WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

1 COR. 2:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The Cross gives us a vision of:

1. God’s Love [Jn. 3:14-16]

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. Christ’s Willingness [John 10:11-18]

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

 

3. Heaven - eternal Home of Christ and Believers [Lk. 23:39-43]

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

4. Hell – Everlasting abode of Christ rejectors [1 Cor. 1:17-18]

-For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Gospel is not God hatefully saying, “Turn to Me or I’ll send you to Hell.” The Gospel is God in mercy and grace saying, “You’re already on your way to Hell, Turn to Me, and I will save you.” – unknown

 

5. Sin’s Seriousness [Mt. 26:28, 1 Jn. 4:10]

-For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

–Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

6. God’s Power [Rm. 1:16]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

A man was walking down a street when he noticed in a store window a beautiful painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He stood there gazing at the picture for the longest then realized that a little boy was standing beside him. He patted the little boy on the head and said, "Son, what does that mean?" The little boy said, "Doncha know? That there man is Jesus, an’ the woman that’s crying is His mother, an’ them others is Roman soldiers. They killed Him." The man smiled and then started walking away. In a few moments he heard someone running, turned and saw that it was the little boy. He came running up to the man, out of breath, and said, "Mister, mister, I forgot to tell you that he didn’t stay dead." (Copied)

 

7. God’s Plan [Is. 53]

MATTHEW 6:33, A VERSE TO PERSONALIZE

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PLAINNESS OF THE VERSE

1. It is Personal “Seek YE first” [Ps. 27:8, Is. 34:16]

-Noone can make these decisions for you

- When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

- Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read.

2. It is a Priority “Seek ye FIRST” [Lk. 12:20]

–Foolish to put this off- life is fragile, no promise of later

- But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

3. It is Practical [v. 25-33] It replaces things you can’t control with one thing you can

 

II. THE PERSON OF THE VERSE

1. This is God’s Kingdom – He Sets the Rules [Ex. 9:29, 1 Cor. 10:26]

-Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

-For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

2. This is God’s King – He sets the Reign [Ps. 2:6-12]

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

3. This is God’s Kindness – [Titus 3:3-8]

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 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; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

 

III. THE PROMISE OF THE VERSE – make pleasing God your business and God will make you His business

1. Eliminates Worry [v. 34, Is. 12:2, 26:3-4]

-Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

-Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

2. Eliminates Waste [Mt. 16:25]

- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

3. Eliminates Waffling [Pr. 3:5-7, Isaiah 30:21, Pr. 4:25-27]

- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

-And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it”

- Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK

JAMES 5:7-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PATIENCE IS NOT INSTANTANEOUS [James 1] – “Lord, give me patience, but hurry!”

1. Patience is a Premium [1:1-2]

2. Patience is a Product [1:3, Rm. 5:3]

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience

3. Patience is a Process [1:4]

 

II. PATIENCE IS NOT IMMEDIATE - why does God make us wait?

1. The Desire may be fine but we’re not actually ready [1 Tm. 3:6] i.e. driving

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

-The Motivation may be wrong [Jm. 4:3, Acts 8:18-24]

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

-The Problem of Uncleanness [Ps. 66:18]

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

2. The Waiting Itself is Instructional

-teaching us dependence on God [Ps. 27:14]

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

-the adventure of faith needs to be savored [Rm. 8:18-25]

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. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

3. The Waiting will Benefit Others [Phil. 1:12]

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

 

III. PATIENCE IS NOT IRRELEVANT [James 1] - There is a purpose!

1. It will Profit [1:2-3]

2. It will Produce [1:3, Rm. 5:3-5]

3. It will Perfect [1:4]

-the purpose of God in our lives may be at stake [2 Cor. 12:7-10]

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

SIN’S POWER

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT SIN CAN CAUSE TO HAPPEN

[2 Sam. 11, 12]

1. David’s Sin Caused More Sin

[2 Sam. 11:4-25]

2. David’s Sin Caused Sorrow [2 Sam. 11:26]

3. David’s Sin Caused Blasphemy

[2 Sam. 12:14]

 

II. WHAT SIN CAN DO

1. David’s Sin Brought Ruin to His Family

[2 Sam. 12:14-15, 13:10-22, 32, 37; 15:13-14, 18:33]

2. David’s Sin Basically Reduced His Influence for Good [16:5-9, 20:1]

3. David’s Sin Brought Regret Over His Infidelity to God [Ps. 51:1-11]

 

III. WHAT REPENTANCE CAN RESTORE [Psalm 51]

1. Repentance Can Restore the Joy of Salvation [v. 12]

2. Repentance Can Restore Some Usefulness of Service [v. 13]

3. Repentance Can Restore Fellowship with the Saviour [v. 15-19]

ROMANS 8:28, A VERSE TO KNOW

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. KNOW THE CERTAINTY EXPRESSED IN THE VERSE

No guesswork, no uncertainty, no hedging, no namby-pamby shillyshallying here.

1. God Cannot Fail [Dt. 31:6, Lam. 3:22]

- Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

- It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

2. God’s Word Cannot Fail [Lk 16:17]

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

3. God’s Specific Promises Cannot Fail [Is. 34:16]

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

 

II. KNOW THE CONDITION EXPLAINED IN THE VERSE-

“to them that love God”

Many people who have no right to this verse try to claim it, others try to apply it to people it doesn’t fit]

1. To Love God One Must Know God [1 Jn. 4:6-10, 13]

-We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins…Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

2. Just Saying You Love God is Not Enough [1 Jn. 4:20-21]

If a man say , I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

3. The Proof that you Love God is to Obey Him [1 Jn. 5:1-5, John 14:15, 15:10]

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?

 

III. KNOW THE CHALLENGE EXPOSED IN THE VERSE-

“to them who are called according to His purpose”

1. Unbelievers Are Called to become Believers [Is. 1:18, Mt. 11:28, Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9]

-Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

-Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

-And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

-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. The Believers Are Called Saints [1 Cor. 1:2, 9]

-Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

-God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. The Saints Are Called to be Conformed to God’s Purpose [Rm. 1:7, 8:28-30]

-To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

IN THE HOUR OF EXCEEDING SORROW

 

IN THE HOUR OF EXCEEDING SORROW

MATTHEW 26:30-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

This hour was one of extreme physical turmoil. Then and there while facing more. This hour was one of emotional turmoil. Jesus knew of the impending betrayal. Though they had said otherwise Jesus knew of the upcoming desertion. This hour was one of spiritual turmoil. The Holy, harmless, Son of God was about to be made sin for us. He was about to take on not just the sins of the elect, but the sins of the whole world. And the greatest sorrow of all, as He became sin, suffered our Hell, He had to be forsaken of the Father.

So what do we learn from Jesus to do in the hour of exceeding sorrow?

 

I. PETITION

1. Enlist Others [v. 36, 38, 40-41]

2. Pray Earnestly & Often [v. 36, 39, 42, 44]

3. Engage Honestly [v. 39, 42, 44]

 

II. SUBMISSION

1. Pray with an Open Heart [v. 39]

2. Pray with an Open Mind [v. 39]

3. Pray with an Open Will [v. 42, Heb. 5:7, Lk. 22:42-44]

- 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;

- Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

III. REALIZATION

1. Realize the Power of Watching in Prayer [v. 36, 40-41, Col. 4:2]

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

2. Realize the Spirit is Willing [v. 41, Rm. 7:22]

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

3. Realize the Flesh is Weak – hence the need for prayer

[v. 41, Rm. 7:23-25]

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin

PRINCIPLES FOR GODLY LIVING

HAGGAI 2:10-23

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF “UNCLEANNESS” [v. 10-14]

1. Sin Contaminates [v. 10-14, Romans 7:18]

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

2. Sin Condemns (us to failure) [Is. 64:6]

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

3.  Sin Conflicts (with God’s blessings) [Is. 59:2]

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

 

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF REPENTANCE [v. 15-19]

1. Their Woes Grab Attention [v. 15-19a]

2. The Word Gives Explanation [v. 15-19a, 2 Cor. 6:17, 1 Jn. 1:9]

-Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. The Lord Gives the Blessing [v. 19b, 2 Chr. 7:14]

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITHFULNESS [v. 20-23]

1. The Lord Forges the Future [v. 20-22, Dt. 7:9, 1 Cor. 1:9]

- Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

-God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. The Lord Focuses on Faithfulness [v. 23, 1 Cor. 4:1-5]

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

3. The Lord Forgets Not His Own [v. 23, Heb. 6:10]

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.