CHOOSING TO TRUST

1 Th. 5:16     Rejoice evermore.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

We cannot always choose what will happen to us. We may plan one thing, but our circumstances are not always under our control but… how we respond to those circumstances generally is. I’m not saying life is easy. I’m not saying the choice is always good or better. But there is much to be said about how we choose to respond. We can always trust God. John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, said, “Everything is needful that He sends; Nothing is needful that He withholds.” He chose trust. Even after he went blind and was losing his memory, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." He chose trust.

1 Sm. 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

 

 

I. THE CHOICE TO KNOW [v. 1-4]

II. THE CHOICE TO BEHAVE LIKE WHAT YOU ARE [v. 5-8]

III. THE CHOICE TO ASSEMBLE [v. 9-13, Heb. 10:25]

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

IV. THE CHOICE TO BEHAVE WISELY TOWARD OTHERS [v. 14-15]

V. THE CHOICE TO REJOICE [v. 16]

VI. THE CHOICE TO PRAY [v. 17]

VII. THE CHOICE TO GIVE THANKS [v. 18]

VIII. THE CHOICE TO SUBMIT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT [v. 19]

IX. THE CHOICE TO PROVE THINGS [v. 20]

Rm. 12:2 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.

Eph. 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

1 Jn. 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

X. THE CHOICE TO ABSTAIN FROM THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL [v. 21]

HALLELUJAH

Psalm 146

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH YOURSELF [v. 1-2]

1. Who Should You Praise? [v. 1a, Psalm 147:1]

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

2. Who Should Praise? [v. 1b, Psalm 33:1]

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

3. When Should You Praise? [v. 2]

 

II. HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS

1. The Limitations of Mankind [v. 3-4]

2. The Lord’s My Help and My Hope [v. 5, Is. 50:9]

- Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

3. The Lord’s Might [v. 6, 121:1-2]

-I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

 

III. HAVE FAITH IN GOD [Mark 11:22, Jn. 14:1]

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

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

 

1. He Loosens Our Bonds [v. 7]

2. He Loves His Children [v. 8-9, Jn. 1:12]

3. He Lives Forever [v. 10]

 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,

  Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs

  To Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him,

  The Help of all who find,

None other is so loving,

  So good and kind.

 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

NO EXCEPTIONS

JOHN 3:2-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE NEED OF NICODEMUS

1. It Was an Urgent Need [v. 1-2, 19:39]

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night

2. It Was a Universal Need [v. 3, 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:

3. It Was a Misunderstood Need [v. 4, 9-10]

 

II. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH

1. It is Necessarily a Spiritual rather than a Physical Birth [v. 3-6]

2. It Necessitates the Work of the Holy Spirit [v. 5-8, 6:63]

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

3. It Necessitates the Ministries of the Father and the Son [v. 16]

 

III. THE UNIQUENESS OF THE SAVIOUR

1. The Incarnation of Christ [v. 9-13]

2. The Vicarious Death of Christ [v. 14-17]

3. The Necessity of Receiving the Risen Saviour [v. 18-21]

Rm. 10:6-13 - But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (cp. John 3:13) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

THE INFIRMITY OF THE FLESH

GALATIANS 4:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE ADMISSION OF THE TRUTH

1. Simon Peter’s Confession [Luke 5:8]

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

2. Solomon’s Confession [1 Kings 3:7]

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

3. Jesus’ Declaration [Luke 17:10]

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say , We are unprofitable servants : we have done that which was our duty to do.

 

II. A LITTLE SOUL-SEARCHING [Ps. 139:23-24]

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

1. Acknowledge My Fallibility & His Salvation [Ps. 103:1-4]

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

2. Accept My Sinfulness & His Mercy [Ps. 103:8-11]

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

3. Admit My Limitations and His Compassion [Ps. 103:12-15]

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we [are] dust. [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

 

III. A FINAL RESPONSE [Philippians 3]

1. Focus Not on the Failure [v. 13a]

2. Forget the Forgiven & Forsaken [v. 13b] it’s been dealt with

3. Forge Forth for Christ [v. 13c-17]

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE

JOHN 9:38-41

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN [9:1-12]

1. The Light of the World [9:1-5]

2. The Sight of the World [9:6-7]

3. The Plight of the World [9:8-12] plight refers to the situation, usually bad, someone is in

 

II. THE “HEARING” OF THE PHARISEES [9:13-34] a judicial situation

1. The Failure of Men [9:13-17]

2. The Fear of Man [9:18-23, Mt. 10:27-28]

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

3. The Foolishness of Men [9:24-34, 1 Cor. 1:18-25] cp. v. 2 w/v. 34 ignorance/arrogance

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

III. THE HEARING OF THE SHEEP [9:35-10:21]

1. Sometimes Blind Men See [9:11, 17, 25-33, 35-38]

2. Sometimes Seeing Men Are Blind [9:39-41]

3. Saved People are the Only Ones that can Really See and Hear [10:1-21; 2 Cor. 4:3-6]

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

UP, UP, AND AWAY

ACTS 1:2, 9-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Many false doctrines abound concerning Christ’s return. Several cults say Jesus has already returned albeit secretly. Some say we are in the 1000-year reign of Christ right now! David Koresh claimed to be the 2nd coming of Christ. He died. Sun Myung Moon allowed his followers to say he was the second coming of Christ. He died in 2012But what saith the Scripture?

 

I. THE PERSON [Acts 1:11]

1. The Jesus of the Passion [1:1-3a, 17:2-3]

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

2. The Jesus of the Proofs [1:3, Lk. 24:30-45]

3. The Jesus of the Power [1:4-8, Mt. 28:18]

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

II. THE POWER [Acts 1:11]

1. He’s Coming to Change the Saved [1 John 3:2]

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2. He’s Coming to Conquer Satan & co. [1 John 3:8, Rev. 19-20]

-He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

3. He’s Coming to Control Earth & Its Kingdoms [Rev. 19:13-15]

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

III. THE PLAN [Acts 1:9-13]

1. He’s Coming Personally [Rev. 1:7]

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

2. He’s Coming Visibly [Rev. 1:7]

3. He’s Coming Locally [Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:11-12]

-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.

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY IT DOES NOT MAKE IT SO!

PSALM 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

The old song says "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen..." David certainly had trouble. Granted many of them were self-inflicted through wrong decisions, wrong actions, wrong handling of situations... BUT--- how many of us can say we have never done the same? Show of hands? I thought not.

It got so bad for David even his own son was seeking to dethrone him and kill him. When his son rebelled many joined in on the rebellion. How many folks are just waiting for something bad to happen to us so they can jump on the bandwagon? People were even saying God had deserted David [v. 2] and David knew they were saying that!

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING DOESN'T MAKE IT SO! When I was at Flagler College back in the 1970s we read a book in history class written in the 1930s that said the Scopes trial of 1925 and its aftermath had killed Bible-believing Christianity. The professor asked the class if that statement was true? Most of them agreed that it was (after all it was written in a book). How he knew I'm not sure but the professor, a Bible-believing Christian himself, knowing he had a young Fundamentalist in the room said, "Mr. Jackson, do you agree with the author's assessment?"

"No sir!"

"Why not?"

"Sir, the largest church in Tennessee [where the Scopes trial took place] is the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tn. with over 10,000 members. The largest church in Florida...Indiana...Virginia...Alaska... The Churches that thrive the most, large or small, are the ones that still teach and preach the Bible!" [Thank God for John R. Rice and The Sword of the Lord where I had gleaned that information over those formative years]

"That would be correct. History is sometimes seen best from a distance class."

We all learned something that day. I learned my professor knew me better than I thought. The class learned that historians are NOT always right, nor are they the unbiased lot they would have us believe and the professor learned he could call on that skinny [at the time] kid and get a somewhat intelligible response.

David continued to trust God no matter what the people said. [v. 4] Brother Lester Roloff used to sing, "...There's something mighty sweet about the Lord, It really doesn't matter, what the people say, there's something mighty sweet."

David continued to pray. He knew the Lord heard him and so do you know what he did? He slept soundly! [v. 5] Worry is such a time waster and sleep stealer. Someone has said, "I absolutely refuse to worry!" As long as the reason for that statement is trusting God I concur. Take your burden to the Lord and LEAVE it there. Don't take it back with you.

Who cares who or how many oppose you [v. 6] when God is taking up your cause [v. 7-8]? Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.