John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

You think I preach too plain, perhaps, but God hates sin. It was sin that took Jesus to the cross. It is sin that fills every hospital and every jail and causes every disease and disappointment and all the broken hearts. It is sin that is populating Hell. I have a good reason to hate it, and you ought to hate it. The Bible says of the man who makes a joke of sin, that man is a fool. - John R. Rice

Some say, "Well, young people have to have a good time. They have to sow their wild oats." No, they do not have to sow their wild oats. But there is one thing they do have to do: they have to reap them if they do sow them. That is what you have to do. And the man is a fool who thinks sin is a joke, and you are a fool if you think you can get by with sin and do not want to be warned about sin, do not want to repent of your sin, and you are irritated by my preaching on sin. If you think sin is a light matter, if you think sin is a joke, you are a fool and you do not have any sense. You are going to wake up butting your head against God's wall of judgment one of these days. You will go around a corner and suddenly meet God! One who thinks sin is a joke is a fool, God says. - John R. Rice

Hell is not filled with people who say there is no God. By the time they get to the fire they already say, "Yes, there is a God." Oh, yes. But Hell is filled up with the kind who say, "I am going to be saved; I am going to be saved, but not now; I have plenty of time." That is the kind of folly that has filled Hell. The biggest fool is the man who is not rich toward God and yet spends his time with other things instead of getting saved. Are you that kind of fool? I hope you are not. Oh, it would be a horrible thing if on the road home tonight God should say to you, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." Wouldn't that be a horrible thing? - John R. Rice 

In Acts, chapter 2, the people said, "What shall we do?" Peter answered them in verses in 38 and 39, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Notice now that "repent" is for salvation, and " baptized" is pointing to , or with reference to that salvation. A study of the Greek shows that the word "for" is really a translation of the little Greek word "eis" which means "with reference to." So it is not a matter of being baptized because of, or pointing to, or with reference to the remission of sins you got when you repented. Baptism does not save anybody. It is a good testimony you have been saved, if you have. - John R. Rice

Now turn with me to the nineteenth chapter of Acts. "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples [notice, these people were disciples], He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Now these had trusted in Christ. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). These were converted people. These were saved people. These were disciples who had trusted in Christ. "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Now Christians ought to, along with, or following conversion, have another experience. At conversion one receives an indwelling of the Spirit, but a baptism or filling with the Holy Spirit for soul-winning power and witnessing was needed. Paul referred to this filling. - John R. Rice

I want you to first see what was the secret and principle of Pentecost. What was the meaning of Pentecost? The meaning of Pentecost is simply this: it was an old-fashioned, specimen revival when God's people got power to win souls and won them. - John R. Rice

Many have misunderstood the meaning of Pentecost. When you talk about Pentecost, there are many people who think, "Well, that is the time the Holy Spirit came into the world." Oh, no! The Holy Spirit had come on Christians all down through the ages. Every sinner that was ever convicted and saved was done so by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who regenerates. And people were filled with the Spirit and witnessed for Jesus before Pentecost. No! No! The Holy Spirit did not just come into the world at Pentecost. Sometimes people talk about the descent of the Holy Spirit as if He had been in Heaven all the time. That is not the point. - John R. Rice

WORDS WOMEN USE

Note: a woman sent me this so don't get mad at me

1.) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right, and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in "fine" (see #1).

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is not actually a word but a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you - do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying "FORGET IT! I AM DONE WITH YOU!"

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "what's wrong" - for the woman's response refer to #3.

Tell the men you know about these to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology. Tell all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know its true

THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:12-19

Rick Jackson

Every cult and false group is wrong on either the person of Christ or the work of Christ. In II John 9-11 we have a serious, solemn, and stern admonition given.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Col. 1:12-19 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

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

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

I. JESUS CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD [V. 15a]

This means He is the exact likeness (representation, revelation) of the Father

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: [Heb. 1:3]

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. [Jn. 1:18]

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? [Jn. 14:9]

God the Father is invisible: "No man hath seen God at any time." Jesus said, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." The sovereign God--omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent is invisible, but the universe was not left without a God who could be seen: Jesus wrapped God up in flesh, brought Him down to man, and presented Him to man in a body--the very image of the invisible God. -Oliver B. Greene

II. JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE [V. 15b]

"Firstborn" speaks of status not creation. In the first place those that were created "first" were not born-Adam & Eve, Satan and the angels, etc.

Secondly many who were born held the status of firstborn though they were not the physically firstborn in their respective families (Jacob, Joseph-two tribes Manasseh & Ephraim, Solomon Ps. 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.), Jesus birth was not His beginning, He had no beginning according to Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The word here (prototokos) means He has priority over all creation (In a moment we will see why), He is sovereign over all creation!

III. JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR [V. 16-17]

There is the reason for His priority over all creation... He is not part of creation, He is the Creator!

1. He created all things- John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made

2. All things were created for Him

3. He is before all things- John 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. Jesus Christ is eternal

4. By Him all things consist

IV. JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH [V. 18]

He is the head of the church, not the pastor, not the pope- Christ Himself!

V. JESUS CHRIST IS THE BEGINNING

(arche) the Architect, the Founder, the Beginning and the Ending, the Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith

VI. JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD

Firstfruits (I Cor. 15), first in a glorified body, first resurrected (others had been resuscitated)

VII. JESUS CHRIST IS PREEMINENT IN ALL THINGS

(word only used here) Because of Who He is and what he had done

VIII. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE IN WHOM ALL FULNESS DWELLS [v. 19, 2:9]

That is, all the totality of the divine powers and attributes are in Him permanently! The word "dwell" means to be at home permanently, it's not something that was added.

"The full fullness of God dwells in Him." JVM

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

With all He is, it's not only important what you think of Him, but what does He think of you!

QUOTES OF THE WEEK from the book BE RIGHT [Romans]

Skeptics sometimes ask, "Was it fair for God to condemn the whole world just because of one man's disobedience?" The answer, of course, is that it was not only fair; but it was also wise and gracious. To begin with, if God had tested each human being individually, the result would have been the same: disobedience. But even more important, by condemning the human race through one man (Adam), God was then able to save the human race through One Man (Jesus Christ)! Each of us is racially united to Adam, so that his deed affects us. (See Heb. 7:9-10 for an example of this racial headship.) The fallen angels cannot be saved because they are not a race. They sinned individually and were judged individually. There can be no representative to take their judgment for them and save them. But because you and I were lost in Adam, our racial head, we can be saved in Christ, the Head of the new creation. God's plan was both gracious and wise. - Warren W. Wiersbe [pg. 54]
-

The repetition of the word "know" in verses 1, 6, and 9 [of Romans 6] indicates that Paul wanted us to understand a basic doctrine. Christian living depends on Christian learning; duty is always founded on doctrine. If Satan can keep a Christian ignorant, he can keep him impotent. - Warren W. Wiersbe [pg. 61]
-

The godly Presbyterian preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne, was passing out tracts one day and handed one to a well-dressed lady. She gave him a haughty look and said, "Sir, you must not know who I am!"
   In his kind way, McCheyne replied, "Madam, there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will not make any difference who you are!" - Warren W. Wiersbe [pg. 114]
-

Your mind controls your body, and your will controls your mind. Many people think they can control their will by "willpower," but usually they fail. (This was Paul's experience as recorded in Romans 7:15-21.) It is only when we yield the will to God that His power can take over and give us the willpower 9and the won't power!) that we need to be victorious Christians. - Warren W. Wiersbe [pg. 139]

GETTING PERSONAL ON THE ROMANS ROAD

ROMANS 16

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SINCERE WELCOME [v. 1-16]

1. Phoebe- the Patron Saint [v. 1-2]

2. Priscilla & Aquila- the Perfect Couple [v. 3-5, Acts 18:2ff., 26, 1 Cor. 16:19, 2 Tm. 4:19]

3. Paul’s Friends & Family [v. 6-16, Acts 23:16-22]

II. SOLEMN WARNING [v. 17-20]

1. Mark and Avoid [v. 17-18, 2 Jn. 10-11, Philippians 3:17]

2. Wise and Simple [v. 19, Mt. 10:16]

3. Winners and Losers [v. 20, 8:37]

III. SPIRITUAL WORKFELLOWS [v. 21-27]

1. The Loyal Comrades [v. 21-22]

2. The Local Church [v. 23]

3. The Lord Christ [v. 24-27]

TEN POWER POINTS FROM HEBREWS 10

HEBREWS 10

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. ONE PURPOSE [v. 1-9]

II. ONE PAYMENT [v. 10-14]

III. ONE PRIEST [v. 11-14]

IV. ONE PROMISE [v. 15-16]

V. ONE PERMANENCE [v. 17-18]

VI. ONE PURENESS [v. 19-22]

VII. ONE PROFESSION [v. 23]

VIII. ONE PROVOCATION [v. 24-25] 

IX. ONE PROBLEM [v. 26-29, 39]

X. ONE PROTECTOR [v. 30-39]

Question of the Week: Does God’s Word need to be defended?

From the highly recommended: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>

 

Does God's Word need to be defended? (View in Browser)

Defending the Faith Attacks on Christianity continue in today's age, and while God's Word defends itself by its very nature, Christians are called to be ready to give an answer for their faith. This defense of the faith is called apologetics. All Christians, men and women alike, are exhorted by Scripture to defend the faith when they see the truths of Christianity attacked or compromised.   Find Out More →   Get Equipped The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions Shop Now 〉

A New Theory for the Moon's Origin The moon's origin theory of the 70s remained the standard for over three decades, but there were problems with the moon's composition it didn't explain. Was Our Oldest Itty-Bitty Ancestor All Mouth? Saccorhytus is, the authors believe, the oldest and simplest known deuterostome, the evolutionary forebear of all vertebrates and some invertebrates. AiG Receives Star of Tourism Award for Economic Impact! I recently learned that Answers in Genesis and our two world-class attractions were recognized by regional tourism officials with the Star of Tourism Award. 3 Outdoor Adventures to Try at the Ark As we enter the warmer spring season at the Ark, here are three ways you can add a little extra thrill to your visit with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures!

Media Always Ready The Foundations

Events

Answers In Genesis · 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. · Petersburg, KY 41080 · USA

Please visit our help area.

Copyright (C) 2017 Answers In Genesis All rights reserved.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

   Praying is asking, and the answer to prayer is receiving.
   Prayer is seeking, and an answer to prayer is finding.
   Prayer is knocking, and an answer to prayer is having God open the door to you.
   Prayer is asking, and the answer to prayer is having!
   Oh, Christians, I beg you, enter into your privileges, and get the things you want and need and ask for from God! - John R. Rice

   How often I have met the sin of unbelief as regards God's willingness to give physical blessings! Frequently people tell me, "Earthly blessings were for the Jews, but God gives to Christians heavenly blessings." I do not know who invented that wicked alibi of unbelief; I have known many good men to quote it. But it is certainly not true. God is as willing to give daily bread to Christians in the New Testament as in the Old Testament. His plan has never changed. In James 1:17 we are told, "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." On this matter of supplying Christians' needs God never varies; there is never a shadow of turning away from His goodness in providential care for His own! - John R. Rice

   The Bible says about Christians, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?" (Matt. 5:13). That is, if you don't have enough saving power to get a lost sinner saved, if you don't have any influence; if you can't condemn and warn and plead and get people saved, then nobody is going to get saved. It is a terrible thing when God's people lose their salt. - John R. Rice


   "the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives." Who are the "sons of God"? That is the godly line like Abel and Seth and their descendants who serve the Lord. They are children of God like saved people are now the children of God.
"The daughters of men"? They were the natural people, unsaved of Cain's wicked group who went on in their wickedness against God.
   So a terrible thing comes about - the compromise of God's saved people who join in and intermarry with the wicked unsaved. That always brings trouble. - John R. Rice

   Somebody said to me about a certain preacher who was having modernists on his platform, 'Why does God use him? Why doesn't God slap him down?"
   I said, "Do you want God to slap you down every time you miss it a little bit somewhere? Do you want God to slap everybody down who is not perfect? If so, then He would have to slap everybody down." Oh, the mercy of God! - John R. Rice


   "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Now a man who says there is no God is a fool. I do not care how wise he thinks he is, he is a crackpot; there is nobody home upstairs; he has rooms to let, unfurnished, in the upper story; he has bats in the belfry--God says he is a fool. A man who is an atheist and says there is no God is a fool, because of two outstanding things. These two things are true of all those that the Bible calls fools. First, he doesn't face the facts. He is not willing to take the evidence. And second, he has an animosity in his heart against the truth. His heart is set against the truth because he does not want to believe. He does not want to look at the evidence, and he will not investigate the facts. It is evident that any man with half sense knows there is a God, and only a fool would say that there is no God. For instance, you may look at me--I am not much to look at, but I prove there is a God. The fact that I am here proves there is a God. David said, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - John R. Rice

   A few years ago a man got real bright and made a camera. He thought he was sure smart. But God made a camera in every human eye. There is the lens, back of that the dark box, then the super-sensitive film or plate. But God's camera is automatic, self-developing, instantaneous, self-repairing, all-color film, and is infinitely beyond any camera built by science. Yet fools think nobody made man! - John R. Rice

ANOTHER VISIT WITH AN OLD FRIEND

PSALM 23                           

Pastor Rick Jackson

Psalm 22 -The Good Shepherd John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Psalm 23 -The Great Shepherd Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 24 -The Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

J. Vernon McGee gives us this breakdown:

22=Cross                           Savior            Foundation            Dying                  Past                Gives His Life

23=Shepherd's Crook     Satisfier         Manifestation       Living                  Present          Gives His love

24=Crown                         Sovereign      Expectation           Coming Again   Future            Gives His light

Though the 23rd Psalm is one of the most quoted and well known chapters in the Scriptures it is often misquoted and unknown by most people in the world, even those that claim it. That it is beautiful is undeniable, that it is universal is untenable. It is the proper confession of a saved individual. A lost person has no right to claim it though he should desire it. When you can claim it, what does it say?

I. WHAT IT SAYS TO OTHERS [v. 1-3]

1. A Word of Testimony- I am trusting Him and He is mine [v. 1]

2. A Word of Trust- I am depending on Him and He will provide [v. 1b-2]

More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but "I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time". -Matthew Henry

3. A Word of Triumph-I am His and He will guide [v. 3]

II. WHAT IT SAYS TO GOD [v. 4-5]

1. Wherever You lead I'll go [v. 4a] [destination]

2. Whatever You say I'll trust [v. 4b] [direction]

3. Whatever You give I'll take [v.5] [devotion]

III. WHAT IT SAYS TO YOURSELF [v. 6]

1. God is Good [Mark 10:18 ... there is none good but one, that is, God.]

2. God is Merciful [Ps. 62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy...] v.6 note the duration

3. God is Gracious [Eph. 1:7, 2:7]

How unlike the world's philosophy, "Life stinks, and then you die.”

Note the comforting words... walk...shadow...with me... comfort me...will dwell

CONTINUING ON THE ROMANS ROAD

ROMANS 15

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. BEHAVING STRONGMEN [v. 1-8]

1. Please the Lord [v. 1-3, 1 Cor. 10:31-33, Gal. 1:10]

2. Practice the Patience of the Lord [v. 4-6]

3. Believe the Promises of the Lord [v. 7-8]

II. BELIEVING STRANGERS [v. 9-21, Eph. 2:12-19]

1. Rejoice in God [v. 9-13]

2. Relish in Goodness [v. 14-15]

3. Respond in the Gospel [v. 16-21]

III. BELABORING SAINTS [v. 22-33]

1.  Plan Ahead [v. 22-25]

2. Partake Actively [v. 26-29]

3. Pray Always [v. 30-33]

EMPHASIZE WHAT YOU HAVE

                                   Colossians 1:12-14                                        

Pastor Rick Jackson

Verse 12 says "in light". What light?

John 3:16-21 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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Verse 14 says "His blood". Whose blood?

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

God's blood? How is that possible? Rom. 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood...

Rom. 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Now what do Christians have? And what, dear lost friend that may be here today, can you have if you will accept Christ this day?

I. A KINGDOM [V. 13]

1. The Primary Emphasis here is on a Person- Jesus is the King, it's His kingdom [Hebrews 1:8]

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

2. The Secondary Emphasis here is on a place- a kingdom is a location [2 Peter 1:11]

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

3. The Next Emphasis here is on a permanence- this kingdom is ours in Him forever [Hebrews 12:28]

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

II. REDEMPTION [V. 14a]

1. The Emphasis here is on an Accomplishment by an Individual [Hebrews 9:12]

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us

2. The shared Emphasis is on an Actuality bestowed by that Individual [Romans 3:24]

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3. The shared Emphasis is on the Action the Individual did (redemption is "a releasing effected by payment of a ransom") v. 14

III. FORGIVENESS [V. 14b]

1. The emphasis here is on release ("forgiveness" means a release from bondage or imprisonment) [Romans 8:2]

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

2. The shared emphasis here is on result- we have the forgiveness of sins [Ephesians 1:7]

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

3. The shared emphasis is on reality- the debt is cancelled, can't be brought back up [Ps. 130]