THE LORD’S BENEFITS

PSALM 68:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Only 3 times in the beloved King James Version will you find the word “benefits”- but those three times are noteworthy, and all in the Psalms.

68:19-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

103:2- Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

116:12-What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

 

I. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE ACTIONABLE [Ps. 116]

1. Be Saved [v. 13]

2. Be Serving [v. 14-16]

3. Be Thankful [v. 17-19]

 

II. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE MEMORABLE [Ps. 103]

1. Salvation [v. 1-12]

2. Sympathy [v. 13-14]

3. Security [v. 15-22]

 

III. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE AMPLE [Ps. 68]

1. The Saved Have Access [v. 19-20]

2. They Access Victory Over God’s Enemies [v. 20-23, 1 Pt. 5:8-9ff, Gal. 5:16-17, Rev. 19:11-21]

- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other

3. They Access Strength from the Lord [v. 24, 26, 28, 32-35]

LESSONS FROM THE ANCIENT ART OF FOOT WASHING

JOHN 13:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. UNIVERSAL LESSONS

1. Christ is Lord and Master [v.1-5, 12-13]

2. It’s Not about “Foot Washing” or a Foot Washing Ordinance [v. 6-7]

-the timing is off [John Wrote in 90 AD, no mention in the synoptic gospels]

-the template is off, no “as oft as ye do this”, no “go ye,” no further mention by other books [v. 7]

-the template isn’t followed [v. 4, 5, 12] only the 12, no women

-the Tempter v. 2, 18, Gn. 3:14-15]

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.

3. The Scripture Will Be Fulfilled [v. 18-19]

 

II. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE LOST

1. If Jesus Doesn’t Wash You- You Cannot Be Saved [v. 8]

2. Jesus Knows Who is Playing, Lying, and Lost [v. 10-11, 18]

3. Receive Christ to Receive God [v. 19-20]

 

III. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE SAVED

1. A Person Doesn’t Get Saved More than Once [v. 6-10, Heb. 10:14-23]

2. A Simple Cleansing from Our Daily Walk is Often Needed [v. 10, 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.

3. Obey Christ for the Joyful Life [v. 14-17, 1 Jn. 1:3-4]

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND

 EPH. 6:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. STAND FOR GOD [Ex. 32:26]

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

1. Stand Against the Devil, His Methods & His Minions [Eph. 6:11-12] wiles (methodeia)

2. Stand in the Armor of God [Eph. 6:13]

3. Stand with the Truth of God [Eph. 6:14-19]

 

II. STAND FOR THE GOSPEL [1 Cor. 2:4-5, Rm. 1:16]

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1. Stand for the Vicarious Death of Christ [1 Cor. 2:1-5]

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

2. Stand for the Victorious Resurrection of Christ

[1 Cor. 15:1-5ff.]

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:]

3. Stand for the Vital Grace of God [Gal. 5:1]

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

III. STAND FOR THE FAITH [1 Co. 16:13, Jude 3]

- Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

- Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1. Stand in grace, by grace, and for grace [Rm. 5:1-2]

- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- [1 Pt. 5:12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly , exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand

2. Stand in faith, by faith, and for faith

[Rm. 10:17, 11:20, 2 Cor. 1:24]

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

- Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith

-for by faith ye stand.

3. Stand in the Word, by the Word, and for the Word [2 Th. 2:14-15, 1 Tm. 5:17, Heb. 4:12]

-Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore , brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

-Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

-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.

THE DEVIL’S MALEVOLENT METHODS

GENESIS 3:1-13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SATAN MINIMIZES [Gn. 3:1-4]

1. The Importance of the Word of God [v. 1] if he can get you to do this…

2. The Loving Provision of God [v. 2-4, 2:8-9]

3. The Horrible Penalty for Sin [v. 4, Rm. 6:23, Eph. 2:1, Jm. 1:15]

- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

- sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

II. SATAN MAXIMIZES [Gn. 3:1-6]

1. Negatives Over Positives [v. 1-5] all he wanted to talk about was what they couldn’t do

2. Self over the Saviour [v. 5]

3. Desires over Duties [v. 6, 2:15-18, Jm. 1:15] restrictions over responsibilities

- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

III. SATAN DENIES [Gn. 3:1-7]

1. The Truth of the Word [v. 4, Jn. 8:44, 14:6, 17:17]

interesting how the father of lies wants you to not believe the Truth

- Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth

- Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

2. The Goodness of God [v. 5, Rm. 2:4]

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

3. The Divine Order [v. 1, 6-7, 1 Tm. 2:12-14, Titus 1:5-6, 2:3-5]

DRAWING FROM GOD’S WELLS [3]

ISAIAH 12:1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 I. THE WELL OF “ROOM”

1. The Things of Earth Cannot Satisfy Spiritual Thirst [Gn. 26:12-15]

2. Things of Earth Strive Against Spiritual Things [Gn. 26:16-21, Gal. 5:16-26]

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

3. The Well of God’s Place [Gn. 26:22, Jn. 14:1-6]

 

II. THE WELL OF GOD’S OATH

1. The Well of God’s Person [Gn. 26:23-24]

2. The Well of God’s Peace [Gn. 26:24]

3. The Well of God’s Promise [Gn. 26:25]

 

III. THE WELL OF SACRIFICE

1. The Well of the House of Bread [1 Chr. 11:16-17]

2. The Well of the House of Blood [1 Chr. 11:16-19]

3. The Well of the Heavenly Bread [John 6:31-51]

WHEN SHOULD WE GO TO JESUS?

Mark 9:14-27

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IN THE HOUR OUR FAITH IS WEAK [Mk. 9:17-27]

1. In Faith He Sought Jesus [v. 17a]

2. In Faith He Told Jesus [v. 17b-18] “Tell it to Jesus”

3. In Faith He Listened to Jesus [v. 19-27]

 

II. IN THE HOUR AFTER OUR GREATEST FAILURE [Jn. 21:1-4]

1. Jesus Offers Forgiveness [Mk. 16:7]

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

2. Jesus Offers Fellowship [Jn. 21:4-17]

3. Jessus Offers a Future [Jn. 21:3, 15-17, Luke 22:31-32]

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.

 

III. IN THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH [1 Cor. 10:12, Phil. 3]

-Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Reality [Phil. 3:12]

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

2. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Response [Phil. 3:13-14]

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Role Model [Phil. 3: 20-21]

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.

TEN THINGS JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT HELL IN LUKE 16:19-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THIS “STORY” IS TRUE, IT IS NOT A PARABLE [v. 19-21]

“The story you are about to hear is true” – it has all the earmarks of a true account

II. DEATH IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS [v. 22, Rm. 5:12]

Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

III. THERE IS NO “SOUL-SLEEP” [v. 22-23, 2 Cor. 5:6, 8]

-Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

-We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

IV. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF COMFORT [v. 22, Is. 25:8, Rev. 7:17, 21:4]

-He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

-For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

-And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek* with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

*same Gk. Word translated “bosom”

V. HELL IS A PLACE OF TORMENTS [v. 23-25, 28]

VI. WE WILL KNOW PEOPLE IN THE AFTERLIFE [v. 23-24]

VII. WE WILL HAVE SENSES IN THE AFTERLIFE [v. 23-24]

You are a soul, you have a body]

VIII. EARTH IS THE CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN FOR THE LOST,

THE CLOSEST THING TO HELL FOR THE SAVED [v. 25]

IX. THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL ARE “FIXED” [v. 26]

X. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN [Lk. 15:1-2, 19:10, Jn. 14:6]