LET GOD BE GOD

COL. 3:15-17                                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEART. [v. 15]

The word "rule" literally means to umpire. The umpire determines when something is in bounds or out of bounds, according to the rules or against the rules, qualified or disqualified. Don't argue with the umpire. The person who is living "in the Spirit" can use the peace of God to determine things not specifically stated in the Scripture. In doing this we must see:

1. The Superiority of the Scriptures!

Ps. 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

2. The Framework of our Focus!

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above, Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully all for us to do. They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Refrain -Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest- Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

3. The Pattern behind the Peace!

"When we obey the will of God, we have His peace within: but when we step out of His will (even unintentionally), we lose His peace... We must beware... of a false peace in the heart. Jonah deliberately disobeyed God, yet he was able to go to sleep in the hold of a ship in a storm!" -Wiersbe

Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This is our calling in one body. Every Christian should do this as should every church. It is part of the individual calling and the collective calling. And BE THANKFUL! In His Peace, for His Peace, and with His peace!

II. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY [3:16]

1. It Should Be At Home (the meaning of dwell) not a stranger

2. It Should Be Abundantly Housed ("richly" plousios=abundantly) not a small knick-knack, majorly used furniture)

II Tm. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

3. It Should Be Admonished Heartily [v. 23] (Scriptural songs to and from the heart)

psalms=Psalms, hymns=songs of praise to God like How Great Thou Art, spiritual songs=other types of Scriptural songs like= Nothing but the Blood, Amazing Grace)

III. DO ALL THINGS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST [3:17]

1. That Is Inclusive [v. 17a, 23]

2. That Is Exclusive [v. 17, Acts 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.]

3. That Is Expressive [v. 17]

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

THE PURPOSE OF THE WALL

NEHEMIAH 8

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE READING OF THE BOOK [v. 1-8]

1. Reading for a Reason [v. 1-4]

2. Respect for the Lord [v. 5-6]

3. Teaching for Understanding [v. 7-8]

II. THE FORMING OF A BOND [v. 9-12]

1. Right Response [v. 9, Mt. 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.]

2. Respectful Reverence [v. 10-11, Phil. 3:1, 4:4] [ex. = not hanging on to guilt when God says you are forgiven]

3. Revival Rejoicing [v. 12, Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?]

III. THE FEAST OF THE BOOTHS [v. 13-18]

1. The Leader’s First Realization [v. 13]

2. The Lost Festival Remembered [v. 14-15]

3. The Long Feast Revived [v. 16-18]

BIBLE MEMORIALS

MARK 14:3-9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE COST [v. 3-6]

1. It Costs Something to Honor Jesus [v. 3]

2. The Lost will Condemn You [John 12:4-6]

3. Christians may Misunderstand you [v. 4-5]

II. THE CHRIST [v. 6-9]

1. He Has the Wisdom to Evaluate Your Work [v. 6, 1 Cor. 3:13-14]

2. He Has the Knowledge to Evaluate Your Work [v. 7-8, 1 Cor. 3:15, 2 Cor. 5:10-11]

3. He Has the Means to Validate Your Work [v. 9, Rm. 14:4, 7-12]

III. THE CROSS

1. The Betrayal Mentioned [v. 17-21]

2. The Burying Matters [v. 8-9, 1 Cor. 15:1-4]

3. The Bold Memorial [v. 22-25, Luke 22:14-20]

Question of the Week: How can we combat rising biblical illiteracy? 📖

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Biblical Ignorance People, sadly including many professing Christians, simply don't know what the Bible teaches and often hold to unbiblical or even heretical beliefs. For example, a recent study found that a mere 10% of Americans have a biblical worldview (despite 70% of Americans claiming the label of Christian). This study is a sad testament to the state of the American church. What can parents, pastors, and Sunday school teachers do to combat this growing epidemic?   Read Now →   Get Equipped New! Answers Bible Curriculum 2nd Edition Learn More 〉

Record Crowds as Creation Museum Celebrates 10th Anniversary The popular, high-tech Creation Museum near Cincinnati is not only commemorating its 10-year anniversary this weekend, but is also witnessing record crowds. Jonah: On Stage Encore Showing Across America June 3 Jonah: On Stage was shown in hundreds of theaters, and we're excited to announce that it's coming back for an encore showing on June 3! Queue Gardens, Aviaries, Steles, and More Expansions at Ark Encounter We're very excited about all the outdoor expansions currently under construction or recently completed at the Ark Encounter. New Exhibit Opening Memorial Day Weekend As part our 10th anniversary celebration this Memorial Day weekend, we are opening a powerful new exhibit featuring stunning artwork.

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John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Where did the Bible come from? Every word of the Scriptures, in the original manuscripts, came from the mouth of God. The Bible is inspired, it is the infallible Word of God. There Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3. The same thing is given again in Luke 4:4, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." The Bible is inspired, and you must take what God says about that: it is the very Word of God, the Scripture says. - John R. Rice

Here is a strange thing. I am going to read something that perhaps you never thought about. Here is a really wonderful truth in Psalm 119:89, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Was all the Bible written down in Heaven forever? Yes. And so when God knew ahead of time about the coming of the Messiah, it was foretold, but God planned it before He told Eve that the Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head. Before they had a Passover lamb, God had that planned out in Heaven. All the Scriptures were settled in Heaven, settled and written down before they were written on earth. - John R. Rice

Psalms, 119, verse 153, "Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever." Not that He is going to found them after they are written, but they are already founded forever, already settled in Heaven. And so when Isaiah was inspired to write something, he wrote down what God had already written in Heaven and put it in Isaiah's heart and mind to read it. All the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Thank God for that! - John R. Rice

Every prophet in the Bible has one great theme: Jesus and salvation. You will find that in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. You will find that in all the types, in all the sacrifices and priesthood and tabernacle offerings. You find it prophesied by every prophet in the Old Testament and the New. There is one great theme of the Bible and that is Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice

Some people said, "Give us a sign, Jesus. Give us some miraculous evidence." Jesus answered, "There shall no sign be given. . .but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matt. 12:39,40). Yes, the resurrection is to be proof of His deity. So in Romans 1:4 the Lord was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." - John R. Rice

Mark this down. If the Bible is true, then no other kind of religion can keep people out of Hell. No other kind of religion can answer for man's sin. Not the Hindu religion, not the Moslem religion, not the Mormons or Christian Science or any other kind. - John R. Rice

No salvation because you are good. No salvation because you got baptized. No salvation because you learned the catechism or because you took first communion or because you were confirmed. No! The only salvation is by personally trusting Jesus Christ who died for sinners. And He did die for sinners. And since Christ is the great center of the Bible, then He is the only Saviour any of us can have. - John R. Rice

IT IS SETTLED! IT IS SPECIFIC! IT IS SPIRITUAL!

COLOSSIANS 3:9-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

Last week we saw that when a person trusts Christ that they are quite a few things that become settled . Since certain things are settled, certain changes should be made, certain things should be done, certain truths should be accepted. these things are largely of a spiritual nature... it's settled, it's spiritual!

I. REALIZE WHAT WAS DONE [v. 9-11]

1. The "old man" was dethroned [v. 9] "rendered inoperative"

2 Corinthians 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.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Wuest says, "Lie" is a present imperative in a prohibition, forbidding the continuance of an action already going on. It is, "Stop lying to one another."

About what? About who they were, who they are, and in whom they are! Read verses 10-11 for the general idea and then we'll go back for a little more instruction.

2. The enlightened new man has been enthroned [v. 10]

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Ephesians 4: 20-24 But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3. The new man has an All-powerful, Awe-inspiring Allied-commander [v. 10b-11]

II. RECOGNIZE WHAT SHOULD BE DONE [v. 12-14]

1. Recognize This is Who We Are [v. 12a]

The Word elect means chosen of God. -W.W.Wiersbe (We are chosen of God in Christ- Eph. 1:4)

There is a great deal of discussion about this matter of election. the fact of the matter is that if you have trusted Christ, you have on this new garment, and you are one of the elect. -J. Vernon McGee

2. Recognize This is What We Should "Wear" [v. 12b-13]

--bowels of mercies-- heart of compassion

--kindness-- a profitable gentleness

--humbleness of mind-- Humility is not thinking poorly of one's self. Rather, it is having the proper estimation of one's self in the will of God. -W.W.W.

--meekness—strength under control

--long-suffering -- as opposed to being short fused. It is good to be able to get angry, for this is a sign of holy character. But it is wrong to get angry quickly at the wrong things for the wrong reasons. W.W.W.

--forbearing one another-- God is forbearing toward sinners in that He holds back His judgement. W.W.W.

--forgiving one another--

3. Recognize This is What Ties it All Together [v. 14]

A man's belt does many things. It holds up his pants, keeps his shirt tucked in, gives stability, holds phones, tools, etc. it's multi-functional and helps other items of clothing to do their job well. So it is with agape love.

III. RESPECT HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE [v. 15-17]

1. Let the peace of God rule in your heart. [v. 15]

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly [v. 16]

3. Do everything in the name of Christ [v. 17]

WALL DONE, WELL DONE

NEHEMIAH 7

I. OUTLINE FOR SUCCESS [v. 1-5]

1. Organize the Present [v. 1-2]

2. Plan for the Future [v. 3-4]

3. Connect to the Past [v. 5] note: both the Guidance & the Providence of God [Pilgrims, puritans, patriots]

II. REMEMBERING FIRST RESPONDERS [v. 6-69]

1. The People of God [v.6-38]                                                                     

2. The Priests [v. 39-42]                                                                                  

3. The Levites [v. 43]        
                                                                                                                      

4. Singers [v. 44]

5. Porters [v. 45]

6. Nethinims [v. 46-60, Ez. 8:20]

7. Unregistered [v. 61-65]                                                                                            

8. Summation [v. 66-69]

III. LESSONS FROM A LONG CHAPTER [v. 70-73]

1. People are Important to God [v. 1-69]

2. God Keeps Accounts of His Servants [v. 70-72, Luke 21:1-4]

3. God Knows Who You Are, What You Are, & Where You Are [v. 73]         

GOD’S TRUTH, GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, OUR STABILITY

PSALM 119

Rick Jackson

In a universe of uncertainty there is stability. In a world of conflict there is stability. In a nation of petty political posturing there is stability. In a state of moral ambiguity there is stability. In a community where atheists get a monument at the courthouse there is stability. In our church, in your family, in your life there is stability. You may say, but brother Rick all you have done is mention a few of the myriad of problems facing us on every conceivable scale and yet you say, "there is stability." Where? Where is the stability?

The psalmist, like us, had many problems that tend to unsettle a person, but he found stability in the Word of God and the God of the Word. The word Hebrew Word (em-oo-naw') is found five times in Psalm 119. Each time but one it is translated faithfulness. Young's Concordance says it means "stability". Strong's concordance says it figuratively means security and speaking morally it means fidelity like the Marines motto "Semper Fi". "Semper Fidelis" is Latin for "Always faithful." So amidst chaos and uncertainty the believer has stability. Let's see how the psalmist applied it. The psalmist had stability:

I. EVEN WITH A SINFUL NATURE [v. 25-32]

This is the one verse in Psalm 119 that does not translate this word “faithfulness” but rather “truth” [v. 30]. The only hope we have is the Hope that salvation brings. Only God can give us a new nature that can live for Him.

II. EVEN AMID GOD-GIVEN [OR GOD-ALLOWED] AFFLICTION [v. 73-80]

Other believers are encouraged. God afflicts us (or allows it) for a reason, reminiscent of Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The Lord is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. The Psalmist doesn't ask to be removed from afflictions but to be comforted in them, and a comforter to others.

III. EVEN AMID PERSECUTION [v. 81-88]

When it seems the Heavens are brass we still can trust in the Word. Knowing God's Word strengthens us in persecution. God's loving kindness revives us and reminds us to live for Him!

IV. EVEN AMID EVERY AGE [v. 89-96]

The Creator's Word is settled and so we should be as well. Since He is the all-powerful Creator, and since He has given His Word, every person in every age can find stability in Him!

V. EVEN AMID INSIGNIFICANCE [v. 137-144]

How small we are but how great He is. Psalm 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 144:3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

Many years ago, a scholar named Muretus lived. He was very educated but also very poor. He became deathly ill, and he was taken to the place where the destitute were kept. The doctors didn't know that he was a scholar and that he understood the scholar's Latin. One day the doctors were discussing his case in Latin and one of them said, “What experiments can we do on this worthless beggar?” Muretus looked up and in perfect Latin replied, "Call no man worthless for whom Christ died." Christ's payment for sin makes every soul of infinite worth.

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Question of the Week: Should we treat the Bible as absolute truth?

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Subject: Should we treat the Bible as absolute truth?

Many young people are leaving the church because they doubt God's Word. (View in Browser)

God's Word: The Authority Over Us Churches have offered many different solutions to combat the problem of young people leaving the church. One popular so-called solution is to water down the authority of God's Word. Proponents of this view argue that most people in today's world don't believe the Bible, so we shouldn't treat it as if it were the absolute truth. Instead we should simply focus on the gospel or perhaps social causes. But is this an effective strategy for reaching the lost or keeping this skeptical generation worshipping in church? Find Out More → Get Equipped New! Answers Bible Curriculum 2nd Edition Learn More 〉

The Phenomenal Economic Impact of the Ark and Creation Museum AiG has been waiting for the secular media and anti-Christian bloggers to report the truth concerning the economic impact of the Ark and museum. Origin of Fangblenny Fish's Unusual Venom The tiny tropical fangblenny reveals fangs when it opens its mouth, but unusual venom is the real key to its defense—and to the defense of its look-alikes. Major Newspaper Carries Story About Dr. Snelling's Lawsuit Many news outlets have picked up Dr. Snelling's lawsuit story, and we have been pleased to see that many of them have been fair. Looking Forward in 2017 After looking through old photos and videos, we are looking ahead! Here is a look at some of our scheduled events for the rest of the year.

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