WHAT IF IT IS “THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS”?

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE GIVER- there has to be a giver to have a gift, who he is, his status or rank can make a difference

II. THE MOTIVE- Free pens in the mail to get my business, why is someone giving you something?

III. THE RECIPENT- yourself

IV. THE ACTION- the action is important, it's the thought that counts, almost as much as the gift

V. THE GIFT ITSELF- What is being given? Could be important (depends on motive, giver, etc.)

VI. THE RECEPTION- Must be accepted, insult to reject, does the recipient no good if not accepted

VII. THE RESULT- Is it useful, is it

What's all that got to do with Christmas?

 

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.

I. THE GIVER- "For God", no greater Giver than God, no king, no movie star, no president compares

II. THE MOTIVE- "so loved", God's motive was purely love, no "angle" involved. "You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving."

III. THE RECIPENT- "the world", not the planet, but the people on the planet

IV. THE ACTION- "that He gave", His love is not a passive love, it is an active love

V. THE GIFT- "His only begotten Son", the darling of Heaven, the Unique One, virgin birth, eternal Son

VI. THE RECEPTION- "that whosoever believeth in Him", the transaction is not complete until the person receives the gift, a pardon refused is worthless

VII. THE RESULT- "should not perish but have everlasting life." The most powerful result in the universe.

When you get a great gift, you naturally want to share it with others.

CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS – WHERE IS HE?

MATTHEW 2:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHERE WAS HE BEFORE THEY ASKED?

1. In Heaven [Ps. 45:8, Micah 5:2]

-All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

-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. In the Virgin’s Womb [Is. 7:14, Gal. 4:4]

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

-But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

3. In the Manger [Luke 2:7, 12, 16]

- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 

II. WHERE WAS HE WHEN THEY ASKED?

1. Bethlehem [v. 1-8, 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

2. A House [v. 9-11]

3. The Scriptures [John 5:39, Lk. 24:25-27]

-Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

-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? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

III. WHERE IS HE NOW?

1. At the Father’s Right Hand [Acts 2:32-36]

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

2. In the Believer [Rm. 8:10, Col. 1:27]

-And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

-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:

3. At the Heart’s Door [Rev. 3:20]

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

SEEING CLEARLY

ROMANS 12:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SEEING HIMSELF CLEARLY [John 1]

1. He Knew He was NOT the Christ [v. 19-20]

2. He Knew He was Not Elijah Incarnate [v. 21, Mal. 4:5-6]

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

3. He Knew He was Not “That Prophet” Like Moses

[v. 23, Dt. 18:15, 18; Gal. 6:3]

- The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

-I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

- For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

II. SEEING HIS WORK CLEARLY [John 1]

1. He was a Voice for Christ [v. 23]

2. He Pointed People to Christ [v. 29]

3. He Baptized Those Who Showed They Were Saved [Mt. 3:8, 11]

- Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

III. SEEING CHRIST CLEARLY [John 1]

1. He Knew Christ is to be Preeminent [v. 26-27, 3:30]

2. He Knew Christ is God’s Payment for Sin [v. 29]

3. He Knew Christ is the Eternal God [v. 15, 30-31, 3:31, 35-36]

THE CLOSING CHAPTERS - HEAVENLY SONSHINE

REVELATION 21

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. ALL THINGS NEW [v. 1-8]

1. New Heavens and Earth [v. 1, Is. 65:17, 66:22]

- For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

- For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2. New Jerusalem [v. 2, 3:12]

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

3. New Reality [v. 3-8]

 

II. THE OUTER CITY [v. 9-11]

1. Her look [v. 9-11]

2. Her Gates and Walls [v. 12-18]

3. Her Foundations and Gates [v. 19-21]

 

III. THE INNER CITY [v. 21-27]

1. No Need [v. 21-23]

2. No Worries [v. 24-26]

3. No Way [v. 27]

CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS – WHAT ABOUT DOUBT?

LUKE 1:1-20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DANGER OF DOUBT

1. Doubt Derails God’s Blessings [v. 12-13, Mt. 13:54-58]

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

2. Doubt Displeases God [v. 18-20, Ps. 78:32-33, Heb. 11:6]

- For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

3. Doubt Damns Souls [v. 18-20, Ps. 78:21-22, Heb. 2:1-3]

- Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

- Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

 

II. THE DISEASE OF DOUBT

1. Doubt Infects Our Prayer Life [v. 13, James 1:5-7]

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

2. Doubt Inhibits Our Walk [V. 27, MK. 6:5-6]

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

3. Doubt Increases Our Fears [v. 12, 18-19; Mt. 8:26, Rev. 21:8]

- And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

III. THE DEFEAT OF DOUBT

1. Obedience to the Known Will of God

[v. 13, 59-63, James 1:22]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

2. Prayer & Praise to the Lord [v. 64-69]

3. Acknowledgment & Acceptance of the Word of God [v. 70-79, Rm. 10:17]

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

CONSIDER NOT WORRYING

LUKE 12:22-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The life of faith excludes worry. Worry is sin. – Lee Roberson

Someone has said, If you worry, you don’t pray rightly. If you pray rightly, you don’t worry.

D.L. Moody said, “I would just as soon curse as worry. Both are sins.”

Concern and worry are not the same thing. Concern should cause thinking. Concern should lead to prayer. “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.”

   Jesus has just finished talking about a man who prioritized this temporary life over eternity [v. 16-21]. Then follows v. 22. And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

   The word “thought” here expresses “worry” or being anxious, not just general thinking. He is not saying to be careless or foolish with your life. That would contradict many verses including, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” But if you settle the question of eternal life with Christ you don’t have to be anxious about dying.

I. CONSIDER THE RAVENS [v. 23-24]

1. He Cares for the Ravens [v. 24]

2. Humans are more Important than Birds [v. 24, 6-7]

3. Why Be Troubled Over Something You Cannot Control [v. 25-26]

 

II. CONSIDER THE LILLIES [v. 27-29]

1. Consider God’s Creativity [v. 27]

2. Consider God’s Care [v. 28]

3. Consider God’s Character [v. 29] “if God”

 

III. CONSIDER THE NATIONS [v. 30-32]

1. Their Ignorance is Not Yours [v. 30]

The man who can say of God, “He is my Father,” and of Christ, “He is my Saviour,” ought surely to be above such anxieties and cares. A clear faith in God’s providential care should produce a light and trustful heart. – J.C. Ryle

2. Your Priority is Not Theirs [v. 31]

The man who can say boldly, “The Lord is my shepherd,” is the man who will be able to add, “I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1) – Ryle

3. Your Future is Not Theirs [v. 32]

THE CLOSING CHAPTERS - THE BOOKS OF JUDGEMENT

REVELATION 20:11-15                                                                 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

There will be at least 3 Books at the Great White Throne Judgement. There may be more but there will not be less. For our part we will say three but we’ll explain how there could be more. The first book that the lost will be judged by is a familiar book to most of us. That book is:

 

I. THE BIBLE

1. The Bible is the Word of God [Mk. 7:13, Rev. 20:4, 1 Th. 2:13]

- Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

- And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image , neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

- For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2. The Bible is the Word of Christ [Mt. 24:35, Luke 5:1, Colossians 3:16, Rev. 3:8]

- Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”

- And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God , he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

- I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

3. The Bible is the Word of Judgement [Jn. 12:48]

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

II. THE BOOK OF WORKS [Rev. 20:12-13] this could be 3 different books or 3 chapters of the same book

1. Judgement of Words [Mt. 5:22, 12:36-37, Jude 14-15]

- But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

- But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

- Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 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.

2. Judgement of Thoughts [Mt. 5:22a, 28, 12:34; Rm. 2:15-16, Heb. 4:12]

- But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:

- But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

- Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another ;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

3. Judgement of Deeds [Jude 15, Rm. 2:1-5; Heb. 4:13, Rev. 20:12-13]

-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.

-Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God

 

III. THE BOOK OF LIFE [Rev. 20:12, 15]

Evidently everyone is in the Book of Life originally then these factors come into play"

1. When a Person Trusts Christ His/her Name is Locked In [Dan. 12:1; Lk. 10:20, Rev. 3:5, 1 John 5:4-5]

- And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

- Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

- He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

- 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?

2. When a Person Crosses God’s Deadline His/her Name is Blotted Out [Ex. 32:32-33, Ps. 69:28, Rev. 17:8, 22:19]

- Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

- Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous

- The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was , and is not, and yet is.

3. The Only Way to Escape the Lake of Fire is to be IN the Book of Life [Rev. 20:14-15]

4. The Only Way to Enter Heaven is to be IN the Book of Life [Rev. 21:27]