PAUL’S LAST LETTER – PREACH THE WORD

2 TIMOTHY 4     

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE EXHORTATION OF THE WORD [v. 1-5]

1. The Authority [v. 1, 3:14-17]

2. The Activity [v. 2-4]

3. The Accountability [v. 5]

II. THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL [v. 6-8]

1. The Offering [v. 6, Phil. 2:7]

2. The Life Well-Lived [v. 7, Rm. 12:1-2]

3. The Anticipation [v. 8]

III. THE EMPTINESS OF THE WORLD [v. 9-22]

1. Causes Folly [v. 9-16]

2. Conquered by Faith [v. 17-18]

3. Calls for Friends [v. 19-22]

Question of the Week: Can we know the Bible's original message?

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

 

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Latest Answers April 28, 2018 View in browser Fragments of Truth Review Skeptics frequently claim that our modern Bibles are the result of numerous copies and translations, so the original message is unknowable, having been lost through the various stages of transmission. Can we really know the original message of the New Testament? Read Review Is the Battle for Stem Cells Over? The ethical use of human stem cells sparked an intense debate nearly 20 years ago. The fires of controversy reached the highest political office when, in 2001, pro-life President Bush restricted the use of federal funds for human embryonic stem cell research. Since then, the controversy has cooled and almost subsided. But not for the reasons you might expect. Find Out More Give Your Children Answers Are your kids asking tough questions? This summer, give them tangible answers about the Bible, dinosaurs, and Noah's Ark as you learn how to nurture your child's character and encourage a biblical identity, spiritually and sexually. While they're learning and having fun, you get to hear from Ken Ham, Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife, and a lineup of your favorite AiG creation apologetics speakers at the world-class Creation Museum July 16–20, 2018. Last Days to Save Save up to $51 when you register by April 30, 2018. When you register for Equipping Families to Stand, your family will also get a full seven-day pass to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum! Learn More & Register California Trying to Ban "Sexual Orientation Change Efforts" A new bill combines existing laws to ban commercial services from "advertising, offering, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual." Learn More → The Human Brain—Fill in the Blanks God designed your brain to fill in missing details on the fly . . . with some interesting consequences. Learn More → FamilyLife Film Like Arrows Coming to Theaters May 1 and 3 It's exciting to see many excellent Christian films doing well in theaters, and we're pleased to announce Like Arrows is coming to select theaters May 1 and 3, 2018. Learn More → Shop for Gifts That Give Back at the Creation Museum At the Creation Museum, you have the opportunity to impact lives around the world when you purchase items from the fair trade selection. Learn More → After Eden 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 © 2018 Answers in Genesis, All rights reserved. PO Box 510 Hebron, KY  41048 view in browser

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Date-setting for the return of the Saviour has always been a heresy which turns out with embarrassment. - John R. Rice

No one knows even approximately when Jesus will return. No one knows the day, the year, the generation when Jesus will return. He may come today. Praise His name, I would be glad to see Him; but there is no way for any honest Bible student to foretell whether Jesus will come soon or after hundreds of years. - John R. Rice

I am glad personally that there is now a land where oppressed Jews will be welcomed [written in 1950]. But these Jews, going back in unbelief, have possession of only a very small portion of the land of Israel. They do not even have undisputed possession of Jerusalem. They have not gone back under the blessing and forgiveness of God. Blindness in part is still upon Israel. The veil is not yet taken away from their faces. The great future regathering and conversion of Israel will take place by a supernatural means after the tribulation time. And the establishment of a little state called Israel in recent months is not a sign that Christ may come soon. Christ may come very soon, but it needs no sign such as that to prove it. He may not come for years. No one knows. - John R. Rice

"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh"; that is, on all kinds of people, on all races of people. The Holy Spirit is not to be poured out upon a prophet here and there, but upon God's people, Christian people everywhere who are willing to pay God's price for soul winning. Sons and daughters shall prophesy (which means to speak and witness in the power of the Holy Spirit). Young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams. Even on servants and handmaidens God will pour out in those days of His Spirit and they shall witness for Christ in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice

If any pastor today feels that a revival is hindered by the indifference in his own church, let him remember that a part of the work of revival is to revive the saints, to give them a burden for sinners, to get them on a praying basis, and to arouse them in a burden for souls! Part of the work of every revival effort is to get Christians ready for revival. There would be little credit to an evangelist who could have people converted only when the church was just right to start with, and when all the Christians were on fire and burdened and praying and working. - John R. Rice

If any one here doubts whether we can now have revivals, as great revivals as were given to bless humanity and keeps souls out of Hell, let him simply turn in his Bible and find if John 3:16 is still there! - John R. Rice

God loves this world! Let me say it again, because our hearts are so calloused to the blessed truth that it makes little impression upon us--God loves this world! He loves every sinner in it. The extent of His love is beyond human comprehension. He gave His own perfect Son, to be a man, to be tempted as a man, to live a perfect life, to minister among men and then to die a shameful death of agony that men might be saved. - John R. Rice

J. Vernon McGee Quotes

taken from the book I & II Timothy, Titus, & Philemon

I believe that we are actually going to see the persecution of Christians in this country in the future. I do not mean the persecution of church members: the liberal church is so compromised today that they will go along with whatever comes along. I am saying that genuine believers in Christ may encounter persecution. [pg. 40]

May I say this kindly, but I must say it: God have mercy on the minister who is not giving out the Word of God. That is a frightful sin. It would be better to be a gangster than to be a man who is supposed to give out the Word of God and does not. [pg. 74]

In this little book of II Timothy an ominous cloud is seen on the horizon. It is the coming apostasy. Today, apostasy has broken like a storm, like a Texas tornado, on the world and in the church. What do we mean by apostasy? Webster defines apostasy as "total desertion of the principles of faith." So apostasy is not due to ignorance; it is heresy. Apostasy is deliberate error. It is intentional departure from the faith. An apostate is one who knows the truth of the gospel and the doctrines of the faith, but has repudiated them. [pg. 94]

Man is in such a state that he cannot be saved by perfect obedience--because he cannot render it. Neither can he be saved by imperfect obedience--because God will not accept it.
Therefore, the only solution is the gospel of the grace of God which reaches down and saves the sinner on the basis of the death and resurrection of Christ. Faith in Christ transforms human life. [pg. 96]

Perhaps you are thinking that you are disappointed with yourself. If you are, that means you must have believed in yourself. You should not have. You are to walk by the grace of God--"We walk by faith and not by sight." Or perhaps you are discouraged. If you are that means you do not believe God's Word and way of blessing. You really thought you could do it your way, and now you are discouraged. Or you may be saying, "I hope I can do better in the future." Then you do expect to get some good out of the old nature! Oh, my friend, be strong in the grace of God. [pg. 113]

I remember the story of the fellow whose wife said to him, "Everybody in town is talking about the Smiths' quarrel. Some of them are taking her part and some are taking his part." He chimed in, "Well, I suppose a few eccentric individuals are minding their own business." [pg. 127]

I believe that we are beginning to move into a time in this country when it will cost you something to be a Christian. Melvin Laird, long before he was Secretary of Defense, made a statement in San Francisco at a Republican convention. I do not know the circumstances which prompted the statement, but he said, "In this world it is becoming more and more unpopular to be a Christian. Soon it may become dangerous." We are seeing the accuracy of this statement. Real Christianity and real Christians are becoming very unpopular. [pg. 132, written in 1978]

I am not really moved today when the press cries that there is no freedom of the press. The bleeding-heart press has played that theme for all its worth, but have they said anything about how real Christianity is stifled by the press? When was the last time that you read a sympathetic article of the biblical position? The media stifles news that presents real Christianity. If a fundamental preacher gets any publicity, it will be distorted and misrepresented. Of course, if a preacher gets on the wrong side of the law, he will make the front page, but if he saves a group of people from going to hell, he is ignored. Friend, we are moving into an orbit when Christians may have to pay a price to stand for the faith. [pg. 132, written in 1978]

God is not trying to reform this world; He is redeeming men who accept Christ. The gospel does not appeal to Christ-rejecting men to do better. When a person says, "I am going to do better," I think he is a liar. If you have rejected Jesus Christ, you might as well try to get all you ca out of this life, because this life is all that you are going to get. Today our government is trying to get people to stop smoking; they're trying to educate people to the dangers of cigarettes. However, God is not asking you to do such things. You might as well eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you will die. God doesn't want to reform you; he wants to redeem you. [pg. 177]

My friend, after you have been saved, God is going to talk to you about good works. Until that time, God is not even interested in your "good works" because what you call good work, God calls dirty laundry. The righteousness of man is filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6). He doesn't want any of that. He wants to save you. If you do come to Him just as you are, He will save you because He has done something for you. He is not asking you to do something--what could you do for God? After you are saved, after you are a child of God, then He wants to talk to you about producing good works. He want s you to get involved in getting out the Word of God to others. [pg. 183-184]

FOR THIS, (I HAVE) JESUS

Psalm 23                                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PSALMIST PROCLAIMED:

1. This is Personal [Ps. 1:1-2]

2. This is Protective [Ps. 1:3-5]

3. This is Perennial [Ps. 1:6] “all seasons”

II. THIS IS GOOD

1. This is Good in the Hour of Temptation [1 Cor. 10:12-14]

2. This is Good in the Hour of Need [Phil. 4:13, 19]

3. This is Good in the Hour of Loneliness [2 Tm. 4:16-17]

III. THE TRUTH IS:

1. This Truth is Continuing [James 5:7-11]

2. This Truth is Comprehensive [1 Pt. 5:7]

3. This Truth Cleanses [1 Jn. 1:8-10]

Warren W. Wiersbe Quotes of the Week

taken from the book "Be Faithful"

Law and Gospel go together, for the Law without the Gospel is diagnosis without remedy; but the Gospel without Law is only Good News of salvation for people who don't believe they need it because they have never heard the bad news of judgment. The Law is not Gospel, but the Gospel is not lawless (Rom. 3:20-31). [pg. 18-19]

How could a holy God ever save and forgive such a self-righteous sinner [as Saul of Tarsus]? The key words are "mercy" and "grace." God in His mercy did not give Paul what he did deserve; instead, God in His grace gave Paul what he did not deserve. [pg. 19-20]

If wealth makes a person proud then he understands neither himself nor his wealth. "But thou shalt remember the Lord they god; for it is He that giveth power to get wealth" (Deut. 8:18). We are not owners; we are stewards. If we have wealth, it is by the goodness of God and not because of any special merits on our part. The possessing of material wealth ought to humble a person and cause him to glorify God, not himself. [pg. 92]

It is possible to be "rich in the world [age]" (! Tim. 6:17) and be poor in the next. It is also possible to be poor in this world and rich in the next. Jesus talked about both (Luke 16:19-31). But a believer can be rich in this world and also rich in the next, if he uses what he has to honor God (Matt. 6:19-34). [pg. 92]

God chose us who trust Him as His elect (see 2 Tim. 2:10). [pg. 146]

God's speaker must be patient as he preaches the Word. He will not always see immediate results. He must be patient with those who oppose his preaching. Above all else, he must preach doctrine. He must not simply tell Bible stories, relate interesting illustrations, or read a verse and then forget it. True preaching is the explanation and application of Bible doctrine. Anything else is just religious speechmaking. [pg. 165]

The fact that a preacher has a large congregation is not always a sign that he is preaching the truth. In fact, it may be evidence that he is tickling people's "itching ears" and giving them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. [pg. 165]

PAUL’S LAST LETTER – SUBMIT TO THE BOOK

2 TIMOTHY 3                                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. FACING PERILS [v. 1-9]

1. A Characteristic of the Last Days [v. 1, Heb. 1:1-2]

2. Characters of the Last Days [v. 2-5]

3. Culmination of the Last Days [v. 6-9]

II. FREQUENTLY PERSECUTED [v. 10-13]

1. Be Known for Godliness [v. 10]

2. Endure for Deliverance [v. 11]

3. Live for the Lord [v. 12]

III. FURNISHED PROVIDENTIALLY [v. 14-17]

1. Children can Know It! [v. 14-15]

2. God Breathed It! [v. 16]

profitable for doctrine-                                  what to believe

reproof-                                                               what not to do

correction-                                                          what not to believe

instruction in righteousness-                      what to do

3. Men of God are Thoroughly Furnished by It! [v. 17]

PLAN AHEAD

GAL. 6:6-9                                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

Amos 4:12 ... prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

What is the underlying theme of these verses and many more like them? From both a positive standpoint and a negative one these verses teach the importance of planning ahead. Planning ahead involves some thought, some preparation, some activity but the rewards are generally well worth it. The Scriptures make it clear that a lack of planning ahead is careless, foolish and can even be damning. Think first of all,

I. GOD HAS PLANNED AHEAD!

1. Before there was the World there was the Word! [Ps. 119:89] For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

2. Before there was a Sinner there was a Saviour! [1 Peter 1:18-20]

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Revelation 13:8 ...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

3. Before there was a Punishment there was a Promise! [Titus 1:2]

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

II. MEN SOMETIMES PLAN AHEAD

1. For Business [James 4:13]

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain

2. For Retirement [Luke 12:16-19] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

3. For Life's Challenges [Luke 14:28, 31]

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? … Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

But my friend whether you plan ahead for business, pleasure or life's challenges or not there are three things for which you should definitely plan ahead and that brings us to our third point:

III. ALL SHOULD PLAN AHEAD

1. For the Soul's Redemption!

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

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

2 Corinthians 6:2 ...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2. For the Seeker's Request!

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

3. For the Saviour's Return!

Luke 12:40-43] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming