THREE PERSONALITIES IN THE BOOK OF JOB

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DEVIL DEALS

1. He Rambles Around Looking for Victims [1:7, 2:2, 1 Pt. 5:8]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2. He Recognized God’s “Hedge of Protection” [1:10, 2 Chronicles 16:9]

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. – Hanani the Seer

3. He Reasoned Man’s Self-centeredness was his greatest Weakness [2:4-5, Luke 22: 3-6]

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

 

II. THE RELIGIONIST RECEIVES

1. He May be Religious but He is Not Spiritual [4:12-20, 1 John 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.

2. He Thinks His Opinion is the Truth [8:5-7, 2 Tm. 3:1-9]

3. He Thinks Men of Old had the Answer [8:8-10, 2 Tm. 3:14-17]

 

III. THE SPIRITUAL STAND

1. He Knows Personally the Redeemer [19:25, 2 Timothy 1:12]

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2. He Knows the Promise of Resurrection [19:25-26, Revelation 20:6]

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

3. He Knows the Power of Repentance [42:1-10, 2 Cor. 7:9-11]

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME

TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME

LUKE 23:33-43

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PLAN OF SALVATION

1. The Position of Salvation [v. 33-40, Luke 18:13]

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

2. The Person of Salvation [v. 33-42, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5]

-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given 

among men, whereby we must be saved.

-For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

3. The Pace of Salvation [v. 43, 2 Cor. 6:2]

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

II. THE PATTERN OF SALVATION

1. The Price of Salvation [v. 33, 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23, 15:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-19]

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

-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:

2. The Perspective of Salvation [v. 42]

3. The Paradise of Salvation [v. 43, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4]

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory . I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

III. THE PERFECTION OF SALVATION [v. 43]

1. The promise of a Gentleman – “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee”

2. The Personhood of Grace – “I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be”

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.

3. The Presence of God – “with me” [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.

"FATHER, FORGIVE THEM..."

LUKE 23:32-34

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. NOTE THEIR ACTIONS [v. 32-33]

1. They Came to Calvary [v. 33, Mt. 27:33, Mk. 15:22] Calvary kranion, Gr.  a skull ("cranium") Aramaic-Golgotha

- And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

- And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

2. They Crucified Christ “Him” [v. 33, Acts 2:36, 1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2]

not Judas or someone else

-Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

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

- For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3. They Crucified Criminals “malefactors” [v. 33, 40-41]

worthless workers of evil [Rm. 5:8]

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

II. NOTE HIS PRAYER [v. 34]

1. Directed to the Father [the distinction in the Godhead-denies modalism-the doctrine that the persons of the Trinity represent only three modes or aspects of the divine revelation, not distinct and coexisting persons in the divine nature.]

2. Directed for the Soldiers

[designees of the work, v. 34, 1 Cor. 2:8, Rm. 13:1-4]

-Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

- Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 3. Direction for the Request

[this action- not all their sins, that forgiveness is theirs upon accepting Him]

 

 III. NOTE OUR LESSONS

1. Jesus Knows Us

[1 Sam. 16:7, Jer. 17:10, Jn. 2:24-25] –like Zaccheus

- the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

- I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

- But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

2. Jesus Wants to Forgive Us [2 Peter 3:9, Acts 5:31, 13:38, 26:18]

- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

- Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

- To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

3. Jesus Will Save Us if we Receive Him [v. 47, Mk. 15:39, Jn. 1:12]

- And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

- 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:

DON'T FEAR

(FEAR NOT)

ISAIAH 41:10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE RELATIONSHIP SAYS “FEAR NOT” [v. 8-9]

1. We are God’s Servants [v. 8, Mt. 10:24-25, 12:18]

- The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

- Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

2. We are God’s Chosen [v. 8, 1 Peter 2:4, 9]

-To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

-But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

3. We are God’s “seed of Abraham” [Gal. 3:16, Rm. 4:12-16]

- Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

- And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

 

II. THE REASONING SAYS “FEAR NOT” [v. 10]

1. The Reasoning of God’s Presence [v. 10a, Heb. 13:5-6]

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2. The Reasoning of God’s Person [v. 10b, Jn. 10:28-30]

- And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

3. The Reasoning of God’s Purpose [v. 10c, Ps. 17:15, 1 Jn. 3:2]

- As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

- 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.

 

III. THE REALITY SAYS “FEAR NOT” [v. 11-15ff]

1. No Enemy Can Succeed Against God [v. 11-12, Rm. 8:31]

-If God be for us, who can be against us?

2. No Dependence on Our Strength [v. 13-14, 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.

3. No Lack of God’s Help [v. 15ff, Hebrews 4:16]

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD GLORY

GAL. 6:14

Pastor Rick Jackson                                                                          

 

Think about who wrote these words. A missionary, an apostle, a writer of over half of the New Testament books, a church planter, one of the greatest Christians who ever lived and yet, he said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” and you know what? He was right. And if he could not glory, how can we?

A couple of years after I got saved the Lord showed me the local church I had been attending all my life was NOT preaching the Bible so I started out to visit other churches. I was surprised to see one of my classmates at the first church I visited and so I, being the shy fellow I am, decided to sit with him. As the song service started, I had a Gomer Pyle revelation. My friend had a great singing voice! After church I ignorantly said to him, “Man, you have a great singing voice. You should be proud of that.” He wisely replied, “Why should I be proud of something that was given to me?” That was over 50 years ago, and it still has a profound impact on my life. He was saying, “God forbid that I should glory.”

 

I. WHO DID PAUL REFUSE TO GLORY IN?

1. Paul Refused to Glory in Himself [1:13-15, 5:1-6]

2. Paul Refused to Glory in Other Christians [1:16-24]

3, Paul Refused to Glory in the World [6:14]

 

II. WHAT DID PAUL REFUSE TO GLORY IN?

1. Paul Refused to Glory in His Own Works [1:13-15]

2. Paul Refused to Glory in the Opinions of Others [1:10, 2:4-5, 6:12]

3. Paul Refused to Glory in the World’s Applause [6:3-5, 14]

 

III. WHO & WHAT DID PAUL REJOICE TO GLORY IN?

1. Paul Gloried in the Triune God [1:3-5, 3:1-3, 4:4, 5:25-26, 6:14]

2. Paul Gloried in the Word of God [1:6-12]

3. Paul Gloried in the Work of Christ [6:14, 1:1, 4-5, 6:14]

 

John Newton who wrote the song Amazing Grace was a pastor, a mentor to Wm. Wilberforce and others grew very forgetful in his old age. He could not recognize his family and friends at time. Someone asked him questions but he could not remember the answers which he had previously known. He did say however, “Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”

 

FAINT NOT

LUKE 18:1-8               

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Back in February 19, 2025 I preached a message from Psalm 37 [Chilling & Thrilling]. Psalm 37 is basically the “Fret not” chapter of the Bible. Here the message is not “Fret Not” but “Faint Not” or, as we might say, “Don’t Faint!”  “Don’t Quit”  “Don’t Give Up!”

 

I. WHAT CAUSES FAINTING?

1. Sin [Lam. 5:15-17]

The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.

 2. Judgment [Lam. 5:17-22]

For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it. Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

3. Chastening Without Acceptance [Heb. 12:5-7, 10-13]

- And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

- For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby . Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 

II. WHY WE SHOULD NOT FAINT

1. The Presence of God [Dt. 20:3-4]

And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

2. The Purpose of God [2 Cor. 3:17-4:1] we have a ministry to be working at

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

3. The Promise of God [Gal. 6:6-10]

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

III. WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO FAINT?

1. Wait on the Lord [Is. 40:28-31] don’t resign… re sign!

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

2. Pray to the Lord [Luke 18:1ff]

3. Know the Book & its Author [2 Cor. 4:13-18, Heb. 12:2-3]

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

- 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.