3 PRAYERS GOD WANTS TO ANSWER IN 2025

PSALM 81:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

God wants to answer the prayers of the lost – specifically He wants them to pray for receive Christ and save them and God longs for that to happen and He will save. The section we have read is primarily to Israel, but it certainly has application to Christians. God wants us to pray. God wants us to pray big prayers. God wants to answer said “big” prayers. Let us explore three of those big prayers.

 

I. GOD WANTS TO GIVE US GRACE BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS [Hebrews 4:16]

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

1. Grace Despite His Knowledge of Us [4:12-13]

2. Grace Depending on Our Relationship with Christ [4:14-15]

3. Grace Delivering Mercy, Grace & Help for Our Need [4:16]

 

II. GOD WANTS TO GIVE US WISDOM BEYOND OUR YEARS [Jm. 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. Wisdom based on the Bible [James 1:5-8]

2. Wisdom from Above shown in a Life Below [James 3:13-18]

3. Wisdom from Knowing God [Eph. 1:15-18]

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 

III. GOD WANTS TO GIVE US STRENGTH BEYOND OUR MEANS

they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

1. Seek His Strength in His Presence [1 Chr. 16:10-11]

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

2. Seek His Strength in His Place [1 Chronicles 16:23-27]

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

3. Seek His Strength in His Person [Is. 40: 28-31]

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

KEEPING CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR

PSALM 118:24

Pastor Rick Jackson

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

1. Happy Holidays- Hallowed Holy Days [Ps. 118:24, Rm. 14:5-8]

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

- One man esteemeth one day above another : another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

2. Christmas Gifts- the Gifts of God [Acts 10:45, Rm. 11:29, 1 Cor. 12:28]

-Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

-Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

-1 Cor. 12:28 And  God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

3. Christmas Presents- Christ’s Presence [Mt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5]

-Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

-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.

 

4. Christmas Songs- Christian songs [Ephesians 5:19,  Colossians 3:16]

-Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

-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.

 

5. Christmas Proclamation – Christian Proclamations [Is. 61:1-2, Acts 5:20]

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

- Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

6. Christmas Lights- Christian Lights [John 8:12]

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Mt. 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

7. Christmas Celebration- Christian Rejoicing [Acts 5:41]

-And they departed  from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

-Rm. 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

-2 Cor. 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

-2 Cor. 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Gal. 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

THE EVERLASTING ONE

LUKE 2:21-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SIMEON [2:25-35]

1. He was a Man of Piety [2:25] “the quality of being religious or reverent”

2. He was a Man of Patience & Faith [2:26-29, Titus 2:13,  Jude 1:21]

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

-Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

3. He was a Man of Understanding [2:29-35, 1 Chr. 12:32, Luke 24:44-47]

-And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

- And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

Yes, Simeon was a man of piety, of patience and faith, of understanding: but he was not the Everlasting One.

 

II. ANNA [2:36-38]

1. She was a Woman of Perseverance and Prayer [v. 36-37]

2. She was a Woman of Praise [v. 38]

3. She was a Woman of Proclamation [v. 38]

 

Yes, Anna was a woman of perseverance, prayer, praise and proclamation- and she was old: but she was not the Everlasting One.

 

III. THE EVERLASTING ONE

1. Forty Days Old & “from of Old, from Everlasting” [2:21-24, Micah 5:2, Habakkuk 1:12]

- 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 .

- Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

2. The Consolation of Israel [Lk. 2:25, Is. 40:1-5, 1 Cor. 2:8]

- Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

-Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

3. The Lord’s Christ [2:26-29, 11]

4. The Saviour, the Lord’s Salvation [2:30, 3:4-6]

5. A Light to Lighten the Gentiles [2:32, Is. 42:6]

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

6. The Glory of Israel [2:32, Is. 60:1-3]

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

7. Redemption [2:38, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Hebrews 9:12]

-But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

- Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

HEY JUDE, HOW CAN I FACE THE NEW YEAR?

Pastor Rick Jackson

Whether it be the New year, a new day, a new job, new challenges or new problems the child of God can face them with a certainty, a peace, a comfort, an assurance with the Lord on his side, at his side and inside!

 

I. FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH THE OLD FAITH [Jude 1-3]

1. Face the New Year with Christ the Saviour [Jude 3-4, 21]

2. Face the New Year with Christ the Keeper [Jude 1, 24; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 2 Tm. 1:12]

-Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

-I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

3. Face the New Year with Christ the Coming One [Jude 14]

 

II. FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH THE OLD BOOK, THE WORD OF GOD

1. Read it Faithfully [Jude 3-5, Isaiah 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.

2. Read it Fully [Jude 5, 7, 11, 17-18, Luke 24:25-27]

- 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.

3. Read it to Feed [Jude 20, Job 23:12, Acts 20:32, Colossians 2:7]

- Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

- And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

- Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

 

III. FACE THE NEW YEAR WITH THE OLD WAYS [Jeremiah 6:16]

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

1. Be a Prayer Warrior [Jude 20, Lk 18:1, 1 Th. 5:17, 1 Tim. 2:8]

-And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

-Pray without ceasing.

-I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

2. Be a Powerful Witness [Jude 3, 22-23]

3. Be a Persistent Worshipper [1 Tm. 3:15, Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 11:17-18, 20, 33-34, 14:23, 26]

-But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

- And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Notice with all the problems the Corinthians had Paul didn’t say stop coming- he merely worked to straighten out the problems.

FOR UNTO YOU

LUKE 2:1-14                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

In Philippians 4:8 the Word of God admonishes us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 

I. THE TIDINGS

1. They Were “Good Tidings” [v. 10-11, Pr. 25:25]

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

2. They Were Joyous Tidings [v. 10, 15:10]

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

3. They Were Tidings of “Good Will” [v. 14, 2 Pet. 3:9, Jeremiah 29:11]

-The Lord is…  not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

-For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 

II. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE TIDINGS

1. Shepherds [v. 8, Gen. 46:33-34, 1 Sam. 16:11]

-And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

- And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

2. All People [v. 10, Jn. 3:16, 1 Jn. 2:2]

-For God so loved the world…

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

3. Men [v. 14, Mt. 4:19] mankind

- And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 

III. THE RESPONSE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE TIDINGS

1. Alarm (fear) [v. 9, Pr. 9:10]

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

2. Acceptance [v. 15-16, Jn. 1:12]

-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:

3. Action (telling others ) [v. 17-18, Mk. 16:15]

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

WHY CHRISTMAS?

GALATIANS 4:1-7

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

There is a Christmas because:

 

1. There is Sin [v. 1-3, 2 Peter 2:19]

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome , of the same is he brought in bondage.

 

2. The Time was Right [v. 4a]

 

3. The God of the Bible is Real [v. 4b, Mark 11:22, Heb. 11:6]

- And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

-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.

 

4. God Sent Jesus to be the Redeemer [v. 4c, Romans 8:3, 1 John 4:9-10]

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.

 

5. Salvation needed to be Provided [v. 5, 3:13, 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;

 

6. The Holy Spirit is Real [v. 6, Romans 8:9-11]

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.

 

7. Man’s Relationship with God needed to be Restored [v. 6-7, Eph. 2:11-20]

 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 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: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby : And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

THE WISE MEN’S 2000-YEAR-OLD CHRISTMAS QUESTION

MATTHEW 2:1-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE GOOD [v. 1-2]

1. The Certainty of their Question [Numbers 24:17] “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth .

2. The Sincerity of their Question [James 4:17] “for we have seen his star in the east, and are come”

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

3. The Scope of their Question [2 John 1:9-10] “for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

 

II. THE BAD [v. 3-8]

1. The Heart is Troubled that will Not Trust [v. 3, John 14:1, 27]

-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

-Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2. The Life is Troubled that Will Not in Faith Follow the Scriptures [v. 4-6, Luke 24:13-27, Heb. 4:2]

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3. The Person is Troubled that Will find Himself Against God [v. 7-8, Ps. 7:11, Romans 8:7]

- God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

- Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be

 

III. THE BEAUTIFUL [v. 9-12]

1. Following the Light you have is the Path to More Light [v. 9, Jn. 8:12, Jn. 7:17]

- Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

- If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

2. Following the Lord is the Path to True Joy [v. 10-11, Neh. 8:10, Isaiah 29:19, Mt. 25:21]

- Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

- The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

- His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

3. Following the Leading of the Lord is the Path to True Satisfaction [v. 12, Pr. 3:5-8]

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. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.