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Saturday, March 31, 2018
Question of the Week: Why did God make weeds?
From the highly recommended: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>
Friday, March 30, 2018
John R. Rice Quotes of the Week
America has grown morally soft, decayed in principle. We do not whip our children to make them mind nor demand and get their respect for their superiors, nor teach them to work to earn their way honestly. We do not mind much the lawlessness of sit-down strikes not violence and murder and gangsterism, particularly if it be in the name of the labor unions. We do not want the death penalty for murder, nor for rape nor for kidnapping, though the Bible clearly gives us God's command for it. We do not want sin punished. Most of our pulpits do not preach the wrath of god against sin. America, on the whole, has not heard about Hell and judgment. So we have become a people without strong principle, mushy, fat, well-fed, luxury-loving people. We fear hardship, we hate discipline, and to many there is nothing worth fighting for but money, and nothing worth dying for! God help us, America needs to repent and learn to hate sin, to know it must be punished and brought to judgment. We need to learn to boldly advocate righteousness, and to be willing to live or die that righteousness shall reign in our lives and nation, and wherever we are responsible before God. - John R. Rice
Some time ago, before America was in the war [World War II], a Christian woman wrote me that she disagreed with my article on "American Friends of Hitler," and deplored the idea that a Christian should ever fight about anything. In the same letter she asked prayer about her wayward son who was grieving his parents by going on in sin. I feel that likely that attitude of never doing anything about sin, no judgment of sin, no punishment, no sense of responsibility, no respect for authority, was responsible for her son's waywardness. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." She may have felt she was too good a Christian, too loving a mother to punish her boy and make him obey, make him do right. But her thought, if that be what she thought, was folly and sin. It is not Christlike to ignore sin, to laugh it off, to pet wickedness. Christians who are too good to come out against Hitler or other such international bandits, or against sin anywhere, bring the curse of God on our country. - John R. Rice
Since war is upon us [written early in WWII], since our own people are killed, our country in immediate danger, I wonder what that woman thinks who was so religious she did not want anyone to bother Hitler or other such international criminals? Her son is of draft age. Will she still think Christians ought not to do anything about such sin and wickedness? Oh, America, repent! - John R. Rice
Oh, no Christian is in danger who is in the will of God, and in the presence of the Saviour! One is safer with Him in the night than being alone in the daytime. One is safer with Him in the storm than being alone in a peaceful, quiet place. One is safer with Him in war than without Him in peace. - John R. Rice
Sometimes Christian people say, "I am afraid to speak to lost sinners about Christ. I am afraid I will do more harm than good. I am afraid I will drive them away from the church." Well, dear friend, you had better be more afraid of displeasing God than of displeasing sinners. As long as you listen to the complaints and excuses of ungodly men, men who follow Satan and ignore the plain command of God to preach the Gospel to every creature, then certainly you will be responsible for the doom of lost souls you did not warn! - John R. Rice
For my part, if my faithful and loving invitation to a sinner to come to God drives him away from the church, then still I ought to do it. If a man must go away from the church and reject Christ, I would rather he go after hearing my plain warning and my loving invitation. If a man must go to Hell, then I do not want him to go unwarned. - John R. Rice
Do more harm than good by personal work? Never, if you go in Jesus' name, if you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and if you use the Word of God. We are commanded to go, and Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:19, 20). You may make somebody angry, but that itself may be used of God to awaken one out of lethargy and cause him to see what a sinner he is. Do not go by appearance in this matter, nor by the opinions of unconverted or carnally minded men. Go by the Word of God and the clear leading of the Holy Spirit. For when you talk to a sinner thus, you are talking for Jesus Christ. Your invitation is God's invitation. - John R. Rice
I believe that Jesus was not crucified on Friday, but on Wednesday. Preachers have usually accepted the Roman Catholic teaching that He was crucified on Friday and have never investigated what the Bible teaches on that subject. All Bible evidence proves that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, buried that night, and arose from the dead some time Saturday night, before sunrise Sunday morning. Remember that the Jewish day began at sundown and the night was counted a part of the following day.
Matthew 12:40 plainly says that Jesus would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, or the grave, like Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly. If Jesus were crucified Friday and raised Saturday night, or before sunrise Sunday morning, He would have been in the grave one day and part of two nights. Certainly that would not fulfill His plain promise.
Many people have supposed that John 19:31 was evidence that Jesus was crucified on Friday since the Jews wished to take His body down before the Sabbath. Notice, however, that "that Sabbath day was an high day." It was not an ordinary weekly Sabbath, but an annual Sabbath, the one mentioned in Exodus 12:16. It was a day of rest, the first of seven days of eating of unleavened bread, the day on which the Passover lamb was eaten.
So Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, was taken down from the cross before sunset Wednesday (John 19:31)... Jesus stayed in the grave fully seventy-two hours, three days and three nights, and arose then some time Saturday night, that is, part of Sunday, the first day of the week which began at sundown. - John R. Rice
Matthew 12:40 plainly says that Jesus would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, or the grave, like Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly. If Jesus were crucified Friday and raised Saturday night, or before sunrise Sunday morning, He would have been in the grave one day and part of two nights. Certainly that would not fulfill His plain promise.
Many people have supposed that John 19:31 was evidence that Jesus was crucified on Friday since the Jews wished to take His body down before the Sabbath. Notice, however, that "that Sabbath day was an high day." It was not an ordinary weekly Sabbath, but an annual Sabbath, the one mentioned in Exodus 12:16. It was a day of rest, the first of seven days of eating of unleavened bread, the day on which the Passover lamb was eaten.
So Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, was taken down from the cross before sunset Wednesday (John 19:31)... Jesus stayed in the grave fully seventy-two hours, three days and three nights, and arose then some time Saturday night, that is, part of Sunday, the first day of the week which began at sundown. - John R. Rice
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
THE CENTER OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
THE CENTER OF THE
LORD'S SUPPER
Matthew 26:26-30
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE CENTRAL FIGURE
IN THE LORD'S SUPPER IS CHRIST!
Note the nouns and pronouns in this passage. Note Who is
doing, Who is speaking, etc.
1. He knew the Plan of the Father
2. He knew the Peace of the Father
3. He knew the Partnership of the Father
II. THE CENTRAL
MESSAGE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS A VICARIOUS DEATH!
1. The Body would be Broken [v. 26]
2. The Blood would be Shed [v. 27-28]
3. The Price would be Paid [v. 28b]
III. THE CENTRAL
PROMISE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS THE VICTORIOUS SECOND COMING!
1. It is a Promise of Surety [v. 29a]
2. It is a Promise of Salvation [v. 29b]
3. It is a Promise of Sanctification [v. 29c]
COME CAREFULLY TO THE
LORD'S TABLE [I Cor. 11:27-32]
Monday, March 26, 2018
PASTORAL PRACTICALITIES
1 TIMOTHY 5
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. PATIENCE WITH
RELATIONSHIPS [v. 1-3]
1. Relationships as Relations- Males [v. 1]
2. Relationships as Relations- Females [v. 2]
3. Relationships with Widows [v. 3]
II. PATTERNS WITH
RELIEF [v. 4-16]
1. Familial Duties [v. 3-4, 8, 16]
2. Fervent Dedication [v. 5-10] Acts mentions Tabitha and
Lydia
3. Failing Devotion [v. 6-15, 1 Cor. 7:32-40]
III. PROBLEMS WITH
REVERENDS [v. 17-25]
1. Careful [v. 17-22]
2. Caring [v. 23]
3. Contrasting [v. 24-25]
Sunday, March 25, 2018
DO YOU HAVE IT?
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them.
Pastor Rick Jackson
This verse has been a great comfort to me over the years. I
have resorted to this verse during many trials and yet I can tell you honestly
that I believe I have not plumbed the depths of the power locked in this single
verse. I feel like I have been wading in its truth, basking in its joy and
standing on its promise but as a child without complete understanding. May the
Dear Lord help us to launch out a little today.
Before we can look at the peace that this verse offers and
the promise this verse proclaims we must see first:
I. THE PEOPLE OF THIS
VERSE “they which love thy law”
One of the first things we must determine before we examine
this point is what does this verse mean by the term “the law.” The law in the
Scriptures can refer to all the Bible, certain portions of the Bible, or even,
as used in the New Testament, a method by which some erroneously think they can
achieve salvation.
Here I believe the Holy Spirit means the Word of God in its
totality. 2 Kings 17:13 shows us that “the law” can refer to more than the
Pentateuch. Yet the LORD testified
against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers,
saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes,
according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to
you by my servants the prophets.
And since Psalm 119 deals with the totality of the Word of God
I believe that it is a safe assumption to say in Ps. 119:165 He is referring to
the Word of God in its totality, even the New Testament. “But Brother Rick,
when David wrote this the New Testament hadn’t been written.” On earth it did
not exist, this is true. Verse 89 of this chapter declares, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in
heaven.” So who are “they which love thy law?”
1. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU’RE SAVED! [v 41, 42,
81, 155]
2. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU REALIZE IT’S PURPOSE!
[19:7]
The law of the LORD is
perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise
the simple.
3. YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU GET IN IT! [v. 9-11,
Jm. 1:21-25]
This gets us to the place where we can examine:
II. THE PEACE OF THIS
VERSE [119:165]
Is. 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the
wicked. / Is. 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
1. IT IS PEACE WITH GOD [Rm. 5:1]
Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ps 29:11 The LORD will
give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
2. IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD [Philippians 4:7]
And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Acts 10:36 The word
which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:
(he is Lord of all:)
Col. 3:15 And let the
peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body;
and be ye thankful.
3. IT IS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM [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.
John 16:33 These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Now you might think that the "peace" we have
looked at is the promise of the verse but look again. The peace is a given, so
that brings us to:
III. THE PROMISE OF
THE VERSE
"and nothing shall offend them." The word
"offend" is the Hebrew word "mikshowl" and occurs 14 times
in the Old Testament. 8 times it is translated "stumblingblock", 3
times "Offend" or a variation thereof, 2 times "ruin" and 1
time "fall". This helps us to understand the promise. The person who
loves the Word of God has great peace and nothing will be a stumblingblock to
them.
IN THE N.T. NOTE:
1. IT IS THE WEAK THAT STUMBLE [1 Corinthians 8:9]
But take heed lest by any means this liberty
of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
2. IT IS THE UNBELIEVER WHO STUMBLES [1 Corinthians 1:23]
But we preach Christ
crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
3. IT IS THE STRONG WHO LOVES THE WORD [Romans 4:20]
He staggered not at
the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to
God;
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit
you like men, be strong.
2 Cor. 10:4 (For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor. 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 5:12 For
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you
again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such
as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 5:14 But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye
have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men,
because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome
the wicked one.
Notice that Paul said we are weak but in Him is our strength
and He will lift us up when we fall because our love is imperfect in the flesh.
But to be as strong as we can be we have to be people of the Book!
Great peace have they
which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
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