rice

Here is another Scripture on this Bible doctrine that all Satan's apples have worms.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." - Ps. 37:7-10

"David, don't fret because of that old sinner. Don't complain because that man is getting along better than you are."

David had said, "Lord, here is a sinner who is making good money and having a good time. I am living for You and am having it tough. This man who is living for the Devil seems to prosper."

God said, "David, don't worry about that. He has pretty apples, but all of them have worms." - John R. Rice [all Satan's apples have worms]

Let us forever do away with any thought that we can earn salvation. It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). And Ephesians 2:8, 9 say: "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." Not of works! Nobody ever deserves salvation, and no one ever will. I deserved Hell before I was saved, and I deserve Hell now. But bless God, through His infinite mercy I am saved and on my way to Heaven. Salvation is wholly by God's rich grace. Jesus died for sinners. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 110]

So if some poor sinner reads this who is unsaved, I warn you now, do not start out to bribe God. Do not set out to earn your way to Heaven. Such people do not get to Heaven. His salvation is only for those who admit themselves poor undone sinners and LEAVE THE SAVING TO JESUS! You cannot buy salvation with good deeds. But praise the Lord, you can accept it as a free gift of God. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 110]

Jesus Himself also said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). When you trusted Jesus Christ, He saved you. I will pray for you that you will believe God and quit depending on your feelings and emotions. It would be wrong for me to be praying for God to give you the kind of feeling you want. That is not the way we are to know we are saved. We know we are saved because God said it and we have faith to believe it. Faith takes God's Word as true and relies upon it. ― John R. Rice, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Sinners love to blame God for Hell. But God has arranged it that every last sinner shall be dragged out of Hell and get a resurrection body, and then that he shall stand before God in the Great White Throne Judgment, pictured in Rev. 20:11-15. God has promised plainly that, "Every knee should bow ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10, 11). So God will open His record books, and men will be judged according to their own works out of the things written in the books. There men will confess their own sins. There every witness in the universe of God will be brought forward to prove the guilt. There men shall give account of every idle word uttered. There the lusts of the heart, the desires that were never mentioned, the sins that never took place outwardly--all these will be brought to judgment then. Then every angel in Heaven, every demon in Hell, and all the assembled billions of the earth's population of all ages, will come to know what a sinner you are and have been! Then, surely, in the presence of every being God ever created, you may be sure that your sin will find you out! That judgment is only for unsaved sinners, sinners that die in their sin without repentance and without forgiveness. But, oh, what a horrible climax to a life of sin when Christ-rejecting sinners are found out by their sin at the judgment bar of Almighty God! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 31-32]

You who will not take Jesus Christ and flee to Him for refuge will find yourselves hounded and pursued by your own sins and so certain of eternal ruin. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 33]

The dying thief said about Jesus, "This man hath done nothing amiss." In that statement he admitted all that Jesus ever claimed for Himself. Jesus said to the rich young ruler, who wanted to have eternal life by doing good things, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God (Matt. 19:17). No one ever need call Jesus good who does not call Him what He is, God come in human form. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 105]

It is disgusting to hear people talk about Jesus as "the great teacher" who do not believe in His deity. The foolish prattle about "the Nazarene peasant" by those who deny His virgin birth is shameful and wicked. Those who boast about the wonderful example that Jesus gave and urge others to live as Jesus did, to follow "the Jesus way of life," who deny that He was the miracle-born Son of a virgin and deny that He was without a human father, that He was pre-existent God who created all things, are insincere hypocrites. No one ever got peace and forgiveness and salvation through Christ who did not admit His sinless deity. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 105]

There is a horrible moral guilt in anyone who will not admit the deity of Jesus Christ, because every sinner could KNOW about the deity of Christ if he honestly wanted to know, if he honestly followed what light he had. Jesus said in John 7:17, to certain doubters, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Again He said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I have no patience for the man who says, "I do not believe in the electric light," and will not try the switch to see for himself. And so any man who does not search the Scriptures, who does not honestly seek the Lord Jesus for himself, who does not put the matter of salvation to a test, is a dishonest sinner, condemned because he does not want to know the truth and does not follow on to know it. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 105-106]

We must remember that everybody who was ever saved was saved the same way--by faith in Christ. God has always had but one way of saving sinners. Those who were saved in Old Testament times were saved by faith in the coming Saviour. Those who are saved now are saved by faith in the Saviour who has already come. - John R. Rice [When A Christian Sins, pg. 18]

The old nature leads a Christian into sin, but the new nature never lets a Christian be happy in sin. - John R. Rice [When A Christian Sins, pg. 21]

GOOD DECISIONS DON’T JUST HAPPEN

Acts 17:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. USE SANCTIFIED COMMON SENSE

1. Decide Whether It’s Scriptural [Acts 17:2-3, 11; Eph. 5:10, 2 Tm. 3:16-17]

2. Decide Whether It’s Spiritual [Acts 17:4, 11-12; Eph. 6:12, Colossians 1:9, 3:16]

3. Decide Whether It’s Sensible [Acts 6:1-2, Rm. 12:1-2]

II. USE SPECIFIED COMMON SENSE

1. Decide What You Are Going to Gain [Matthew 18:15, 1 Tm. 6:6, Hebrews 11:25]

2. Decide What You Are Going to Lose [Matthew 10:39, 42; 16:25-26, Philippians 3:7]

3. Decide What You Are Going to Keep [Luke 11:28, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Eph. 4:1-3, Phil. 4:7]

III. USE SUBMISSIVE COMMON SENSE

1. Submit These Things to God in Prayer [James 1:5]

2. Get the Peace of God [Phil. 4:4-9, Col. 3:15-17]

3. Until Then-Stay Where You Are, Don’t Move [1 Cor. 7:8, 17-24]

CHOOSING THE RIGHT

1 PETER 2:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. BABIES IN CHRIST [v. 1-3]

1. Babies Need a Change [v. 1, 1 Cor. 3:1-3] -from our natural previous state

2. Babies Need a Chance [v. 2, 2 Peter 3:18]

3. Babies Need Christ [v. 3, 2 Corinthians 13:5]

II. STONES IN A HOUSE [v. 4-5]

1. You Come to the Living Stone [v. 4, Luke 20:17-18]

2. You Become a Living Stone [v. 5a]

3. Your Connection is THE Important Thing [v. 5b, John 15:1-8]

III. SET IN CONCRETE [v. 6-8]

1. Believers “Agree” with God [v. 6-7a, Rm. 9:33, 10:9-13]

2. Unbelievers Disobey God [v. 7b, 3:20, 4:17]

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

3. Unbelievers Destiny is Ordained [v. 8, Jude 1:4]

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

A VALENTINE REMINDER [Pt. 2]

                                           

1 PETER 3:18                                                     

Pastor Rick Jackson

The message of the whole Bible is basically Who He is and what He did! He, Jesus, the Just, suffered for the sins of us, sinners- the unjust. But what did he suffer?

We know he suffered immeasurable physical pain via the beatings, the beard plucking, the crucifixion…

But also in Gethsemane He suffered mental anguish as the Devil tried to kill Him with sorrow but He prayed and lived to go to the cross. Oh- you thought He prayed to get out of the cross? Better think again. Compare Luke 22:41-45 with Hebrews 5:7 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;

But we suffer physically and, though not like Him entirely, others were crucified. We suffer mentally though not like Him entirely. So what suffering did He suffer for us so that if we receive Him we will NOT suffer? He suffered our Hell.

We know He bore our sins. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

We know [Romans 6:23] … the wages of sin is death; …

We know this is a spiritual death as described in Revelation 20:13-14 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.

So, the question is, “How did He take our Hell?” While we cannot fully comprehend it, we know He did. We must ask ourselves. What is Hell?

1. HELL IS THIRST!

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

2. HELL IS SEPARATION FROM GOD!

Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

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:

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

3. HELL IS DARKNESS!

Matthew 8:11-12 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

4. HELL IS PHYSICAL TORMENT!

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Psalm 22:14-16 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

5. HELL IS SHAME & CONTEMPT!

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 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.

6. HELL IS FOR SINNERS!

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be? not deceived: neither: fornicators, nor, idolaters, nor, adulterers, nor, effeminate, nor, abusers of themselves with mankind, ,

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

7. HELL IS ETERNAL!

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Hell is forever. It continues as long as Heaven does. The same words are used to describe the length of both. So how did Jesus in the 3 hours of darkness on the cross suffer an eternal Hell? We are finite beings, God is infinite. We had a beginning- God did not. As finite beings if we pay for our sins in Hell we must stay there forever and ever. The only way a finite being can pay for sin against an infinite Holy God is to pay an eternal debt in Hell.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was God incarnate, God in the flesh, an infinite being since He is God- the same yesterday, today, and forever. While a finite being can only pay an eternal debt in an infinite span an infinite being can pay an eternal debt in a finite span. Hence Christ can pay the eternal debt of all lost sinners by suffering the agonies of Hell for 3 hours.

A finite being cannot even pay his own debt. An holy, innocent, infinite being can pay many others debts- He owes none Himself! The Just for the unjust.

He died on the cross but He didn’t stay dead. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:… by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

I think the correct meaning of I Peter 3:18, 19 is that Christ, by the Spirit, went and preached to those spirits who are now in prison, but did it then when God's Holy Spirit was striving with the men in Noah's day and Christ preached to them through the Spirit, by the mouth of Noah, before they died. Christ was preaching to them when Noah preached. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 11]

I was preaching in revival services in the open air in East Dallas some years ago. One night we closed services after a number of people had been saved. As a few of the workers sat about and planned, and rejoiced over God's blessings, a man came running down the sidewalk, turned into the lot where the meetings were held under the stars. Panting, deeply agitated, he said to me, "Oh, Brother Rice, I'm so glad you're still here! I was afraid you'd be gone!" Then he told me how he had heard the sermon that evening, had been deeply moved, but resisted God's invitation. When the service dismissed he went homeward, but every step of the way the Spirit of God struggled with him and warned him. He said something like this, "As I walked those six blocks something told me that tonight was my chance to be saved, that I would run an awful risk if I went home without Christ. But I went on. When I turned into my own front yard, the Holy Spirit told me, 'This is your last call. If you do not get saved tonight you will never be saved. It is now or never.' When I stepped on the porch the Holy Spirit seemed to say to me, 'If you go in that house unsaved I will never speak to you about this matter again. I will never convict you, I will never warn you again.' But when I had a hand on the door knob God seemed to cry out to me, 'This is your last warning! It is now or never!' Then I turned and ran the six blocks back to this place of meeting to see you. Oh, I must be saved tonight." That night he gave himself to Christ and went home with peace and forgiveness. I do not doubt that God really spoke to him, as he said, for God "will not always strive with man"! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 15-16]

In a blessed revival campaign in Binghamton Theatre, Binghamton, New York, in 1936, I saw one night in the audience a man deeply concerned as friends talked to him about his soul. The sweat broke out on his forehead. He forcibly grasped the seat before him. I pleaded from the platform. The congregation sang so earnestly! The Spirit of God struggled with him. Suddenly he fell over in a faint. Friends carried him outside into the zero weather and there he was revived. One worker said to him, "You stay here with your friend and I will get my car and take you home." But the young man who had fainted said, "No! I must go back into the theater. I must get this matter settled tonight." When they remonstrated with him that he was sick, he replied, "But this is my last chance, I know it. God has told me that if I don not settle this tonight I will never be saved." He came inside. The services had already been dismissed, but he came to the wings on the stage and called for me and there told me he knew he must be saved that night. Thank God he was! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 16]

Are you burdened about your soul? The you have not committed the unpardonable sin. Revelation 22:17 proves that WHOSOEVER WILL may take of the water of life. If you had committed the unpardonable sin, your heart would be like ice. You would not be concerned about your soul. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 16]

I have had conferences with many and letters from many who feared they had committed the unpardonable sin, but none of them had. In the first place a Christian never commits and unpardonable sin, since his sins, past and future, are already all pardoned. In the second place, if a lost sinner is burdened about his soul and is convicted, then the Spirit of God has not departed from him. God's Holy Spirit is still striving with him. That is what makes him want to be saved, what makes him concerned. That is the reason he is convicted concerning his sins. Oh, dear friend, if the Spirit of God speaks to your heart today, I beg you to be saved! God's Spirit will not always strive with men! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 16]

The word "church" in the Bible, ecclesia, never means a denomination; it means a called out assembly. ...
It is used about ninety times about a local congregation of Christians, like "the church of God at Corinth," "the churches of Galatia," "the seven churches of Asia." Remember that more than one congregation is always spoken of as plural "churches," not a church. The term "church" is never used in the Bible about a denomination. That is a false, man-made use based on a false doctrine and tradition. - John R. Rice

Do not think that Hell is simply a place where a hard-hearted God confines people arbitrarily and heaps upon them suffering while He gloats over their pain. No, no! Hell is simply the mad-house of retribution which every sinner prepares for himself. The Scripture says, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). The sinner who goes to Hell reaps exactly what he sowed. Hell is simply the wages of sin. Those who go to Heaven ride on a pass and enter into blessings that they never earned, for "the gift of God is eternal life." But all who go to Hell pay their own way. Hell is absolute justice. Men go to Hell because they are sinners, aliens, rebels, unreconciled and condemned sinners. Poor sinner, if you reject Christ and land in Hell, then and not until then will you really understand how terrible sin is! Sin will come home to the sinner in the fires of Hell! - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 31]

ART THOU GREATER? [HE IS GREATER]

Mt. 12:38-42

John 4: 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob?

John 8: 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GREATER THAN JONAH [v. 39-40, 32]

1. Jonah was a Great Sign [v. 39-40]

2. Jonah was a Great Preacher [v. 41a]

3. Jesus is Greater than Jonah [v. 39-41]

II. GREATER THAN SOLOMON [v. 42]

1. Solomon was Worth a Trip

2. Solomon was Worth a Hearing

3. Jesus is Greater than Solomon

III. GREATER THAN MOSES [Hebrews 3]

1. Moses was Great at being Faithful [v. 5, 1 Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.]

2. Moses was a Great Servant [v. 5]

3. Jesus is greater than Moses [3:1-4:2]

ARE YOU DRIVING ON EMPTY?

1 PETER 1:18-25

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE EMPTINESS OF LIFE [v. 18]

1. Putrid Bling

2. Profitless Activity

3. Purposeless Hand-Me-Downs

II. THE EXCEPTIONALNESS OF CHRIST [v. 19-20a]

1. There is the Matter of HIS Precious Blood [v. 19]

2. There is the Matter of the HIS Perfect Character [v. 19]

3. There is the Matter of HIS Planned Redemption [v. 18, 20a]

III. THE EXPLOSION OF PURPOSE [v. 20-25]

1. Exemplified in a Personal Faith [v. 20b-21]

2. Exemplified in a Pure Family [v. 22]

3. Exemplified in a Permanent Focus [v. 23-25]

A VALENTINE REMINDER

                                          

1 PETER 3:18                                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

Suffering is a common enough experience. We all suffer to some degree. If I were to ask you if you have ever suffered everybody here could give testimony to the fact that they have suffered.

You can suffer many different ways- physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and so on. Suffering is common. You might suffer a lot, you might suffer a little, but suffering is something we all do.

Job, who suffered as few have said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

Paul not only suffered physically but also materially. He said in Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”

But One has suffered so that we would not have to suffer. He suffered something greater than the sufferings we have mentioned, and this is THE MESSAGE OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE, AND IS, A VALENTINE REMINDER – JOHN 3:16.

Jesus Christ the Just suffered for us poor sinners- the unjust. That is, He suffered in our place, instead of us. That’s the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

1. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE PENTATEUCH [Genesis-Deuteronomy]

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The woman’s seed is Christ- all others are of man’s seed. The Just for the unjust.

In Ex. 12 we see the story of the Passover lamb. How the lamb suffered so that those that applied its blood in faith escaped the plague that killed all the firstborn in Egypt. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:7 For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

We could go on in the Pentateuch but you get the idea. The Just for the unjust.

2. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE HISTORICAL BOOKS [Joshua-Esther]

In Joshua Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation. In Ruth we find Christ as the Kinsman Redeemer paying the debt He did not owe. As the song says, “I owed a debt I could not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe.” The Just for the unjust.

3. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE POETICAL BOOKS [Psalms-Song of Solomon]

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

4. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETICAL BOOKS [Isaiah-Mal.]

Isaiah 53:6 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.

5. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS [Matthew-Mark]

Luke 24:25-26 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

6. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

7. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE EPISTLES [Rom.-Jude]

(1) The Epistles of Paul - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(2) The Epistles of Peter - 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

(3) The Epistles of John - 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

(4) The General Epistles [James, Jude]- James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

8. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE APOCALYPSE [Rev. 1:5-7]

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Every Christian in the world has exactly the same command to win souls that the apostles had. They had apostolic authority in doctrine and over churches before the Scriptures were completed, which we do not have. But they did not have any more command to win souls than we have. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.29]

Soul winning is the thing dearest to the heart of Christ. It was to keep sinners out of Hell that Christ Jesus died. It was to save sinners that the Lord Jesus came into this world. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.46]

Oh, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in human form to this world has been the most civilizing and exalting impact that human history ever had. One can never finish tracing the influence of Christ upon the laws of the nations, the moral standards, the art, the literature. Christianity has raised the value of human personality till slavery is unthinkable in a civilized country. Womanhood has been exalted. The poor, the sick, the homeless, and little children have benevolent care because of the impact of Christ on men. But all these are incidental and are by-products. They are not what Jesus came for. He came to save sinners! He came to keep people from going to eternal ruin in Hell! - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.47]

If you want to understand the Saviour and know His joy and feel His heartbeat, you must enter into His compassion and into the great business to which He set Himself--the keeping of souls out of Hell at an infinite price. The sufferings of Jesus on earth and His compassionate concern now in Heaven ought to be enough to set every Christian in the world to soul winning. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.49]

Do you believe in giving money to help the poor? Well, remember that the best help that you can give to a poor home is to give it a husband and father who is born again, who is a changed man in heart and soul, who is now a faithful provider, a true husband, a good citizen, an honest workman. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.56]

There is a familiar saying that all of us have heard, "Sinners just don't come to church anymore." Well, backslidden Christians have been saying the same thing down through all the centuries! The simple truth is, the Bible did not command sinners to come to church. It commands the church to go to sinners. God's plan is not that sinners should seek out someone to tell them how to be saved. God's plan is that Christians should seek out sinners and win them. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.93-94]

In the little cow-town in West Texas where I went to school we marched out of the room in somewhat subdued, orderly fashion. But the understanding was that one was free to talk as soon as we got outside the building. So the first of the larger boys to reach the door would shout, "First batter!" and the next would cry, "Second batter!" We played "work-up" baseball.
Well, Paul cries, "I am the chief sinner!" If Jesus died for sinners, Paul boldly gets in his claim as early and as strong as he can! And I feel like shouting, "I am second sinner!" The blood of Jesus is for sinners and nobody else. Thank God, I have gotten in. I have confessed my sin and have looked to the blood of Jesus who has paid my debt. I am "only a sinner, saved by grace." - John R. Rice [Soul-Saving Sermons for Sinners, pg. 136]

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

JOHN 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE LIGHT SHINES [v. 1-7]

1. A Popular Theory [v. 1-2]

2. A Particular Truth [v. 3]

3. A Powerful Touch [v. 4-7]

II. THE LIGHT CLARIFIES [v. 8-38]

1. “A Man” [v. 8-15]

2. “A Prophet” [v. 16-23]

3. “The Son of God” (and thus God the Son) [v. 24-39a]

III. THE LIGHT BLINDS [v. 39b-41]

1. Blinded by Light [v. 39]

2. Illuminated by Light [v. 40]

3. Exposed by Light [v. 41]

THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY BIBLE & THE HOLY OBLIGATION

1 PETER 1:10-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE HOLY MEN & INSPIRATION [v. 10-12]

1. Their Words were Beyond Them [v. 10] i.e., beyond their understanding

2. Their Words were Beyond Time [v. 11, Is. 46:9-10]

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

3. Their Words were Beyond Themselves [v. 12] i.e., written for others as well

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT & INSPIRATION [v. 10-12, 2 Peter 1:19-21]

1. The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Message [v. 10-11]

2. The Holy Spirit is the Instigator of the Message [v. 10-11]

3. The Holy Spirit is the Empowerer of the Message [v. 12, 2 Peter 1:19-21]

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

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT & CHRISTIANS [v. 12-22]

1. The Holy Spirit had an Integral Part in Our Salvation [v. 12]

2. The Holy Spirit has an Integral Part in Our Sanctification [v. 13-16]

3. The Holy Spirit is an Integral Part of the Trinity [v. 17-22]

IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER!

MT. 11:25-30

Pastor Rick Jackson

Have you ever asked someone “when do you want this?” and been given the answer, “Immediately if not sooner!”? That’s why we have instant coffee, instant oatmeal, instant grits, and any number of things because “we want it now”. Well sometimes you can’t have it now, sometimes you have to wait, sometimes you have to be patient… BUT- NOT with what we are looking at right now. You can have it now! You can have it immediately! As a point of fact, God does not want you putting this off. To what are we referring?

I. IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE [v. 28a] “Come unto me” - Jesus

1. Not Organizations- churches, temples, clubs, fraternal orders, secret societies, Facebook groups, etc.

2. Not Others- preachers, priests, rabbis, prophets, guides, saints, angels, psychics, psychos, etc.

3. Not Optional- [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.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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:

Come to Jesus for immediate acceptance!

II. IMMEDIATE DELIVERANCE [v. 28b] “all ye that labor and are heavy laden”

1. Deliverance from Rejection “All ye” [Titus 2:11]

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

John 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 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. Deliverance from Vexation (trying to earn what cannot be earned) [Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5]

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3. Deliverance from Depression [28c, 30] get out from under your heavy load

III. IMMEDIATE DIRECTION [v. 28b]   “I will give you rest”

You do not have to guess or worry about:

1. Who to Trust [v. 28c-29a]

2. Where to Look [v. 29b, Philippians 3:10]

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3. How to Live [v. 29c] “ye shall find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light”

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Some of you have a Bible but do not have the God of the Bible. You have the Book but do not have the Author! I do not wonder that you do not read it very much. The Book is a sealed Book. The things of God are not revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. For we are told, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 47-48]

If you do not have Christ, the blessed Book of God may be to you dull and dry. It is a closed Book. There was a time when there were not many Bible and when men chained the Bible to the pulpit so it could not be stolen. Oh, the Bible is a sealed and chained and locked Book to all whose empty hearts have not received the Author of the Book. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 48]

The prayer of Jesus ["Father forgive them"} can only be answered for those who are willing to be forgiven.
Let every sinner, then, know that it is "his move." God has done all a loving and infinitely merciful God can rightly do. The Son has been offered "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." Yet, only as you repent of your sins and trust Him for forgiveness can your sins be carried away. Only as you take what God offers can you be saved. If this moment you are not saved, ir you are still unforgiven, then it is because of your wicked rejection of the mercy of God! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 59]

To make people good and make them happy and blessed through eternity, to keep people out of the fires and torment of Hell forever- that is the most important business in the world. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg. 9]

We must teach people to turn their hearts from their sins in repentance and turn to Jesus Christ and trust Him for forgiveness and salvation. God must work the miracle and change the heart. But God gives us Christians the responsibility of carrying the message, the Gospel, and explaining it and pleading and helping people to the honest heart decisions. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg. 11]

One example is worth a thousand arguments, we are told; and if you do not know of your salvation well enough to give your own testimony, you are not ready to win souls. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg. 15]

The winning of individuals by individuals in personal conversation is the main way to win souls. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg. 25]

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR SPOTS?

Genesis 28:10-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

Years ago, I heard Evangelist Wendell Calder preach a message on “Holy Ground Spots” which really spoke to my heart. The Lord laid this message on my heart recently and though it may have some similarities [I should hope] I did not go back and review Brother Calder’s message before preparing this one. May the dear Lord guide our thoughts to His Word!

Every person should have at least three holy ground spots. You can have more but you should have at least these three. The question is, “Have YOU found them? Have YOU found your spots?”

I. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SALVATION? [Acts 9:1-5]

1. This Cannot [nor need not] be Repeated [Jn. 3:1-8]

2. This Should be Remembered [Isaiah 51:1]

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

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

3. This Ought Be Referenced [Acts 9:1-5ff, 22:1-10ff, 26:9-15ff, 1 Cor. 15:8]

II. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SURRENDER? [Acts 9:6]

1. When- ideally at the moment of Salvation [Rm. 10:9-13]

2. What- identification with Christ by dying to self [Matthew 10:39]

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

1 Cor. 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

3. Why- it is the way to live life to its fullest! [John 12:24]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Galatians 2:20 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.

III. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HOLY GROUND SPOT OF SERVICE [Psalm 100:2]

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

1. Begin with presentment [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.

2. Continue with Commitment [Job 5:8]

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

3. Conclude with Contentment [Philippians 4:11]

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Hebrews 13:5 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.

REJOICE NOW, REJOICE LATER

1 PETER 1:1-9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THIS JOY IS FOR THE ELECT [v. 1-2, 6, 8]

1. Pete’s Point [v. 1-2]

2. God’s Part [v. 2]

3. Our Participation [v. 2]

II. THIS JOY IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN [v. 3-5, 23, 6, 8]

1. It takes God’s Mercy [v. 3, Eph. 2:4, Titus 3:5]

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

2. It takes Christ’s Resurrection [v. 3, 1 Cor. 15:1-6]

3. It Involves Our Inheritance [v. 3-5]

III. THIS JOY IS FOR THOSE WITH PRECIOUS FAITH [v. 1-9, 6, 8]

1. Joy in What You Have [v. 1-6a]

2. Joy in Who You Serve [v. 6b-8]

3. Joy in That He is Doing [v. 8-9]

LIFELONG THREE DAY SCHEDULE

HEBREWS 13:8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. YESTERDAY

1. Forget Failures [1 John 1:8-9]

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Forget Successes [Philippians 3:13]

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,

3. Forget Worrying [Romans 8:28]

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.

Yesterday is gone, leave it with God.

II. TODAY

1. Today is the Day for Salvation [2 Corinthians 6:2b]

…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2. Today is the Day for Standing [Ephesians 6:13]

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

3. Today is the Day for Serving [Joshua 24:15]

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Today is the day to live for God.

III. TOMORROW

1. I May Face Entirely Unexpected Situations [Proverbs 27:1]

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2. I May Face Eternity [James 4:13-15]

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

3. I May Face Exceeding Joy [Titus 2:13]

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Tomorrow must be entrusted to God. I know not what the future holds, but I do know Who holds the future.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Excuses! Excuses! Lying, insolent, deceiving excuses! That is all that men offer when they will not have Jesus as Saviour and pretend that it is for some good reason. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

"I am as good as most church members," someone tells me. Perhaps you are. . . . But then, on the other hand, I doubt whether you are as good as church members. You critics, you Christ-rejecters, you who stand outside and point the finger of scorn at church people, let me tell you of a difference between you and them. Church people at least are for Christ, or claim to be, and you are against Him. Most of these in the church want Christ, and you do not want Him. They love Him, and you despise Him. They accepted Him while you rejected Him. They have confessed Him openly while you have denied Him. And every church member who is honest and has really come to Jesus Christ is a thousand times better off than the man on the outside who points the finger of scorn and either derides or imitates the church member. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

"I have doubts about the Bible," or, "How do I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" That is the kind of excuse that others offer when urged to turn from their sins and take Christ as Saviour. I do not deny that some have doubts about the Bible. But they never earnestly sought to know the will of God about the Bible. They have never tearfully, prayerfully, and with holy zeal, set out to apply the Bible to their daily lives and to seek with humble heart the will of God. I do not have any doubt that some people really doubt the deity of Christ. Why should they not doubt? They have never, with all their souls, sought to find Him, the Fairest among ten thousand, the Chosen of God and the "express image of his person." They have not accepted Christ, so they do not know Him. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151-152]

Do you know why doubt flourishes in your life? It grows in the seedbed of a sinful heart and a sinful will. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

People do not feel right because they do not do right. People who serve Satan find that he brings doubts with him. Thousands of unbelievers have found that when they submitted their will to God and sought Him with their whole heart, God would reveal Himself. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

Your doubts grow on the stem of your sin! Repent of your sins and seek God, and you will find your doubts will disappear. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 152]

Someone says, "I'll be saved tomorrow. A little later I will turn from my sins. I am not quite ready yet. But when I get established in business, or when I have married and settled down, then I'll be a Christian." Oh, the deceiving of Satan! Do you not hear the sweet word of the Holy Spirit, "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation"? (Heb. 3:7, 8). Tomorrow never comes. The road of By-and-By leads to the town of Never. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 153-154]

ART THOU GREATER? [Part 2]

JOHN 4:6-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GREATER THAN NATURE [John 6]

1. Greater than the Laws of Nature [v. 16-21]

2. Greater than the Fear of Nature [v. 19-20]

3. Greater than the Fury of Nature [v. 18]

II. GREATER THAN MIRACULOUS MANNA [John 6]

III. GREATER THAN SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS [John 8]

1. Greater than the Darkness [8:12, 1:6-14]

2. Greater than the Patriarch [8:51-59]

TRIPLETS OF BLESSEDNESS

ROMANS 5:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF BEING [v. 1]

1. Not Justified by the Law [3:20, 28]

2. Justified by God’s Grace [3:23-24; 8:33]

3. Justified by Faith in Christ [ 3:24, 26; 4:5; 5:1]

II. THE BLESSEDNESS OF HAVING [v. 1]

1. The Blessedness of Having the Maker’s Peace [1:7, 2:10-11, 14:17, 15:13, 15:33, 16:20]

2. The Blessedness of Having the Mind of Peace [5:1, 8:6, Isaiah 26:3]

3. The Blessedness of Having the Message of Peace [3:17, 14:19]

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF ACCESS [v. 2]

1. Access to God Through Christ by Faith [v.2, Jn. 14:6]

2. Access to Grace [v. 2, 1:5, 1:7, 3:24, 4:4, 4:16, 5:15, 5:17, 5:20-21, 6:1, 11:6, 12:3, 12:6, 15:15, 16:20, 16:24]

3. Access to Glory [v. 3-5, 11]