FAITH OF OUR FATHERS #1

HEBREWS 11

Rick Jackson (From an idea by Jack Hudson)

I. THE WORSHIP OF FAITH (11:1-4)


1. God’s world (v. 1-3)

2. God’s Word (v. 4a, Rm. 10:17, Jn. 4:24)

3. God’s Witness (v. 4b, Rm. 10:9-13)


II. THE WALK OF FAITH (11:5-6)


1. God’s Wisdom (v. 5a, Gn. 5:21-22, Rm. 2:4)

2. God’s walk (v. 5, Gn. 5:23-24, Col. 2:6, I Jn. 1:5-7)

3. God’s wealth (v. 6, Eph. 2:4-7)


III. THE WORK OF FAITH (11:7)


1. God’s warning (v. 7a, I Cor. 4:14-17, Col. 1:28, I Th. 5:14)

2. God’s workmanship (v. 7, Gn. 6:22, 7:5, Eph. 2:8-10)

3. God’s way (v. 7, Rm. 3:22, Lk. 11:29-32 )

Picture of the week

No explanation necessary.

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

I JOHN 5:1-5

Adapted from Lee Roberson by Rick Jackson

Think about what would be the most important thing for you to have? Some would say money, power, food, shelter or clothing. Others might want popularity or good feelings. Maybe health or family. As important as some of these may be they are not the most important thing for you or I to have. The most important thing for you to have is faith in the One True God.

In Mk. 11:22 Jesus said, “Have faith in God!”

In Lk. 17:5 the apostles pleaded, “Lord, Increase our faith!”

Rom. 10:17 declares, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!”

Someone may question why faith in the true God is so important. My friends, faith makes prayer successful! It opens the Bible to us! It gives us peace. It can make a drab person radiant and can lift you out of defeat. Faith I the One True God can give you the determination to continue despite all odds. Look at David, at Daniel, at Paul. Faith does that! Faith gives us roses in winter, food in famine, water in drought and victory in conflict!

Some have no faith, others have little faith but some have great faith. Why is that? Consider,

I. THE BEGINNING OF FAITH (RM. 10:17)

1. God’s Word is established! (Ps. 119.11)

2. Faith begins when I consciously receive God’s Word (I Th. 2:13)

3. Faith in Christ saves the sinner! (I Th. 1:5-10)

Once faith begins it shouldn’t stop there. We must continue with

II. THE BUILDING OF FAITH (LK. 17:5)

1. Faith falters when the Scriptures are misused (II Pet. 3:15-16)

2. Faith grows when we act on the Word (James 1:22-25)

3. Faith grows when we pray (Mk. 9:23-24)

4. Faith grows when we memorize the Word (Ps. 119:11)

5. Faith grows when we believe (Heb. 11:6)

So now what? So now we see the result. In other words,

III. THE BLESSING OF FAITH

Faith will keep us steady. We can express this in 8 simple words, 4 simple phrases concerning how faith in God will help us.

1. Think straight (Phil. 4:8)

2. Pray right (Jm. 4:3)

3. Walk correctly (Eph. 5:15-16)

4. Trust completely (Jn. 14:1, 27_

NOAH, A MAN GOD ADMIRED

EZEKIEL 14:14-20

I. NOAH WAS A MAN OF FAITH (Hebrews 11:6-7)

1. Saving faith (Heb. 11:7b, Gn. 6:8)

2. Submissive faith (Heb. 11:7a, Gn. 6:22, 7:5, 7:9)

3. Serving faith (Heb. 11:7, II Pet. 2:5)

II. NOAH WAS A MAN OF FEAR (Heb. 11:7)

1. A confident fear (Ps. 33:8, 111:10, Pr. 1:7, 29)

2. A credible fear (Ps. 103:17, Mt. 10:28)

3. A clean fear (Ps. 19:9, 34:7, Pr. 8:13)

III. NOAH WAS A MAN OF FAMILY

1. He had a positive testimony among his family (Gn. 6:8-11)

2. He had a positive influence on his family (Gn. 6:13, 17-18)

3. He had a positive effect on his family (Heb. 11:7)

GLIMPSES OF GLORY

D. L. Moody died about seven a.m. December 22, 1899 with a note of victory. He said the following at his death: "I see earth receding; heaven is approaching. God is calling me. This is my triumph. This is my coronation day. It is glorious. God is calling and I must go. Mama, you have been a good wife...no pain...no valley...it's bliss."

When John R. Rice was 6 years old his mother was dying. They called in all the family and she made them all promise to meet her in Heaven. All were weeping but her. She asked for a hymn to be sung and when asked which she replied, How Firm A Foundation. As they sang she rejoiced and clapped while the others wept. My friend, Robert L. Sumner, wrote in his biography of John Rice, Man Sent from God, "Lifting her hands high and gazing as if seeing through the ceiling and roof to the far-off Heaven, she said, 'I can see Jesus and my baby now!' Then... she smiled, and was asleep in Jesus."

When Aunt Vera was passing this week. She looked past Barb and Trish and saw glory. Her face regained lost color, her eyes sparkled and a wide grin spread across her face. Barb believed she glimpsed glory. She's there now.

What about this? Is is true? I have heard of many such events. We have the Bible and we have brains, let's use both.

I. SOME ARE FALSE

1. Some are deliberate deception told by liars or charlatans (some folks changed their stories)

2. Some can be demonic deception (Dr. Bob Jones Sr. told of such an occurence that happened to him when he was but a young Christian- I Jn. 4:1-6)

3. Some can be medically or mentally induced (Jer. 17:9)

II. SOME ARE GENUINE

1. A Biblical example (Acts 7:54-8:1)

2. Some Biblical conditions (II Cor. 12:1-4)

3. Is it Biblically correct? (Rev. 21:9-22:6)

III. SOME WILL DO MORE THAN GLIMPSE IT!

1. There is coming a day (Rev. 21:1-4)

2. There is a crowd going (Rev. 21:5-7, I Jn. 5:4-5)

3. There is a crowd NOT going (Rev. 21:8)

Picture(s) of the week

According to Truthorfiction.com (which you should always use to verify rumors, internet or otherwise): This is...
The Truth
This odd pairing really did happen.
According to numerous news accounts the hippo and the tortoise found each other at a wildlife refuge where they were taken after being stranded by the tsunami disaster.

According to the BBC, the hippo is about 1 year old and was found alone and dehydrated near the Indian Ocean in Kenya.
He was taken to a wildlife enclosure near Mombassa where keepers have named him Owen.
He and a 100-year-old tortoise named Mzee struck up a friendship and have been partners ever since.
Keepers say they are inseparable and that the tortoise has been mothering the baby hippo.

Updated 6/28/05

WHY ARE BBC & THE BRR TAG-TEAM PARTNERS?

Rick Jackson

In or around January of 1975 I was given my first copy of the Sword of the Lord. It was at it's finest. Dr. John R. Rice was the editor, Bill Rice (II) was the Assistant editor and Robert L. Sumner had a weekly column. Through the Sword I learned of the Bill Rice Ranch. In 1977 Clydie and I went to Founder's Week for our 1 year anniversary. We made many trips to the Ranch after that. The last few years have seen the growth of the relationship between Bradford Baptist Church and the Bill Rice Ranch. Many associated with them have ministered to us (Bill Rice III, Wil & Sena Rice, Tim & Brittany Thompson, Richard Coyle). Many of our folks have been to the Ranch both to minister and to be ministered unto. We intend to bring in folks from the Ranch from time to time so that even the folks who haven't been able to go might get closer as BBC & the BRR tag-team together. Tag-team? Are we wrestling?

Eph. 6:10-13

I. WHY DOES THE RANCH WORK? (I JN. 2)

1. The BRR works becauses it minimizes distractions (v. 15-17, Mark 6:31).

---They have an acrostic that states their purpose- "Controlled Atmosphere for the Ministry of Preaching"

2. The BRR works because it maximizes distinctives (v. 18-23, Phil. 4:8-9).

3. The BRR works because it maintains doctrine (v. 24-29, Titus 1:9, 2:1-10, 3:8-9)

II. WHAT DOES THE RANCH DO FOR BBC? (I TM. 4)

1. It reinforces our standards (v. 12).

2. It reiterates our preaching (v. 13).

3. It re-energizes our spirits (v. 14-16, II Co. 7:12-14).

III. WHAT CAN BBC DO FOR THE BRR?

1. Personally go to the BRR yourself ( I Co. 16:17-19).

2. Prayerfully give so others may go (Gal. 6:6-10)

3. Pray God will use the BRR (Eph. 6:18-20)

"FOUR FATHERS"

Generally when we refer to "forefathers" we are referring to all our male ancestors or at least a certain segment of them. But as Sunday, June 18, 2006 is Father's Day I wish to mention "FOUR FATHERS" that all people born of man & woman have.

I. A BIOLOGICAL FATHER

From whom you may inherit:

1. Certain traits (walk like them, sound like them, look...)

2. Certain weaknesses

3. Certain strengths

II. ADAM

1. In Adam all exist (Gn. 3:20)

2. In Adam all are sinners (Rm. 5:18-19)

3. In Adam all die (Rm. 5:12-14, 17; I Cor. 15:22a)

III. THE DEVIL (JN. 8:44a)

1. Murderer (Jn. 8:44, I Jn. 3:15)

2. Liar (Jn. 8:44, Rm. 3:4, Ps. 116:11)

3. Disobedient (Eph. 2:2, I Jn. 2:8-10)

IV. GOD

1. Loosely in the sense that He created all things (Job. 38:28, Acts 17:24-29)

2. Completely in the salvation found in Christ (Jn. 1:11-12)

3. Strongly in the security found in Christ (I Jn. 3:1-5)

SOME SPLAININ' TO DO

I will be unable to blog for a week or so. I (and 3 other adults) are taking some teens to the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, TN. What a great place. Hope we don't run into any of this on the trip.

Picture of the week

My daughter's boyfriend (Kevin Clark) and I at the Jacksonville Zoo

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFE

DT. 10:12

Rick Jackson

School has ended for many and is about to start for others. I remember many teachers would use the first class period to discuss class requirements. What was expected of the students. It some cases this was broken down into “A” requirements, “B” requirements, etc. Requirements are not just in school, there are requirements at work, requirements at home, to get a driver’s license, and so on. God also has requirements and His are the most important you will ever hear.

I. COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PREACHER (II TIM.)

Do I have a responsibility for what I preach? How I preach?

1. Hold fast to the Word (1:13-2:14)

2. Study the Word (2:15-3:17)

3. Preach the Word (4:1-8)

II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ISRAEL (I COR. 10:11, DT. 10:12)

1. Fear the Lord (Ps. 111:10, Pr. 1:7, 9:10)

2. Walk in all His ways (Eph. 5:11)

3. Love and serve Him (Mt. 22:36-38)

III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PEOPLE

If preachers have a responsibility for what they preach do others have a responsibility for how they listen?

1. The state of our souls (Lk. 12:20)

2. The state of our service (Lk. 12:47-48)

3. The state of our stewardship (I Cor. 4:1-5)

CHRISTIAN TRIPLETS

(Adapted by Rick Jackson from a tract)

I. 3 WAYS TO BE HAPPY IN THE LORD

1. Wisdom & understanding (Pr. 3:13, 1:7, 9:10)

2. Obedience & humility (Jn. 13:13-17)

3. Suffering & reproach (I Pt. 3:14-17, 4:11-14)

II. 3 THINGS IN WHICH TO CONTINUE

1. In the Word (Jn. 8:31, Jm. 1:25)

2. In prayer (Col. 4:2)

3. In brotherly love (Heb. 13:1-8, i.e., strangers, sufferers, sanctity of marriage, contentment, pastors)

III. 3 THINGS THAT WE KNOW

1. About living for Jesus (Rm. 8:28)

2. About dying in Jesus (II Cor. 5:1-8)

3. About seeing Jesus (I Jn. 3:1-3)

"BY" AND "BY"

HEBREWS

Rick Jackson

I. GOD THE FATHER

1. Spake by the Bible (1:1)

2. Spake by the Son (1:2a)

3. Created (the worlds) by (via) the Son (1:2b)

II. GOD THE SON

1. Upholds things by His Word (1:3a)

2. Purged sins by Himself (1:3b)

3. Has better name by inheritance (1:4-14)

III. GOD’S PEOPLE

1. Spoken by the Lord (2:1-3)

2. Saved by the Lord (2:9)

3. Sanctified by the Lord (2:10-17)

WHAT’S BEHIND THE BILL RICE RANCH?

II TIM. 3:14

Rick Jackson

I. THE PURPOSE OF THE RANCH---REVIVAL!

Evangelization of the lost and edification of the saved (3:15, 17)

II. THE POWER OF THE RANCH---PREACHING!

Preaching the Word of God in the Power of God (3:16, 4:2-4)

III. THE PEOPLE OF THE RANCH---DEDICATED!

People of God yielding to God to be used of God (3:17-4:1, 5-8)

As we get ready to take our church young people to the BRR again I thought I'd print the outline I used last year to intrduce the testimonies of those who had went to the Ranch.

IT'S THE GOD'S TRUTH

JAMES 1

I. GOD'S TRUTH ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. God wants (12)

2. God won't (13)

3. God warns (14-15)

II. GOD'S TRUTH ABOUT SALVATION

1. God's consistent (16-17)

2. God's concerned (17-18a)

3. God's contract (18b)

III. GOD'S TRUTH ABOUT SANCTIFICATION

1. God's pattern (18c, Eph. 2:10, Jn. 14:23-24, 15:8)

2. God's preference (19-20)

3. God's provision (21-25)

HERE I STAND

LUKE 6:45-49

Rick Jackson

Martin Luther was put on notice because of his writings against unscriptural practices in the Roman Catholic Church. He was expected to recant his writings. Luther's books were placed on a table. He was then asked if they were his works and whether he wanted to recant any of the information. Luther requested time to think over his reply and the next day he answered with the well-known speech:
"Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen."

Think of that phrase, "...my conscience is captive to the Word of God... Here I stand." Though Baptists are not Protestants we can appreciate anybody taking a Biblical stand. It was brought to my attention recently that some think I preach the Gospel too much. Too much for who? Too much for the lost who need to hear it? Too much for the saved who need to memorize it and be able to share it with the lost? Too much for God who called me to preach the Gospel? Too much much for the Devil maybe. Paul said, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1)

I. STAND FOR THE GOSPEL (I COR. 15:1-8)

1. Stand for the vicarious death of Christ (I Co. 2:1-5)

2. Stand for the victorious resurrection of Christ (Acts 26:6, 8, 15, 22-23)

3. Stand for the vital grace of God (Gal. 5:1) (don't be a Christian Pharisee)

II. STAND FOR THE FAITH (I Co. 16:13, Jude 3)

1. Stand in grace, by grace, and for grace (Rom. 5:1-2, I Pt. 5:12)

2. Stand in faith, by faith, and for faith (Rm. 11:20, I Cor. 10:12, II Cor. 1:24)

3. Stand in the Word, by the Word, and for the Word (II Th. 2:13-15, II Tm. 2:15-19)

III. STAND FOR GOD (Ex. 32:26)

1. Stand in and for God's power (Eph. 6:10-18, Ph. 4:1)

2. Stand in and for God's purpose (Phil. 1:27, Col. 4:12)

3. Stand in and for God's plan (Rm. 14:10, I Th. 3:6-13)

Picture of the week

These are our two dogs which we rescued from the pound. The bigger one is a German Short-haired Pointer and she goes by the name of "Bessie". She weighs in at about 95 pounds of mostly muscle. When she wants to stay put most people have a hard time pulling or pushing her. Fortunately she responds well to our commands. Her little "sister" is a 65 pound American Pitbull Terrier named "Jada". Though not as heavy as her cohort she nonetheless is quite the watchdog. When we got her she looked more like a Terrier, as she put on weight we figured out her other bloodline. They are checking out a room that was about to be remodeled. The squirrels in the yard have yet to figure out that these two are not to be messed with and have seen their numbers dwindling. I say this merely as a fact. We have never sought to encourage this behavior and have yet to find a way to curb it (get smarter squirrels perhaps?).

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH

B.I.B.L.E.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH

EZRA 7:10

Rick Jackson

Every now and then I hear people make very ignorant statements. There are different ways they say it but it’s basically the same thing, something like, “Life doesn’t come with instructions so you have to figure it out on your own.” “Children don’t come with instructions.” “You have to find your own way.” Now the simple truth is, these state- ments are erroneous, ignorant, and just plain ridiculous! We don’t have to figure things out on our own, there is an instruction Book and it’s the Bible! Someone has made an acrostic using the letters of the word Bible. (see subtitle) . Not only has God given us instructions but all through the Bible He tells us how to use them, one such place is Ezra 7:10.

I. THE PROPER APPROACH

1. Discover what the Bible says

2. Do it!

3. Disciple others with it.

II. THE PRIMARY APPLICATION

1. Hear the Gospel (Eph. 1:13)

2. Heed the Gospel (Eph. 1:12-13a)

3. Herald the Gospel (Eph. 2:8-10, 3:7-9, 4:15)

III. THE PATTERN AMPLIFIED

1. Discover Bible truths (James 1:21)

2. Do them (James 1:22)

3. Disseminate to others (James 1:27, 2:18, 5:19-20)