QUOTES OF THE WEEK

It's not the truth we know- it's the truth we sow that best reaches the hearts of others. - J.R. Faulkner

The great slogan today, and especially in evangelical circles, is always be positive, never be negative. That is utterly unscriptural; it is the exact opposite of the Apostle Paul's method... Do not be misled by this spurious notion of love. We must not only assert the truth; we must attack the evil and the false. -  D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Those who leave everything in God's hands will eventually see God's hands in everything. Trust Him. Let it go.  - Tony Evans

I am immortal till my work is accomplished. - David Livingstone

ARE YOU IN FOCUS?

1 KINGS 3    

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE LACK OF FOCUS [v. 1-4]

 

1. Shown by Weak Priorities [v. 1]

 

2. Shown by Wayward People [v. 2]

 

3. Shown by the Wrong Place [v. 3-4]

 

II. THE LORD OF FOCUS [v. 5-14]

 

1.  Focus Your Prayer [v. 5]

 

2. Focus Your Need [v. 6-10]

 

3.  Focus Your Walk [v. 11-14]

 

III. THE LIFE OF FOCUS [v. 15-28]

 

1. Focus in Worship [v. 15]

 

2. Focus in Wisdom [v. 16-27]

 

3. Focus in Witness [v. 28]

HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY

MICAH 7                                                                                     

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HOPELESS SITUATION [v. 1-6]

 

1. There is No Hope in Yourself [v. 1]

 

2. There is No Hope in Outsiders [v. 2-4]

 

3. There is No Hope in Insiders [v. 5-6]

 

II. THE HOLY SOVEREIGN [v. 7-13]                                                                            

 

1.  The Working of God in My Own Life [v. 7-9]

 

2.  The Working of God in the Lives of My Enemies [v. 10]

 

3.  The Working of God in the Life of My Nation [v. 11-13]

 

III. THE HONORABLE SAVIOUR [v. 14-20]

 

1. The Flock of God Knows It [v. 14-15, John 10:14-16, 25-28ff]

 

2. The Fear of God Shows It [v. 16-17]

 

3. The Faithfulness of God Bestows It [v. 18-20]

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Does the Bible tell Christians to judge not?

 

answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us April 27, 2013 a weekly look at answersingenesis.org
In this issue . . . Q&A: Does the Bible tell Christians to judge not? Video: Evolution of Darwin: His Life, Part 4 Get Equipped: Christian Unity and the Age of the Earth Blog Highlights News to Note Quick Look After Eden Answers ... with Ken Ham Q: Does the Bible tell Christians to judge not? A: There are significant logical problems with the claim that believers should not make judgments. The first becomes evident when we read the context of Matthew 7:1. Here, Christ is warning believers against making judgments in a hypocritical or condemning manner. That type of judging is a characteristic often associated with the Pharisees during the ministry of Jesus. Many people who quote "judge not" from Matthew 7:1 fail to notice the command to judge in Matthew 7:5, when it says, "Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." The point Jesus emphasizes here is to judge yourself first before you make judgments about others. In the broader context, Jesus is telling believers to be discerning when it comes to false teaching and false prophets because they "look" Christian, but their goal is to lead the flock astray (Matthew 7:15–20; Luke 6:43–45). Continue reading to get answers from Scripture about judging as it relates to believers and unbelievers. Get Equipped Christian Unity and the Age of the Earth In this much-needed presentation, Steve Ham shows from our Savior's own prayer of John 17 that unity is not developed through academic consensus, but instead by believing the clear truth of the Word of the revealed Creator and Savior Himself. News to Note Quick Look "Ata boy," the non-alien: DNA confirms tiny body from Atacama Desert belonged to a human. "Evolution can kill you": Traditional "hit early and hit hard" approach to treating severe infections may increase antibiotic resistance. Starbirth on steroids?: Star light, star so bright—is this hot spot in the sky churning out stars at record-breaking speed? Stone Age Europe: Family tree of much of modern European population has Stone Age roots. When did life begin?: Researchers calculate that life had to have begun so long ago earth did not yet exist. After Eden Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program Sufficiency of Scripture in Psychology, Part 5 (Jesus Is the Cure) Sufficiency of Scripture in Psychology, Part 4 (Where Can We Look for Answers?) Sufficiency of Scripture in Psychology, Part 3 (Where Did Sin Come From?) Sufficiency of Scripture in Psychology, Part 2 (Psychology Without Sin) Sufficiency of Scripture in Psychology, Part 1 (Intro)	This Week . . . Does the Bible Tell Christians to Judge Not? (Apr 26) DNA Day: What Are We Celebrating? (Apr 25) Noah's Laundromat? (Apr 25) Sashaying to the Throne (Apr 24) Chapter 1: Twentieth-Century Cosmology (Apr 23) America Under Judgment? (Apr 22) Decision, Decisions (Apr 21) Video On Demand Evolution of Darwin: His Life Watch Video (Part 4) Blog Highlights Ken Ham: Famous German Homeschool Family, Persecuted for their Beliefs, Visits AiG Ken Ham: Earth Day: Eliminating All References to Him Day Ken Ham: Jurassic Park 3-D "Helps" Creation Museum! Pray for AiG Please pray for AiG speakers as they are busy traveling and speaking during this season. Read the latest update to stay current on other requests and praises. Resources Big Book of Earth & Sky: Hardcover ABC Grades 1&2 Teacher Kit (Y1): Quarter 4 Genesis 1:1: Video download Connect with Us Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Answers in Genesis Creation Museum See all networks
THE MATERIAL IN TODAY'S BLOG WAS GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED BY THE GOOD FOLKS AT: Answers in Genesis 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY 41080 Customer service: 1-800-778-3390

Lessons to Learn

 

April 2013 Lessons to Learn "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)   The Lord Jesus called all who would be His disciples to "learn of me" (or "from me," Matthew 11:29), and our text verse contains the first use of "learn" in the New Testament, thus indicating a basic item we must learn when we become Christians.   The Lord stressed that God cared nothing about the ritualistic offering of animal sacrifices, as such, but rather desired understanding of the meaning of those sacrifices, accompanied by the motivating love and faith of a repentant heart. He referred them back to their own Scripture: "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). This is the most difficult but most basic lesson to learn by one seeking forgiveness and salvation.   There are many subsequent lessons to learn, of course; many of them very difficult even for sincere, believing Christians. Paul notes one of them he had learned the hard way: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11). Another difficult but vital lesson has to do with Christian humility in leadership, "that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another" (1 Corinthians 4:6).   Even the Lord Jesus Christ in His perfect humanity had lessons to learn. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Finally, having learned these and many other such lessons, we must not forget them. Paul, in his final letter, so reminds us: "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned" (2 Timothy 3:14). HMM        | Subscribe

Doxology to the King

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April 25, 2013 Doxology to the King "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17)   In this stirring doxology to the One who allowed him into the ministry (vv. 12-13), whose grace "was exceeding abundant" (v. 14), who "came into the world to save sinners" (v. 15), who showed mercy and longsuffering, and who grants "life everlasting" (v. 16), Paul uses several majestic descriptive terms. Each deserves our attention.   The King eternal. God's sovereign kingship is in view here. The phrase literally translates, the "King of the ages." "But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king" (Jeremiah 10:10). He is the King, and we must stand in submission to Him.   Immortal. The Greek word used here implies more than mere exemption from death. A fuller meaning would include total incorruptibility; i.e., the inability to be stained by either decay or death. What a comfort to realize that the believer's crown in glory will be likewise incorruptible (1 Corinthians 9:25), as will his resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:52).   Invisible. God is a Spirit, and as such cannot be seen. He has chosen to appear on numerous occasions, most notably as Christ, but is usually unseen, the primary meaning of the word. Christ "is the image of the invisible |same word| God, the firstborn of every creature" (Colossians 1:15). Seen or unseen, He merits our praise.   The only wise God. God is unique in His existence and wisdom, "God only wise" (Romans 16:27). He stands alone, solitary, apart from all others.   Surely to this eternal, incorruptible, unseen, unique, wise, sovereign King belongs "honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." JDM      Print this article  | Subscribe

THE WORLD’S HARDEST WORK

ACTS 13:1-10

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I have stacked lumber in near freezing rain, been the lunch monitor for 150 7^th-9^th graders, janitor for a large  bank in Chattanooga – but these things were not the world’s hardest work. Many people do things more painful, more irritating, and more disturbing. The hardest work in the world is the job of every born again believer. The hardest work in the world is witnessing.

 

I. WITNESSING IS DIVINE WORK

 

1. Witnessing is Obeying the Divine Command [Mt. 28:18-20]

2. Witnessing is Walking in the Footsteps of the Master [Jn. 4]

3. Witnessing is Giving the Divine Message [Rm. 1:16]

 

II. WITNESSING IS DIFFICULT WORK

 

1. The Opposition is Overwhelming [James 4:1-7]

2. The Expectation is Varied [Mark 4:3-20]

3. The Qualifications are Stringent [Mt. 4:18-20, 1 Cor. 9:27]]

 

III. WITNESSING IS DELIGHTFUL WORK

 

1. Being Used of God is a Delight [Ps. 40:8]

2. Seeing a Life Changed & a Destination Secured is a Delight [Ps. 126:5-6, 2 Cor. 5:17]

3. To NOT be Empty-handed at the Judgment Seat of Christ will be a Delight [1 Cor. 3:10-15]

Backdoor Sins

Numbers 25:18  "For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake." There is evil in the world.  There are people who disdain what is good, wholesome, and right.  Today, you are considered immoral by holding to Biblical principles about anything.  Satan would love nothing more than to destroy you (I Peter 5:8), and he is willing to do so with wrong friends rather than right enemies. It is much easier to destroy a person with something he likes.  A man is much more vulnerable to his own vices than to an enemy he hates.  It is easy for us to thunder against the sins we dislike but yet be blindsided by our own passions. What Balak, king of Moab, could not do in cursing and destroying Israel, Israel did to themselves when they settled at Shittim.  Numbers 25:1-2 says that they "began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, and they called the people unto the sacrifice of their gods. . . ."  An army of enemies couldn't destroy Israel, but the daughters of Moab could by seducing them into wickedness and idolatry. The truth is, the Devil is a master of blindsiding you with "backdoor" sins.  You are not likely to fall to something you absolutely hate.  The thing you will be tempted with will be something which has an ally in your own wicked heart! Don't become a casualty to "backdoor" sins like envy, malice, discontentment, jealousy, and gossip.  These types of sins that find an ally in your heart will "vex you with their wiles."  The Devil is not ignorant.  He is savvy to what will blindside you today.  Be on guard and watch the back door!   Prayer Requests: 1. Services tonight in Sundance, WY; Franklin, TN; and Paducah, KY 2. Day of Champions teen event this Saturday       Read more devotionals, listen to sermon audio, and read thought-provoking articles on our website!

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