THE TIME IS SHORT

1 COR. 7:20-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TIME IS SHORT TO BE SAVED

1. It Involves Limited Time On Earth [James 4:14]

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

2. It Involves a Limited Time Offer [Gn. 6:3]

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man

3. It Involves a Limited Time Opportunity [Isaiah 55:6]

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

 

II. THE TIME IS SHORT TO SUFFER

1. God Uses It Now [1 Peter 5:10, Rm. 8:26-30]

-But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for: we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but: the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

2. God Uses It Later [Rm. 8:18]

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.

3. Man Has a Duty Now [Eccl. 12:1-3, 13]

-Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened…

-Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

 

III. THE TIME IS SHORT TO SERVE

1.We Don’t Know the Time [Mark 13:33]

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

 

2. We Do Know the Task [Acts 1:7-8, Eph. 5:15-16]

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

- See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

3. We Know the Saviour [John 9:4, Rm. 13:11, 14

-I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

-And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

-Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

SAUL’S MYSTERIES SOLVED [Part 1]

1 SAMUEL 9:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

When you read the history of King Saul in the Bible you will find three mysteries that baffle many minds. Was he saved? What about the witch of Endor? Was he killed or did he kill himself? Let us open the Word of God and find the answers.

 

I. WAS SAUL SAVED?

Good men like J.R. Rice and J.V. McGee used to be on opposite sides of the fence on this question. No doubt that is no longer the case since the three of them have possibly met in glory by this time. I obviously believe that Saul was saved and I base this on many things.

1. God Chose Saul to be the First King of Israel

[1 Sm. 9:16-17, 27-10:1, 24]

2. God’s Spirit Came Upon Saul Turning Him into another Man [1 Sm. 10:6-13]

3. The Spirit Came on Him Like the Judges [1 Sm. 11:6]

Judg. 13:25 And the spirit of the LORD began to move him [Samson] at times …

Judg. 14:6 And the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him…

Judg. 14:19 the spirit of the LORD came upon him…

4. Saul was Following the Lord [1 Sm. 12:14]

5. Saul Lost the Kingdom, David Lost Joy, Neither Lost Salvation [1 Sm. 13:13-14]

 

NEXT WEEK: LORD WILLING

II. WHAT HAPPENED AT ENDOR?

[1 Sm. 28:7-20] 3 Possibilities:

III. WAS IT REGICIDE OR SUICIDE?

[1 Sm. 31, 2 Sm. 1]

ANOTHER STORM

MATTHEW 14:22-33

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BASIC TRUTHS

1. You Can Be in the Lord’s Will in a Storm [v. 22-24]

2. The Storm Cannot Separate You from Jesus [v. 25]

3. Don’t Let the Storm Steer You from the Bible [v. 26-27]

 

II. BASIC ACTIONS

1. Seek the Lord Before Stepping Out [v. 28]

2. Act Boldly on God’s Word [v. 29]

3. Be Quick to Pray when Sinking! [v. 30]

 

III. BASIC ERRORS (TO AVOID)

1. Don’t Take Your Eyes Off the Lord [v. 30]

2. Don’t Doubt God’s Word [v. 31]

3. Don’t Fail to Worship Jesus [v. 32-33]

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD’S MERCY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

1. God’s Mercy, based on His Great Love, Renews [Lam. 3:22-23, Eph. 2:4]]

-It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

-But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2. God’s Mercy Endures for Ever [2 Chr. 7:3, Ps. 138:8] 42 verses

-And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

- The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

3. God Delights in Mercy [Micah 7:18

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

 

II. GOD’S GRACE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

1. God gives Grace to the Lowly [Proverbs 3:34, Jm. 4:6]

-Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly

-But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

2. God’s Rich Grace is Ageless, Saving Grace [Eph. 2:7-8]

Ephesians 2:7-8 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

3. God’s Grace is Sufficient [2 Cor. 12:9]

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.

 

III. GOD’S WORD IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

1. God Has Magnified His Word [Psalm 138:2]

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

2. God’s Word is Valuable [Job 23:12, Ps. 19:9-10,

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

- The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

3. God’s Word is Essential to Salvation [2 Tm. 3:15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

 

TREASURE HID IN A FIELD

 MATTHEW 13:44                            

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

This parable consists of one verse and yet there’s a powerful lesson given therein. The problem is that quite a few people over the years have misinterpreted this parable and thus changed the whole meaning. Let us once more use our Bibles and the brains the good Lord gave us and rightly divide the Word of Truth!

 

I. THE POPULAR EXPLANATION

1. The treasure in the field is Jesus

2. The man is the sinner

3. The man gives everything to find Christ

 

Now at first hearing that may sound pretty good. But the fact is it’s about as far off as it can be. The Devil doesn’t want men to understand the Gospel [2 Cor. 4:3-5].

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.

 So what’s wrong with this view? Let’s look at:

 

II. THE PROBLEMS EXPOSED

1. Jesus is NOT Hidden! [Jn. 8:12, Mt. 5:14-16, Jn. 1:4-9]

- 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.

- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

- In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2. Men are to Herald, not Hide, the Saviour [Acts 5:42, 1 Cor.  1:23]

-And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

- But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

3. Men do NOT Purchase Salvation [Isaiah 55:1]

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 

III. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

1. The Field is the World [Mt. 13:38]

2. The Man is the Saviour [Mt. 13:24, 37]

3. The Redeemed are the Treasure [Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23]

- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

- Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

-Note the joy involved [Mt. 13:44, 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.

-Note the price paid was all that He had [1 Pet. 1:18-19]

- 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:

LIVING THE TRUTH

III JOHN

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WALK IN TRUTH [1-4]

1. Walking in Truth Makes a Bond with Others [v. 1]

2. Walking in Truth Can Be Seen of Others [v. 2-3]

3. Walking in Truth Brings Joy to Others [v. 3-4]

 

II. WORK FOR TRUTH [5-10]

1. Help People follow God’s way [v. 5-6]

2. Help People spread the Gospel [v. 7-8]

3. Help People with Graciousness [v. 9-10]

 

III. WITNESS FOR THE TRUTH [11-14]

1. With our Work [v. 11]

2. With our Words [v. 12]

3. With our Willingness [v. 13-14]

MERCY, JUST BE REASONABLE

LUKE 18:9-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MERCY

1. Mercy is NOT Something You Deserve [Lk. 18:9-11]

2. Mercy is NOT Something You Earn [Lk. 18:12]

3. Mercy is Something God Grants [Lk. 18:13-14, Ps. 57:1, Heb. 2:17]

-Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee:

-Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

 

II. JUST

1. No Just Man [Ecc. 7:20]

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

2. God is Just [Is. 45:21, Zech. 9:9, 1 Pt. 3:18]

-Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

-Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

-For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

3. Just by Faith [Hab. 2:4, Rm. 1:17, 3:26; Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38]

-Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

-For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith

-To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

-But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

-Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

III. REASON

1. You Have a Problem [Is. 1:18]

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.

2. You Have a Person [Heb. 5:1-10]

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 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; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

3.You Have a Purpose [Rm. 12:1]

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.