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.

THE LORD’S BENEFITS

PSALM 68:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Only 3 times in the beloved King James Version will you find the word “benefits”- but those three times are noteworthy, and all in the Psalms.

68:19-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

103:2- Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

116:12-What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

 

I. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE ACTIONABLE [Ps. 116]

1. Be Saved [v. 13]

2. Be Serving [v. 14-16]

3. Be Thankful [v. 17-19]

 

II. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE MEMORABLE [Ps. 103]

1. Salvation [v. 1-12]

2. Sympathy [v. 13-14]

3. Security [v. 15-22]

 

III. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE AMPLE [Ps. 68]

1. The Saved Have Access [v. 19-20]

2. They Access Victory Over God’s Enemies [v. 20-23, 1 Pt. 5:8-9ff, Gal. 5:16-17, Rev. 19:11-21]

- 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.

- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other

3. They Access Strength from the Lord [v. 24, 26, 28, 32-35]

LESSONS FROM THE ANCIENT ART OF FOOT WASHING

JOHN 13:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. UNIVERSAL LESSONS

1. Christ is Lord and Master [v.1-5, 12-13]

2. It’s Not about “Foot Washing” or a Foot Washing Ordinance [v. 6-7]

-the timing is off [John Wrote in 90 AD, no mention in the synoptic gospels]

-the template is off, no “as oft as ye do this”, no “go ye,” no further mention by other books [v. 7]

-the template isn’t followed [v. 4, 5, 12] only the 12, no women

-the Tempter v. 2, 18, Gn. 3:14-15]

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 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.

3. The Scripture Will Be Fulfilled [v. 18-19]

 

II. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE LOST

1. If Jesus Doesn’t Wash You- You Cannot Be Saved [v. 8]

2. Jesus Knows Who is Playing, Lying, and Lost [v. 10-11, 18]

3. Receive Christ to Receive God [v. 19-20]

 

III. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE SAVED

1. A Person Doesn’t Get Saved More than Once [v. 6-10, Heb. 10:14-23]

2. A Simple Cleansing from Our Daily Walk is Often Needed [v. 10, 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.

3. Obey Christ for the Joyful Life [v. 14-17, 1 Jn. 1:3-4]

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.