I CONFESS [Part 1]

ACTS 24:1-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE FALSE CHARGE and GOD’S COUNTER CHARGES

Some falsely accuse us, Fundamental Baptists, of worshipping the Bible- a charge which is untrue. We follow the Bible because it is the Word of the Living God. We worship God and so we follow His Word. Anyone who claims to follow God but does not follow His Word is only fooling himself. [1 Jn. 1: 5-7] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1. The Charge to Read [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.

2. The Charge to Study [2 Timothy 2:15]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The idea of “Good Friday”, along with infant baptism, a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper calling it a sacrament and the Mass, and a host of other things are carry-overs from the RCC and are not Biblical. They are decidedly unbiblical. Other cults have their own false doctrines.

3. The Charge to Serve [James 1:21-25, Rm. 12:1-2]

-Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the en-grafted 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 be-holding his natural face in a glass: For he be-holdeth 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.

-I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

II. THE TRUE CHARGES

1. Read Publicly [1 Th. 5:27, 1 Tm. 1:3-4]

-I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

-As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2. Hold and Observe [1 Tm. 1:18-19, 6:17-21]

-This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

-Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

3. Preach and Endure [2 Tm. 4:1-4

-I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

WELL, THAT’S JUST GREAT

2 Kings 22:13 Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

1 Chronicles 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEART THE WORLD’S GREATEST PROBLEM-SIN! Sin which corrupts, sin which condemns, sin which conquers. The Bible says the heart contains:

1. Wickedness and Violence [Ps. 58:1-2]

Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

2. Wickedness and Deceit [Ps. 58:3, Jer. 17:9]

-The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

3. Wickedness and Unbelief [Heb. 3:12, Mk. 16:14

- Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

- Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Sin is not to be taken lightly. Sin is against a thrice holy God. BUT…

II. YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS THE WORLD’S GREATEST BOOK!

1. The Bible has God as its Author [2 Tm. 3:16]

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2. The Bible has Salvation as its End [Jn. 20:31]

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

3. The Bible has Truth as its Matter [Jn. 17:17]

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Bible is for ALL people, in ALL places, for ALL time!

III. IF YOU TRUST CHRIST YOU HAVE IN YOUR SOULS THE GREATNESS OF SALVATION! [Hebrews 2:3]

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;

1. I am a Great Sinner BUT I have a Great Saviour!

[1 Tm. 1:15, Titus 2:13, Heb. 4:14, 13:20]

- Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

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

-Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

-Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

2. I Owed a Great Debt, Jesus Paid a Great Price

[Ez. 18:4, 1 Pt. 1:18-19]

-the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

-Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3. I Have a Great Knowledge, I Owe a Great Debt!

[Rm. 1:14-16]

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 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.

WHENCE COMETH MY HELP

PSALM 121:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HILLS OF HELP

1. Mt. Sinai – where I learned my sin [Neh. 9:13, Rm. 3:12]

-Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments

-Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. Mt. Calvary-where I met my Saviour [Lk. 23:33, 1 Cor. 2:2]

-And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

-For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

“Years I spent in vanity and pride…”

3. Mt. Olivet – where my Saviour will return to reign

[Acts 1:9-12, Zech. 14:4]

 

- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up , behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

 

-And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

 

II. THE HUMILITY OF HELP

1. The Right Decision – “I Will” [Lk. 15:18, Jn. 5:40, 7:17]  

-I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee

-And ye will not come to me, that ye might have 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. The Right Direction – “Lift up mine eyes” [Heb. 12:2]

-Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.]

 

3. The Right Desire – “From whence cometh my help”

[v. 2, 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.]

 

III. THE HINDRANCE OF HELP

1. Not Calling-even when it is available [Jeremiah 33:3]

-Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

2. Not Looking to Him-even though He has invited you [Is. 1:18, Mt. 11:28-30]

-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. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

3. Not Considering-even when He has your best interests at Heart [Jeremiah 29:11]

-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.]

TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT

[Part 2 of TO BE OR NOT TO BE]

2 PETER 3:10-18                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. “SEEING THEN” YOUR MOTIVATION [v. 10-11, Ps. 2]

1. The Day of the Lord WILL Come [v. 10]

2. “Things” WILL be Dissolved [v. 10-11]

3. What “Ought You to Be”? [v. 11]

 

II. “LOOKING FOR” [v. 12-14]

1. A Person [v. 12, 10, 14]

2. A Promise [v. 13]

3. A Place [v. 13] compare with I.2. above

4. A Peace [v. 14]

 

III. “BEWARE” [v. 15-18]

1. Live for Christ [v. 14]

2. Live in the Book [v. 15-16]

3. Live & Grow [v. 17-18]

YOU SEE YOUR CALLING?

1 CORINTHIANS 1:25-29

Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST [1:6]

1. The Preaching of the Person of CHRIST [1:1-10, 30-31]

2. The Preaching of The Work of Christ [1:13-24, 2:1-2]

3. The Preaching of the Word of God [2:3-10]

 

II. BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION [3:10]

1. Do Not DEVALUE Your Life [3:10-15]

2. Do Not DEFILE the Temple of God [3:16-17]

3. Do Not DECEIVE Yourself with the World [3:18-23] The world is the problem, the Word is the solution.

 

III. THE REQUIREMENT OF STEWARDS

1. Be faithful [4:1-2]

2. Be forewarned [4:3-7] Things aren't always as YOU think they are!

3. Be followers! [4:14-16, 11:1, Eph. 5:1, Mt. 4:19, Jn. 10:27, 12:26, Heb. 6:12]

-Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

-Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

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

-My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

-If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be : if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

- That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

 

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

2 PETER 3

Rick Jackson

 

I. BE STIRRED [v. 1-4]

1. The Old Testament [v. 1-2b]

2. The New Testament [v. 2c]

3. The Second Coming of Christ [v. 3-4a]

 

II. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE [v. 3-9]

1. Scoffers Have Agendas (v. 3-4, Phil. 3:17-21]

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

2. Scoffers Are Arrogant [v. 5-7]

3. Scoffers Have a Faulty Timetable [v. 8-9] TT/MWF

 

III. BE ON THE LOOKOUT [v. 10-18]

1. “See then” Your Motivation [v. 10-11, Ps. 2]

2. “Look for” [v. 12-14]

-a Person [v. 12, 10, 14]

-a promise [v. 13]

-a place [v. 13]

-a peace [v. 14]

3. “Beware" [v. 15-18]

HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER

1 Peter 3:7                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Wrong Heart [Ps. 66:18, Eze. 14: 3]

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

-Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

2. Wrong Actions [Is. 59:1-2, 1 Pt. 3:7]

-Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

-Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

3. Wrong Motives [Jm. 4:3] 

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

 

II. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGES IN ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Be a Child of God [Heb. 11:4-6] -By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased 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.

2. Be an Obedient Child of God [Jm. 5:16, 1 Pt. 3:12, 1 Jn. 3: 22, Jn. 15:7]

-The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

-For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

-And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

-If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

3. Keep Short Accounts with God [1 Jn. 1:9]

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

 

III. HELPS IN ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Pray in Faith [Mk. 9:23, Rm. 10:17, Jm. 1:5-7]

-Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

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

-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. Pray According to the Will of God [1 Jn. 5:14-15, Jn. 14:13, 16:23-24]

-And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

-And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

-And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you , Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

3. Pray Repetitively Sincerely and Sensitively [Mt. 7:7-8, 2 Cor. 12:7-9]

-Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

-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.