THREE GREAT ACTIONS

1 JOHN 4:9-14                                                                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 Three greatest actions. Maybe the three greatest actions. What can they be? Would they be acts of terrorism and/or war--- like Pearl Harbor or 9-11? Great doesn’t always mean good. Would they be war stoppers like Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Would they be moments that transcend war like the first man in space or man walking on the moon? Would they be an act of desperation like when a parent lifts a car off a child through a rush of adrenalin? Though all these may be powerful actions once again the Lord God Almighty would have to take center stage. The three greatest actions? Let us pray and then search the Scriptures together.

 

 I. THE FIRST OF THESE THREE GREAT ACTIONS IS WHEN GOD THE FATHER SENT JESUS

1. Great Manifestation [1 Jn. 4:9, Jn. 3:16]

-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

-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son

2. Great Motivation [1 Jn. 4:10, Rm. 5:8]

-Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

--But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Great Mission [1 Jn. 4:14, 2:2]

-And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

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

 

 II. THE SECOND OF THESE THREE GREAT ACTIONS IS WHEN GOD THE SON CAME TO EARTH

Someone has wisely pointed out that God walking on earth is a greater event than man walking on the moon.

1. The Great Humanity Involved [Phil. 2:2-7, John 15:13]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

2. The Great Humility Involved [Phil. 2:8, Is. 53:2-4]

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

-For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

3. The Great Horror involved [Phil. 2:8, 2 Cor. 5:21, Mark 15:34, Ps. 22:1]

-… even the death of the cross.

- For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

- And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

- My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

 

III. THE THIRD OF THESE THREE GREATEST ACTIONS IS GOD THE SPIRIT’S WORK ON EARTH

1. It is a Christ Work [Jn. 1:29-34, 2:11]

2. It is a Convicting Work [Jn. 16:7-11]

3. It is a Continuing Work [Jn. 7:39, 20:19-22, Gal. 5:22-25]

-But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

- Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

- 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.

THE SAME CHRIST

 

THE SAME CHRIST

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

It should come as no surprise that Christ the King of the Jews of Matthew’s Gospel, and Christ the perfect Servant of Mark’s Gospel, Christ the Son of Man of Luke’s Gospel and Christ the Son of God of John’s Gospel are all the same Christ. One and the Same. Did you know that some scholars of the Old Testament once thought there were to be two different Christs? Well, let’s look at that.

 

I. THE COMING CHRIST [Micah 5]

1. A Suffering Saviour [v. 1, Is. 50:6, 53:3-4]

- Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

- I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

- He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

2. An Eternal Christ [v. 2, Pr. 30:4]

-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

-Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

3. A Sovereign Christ [v. 2, Ps. 110:1-2]

- The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

 

II. THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST

1. The Virgin Born Christ [Gn. 3:15, Jer. 31:22, Is. 7:14]

- 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.

- How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

- Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

2. The Vicariously Dying Christ [Is. 53:5-6]

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

3. The Victorious Resurrected Christ [Acts 2:22 -28]

-Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

 

III. THE CONQUERING CHRIST

1. The Exalted Christ [Acts 2:29-33]

-Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

2. The Smiting Christ [Rev. 19:11-16]

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 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. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

3. The Reigning Christ [Revelation 11:15]

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

AMERICAN DECLARATIONS

Psalm 146                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

We recognized the 250th birthday of the United States of America yesterday. Let us take the time to consider some American Declarations in the light of Scripture.

 

I. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

1. Declares We believe in Creation [Ex. 20:11, Mt. 19:4]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator..."

- For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

- And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

2. Declares We believe in Individual Rights [Mosaic Law, John 1:10-12]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men..."

- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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. Declares We believe in Individual Responsibility [Mt. 12:36, Rm. 14:12, 1 Pt. 4:3-6]

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

- But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

-For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

 

II. DECLARATIONS OF IGNORANCE

1. "We don't have to believe the Bible" [2 Tm. 3:16, Jn. 12:48]

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

- He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

2. "We don't have to believe in God" [Ps. 14:1, Rm. 1:21-22]

- The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

- Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

3. "We don't have to believe in Jesus" [Jn. 3:36]

- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

III. A DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE  - "NO KING BUT JESUS"

In the days of the early church many Christians died because they would not recognize Caesar as a god. They replied in effect, "We have no King but Jesus". In the 1700s when faced with the tyranny of an English crown many of the colonists took up the cry "NO KING BUT JESUS" before, during, and after the Revolutionary War! What did it mean to them and what should it mean to us?

1. We do believe in God [Mk. 11:22, Gn. 1:1, Heb. 11:6]

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

- In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

- 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. We believe in the Divine King not the divine right of kings [Ps. 47:7, 74:12, 1 Tm. 1:17]

-For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

-For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

-Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. We do believe the Bible that Jesus is the coming King [2 Tm. 4:1, Rev. 19:15-16]

- 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

-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. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

HE WALKED WITH GOD

GENESIS 5:18-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE STRANGE CASE OF ENOCH [Gn. 5:18-24]

1. His Reason Could Be Our Reason [v. 18-22a, Eph. 6:4]

- And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2. His Responsibility Should Be Our Responsibility [v. 22b-23, Eph. 2:10, 4:1, 17, 5:15]

- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

-I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called

-This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind

- See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

3. His Rapture Would Be Like Our Rapture [v. 24, 1 Th. 4:16-17]

- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

II. THE STRATEGIC CHOICE [Amos 3:3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

1. To Walk Together There Must Be a Starting Place - Calvary [Gal. 6:14]

- But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

2. To Walk Together There Must Be an Agreed Path - Holiness [Psalm 16:11, 119:105, Pr. 4:14]

- Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore

-Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

- Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

3. To Walk Together There Must Be a Final Place [1 Th. 4:17]

- Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

III. THE STRAIGHTFORWARD COMPANIONSHIP [1 John 1:5-7]

1. The Lack of Variableness [v. 5, Jm. 1:17]

-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.

- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. The Lie of Variableness [v. 6]

-If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

3. The Loss of Variableness [v. 7] the choice is ours

-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.

NO EXCUSES

ROMANS 1:19-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO NATIONAL DESOLATION [2 CHR. 30]

1. Not with an Invitation to Return [v. 1-6]

2. Not with a Reminder to Repent [v. 7-8]

3. Not with an opportunity to Respond [v. 9-22]

II. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO RELIGIOUS APOSTASY [ACTS 7]

1. Not with their Foolish Works [v. 37-41]

2. Not with their False Worship [v. 42-43]

3. Not when they Forsake Witness [v. 44]

III. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO UNNATURAL IMMORALITY [Rm. 1]

1. Not when Truth is Rejected [v. 18-22]

2. Not when Truth is Exchanged [v. 23-25]

3. Not when Truth is Ignored [v. 26-32]

JOSHUA FIT THE BATTLE

JOSHUA 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT MADE JOSHUA FIT?

1. He was a Man of Fear [1:6-7, 9] – know your limitations

2. He was a Man of Faith [1:8, Rm. 10:17] – know God’s Law

faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

3. He was a Man of Focus [1:9-18, Jn. 2:25] – know mankind’s leaning

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

 

II. WHAT DID JOSHUA KNOW?

1. He knew the Fight was the Lord’s [2:24-3:5, 1 Sm. 17:47]

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

2. He knew the Fear of the Lord [4:19-24, Pr. 9:10]

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

3. He knew the Family was the Lord’s [24:14-15]

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

III. WHAT DID JOSHUA UNDERSTAND? [Ps. 119:104]

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

1. He Understood Authority [5:13-15, Mt. 8:8-10]

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

2. He Understood Responsibility [6:16-17, 22-25, Heb. 11:30-31]

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

3. He Understood Accountability [7:7-12, 19-20]

THREE CHRISTIAN FATHERS BUT ONLY ONE CHRISTIAN HOME

Gn. 18:17-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT LOT, A GOOD BUSINESSMAN, A BAD FATHER, TAUGHT HIS FAMILY

1. Put Business Before Holiness [Gn. 13:10-13, 19:7, 9, 16]

2. Put Relationships with People Before their Relationship with God [Gn. 19:6-9, 14-16]

3. The End Justifies the Means [Gn. 19:17-36]

 

II. DAVID- GOOD KING, A BAD FATHER

1. David got Angry but did Nothing about His Son’s Wicked Sin [2 Sam. 13:21, 39]

2. David Ignored the Problem instead of Discussing It with His Son [2 Sam. 14:24, 32-33]

3. David did not “Displease” His Children with Discipline [1 Kings 1:6]

And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?

 

III. ABRAHAM- FRIEND OF GOD, GOOD FATHER

1. Abraham Commanded His Children

[Gn. 18:17-19]

2. Abraham taught His Family God is to be Trusted [Heb. 11:17-19]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

3. Abraham taught His Family God is to be Obeyed [Heb. 11:20]

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.