CHARACTERISTICS OF WISE PEOPLE

PSALM 111:10

Pastor Rick Jackson

                    

I. WISE PEOPLE PREPARE

1. Death or the Second Coming of Christ [Heb. 9:27, Mt. 25:13, Amos 4:12]

- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

- prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

2. Heaven or Hell [Lk. 16:22-23, Phil. 1:23]

- the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,

- having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

3. Prepare or Beware [Jn. 3:16-18, Heb. 2:3, 10:29]

- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

-How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

-Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 

II. WISE PEOPLE SERVE

A wise saved person will serve God in gratitude for the wonderful gift of salvation. Not to be saved but because he is saved [2 Co. 5:17]

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new

1. Serve God by church attendance [Heb. 10:25]

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2. Serve God by Bible study [2 Tm. 2:15]

- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

3. Serve God by praying [1 Sm. 12:23]

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:

 

III. WISE PEOPLE WITNESS

The greatest event in your life was salvation, the greatest thing we can do for others is witness.

1. Witness by your works [Mt. 5:16]

- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2. Witness by your words [Acts 5:20]

- Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

3. Witness by your Worship [John 4:23-24]

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

BY AND BY

HEBREWS 1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD THE FATHER

1. Spake by the Bible [1:1, 2 Tim. 3:16]

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

2. Spake by the Son [1:2a, Lk. 6: 46-48]

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

3. Created (the worlds) by (via) the Son [1:2b, Jn. 1:1-3]

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. GOD THE SON

1. Upholds things by His Word [1:3a, Col. 1:17]

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist

2. Purged sins by Himself [1:3b, Mt. 8:17]

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

3. Has better name by inheritance [1:4-14, Phil. 2:10-11]

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

III. GOD’S PEOPLE

1. Spoken to by the Lord [2:1-3]

2. Saved by the Lord [2:9-10]

3. Sanctified by the Lord [2:10-17]

THE POWERFUL PRAYER

Eph. 3:20-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

PRAYER IS POWERFUL:

1. WHEN MADE AT THE RIGHT TIME [Is. 49:8, 55:6]

-Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

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

 

2. WHEN MADE TO THE RIGHT PERSON [Jer. 33:3-4]

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;

3. WHEN IT AGREES WITH GOD’S WORD [1 Jn. 5:14-15]

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

 

4. WHEN IT IS FOR THE RIGHT PURPOSE [Luke 11:2]

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

 

5. WHEN IS IT FROM THE RIGHT MINDSET

[1 Cor. 10:31]

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

THE POWERLESS PRAYER

LUKE 16:19, 22-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

PRAYER IS POWERLESS:

1. WHEN IT IS MADE AT THE WRONG TIME

[v. 22-24, v. 25 “thy lifetime”, Is. 59:2]

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

 

2. WHEN IT IS MADE TO THE WRONG PERSON [

v. 24, 27, 1 Tm. 2:5, 1 Kings 18:26]

Abraham, Confucius, Buddha, Mary, Joseph Smith, saints, Angels, etc. - are all useless when it comes to prayer - sincerity doesn’t help

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

-And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

 

3. WHEN IT GOES AGAINST GOD’S WORD

[v. 24-26, Heb. 9:27, 4:16, 10:28]

-And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [judgment not mercy for lost after death]

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

-He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

 

4. WHEN IT IS FOR THE WRONG MEANS

[v. 27-29, Is. 55:8, Ez. 18:25]

Religious experience over revelation

- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

- Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

5. WHEN IT IS FROM THE WRONG MINDSET

[v. 30-31, Ps. 66:18, Jm. 4:3]

“I’M RIGHT, God’s wrong”

- If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

- Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

LEGAL WITHOUT THE LAW

LEGAL WITHOUT THE LAW [of Moses]

GENESIS 15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DECLARATION OF CARE [v. 1-4]

1. The Personal Proclamation of God [v. 1]

2. The Pointless Petition to God [v. 2-3]

3. The Promise Repeated by God [v. 4, 13:14-16]

 

II. THE DAY OF CHRIST [v. 5-6]

1. The Promise of A Heavenly Seed Pictured [v. 5a, Jn. 8:56-58]

-Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

2. The Promise of A Singular Seed Preeminent

[v. 5b, Gal. 3:16-19]

-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 this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

3. The Power of A Saviour Promised [v. 6, Rm. 4:1-5]

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

III. THE DETAILS OF THE COVENANT [v. 7-21]

1. Legal preparation [v. 7-11]

2. Lengthy procedure [v. 12-16]

3. Lone Promisor [v. 17-21]

THE MIDNIGHT RIDES OF PAUL REVERED

ACTS 16:25

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HOW TO SING PRAISES AT MIDNIGHT [ACTS 16]

1. Be About the Father’s Business [v. 16-19, Luke 2:49]

-And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Sooner or later the Father’s business is going to disturb the Devil’s business [v. 16]

2. Be About the Saviour’s Message [v. 17-21, 1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2]

salvation & separation

-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. Be About the Spirit’s Filling [v. 22-25, Eph. 5:17-20]

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

II. RAISING THE DEAD AT MIDNIGHT [ACTS 20]

1. Note the Change of Service [v. 7, Heb. 7:11-19]

-If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

2. Note the Challenge of Services [v. 8-9]

3. Note the Comforting of Saints [v. 9-12]

 

III. THE REVIVAL AROUND MIDNIGHT [ACTS 27]

1. Caused by Ignoring Sound Advice [v. 9-15, 20]

2. Changeable by Accepting Solid Exhortation [v. 21-25]

3. Corrected by Acknowledging Solid Instruction [v. 27, 30-36, 39, 42-44]

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN JESUS PASSES BY

LUKE 18:35-43

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IF YOU LET HIM PASS YOU BY

1. You May Miss the Meaning [v. 31-34, Mk. 4:12]

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

2. You Might Miss the Miracle [v. 41-42, Mt. 13:58, Jn. 20:24]

-And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

-But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

3. You Will Miss the Moment [v. 31-32, 41; Heb. 3:7, 15, 4:7; 2 Cor. 6:2]

- Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

- While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

- Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

-(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. IF YOU CALL UPON HIM

1. You Will Find Opposition [v. 39, Acts 13:8-12]

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost , set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

2. You Will Find Him Waiting [v. 40, Jer. 33:3, Mt. 11:28, Jn. 6:37, Jm. 4:8]

- Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

- All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you

3. You Will Find Him Able [v. 41-42, 5:24]

- But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

 

III. IF YOU HAVE TRUSTED HIM

1. You are Saved by Faith [v. 38-39, 42]

2. You Should Follow Him [v. 43; 5:11, 27-28; 9:23, 1 Cor. 11:1]

- And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

- And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily , and follow me.

-Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

3. You Should Glorify God [v. 43, Mt. 5:16, Jn. 15:8, 1 Cor. 6:19-20]

- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.