John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

It is only a Bible-denying, fact-ignoring fool who will deny that a just and holy God must punish unrepentant sinners. - John R. Rice


The only safety for any Christian is to shun even the appearance of evil, to hate even the garment spotted by the flesh, to flee from youthful lusts. What you never covet, you will not take. If you do not allow yourself to be tempted, you will not fall. So the Saviour taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation." - John R. Rice


Satan is back of every lie that was ever told. He is the father of lying. Every man and woman, and child who lies, follows the Devil in it, pleases the Devil, is led by the Devil in this respect. Lying, then, is a fearful business. - John R. Rice


Satan is the great deceiver and the men who are the most accomplished liars are the closer to Satan. The Man of Sin, who will be Satan incarnate, will be the most brilliant liar, the most attractive deceiver, the most personable and magnetic and plausible falsifier the world has ever seen. All lying is of the Devil, Jesus said. Every lie, then, is of Satan; and every man who lies, whether he be saint or sinner, does it under the influence of Satan. There are no good lies, no white lies, no excusable lies, since all lies are from Satan. - John R. Rice


Every Christian has two natures, the old carnal, fleshly nature, and the new, spiritual nature, the divine nature. If you do not constantly mortify the deeds of the flesh, judge, condemn, and crucify that wicked, lying self, your light will be put under a bushel, your testimony will be hindered, and the natural man will rule. - John R. Rice


We are commanded to put off certain sins and "lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man" (Col. 3:9, 10). Every time a Christian lies or deceives, he is giving way to the old fleshly nature which was crucified with Christ and which ought day by day to be reckoned dead and crucified afresh. - John R. Rice


Lying is of the Devil, it is an outbreaking of the leprous, carnal, wicked nature, it is an abomination to God, it grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells within God's people and it must always bring sorrow, rebuke and failure. Lying is a terrible business! - John R. Rice

THERE ARE WORSE THINGS THAN A GRINCH OR SCROOGE

MATTHEW 2                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

There is a new version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” this year. I haven’t seen it, but I have heard it actually has real Christmas carols in it and mentions the true meaning of Christmas. That is good if true. I have never seen Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch. I saw the Boris Karloff/Chuck Jones version of the Dr. Seuss classic decades ago. The Grinch seems like a more secularized version of Charles Dickens' immortal classic, A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge was stealing Christmas cheer long before the Grinch got started. I would rather be either one of those characters than the folks we'll look at now. These folks are ornery, sinful, and downright mean. And worse than that... they are real. And they have people today picking right up where these miserable sinners left off.

I. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN AN ANTAGONISTIC EGOMANIAC LIKE HEROD

1. He was troubled that one might be considered greater than him [2:1-3]

2. He was deceptive in his opposition [2:7-8, 12]

3. He was determined to destroy the Christ of Christmas [2:13-19]

II. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN THE APATHETIC RELIGIONISTS HEROD USED

1. They were troubled like Herod [2:1-3]

2. They knew what the Scriptures had prophesied [2:4-6]

3. They made no effort to seek the Christ

III. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN AN UNREPENTANT INDIVIDUAL OF ANY SORT

Charles Dickens, though certainly not perfect, was a professing Christian. In, A Christmas Carol, it should be noted that Scrooge is confronted with:

1. A sinner's condemnation [Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.]

2. The testimony of saints (Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, his own nephew Fred)

-"A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!" cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of

Scrooge's nephew..."

-"And how did little Tim behave?" asked Mrs. Cratchit, when she had rallied Bob on his

credulity, and Bob had hugged his daughter to his heart's content.

"As good as gold," said Bob, "and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see."

-"I was only going to say," said Scrooge's nephew, "that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I think, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm. I am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own thoughts, either in his moldy old office, or his dusty chambers. I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help thinking better of it -- I defy him -- if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying ‘Uncle Scrooge, how are you?’ ...and I think I shook him yesterday."

3. A sinner's opportunity [Rm. 10:9-13] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

-"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone! ..."I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!" Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. "The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees!”

...He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk -- that anything -- could give him so much happiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew's house. ... Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

PECULIAR PEOPLE & THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE

JONAH 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SOME PEOPLE GET IT!

1. Some People get Concerned because of Trials (v. 1-2)

2. Some People get Convinced because of a Testimony (v. 9-10)

3. Some People get Converted because of Truth (v. 14-16)

II. GOD'S NEVER SURPRISED

1. God's Presence accompanies God's Will (v. 1-3)

2. God's Purpose accompanies God's Work (v. 2, 4, 11-16)

3. God's Preparation accompanies God's Wisdom (v. 17)

III. WHAT CHRISTIANS AREN'T

1. Christians aren't Flawless (v. 1-3)

2. Christians aren't Forsaken (v. 5)

3. Christians aren't Forgotten (v. 17)

FOLLOWERS OF PAUL, SERVANTS OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample

Pastor Rick Jackson

2 TIMOTHY

I. THE TENDERNESS OF PAUL

1. We must love the Saviour! [4:8]

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

2. We must love the Lost! [2:24-26]

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

3. We must love the Brethren [2:2]

Philemon 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

II. THE TOUGHNESS OF PAUL!

1. Stand! - Don't be a compromiser! [2:1-2, 4:7a]

2. Stay! - Don't be a quitter! [2:3, 4:7b, 10]

3. Serve! - Don't be half-hearted! [2:4-5, 4:7c]

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

III. THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL!

1. Paul had Confidence! [1:12, 2:15-19]

2. Paul had Convictions! [3:15-17]

3. Paul had Courage! [4:6-8]

Acts 20:22-24 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: The final proof of God's nonexistence?

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

Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2018 7:06 PM
To: jacksoncompound@hotmail.com
Subject: The final proof of God's nonexistence?

 

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John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Brother, here is one man who is going to Heaven sitting down. You say, "You lazy cuss, why don't you get up and work?" As far as getting to Heaven is concerned, I am riding on a train and Somebody else is pulling the train. Somebody else paid for my ticket. I am riding on a pass. All the people who take their wages go to Hell, for "the wages of sin is death." But I am going to Heaven on a pass. - John R. Rice

“But Brother Rice, if one doesn't get drunk, wouldn't it be all right to have a social glass?" No. Anywhere liquor is served, somebody does get drunk. One who doesn't get drunk now will get drunk tomorrow. Do you know what they make alcoholics and drunkards out of? Those "occasional drinkers, those moderate drinkers.” A Christian out to be against the dirty liquor business. - John R. Rice

Any man who puts money-making first is really an idolater, for covetousness is idolatry. It dethrones Christ. It enslaves a man to false ideals. It leads the Christian to compromise with evil for profit. It absorbs a man's mind and energy and thought until he has no time nor passion nor power for soul winning and the things of God. - John R. Rice

The man who makes money his god loses the joy of the Lord, he loses his interest and delight in the Bible, he loses the intimate fellowship with God that comes of long continued prayer. - John R. Rice


Many a man says in defense of his worldly-minded attitude, in defense of putting his business first: "Well, a man has to live." No, he does not! A man has to die. And if he puts the living first, he will come down in sorrow to his grave as Lot did.There is not a particle of evidence that any man lives better or cares for his family really better by putting his business or his job first. - John R. Rice


There are sweet and precious promises for the Christian who does not put his business first. "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" (Psa. 37:3). There is sweet assurance for the burdened family man. There is a solid rock he may rest his feet upon. God will not let the man go hungry who really trusts in Him and does His will. - John R. Rice

I am deeply grateful to God for His blessings on America, for His blessings on my family, for His blessings on Sword of the Lord Foundation, and for helping us get out the Gospel everywhere. We can thank God that although there are a lot of things wrong in America, the blessing of God has been upon us as on no other nation. Let us be sure to give God the glory.
I am glad that our forefathers had it in the plan for a proclamation of thanksgiving, when people would be called to give thanksgiving to God, just as in the time of war and trouble Abraham Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer. So Thanksgiving is a national holiday, stemming from the time when God intended and when people intended there should be a nation under God with His blessing.
...So this Thanksgiving time, praise God for Christ that is everywhere told in the Bible and could not be doubted by an honest heart. - John R. Rice