THE WASTED LIFE OF A LOSER!

MARK 8:31-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

I am thinking here at the end of 2017, what if this was the last sermon I would ever preach? It could be. The rapture could occur at any moment. The Lord could call me home at any moment. I could be struck down by a debilitating condition at any moment. if I knew this was to be my last sermon what would I want to say before it was over?

Of course there is much we all would like to say and do before it's over but given the context of one last sermon... what would I say? I think I can some it up in four words, "DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE!"

I. DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE BY BEING A CHRISTIAN LOSER! [v. 31-35]

1. You must make up your mind! [v. 32-34a]

2. You must say "no" to selfishness! [v. 34]

3. You must say "yes" to Jesus! [v. 35]

II. DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE BY BEING A COMPLETE LOSER! [v. 36-37]

1. He who dies with the most "toys" still dies! [v. 36]

2. He who dies without Christ has undervalued his soul! [v. 37]

3. He who dies without Christ is a complete loser! [v. 36-37]

III. DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE BY BEING A CARNAL LOSER! [v. 38]

1. Why ignore a sure thing? [v. 38]

2. Why imagine an impossible thing? [Gal. 6:3-10]

3. Why invest in any other life? [2 Cor. 5:9-11]

Question of the Week: Are evolutionists digging in the wrong places?

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

 

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Darwin and Rock Layers Latest Answers View in browser The New Origin of Species Armed primarily with an 1800s education and his two eyes, perhaps Charles Darwin did the best he could—at least the best anyone could who starts out to explain creation without the Creator. Would Darwin maintain his conclusions if he could come back and reexamine newly available data? Dr. Nathaniel T. Jeanson doubts it. Why? Find Out More "They Are Digging in the Wrong Place!" Each year there are many headlines, books, technical articles, and videos about another supposed missing link—a supposed link between a land mammal and whale, a dinosaur and bird, an ape and human, and so forth. Why do creationists rarely take notice of these alleged missing links? Read Now Equipping Families to Stand Looking for a spectacular vacation destination and a life-changing conference for the entire family? You'll find both at the Equipping Families to Stand conference July 16–20, 2018, at the world-class Ark Encounter. Register by December 31, 2017, for the super early bird discount! Learn More & Register Dramatic Upgrades Coming to the Creation Museum Several generous supporters have made a $1 million year-end matching gift commitment to fund these upgrades. There's just 1 day left to have your gift doubled! Learn More → William Lane Craig and the Origin of the Universe One of the major proponents of using the big bang to prove God's existence is the Christian philosopher William Lane Craig. But his reasoning has a serious flaw. Learn More → Read Through the Bible Chronologically in 2018 To help you read through all of God's Word in just one year, we have a new resource, The 10 Minute Bible Journey, with a special bookmark. Learn More → Older Than. . . See More Teach through the Bible in four years with this full-featured Sunday school curriculum for all ages. Get equipped to confidently share the gospel and biblical authority with this award-winning worldview magazine. Teach kids that the Bible is more than a dusty book of stories so they can trust its life-changing message of salvation! Copyright © 2017 Answers in Genesis, All rights reserved. PO Box 510 Hebron, KY  41048 view in browser

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

People who do not believe in angels can have no Christmas! The angel of the Lord was a miraculous being, a wonder-worker, bringing a message from God Himself. The Bible is a book of angels, because it is a book of the supernatural. No angels - no Saviour! No angels - no Gospel! No angels - no Christianity! Those who do not believe in angels do not believe in the virgin birth, do not believe in the atoning blood, do not believe in the inspired Bible. And Christmas is not worth having without all these. - John R. Rice

Modernists really have no Christmas, in the Bible sense. When you have Jesus born as only the son of Joseph and Mary, without any divine predictions; when you have Him die the death of a martyr but not risen bodily from the grave, not ascend up to Heaven, - then you do not have Christianity! Christianity is a supernatural religion. Anybody who believes in Christ can believe that angels came to announce His birth. Those who deny the angels deny the purity of the Lord's mother and make her a fallen Jewish girl and Jesus a bastard child. Those who do not believe in the angels make the Bible a human book, full of myths and legends and folklore and mistakes; a very good book, to be sure, but not nearly so good, the modernists and infidels think, as they themselves could write! We had as well accept this fact at the very beginning: the birth of Christ is not worth celebrating unless we accept the implications of all the supernatural that attended His birth. - John R. Rice

Concerning the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, this idea of Him as a Saviour was ever the most prominent one. The angel said to Joseph before His birth, "Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). His precious name, Jesus, means Saviour! To the shepherds in the field feeding their flocks by night, the angel of God that great night gave the glad tidings, "For unto you is born this day a SAVIOUR which is Christ the Lord." It would be no good news just that a king was born, for kings have been born before and none ever saved a man from sin. - John R. Rice

The Christmas story so takes hold on my heart each year that I want to preach about it even into January! I want to preach about the wise men, about the believing virgin, about faithful Joseph, about the prophecies fulfilled in Christ's coming, about the annunciation, about there being no room in the inn, about the stable birth and the manger bed. Who could ever finish preaching about the Christmas story! - John R. Rice

Here is a principle of God's loving mercy: always a hungry heart can find out the truth about God if it wants to. Always a doubting soul, who really wants to know, can find our whether the Bible is true, whether Christ is the Son of God, whether the Bible will work in our modern world. Remember that Jesus said in John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." - John R. Rice

Dear reader, God is not concerned about your pious platitudes as you commend the teachings of Jesus in the sermon on the mount. He turns His face with disdain when you speak of the crucifixion as "the martyrdom" of "a good man" who "died for his ideals." There is no way under Heaven that any man can approach God in peace except he come with prayer and praise to Jesus Christ as one who is very God, Creator, Saviour, one to be loved and worshiped, one who answers prayer, one who is worthy of all the praises that can fall from human lips! - John R. Rice

My book, IS JESUS GOD?, which is an answer to infidels in the church and out, was recently advertised in THE SWORD OF THE LORD, and there came a critical letter from a man who said, "Of course, Jesus is not God. Jesus is the Son of God! How silly to write a book on IS JESUS GOD?" But he was as ignorant as he was irascible. Jesus is God, and the Scripture clearly says exactly that again and again. - John R. Rice

REJOICE!

 Lk. 10:17-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. REJOICE NOW! [Lk. 10:20]

1. Because Jesus said to Rejoice in His Salvation [v. 17-20]

2. Because God Keeps the Records! [v. 20; Rev. 20:6, 12, 15]

3. Because God Knows You and what You Need [v. 20-24]

II. REJOICE ANYWAY!

1. In the Lord’s Self [Jn. 3:26-29]

2. In the Lord's Service [Jn. 4:34-38]

3. In the Lord's Solution [Jn. 14:28-29]

III. REJOICE EVERMORE!

1. Because Others are Saved! [Lk. 15:6, 9-10, 24-32]

2. Because Our Victory is Secured! [Jn. 16:16-22]

3. Because our Saviour is Steadfast! [Acts 2:22-28]

IS DECEMBER 25TH REALLY THE DAY ON WHICH CHRIST WAS BORN?

ROMANS 14:1-12

Rick Jackson

There was an interesting letter on the editorial page of the Bradford County Telegraph one year (12-1-05). A lady, whom to my knowledge I do not know, wrote, The following is "Just My Opinion" but I would like to know - "What do you think, are you willing to change?"

My answer is “no”. I am not willing to change because of someone’s opinion. I am willing to conform to the Word of God. [Romans 3:4]

What is wrong with Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus on his "real" birthday? Why don't Christians just let the world have their "Happy Holidays" their "Santa Clauses," their lighted trees and all the other traditions" that go with Dec. 25? Guys, believe it or not, this is not the day Jesus was born and I can tell you exactly when it was.

It will take a major portion of this sermon to discount this statement but let’s see how her opinion continued.

It was Tishri 15 (that is a Jewish feast day, their New Year or Rosh Hashanah). Jesus fulfilled every one of the Jewish Feast Days. On the exact days those feasts happened, in the time of Jesus, those feast were fulfilled. The only feast left to fulfill is the Feast of Trumpets, and that is the Rapture.

There is not one hint in the Scriptures that Jesus was born on Rosh Hashanah. There would have been a lot of Jewish rituals going on during that time and none is indicated by either Luke or Matthew. Matthew’s silence is deafening since his purpose was to present Christ as the King of the Jews and this would certainly have bolstered that claim.

Now, do you understand why the Shepherds were out watching their sheep by night? It was not cold weather in September.

Dr. Mark Cambron, respected Bible scholar had heard and accepted this claim that it is too cold for the sheep in December. We must remember Israel is not North Dakota or even Ohio. Dr. Cambron was at the shepherds’ field in Bethlehem one Christmas eve and noticed there were shepherds present. He asked them, “Why are sheep here and not in folds. Isn’t it too cold?” They replied, “This is when the grass grows best, so we graze here!” Then he noticed the grass was indeed thick and over knee high. Hearsay destroyed by eyewitnesses!

If Christians go to the "real" birth of Jesus and celebrate it, then all those people who are fighting over not having "their" symbols displayed, or the ACLU fighting to eliminate every thing religious, would perhaps stop. No other religion will be allowed to put up their symbol on our special day. It doesn't belong to them, it belongs to the Christians.

That’s a rather naive view isn’t it? [2 Th. 1:4, 2 Tm. 3:11-12]

See, right now, they are telling us that Dec. 25 does not belong to Christians, it belongs to those who worship Santa Clause (sic). And you know what? They are right. Separating the two times of the year, would also help teach your child the truth about Jesus, especially if you are a Christian.

I never had a problem teaching my kids the truth about Jesus or Santa. [Dt. 6:4-7, Eph. 6:4]

See, here is the Christians problem (as I see it). We have put our Lord and Saviors birth right up there with "pagan" beliefs.

Actually, Satan constantly tries to get people to believe his lies rather than God’s truth. [Jn. 8:44]

Does God approve of this? Does God back us in our efforts to keep Jesus as our symbol for this paganism day of worship?

Does she really believe we shouldn’t worship Jesus on any day someone else has set aside for paganism? I worship Jesus on Dec. 25th, July 4th, October 31st and every other day of the year! [Jn. 4:24, Rm. 14:5]

Now, if you want to support Santa Clause (sic).  and all that goes with it, I see no problem with that, but just remember - this is not the birth of Jesus. Don't let the attributes of Santa Clause(sic).  become the same as Jesus' attributes.

Which is it? Does she have a problem with it or does she not? I personally have a problem with it. [Is. 42:8, I Cor. 2:8, Ps. 24]

Separating of the two times, will put a stop to this.

No. It won’t. Why would it?

The Jewish celebration on or near Dec. 25, called Hanukkah (celebration of lights) has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. Now, I know this is not pagan; this is a true event for them, the Jews. But it is still not Christmas.

Celebrating God’s light is closer to Christmas than Rosh Hashanah. [Jn. 1:1-5, 9-12, 8:12, 9:5]

Here is my second problem I see with the Christian community. They are not willing to make any changes, even if it is making a change for the "truth."

Her truth or God’s truth? She hasn’t proved anything. “My problem” “Christian community” Who’s that?

They would rather sit right where they are and let the ACLU and all the other religions of the world dictate to us, about the birth of our Savior; and send money to organizations to fight to keep Dec. 25 for Jesus.

I haven’t sent anyone any money. But if I did it would be to preserve our right to celebrate Christmas in a Christ honoring fashion.

If this world's system eventually gets to the point where there is no "Merry Christmas" and it all becomes "Happy Holidays," guys, don't panic, just remember: It isn't the birth of Jesus any way. Just my opinion.

The last three words are the truest thing she has said in her whole letter. The rest reminds me of the Texas longhorn… a point here and a point there and a lot of bull in-between So can we pinpoint Christmas to December at least? Let’s see.

Bible fact # 1 In 1 Chr. 24:1-19 David organized the priests for the Temple. There were 24 orders for the 12 months, two orders per month (v. 18-19). Note in the fourth month, the latter part of the month is the order of Abijah (v. 10).

Bible fact # 2 In Ex. 12:2, 13:4 God says the month Nisan is the first month of the Jewish calendar. Nisan falls in our Mar. /Apr. which puts the order of Abijah in our July.

Bible Fact # 3 Zechariah was serving in July. (Lk. 1:5-7) Not yet 50 but advanced in years (people age differently, in US pioneer days the average lifespan was 35). Luke 1:8-23. He went home in August and John the Baptist was conceived in August or September (1:24). Her first month would be Sept. or Oct. Her 6th month would be Feb.-March. (1:26-36) Mary conceived in Elisabeth’s 6th month so her first month would be March-April. Count it out. April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., December.

Late December is when the shepherds are out in their fields to watch their sheep by night. The night the angels came. Luke 2:8-15. The night, Christ was born. I for one am not going to let the Devil steal my Christmas.

1. Worship in Spirit and truth [Jn. 4:24]

2. Be fully persuaded in your own mind. [Rm. 14:5-6]

3. Whatever ye do, do it unto the Lord [Col. 3:17-25]

ARE YOU ONE OF THREE WISE MEN?

MATTHEW 2:1-12                            

Pastor Rick Jackson

There are assumptions about the wise men that can be dispelled with a simple reading of the scripture. For instance, they were not at the stable and they weren't necessarily limited to three. There are likewise many truths that can be gathered about them from the same texts. They spent a great deal of time and resources to find Jesus, they realized He was more than just a man, they obeyed the Lord's instructions in various matters, etc. You can be wise this season too. While you won't be following a star to Bethlehem the Bible reveals how to be wise.

I. THE FIRST WISE MAN: THE SAVED MAN!

1. Hears the Word of God [Mt. 7:24]

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

2. Heeds the Word of God [Mt. 7:24-25]

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

3. Believes on the Lord Jesus Christ [1 Pt. 2:1-11]

II. THE SECOND WISE MAN: THE SOUL WINNER!

1. Jesus Came to Seek and to Save [Lk. 19:10]

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

2. Jesus Commissioned Us to Do the Same Thing [Jn. 20:21-23]

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

3. Jesus Commends the Soul Winner as Wise [Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:3]

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

III. THE THIRD WISE MAN: THE UNDERSTANDING MAN [Dan. 12:9-13]

1. He Understands the Past. [Hebrews 11:3]

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

2. He Understands the Present [Colossians 2:2]

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3. He Understands the Future. [Ephesians 1:18, Mark 13:14]

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Listen to the words the angels bring: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." "I bring you good tidings of great joy." It would be wrong to be sad at Christmas. It is wrong to be sad any time. The Scripture says, "Rejoice evermore," and "In every thing give thanks." But surely as the Christmas time approaches there is many a reason for thanking God. - John R. Rice

Oh, there are temptations that come at Christmas. Some people will be tempted to drink who never do through the year. Some people will be tempted to lewd revelry.
Make sure it is a holy time of setting yourself apart for God. Enjoy His blessings. Enjoy your loved ones. Enjoy the greetings and the carols. But be sure you enjoy Jesus Himself.
Is there someone who hears me who is not happy? Why don't you say, "I am going to be happy at Christmas because I will let Jesus come into my heart; I will let Him forgive my sins"? He will if you trust Him now. And if you take Him as Saviour and trust Him, He will save you. - John R. Rice

Do you know what Jesus is born for? He is born a Redeemer. He is born to be a Saviour. Oh, churches everywhere are so anxious to teach the Bible, so anxious to have a moral standard, which is good; but why don't you get anxious about the one main thing Jesus came and died for--that is, to save sinners. - John R. Rice

You know, a long time ago I found God has a message for poor people everywhere. And I have had a great delight in preaching. It may be that some way I will be counted among the scholars. Never mind. I know I have five honorary doctor's degrees, and I am the author of many books, etc., and it may be somebody will think of John Rice as such a student of the Word and a scholar. But I want it known everywhere I was a man who preached to the poor and the ignorant and the sinful. Jesus came to bring the Gospel to the poor. I have rejoiced in that. - John R. Rice

It is true that a great many people do not honor Jesus Christ at Christmas. I think they greatly sin. Some people drink more liquor during Christmastime than at any other time in the year. That is a sin. Many business people think of Christmas only as a time to make money. In this they are wrong. Sometimes even Christian people tell the silly lie about Santa Claus and deceive little children with a heathen legend, when they could tell about the dear Lord Jesus. I think that is wickedness. A lie is always wrong and always hateful to God. - John R. Rice

Certainly to deceive little children with a lie about Santa Claus is a sin. No Christian ought to condone it. Here the truth is so much better than a lie. We should tell people that the dear Lord Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Yes people often dishonor God at Christmas. I am sorry they do. I hope no Christian who reads this will grieve God by such sins.
But we should not turn Christmas over to Satan and wicked people because some sin at Christmas. - John R. Rice

The rich have more money to spend for Christmas. They think they can bring happiness to their loved ones by giving diamonds, or automobiles, or other costly and beautiful gifts. But these things do not make Christmas. What makes Christmas is to have the Saviour. Thank God, the poor may have Him as readily as the rich! - John R. Rice

THERE IS A CHRISTMAS BECAUSE OF FIVE THINGS GOD DOES NOT KNOW

I. GOD DOES NOT KNOW A PERSON WITHOUT SIN

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one

:

1 Kings 8:46  there is no man that sinneth not

Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

II. GOD DOES NOT KNOW A SIN HE DOES NOT HATE

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Zechariah 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

Pr. 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

III. GOD DOES NOT KNOW A SINNER HE DOES NOT LOVE

John 3:16 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.

Rm. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

IV. GOD DOES NOT KNOW BUT ONE WAY TO BE SAVED

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

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;

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

V. GOD DOES NOT KNOW BUT ONE TIME TO BE SAVED

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (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.)

THE KING’S WARNING

MATTHEW 23                                                                    

                                              

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE RULING WICKED [v. 1-12]

1. Their Seat [v. 1-3a]

2. Their Self-centeredness [v. 3b-7]

3. Their Solution [v. 8-12] become what they should be- saved servants of the Saviour

II. THE RESULTING WOES [v. 13-36]

1. The Woe of Being Rebelliously Lost [v. 13]

2. The Woes of Being Religiously Lost [v. 14-15]

3. The Woe of Being Ridiculously Lost [v. 16-22]

4. The Woe of Being Regimentally Lost [v. 23-24]

5. The Woes of Being Respectfully Lost [v. 25-28]

6. The Woe of Being Radically Lost [v. 29-36]

III. THE RESISTANT WILL [v. 36-39]

1. God’s Willingness [v. 36-37a]

2. Their Unwillingness [v. 37b]

3. Their Reward [v. 38-39]