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.

GALATIANS 6:7, A VERSE TO BE AWARE OF

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DECEPTION

 

1. We Can Deceive Ourselves

[Jer. 17:9, 1 Jn. 1:8, Jm. 1:2]

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

- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

2. Others Can Deceive Us

[Mk. 13:6, 1 Jn.3:7, 2 Tm. 3:13]

- Mk. 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

-1 Jn.3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

-2 Tm. 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

3. The Devil Can Deceive Us [Rev. 12:9, 20:10]

-And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

-And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

II. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRIDE OF DECEPTION

1. Pride Says YOU Can Mock God- but you can’t

[Gal. 6:7, Pr. 16:18]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

2. Pride Says YOU Can Sin & Get by With It – but you cannot [Num. 32:23]

Be sure your sin will find you out.

3. Pride Says You Know Best & God Can’t Use You

[Ex. 3:10-14] false humility

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well.

 

III. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRICE OF DECEPTION

1. Corruption [v. 8] decay, i.e. ruin: --corruption

2. No Souls for Our Labor [v. 8]

3. Giving Up Too Soon [v. 9]

THE BRANCH, THE ROOT AND THE INCARNATION

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BRANCH AND THE ROOT

1. Christ, the Branch of Jesse [Isaiah 11:1, Mt. 22:41-46]

-Note-Jesse was David’s Father

-And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

-While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

2. Christ, the Root of Jesse & David

[Is. 11:10, Rm. 15:8-12, Rev. 5:5, 22:16]

-And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

-Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

-And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

-I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

3. Christ, the Branch of David [Jer. 33:15]

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

 

II. “THE BRANCH” IN ZECHARIAH 6

1. Pictured [v. 9-11]

2. Priest and King [v. 12-13, Heb. 5:5-6, 7:1]

-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.

-For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

3. Prophesied [v. 14-15]

 

III. “THE BRANCH” IN THE GOSPELS

1. Matthew Presents Christ as King [Mt. 2:1-2, Jer. 23:5]

- Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

-Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

2. Mark Presents Christ as the Servant of God [Zech. 3:8]

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

3. Luke Presents Christ as Man [Zech. 6:12]

-Jesus refers to Himself as “the Son of Man” 25+ times in Luke

- And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

4. John Presents Christ as God [Is. 4:2, John 1:14, 17:24]

- In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

- And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

-Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

DIRECTIONS FOR LIVING LIFE’S JOURNEY

Deuteronomy 4

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE REVELATION – The BIBLE –

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

1. The Primacy of the Word

[v. 1-6, Pr. 30:5-6, Rev. 22:18-19]

- Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

- For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

2. The Privilege of the Word [v. 7-9a, Rm. 3:1-2]

- What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3. The Potential of the Word [v. 9b-20]

 

II. THE RESPONSIBILITY [v. 21-31]

1. Of Godly Leaders [v. 21-22, James 3:1]

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2. Of God’s People [v. 23-28, 1 Pt. 3:15-17]

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

3. Of Backsliders [v. 29-31, Rev. 7:14]

v. 30 is the first mention of the Tribulation

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

III. THE REASONABLENESS [v. 32-49]

1. Remember [v. 32-40]

v. 37 is the first time God was said to love men – showed previously but not said

2. Refuge [v. 41-43]

3. Repetition [v. 44-49]

PHILIPPIANS 4:6, A VERSE TO INTERNALIZE

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE POSITIVE POINTS OF A NEGATIVE – “Be careful for nothing but in everything”

1. It is Positive in Its Uniqueness – relinquish worry

2. It is Positive in Its Universality – really exclusive [Mt. 6:25-33, Rm. 8:31-39]

-Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

- If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather , that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written , For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. It is Positive in Its Underlying Grace – realize Omnipotence – it is inclusive here – everything [3:20-21, 4:4-7, 13, 19, 23]

 

II. THE PARTS OF A WHOLE – “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving”

1. Prayer – emphasizes devotion- be trusting who He is

2. Supplication – emphasizes details- be thorough – should we bring God small or big problems? Clue- there are no big problems to Him

3. Thanksgiving – emphasizes dedication- be trusting what He does is right

 

III. THE PROFOUNDNESS OF ITS SIMPLICITY – “let your requests be made known unto God”

1. Its Demand of Getting Personal – you must pray, you must decide, you must ask, you must seek

2. Its Demonstration of God’s Power – to God, your Creator, your Heavenly Father

3. Its Destruction of Grand Pettiness – pity parties vs. grace, mercy & love

ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ONE FOOT IN GLORY

PSALM 61

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

     The Bible is very clear that our life on earth is tentative, temporal, and tightly tethered to the grave. Our life is spoken of as a vapor, like the grass that today is and tomorrow is tossed into the fire. That soon most of us will be unremembered by the generations to come. But God.

     The Christian lives that short life here, that one foot in the grave while having one foot in glory. He is already a child of God, a possessor of a royal priesthood, a heavenly citizenship and a home being prepared by Christ Himself.  As I read this Psalm, the title I have given the message popped into my mind. By God’s grace I can communicated it to you in this service.

 

I. THE “WHO” OF BOTH PLACES [v. 1-2]

1. The One Who Intelligently Hears My Cry [v. 1]

2. From His Throne He Attends unto My Prayer [v. 1, 66:19]

3. Lead Me to the Rock that is Higher than I

[v. 2, Dt. 32:4, Jn. 1:1-3]

-He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

II. THE WHY OF BOTH PLACES [v. 3-5]

1. He has been both Shelter and a Strong Tower Here [v. 3]

2. I Will Abide with Him Forever [v. 4, 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.

3. Trust & Receive [v. 4-5, 1 Pt. 2:1-10]

 

III. THE WHAT OF BOTH PLACES [v. 6-8]

1. Service Before [v. 6]

2. Eternity Beckons [v.7]

3. Praise in Both [v. 8]

DEALING WITH THE DEVIL

1 PETER 5:8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. REMEMBER

1. His Power – do not underestimate the Devil, nor overestimate yourself [Jude 8-9, 1 Cor. 10:12]

-Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

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

2. His Character – he is a liar and quite clever [Jn. 8:44]

-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.

3. His Goal – [2 Cor. 2:11, 4:3-4, 11:3-4]

-Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

- 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.

-But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

 

II. RECOGNIZE

1. His Weakness [James 4:7]

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2. His Wiles [Eph. 6:11, 2 Cor. 11:14] “methodeia” LION-obvious, SERPENT-subtle, ANGEL OF LIGHT

- Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

-And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

3. His Wish [Luke 22:31]

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

 

III. RESIST

1. In the Faith [1 Pet. 5:6-9]

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 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.

2. In Humility [James 4:6-10] “pride” is one of Satan’s devices

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

3. In God’s Provision [Eph. 6:10-18, Mt. 4, Lk. 4]

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;