THREE GOOD PERFECT GIFTS

THREE GOOD PERFECT GIFTS

JAMES 2:16-18

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Every good gift is from God. Think about that. Every single solitary good thing you ever have gotten came from God. It doesn’t matter who or what God used to deliver it, if it was good, truly good, it was from God. Then it says every perfect gift is from God. Now there are many, many good gifts that God has given us… but the number of perfect gifts is relatively smaller. Every good gift is not a perfect gift but every perfect gift is a good gift. Of the good and perfect gifts let us see the greatest three, and as God would have it, they are closely related.

 

I. THE BIBLE IS A PERFECT GIFT

 

1. It Converts the Soul [Ps. 19:7, 1 Peter 1:23-25]

- The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

- Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

2. It Completes the Saint [2 Tm. 3:16-17]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

3. It Conveys the Solutions [James 1:21-25]

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

 

II. THE SAVIOUR IS A PERFECT GIFT

 

1. He Always Has Been [Dt. 32:1-4, 1 Cor. 10:1-4]

-GIVE ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

- MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

 

2. He Always Will Be [Col. 1:27-28, Heb. 13:8]

- To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

- Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

3. He Always Helps Others [Mark 10:45, Hebrews 4:16, 7:25]

-For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

- 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.

 

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERFECT GIFT

 

1. God Gives Better Gifts than Sinful Men [Lk. 11:13]

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

2. God Gives the Holy Spirit to all Believers [Acts 2:38, Rm. 8:8-17]

- Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

- So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

3. The Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts [1 Cor. 12, Rm. 12]

SOME BIBLE FACTS ABOUT HEAVEN

 

JOHN 14:1-6
Pastor Rick Jackson

I have heard three fairly recent songs about Heaven. Beautiful songs perhaps but not entirely accurate. Someone says how do you know, have you ever been there? No, and neither have the song writers. The only way to know about Heaven is to go to God’s Word, the Bible. Now I am not saying the songs were completely wrong. It was only when they strayed from the Bible that we question them.
For instance, in the song “When I Get to Where I am going” he mentions having wings in Heaven – there is not a hint in the Bible of humans having wings in Heaven. Some angels have them… but not humans. And we don’t ride on raindrops either. But, the mention that his grandfather would match him step-for-step in Heaven is right. Yes, in Heaven, we will all have new bodies [and even new minds]. The Bible says in 2 Cor. 5:1-8 FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

That is why the other song, “Scars in Heaven” could say “The only scars in Heaven are on the hands that hold you now.”
Isaiah 53:5...But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Zechariah 13:6... And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Of course, the third song admits they can only imagine so what need we say more? Actually, let’s go back to the Bible and say a little more about the place called Heaven. And what we will say is not the imagination of some songwriter but rather the Words of the Lord Jesus Himself concerning the place called Heaven.

I. Heaven is an Assured Place [v. 1-2]

2. Heaven is an Abundant Place [v. 2a]

3. Heaven is a Distant Place [v. 2b-3]

4. Heaven is a Prepared Place [v. 2c]

5. Heaven is a Populated Place [v. 3]

6. Heaven is a Reserved Place [v. 4-6]

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

RUNNING ON EMPTY

JAMES 4:13-16

Pastor Rick Jackson

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. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

 

I. SATAN’S UGLY EMPTINESS

1. Satan’s Perfections are Empty [Ezekiel 28:11-15]

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

2. Satan’s Plans are Empty [Ezekiel 28:16-19]

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

3. Satan’s Promises are Empty [Genesis 3:4-5,  14-15]

-the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

-And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 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.

 

II. GOD’S USE OF EMPTINESS

1. The Empty Manger Speaks of a Full Manifestation [Luke 2:42, 52, 3:21-23]

-And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

- And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

- Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age

2. The Empty Cross Speaks of a Finished Propitiation [John 19:30-33, 38-42]

- When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

- And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

3. The Empty Tomb Speaks of a Finalized Verification [Romans 1:1-4]

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

 

III. MAN’S URGE OF EMPTINESS

1. Without Christ Man is Empty [Ephesians 2:12]

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2. Without Christ Man is Vulnerable to Attack [Mt. 12:43-45, 1 John 4:4]

-When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

- Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

3. Without Christ Man’s Life is Empty [Mark 8:35, John 10:10]

-For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

-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.

THE MAN CHRIST JESUS

 

1 TIMOTHY 2:3-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

This verse is but a small indication of the uniqueness of the person of Jesus Christ. Among the throngs of humanity Jesus is unique. Among the persons of the Godhead Jesus is unique. There has never been one like Him, there is no one like Him now, and there will never be another like Him. He is unique!

 

I. JESUS IS UNIQUE IN HIS HUMANITY

 

1. His Singular Pre-existence [Micah 5:2]

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

2. His Singular Birth [Is. 7:14, Mt. 1:18-25]

- Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

- Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

3. His Singular Life [1 Timothy 3:16]

-And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

 

He was born in an obscure village, the son of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he became a wandering preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of those things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through a mockery of a trial. He was executed by the state. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that One Solitary Life.

 

II. JESUS IS UNIQUE IN HIS DEITY

 

1. His Incarnation [Is. 9:6-7]

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

2. His Expiration [Mt. 27:50-54]

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

3. His Exaltation [Phil. 2:9-11]

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

III. JESUS IS UNIQUE IN HIS IDENTITY

 

1. He is Creator [Jn. 1:1-3, 10-14]

- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2. He is King [Mt. 2:1-2]

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3. He is Saviour [Is. 43:11, Titus 3:4-6]

- I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

- But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Back in the years before the war, when you could buy a car, you got a warranty, a ninety-day warranty on the car. That meant you not only got the car, but you got ninety days' upkeep. That is nothing beside what God gives. He gives everlasting upkeep! Why, that is in the bargain! "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (I John 1:9). What do you mean "faithful"? That means He keeps His promise. That was in the bargain. That is in the guarantee: everlasting life and all the things that go with it. Jesus said, "I am come that ye might have life." That is the point you see; God wants you to have more abundant life, too. That is in the bargain. So if you have a puny kind of Christian life, come and get it abundantly. - John R. Rice [Sweet Family Ties in Heaven and Hell, pg. 170]

Many a man says in defense of his worldly-minded attitude, in defense of putting his business first: "Well, a man has to live." No, he does not! A man has to die. And if he puts the living first, he will come down in sorrow to his grave as Lot did. There is not a particle of evidence that any man lives better or cares for his family really better by putting his business or his job first. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 20]

Christ is God! The deity of Christ is a fact as obvious as that there is a God. The man who says Christ is not God is exactly the same kind of fool as the fool that says in his heart there is no God (Ps. 14:1; Luke 24:25). - John R. Rice [Watching Jesus Die, pg.34]

Jesus is God the Son, who came to be my Saviour and yours.

You can take Him so if you will. And you ought to. Jesus is God. That means the unsaved must give an account to him. You must meet Jesus in judgment if you don't take Him as your Saviour, for all judgment is given unto His hands. He is the One on that Great White Throne judgment seat when lost sinners are brought from death and Hell and the grave, to face judgment there. And if you don't meet the tender, compassionate Saviour now who, in a sacrificial substitution, took your place, paid your debt, and made it so you could be forgiven, then you must meet Him as Judge with a stern face, and with eyes like fire that will bore into the wicked when He says, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Jesus is God. - John R. Rice [Jesus Christ is..., pg. 14]

The question you asked as to whether Jesus could have sinned or not is an old question that has been discussed many times. The fact is that it was physically possible for Jesus to sin. In fact, He was tempted to sin. The Scripture says He "was in all points tempted like as we are" (Heb. 4:15). Satan made the same trial of Him as Satan makes of us. That temptation was very real, as you can see from Luke 4, of Matthew, chapter 4. If sin had not been a real temptation for Jesus, then the Bible could not say that He was tempted in all points "like as we are."

However, it was morally impossible for Jesus to sin. I mean simply that He was so good that He would not sin. He could have sinned, had He wanted to, but He did not want to. Jesus in His humanity was sinless and perfect because He chose to be, not because He could not have sinned. - John R. Rice [page 352, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions...]

"Let the wicked forsake his way." That means, forsake your whole outlook. "And the unrighteous man his thoughts." Let the unrighteous man forsake his attitude of mind. Repentance is a translation in the Bible of a little Greek word, metanoia, meaning "a change of mind." It means this: A fellow says, "I was wrong to go away from God, so I will seek Him." He sees that sin is bad, hurtful, and so determines to turn his back on it. That means that I have no right to go on without repenting and so delay my salvation. Repentance is a change of mind - let us say, a change of heart attitude. And so, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts." - John R. Rice

If the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish or sea monster and after three days being delivered is not true, then Jesus Christ Himself stands indicted, for Jesus verified the story of the whale.

Jesus also verified the divine inspiration of the Genesis account of creation, quoting as authoritative Genesis 2:24, 25. ...

Jesus said that the story of the flood and of Noah was true, in Matthew 24:37-39...

He verified the miraculous destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone from Heaven, in Luke 17:28, 29 ...

An honest and believing heart is compelled to see that Jesus Christ Himself has verified the Bible. If Jesus is what He claims to be, then the Bible is what Jesus claims it to be, the perfect Word of God. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 30-31]

TO THE STRANGERS

1 PETER 1:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

“Strangers” this particular word is used 3 times in the Scriptures. Here of course, and in 1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” and finally, in Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” As resident strangers we need to know some facts that will be a help, a blessing and a guide to our time here until we go to that place where we will no longer be strangers.

 

I. FACT - GOD KNOWS BETTER THAN WE DO [v. 2]

[and He knows it before it’s even relevant from our point of view]

1. He Knows Each Person [Ps. 139:1-16]

2. He Knows Every Situation [Ps. 139:17-24]

3. He Knows Each Need [Matthew 6:32]

For… your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 

II. FACT - GOD CAN DO MORE THAN WE CAN

1. He Has the Plan [v. 3-4, 6-9, Genesis 50:20]

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

2. He Has the Power [v. 5, 2 Corinthians 12:9]

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

3. He Has the Patience [2:11-25, 2 Peter 3:9-15]

 

III. GOD CARES MORE THAN WE DO

 

1. He Cares for Us [1 Peter 5:7]

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. He Cares About Our Circumstances [Mark 4:35-41]

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

3. He Cares About Our Future [Rm. 8:17-23]

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. . .

NEHEMIAH 1:1-4a

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PRAY TO GOD  [James 1:5]

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

 

1. Nehemiah Prayed during Sorrow [1:4-6]

 

2. Daniel Prayed during Danger [Dan. 2:14-18]

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

 

3. The Early Church Prayed for Others [Acts 12:1-5]

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

 

 II. STUDY GOD’S WORD [Neh. 1:7-9]

 

1. To Be Divinely Approved [2 Tm. 2:14-16]

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

 

2. To Be Thoroughly Furnished [2 Tm. 3:15-17]

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

3. To Victoriously Face Temptation [Ps. 119:9-12]

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

 

III. TRUST AND OBEY [Neh. 1:10-11]

 

1. Trust with All Thine Heart [Prov. 3:5]

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

2. Acknowledge in all Thy Ways [Prov. 3:6]

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3. Humbly Accept His Way [Prov. 3:7] (allow God the privilege of knowing more than you)

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The Bible doesn’t record everything Jesus said. John 21: 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Many infidels have written and said Jesus had doubts about His person, His mission, and other things. The first seven recorded sayings of Jesus answer those critics conclusively with words from the Saviour Himself.

 

I. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT HIMSELF [Lk. 2:41-51]

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

 

II. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT HIS DESTINY [Mt. 3:13-17, Rm. 6]

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

III. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT THE BIBLE [Mt. 4:1-4]

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

 

IV. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT THE ENDS NOT “JUSTIFYING THE MEANS” [Mt. 4:5-7]

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

 

V. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP [Mt. 4:8-10]

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

VI. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT SOUL-WINNING [Jn. 1:35-39, Lk. 19:10]

-Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

-For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

VII. JESUS HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT OTHERS [Jn. 1:40-51, 2:24-25]

-One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

-But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 In the old-time country churches, when people were saved we would invite all Christians to come by and give them a hand of "Christian fellowship." And then when they were baptized and fully recognized as members in the local church, the pastor would invite the church membership to come by and "give them the hand of church fellowship." That did not indicate anything unkind. We simply meant there is a special responsibility to those who are in our own number. - John R. Rice [I Am A Fundamentalist, pg. 96-97]

I do not mean that God cursed the ground because he hated man. I am saying that God cursed the ground because man needs to work. Now that man is by nature wicked and sinful, only a shortened life and the burden of toil can keep man from orgies of sin. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 141]

The Bible is infallibly correct. The Old Testament is inspired as truly as the New Testament. The historical part is as truly inspired as the verses which give the plan of salvation. The matters that deal with science are as truly perfectly inspired of God as matters which deal with religion. So the Bible claims for itself, so the historic Christian creeds have stated, and so Bible Christians have always believed. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 20]

This world is only an anteroom of the next. This short life is incidental compared with eternity. This world is not home to the Christian. ― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

"And God remembered Noah." Genesis 8:1

How wonderful that God never forgets His own! The man who obeyed God's command about the ark is perfectly safe. He may be sure that God will see the thing through. God does not repent of His promises. God does not welsh on His obligations. God remembers His own. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 206]

The Pilgrim Fathers who had come to America to make a home in the wilderness where they might have freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience, had the first harvest in 1621. So at Plymouth, Massachusetts, the little hand of devoted people, hewing homes out of the wilderness amid many perils, set apart a day of thanksgiving to God. And on that day they feasted and gave thanks. . . .

President Lincoln appointed the last Thursday of November, 1864, as Thanksgiving Day. Now the Thanksgiving Day tradition is firmly established in America, and every person who has a grateful heart should devoutly thank God and take stock and count his blessings. . . .

Thanksgiving day should only be one day to make official and public the praise that should resound in our hearts and testimonies throughout the year. By divine inspiration, David wrote, "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth"! (Ps. 34:1). Again he said, "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long" (Ps. 35:28). - John R. Rice [Count Your Blessings, pg. 2]

The church in the city of Corinth seems to have had more heresy and divisons than most of the other churches. They divided over Paul, Cephas, Apollos and Christ (I Cor. 1:12). Some of them got drunk at the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:21). They kept in membership and fellowship a man living in open shame with his stepmother (I Cor. 5:1). Their women took too prominent a part in the church services and had to be rebuked by the apostles (I Cor. 14:34, 35).

And here at Corinth, the modern false and perverted tongues movement seems to have started. A study of Paul's rebuke in the 14th chapter of I Corinthians shows that the doctrine and practice of the Christians at Corinth of the tongues movement was not what the apostles had had at Pentecost. - John R. Rice [I Am A Fundamentalist, pg. 204]

GIVING HIM THANKS

LUKE 17:11-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S MERCY

1. The Need of Men [v. 11-12]

2. The Prayer to Christ [v. 13]

3. The Cleansing of Faith [v. 14]

 

II. A DEMONSTRATION OF APPRECIATION

1. He Specifically Glorified God [v. 15]

2. He Correctly Worshipped Christ [v. 16a]

3. He Gratefully Thanked God the Son [v. 16b]

 

III. A DEMONSTRATION OF IMPORTANCE

1. Asked Two Important Questions [v. 17]

2. An Important Distinction [v. 18]

3. An Important Addition [v. 19]

BLESSED

REVELATION

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A TRIPLE BLESSING [Revelation 1:3]

 

II. THE DOUBLE BLESSING OF DYING IN THE LORD [Revelation 14:13]

 

III. THE BLESSING OF BEING CLOTHED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNES OF CHRIST [Rev. 16:15, 2 Cor. 5:1-4]

FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

 

IV. THE BLESSING OF THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB [Revelation 19:9]

 

V. THE BLESSING OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION [Revelation 20:6]

 

VI. THE BLESSING OF LIVING BY THE BOOK [Revelation 22:7]

 

VII. THE BLESSING OF THE HEAVENLY PRIVILEGES [Revelation 22:14, 1 John 5:1-5, John 6:27-29]

-WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

- Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 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.

THANK YOU, LORD!

1 Chronicles 16:8, 34

Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free

 

I. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SAVING MY SOUL!

1. From Sin’s Dominion [Psalms 19:13, Romans 6:14]

-Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

-For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

2. From Satan’s Destruction [Ps. 103:2-4, Luke 22:31-32]

- Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

- And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

3. From Self’s Degradation [2 Timothy 3:13, Jude 15]

-But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

- To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Like the song says:

Jesus My Lord Will Love Me Forever,

From Him No Power Of Evil Can Sever,

He Gave His Life To Ransom My Soul,

Now I Belong To Him;

Now I Belong To Jesus

Jesus Belongs To Me,

Not For The Years Of Time Alone,

But For Eternity.

 

Once I Was Lost In Sin’s Degradation,

Jesus Came Down To Bring Me Salvation,

Lifted Me Up From Sorrow And Shame,

Now I Belong To Him;

II. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MAKING ME WHOLE

1. From Death Unto Life [John 5:24]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2. From Darkness Unto Light [Col. 1:12-13]

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

3. From Satan unto God [Acts 26:17-18]

I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

 

III. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR GIVING TO ME, THY GREAT SALVATION SO RICH AND FREE

1. Riches of His Grace [Ephesians 1:7]

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

2. Riches of His Mercy [Ephesians 2:4]

But God, who is rich in mercy…

3. Riches of His Love [Ephesians 2:4]

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