THREE CRIMINALS FACE THE SAVIOUR

                                LUKE 23:13-43                                                    

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE CRIMINAL CHOSEN OVER JESUS [v. 13-25]

1. The World Has a Choice [v. 13-17]

2. The World’s Choice is Clear [v. 14-15, 18-22]

3. The World Chose Wrong [v. 22-25] was he ever saved? We will not know until the afterlife.

II. THE CRIMINAL WHO CHOSE JESUS [V. 32-43]

1. His Realization [v. 38-42]

-he realized he was a sinner [v. 41a, Rm. 3:10, 23]

-he realized there is a penalty for sin [v. 40b, Rm. 6:23]

-he realized Jesus is the sinless Saviour [v. 38-41, Rm. 5:8]

-he realized he must ask Jesus to save him [v. 42, Rm. 10:13] he didn’t pray particularly well

2. His Rejection

-he did not try to join a church or religious institution [Jn. 3:16]

-he did not get baptized [Rm. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:17, 15:1-4ff]

-he did not do good works [Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5]

3. His Reception [v. 43]

-He Received Christ as Saviour [Jn. 1:12]

-He Received Eternal Life [v. 43]

-He Received Assurance of Salvation [v. 43, 1 Jn. 5:11-13]

III. THE CRIMINAL WHO CHOSE WRONG [v. 35-39]

-he chose to follow the religious leaders [v. 35]

-he chose to follow the governmental workers [v. 36-37]

-he chose to follow the path of rejection [v. 39]

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Question of the Week: Spectacular spider fossils: How do we explain the evidence?

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

 

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Latest Answers March 30, 2019 View in browser What's Next in the Sexual Revolution? We've been warning about it for years: once a culture abandons the authority of God's Word, then anything goes. Our culture has redefined sexuality to the point where the only remaining ethic is "consent," a completely arbitrary standard. What's to stop the redefinition from including children, multiple partners, or even animals? And that's exactly what we see now at an increasing rate. Find Out More Spectacular Spider Fossils Paleontologists working in the Jinju Formation in southeast South Korea discovered 10 well-preserved spider specimens in shale. Conventionally dated at 112–110 MY, this shale also contains numerous fossils of insects, plants, bivalves, fish, and crustaceans. Of the ten spider fossils, two had tapeta in their eyes.   To propose that this level of fine detail could be preserved 110 MY strains credulity. How do we explain this evidence? Get Answers Free Easter Lessons Help students focus on the real meaning and significance of the life of Jesus, his death, and resurrection with these free Easter lessons. What's Included? The free Easter lessons from Answers Bible Curriculum are available in four age groups: PreK–1st, Grades 2–3, Grades 4–5, and Middle School. Download includes teacher's guide along with posters, games, seasonal activities, and a take-home sheet. Download Now National Heritage Group Warns Canada Will Lose 9,000 Churches Many UK churches have been forced to close their doors. And now a national heritage group in Canada is warning that the same thing is happening there. Learn More → The Ugly Truth of Unplanned While Abby Johnson's route to redemption was much longer than she and her family would have wished, her story gives us hope in the film Unplanned. Learn More → Examining Supposed Creation Passages in Jeremiah to Zachariah Hugh Ross contends that "creation passages" in Jeremiah through Zechariah also teach that the age of the universe is on the order of billions of years. Learn More → Ark Encounter and Creation Museum Fueling Hotel Growth Much of the success in Northern Kentucky last year was attributed to the guests flocking to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. Learn More → Enjoy Free Educational Programs at the Creation Museum Many of the educational programs are now free with general admission, and with our new vacation bundles, you have even more time to participate! Learn More → Teach through the Bible in four years with this chronological 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 © 2019 Answers in Genesis, All rights reserved. PO Box 510 Hebron, KY  41048 view in browser

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

I once had a letter from an indignant woman. She disliked the name THE SWORD OF THE LORD and said God would not use a sword. She also said children were not born with wicked natures. That poor woman does not know the Word of God; neither does she know children (Ps. 58:3, 51:5). We are sinners and all need to be saved, and may be saved (Rom. 3:22,23; 10:12,13; Jer. 17:9; John 5:40). - John R. Rice

I remember a man who had been saved from a life of drunkenness, whose broken home had been restored, who had gone back again to a respected life and a good job. Trying to express how happy he was as a Christian, he said often, "Why, I am happier now when I am sad than I used to be when I was glad!"
Call, O troubled heart, for the comfort God gives. Call on the Lord and be saved. - John R. Rice

Paul had an ally in the heathen conscience. Even those skilled philosophers and teachers of the Epicureans and Stoics found some strange stirring of heart, some curiosity of mind as they heard this little foreigner speak. The stars told them of the Creator (Ps. 19:1). Every heartbeat told them, THERE IS A GOD WHO MADE YOU AND SUSTAINS YOU. And so they had, groping in heathen darkness, built an altar "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." In some way the diffused light of the Gospel filters out to everybody in the world (John 1:9; 12:32, 33). - John R. Rice

God does not suggest or advise, He COMMANDS men to repent. - John R. Rice

In a home in Southwest Texas a wife and her daughter were Christians, but the man was not. When I asked him why he was not, he said, "I have never been called." I said, "Oh, yes you have," and showed him many Scriptures (Matt. 11:28-30; II Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17; Isa. 1:18) proving that he had been. And every time I read one of these Scriptures, he would say, "I didn't know that was in the Bible." Yes, God had called, and he had no excuse. We knelt together by the divan and he asked the Lord Jesus for mercy and forgiveness. - John R. Rice

"CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY" Because any postponement means a deliberate choice to stay on the side of sin and Satan. Any delay means a rejection of Christ. - John R. Rice

"CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY" Tomorrow you may be dead and in Hell, or unbalanced in mind and not capable of a decision, or enslaved in sin, or enamored of evil companions. - John R. Rice

THE “I CAN-ER” WILL

                                                                                                                                                                    PHIL. 4:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

While every Christian can and should be an “I-Can-er” the plain simple truth is we are not. We may move in and out of that status. The inner circle has its spiritual advantages to be sure.

I. THE “I CAN-ER” WILL STAND [Phil. 4:1-3]

1. Fast in the Lord [v. 1]

2. United in the Lord [v. 2]

3. Working in the Lord [v. 3]

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

II. THE “I CAN-ER” WILL LIVE [Phil. 4:4-12]

1. A Joyful Balanced Christian Life [v. 4-5]

2. An Unworried Faith-filled Life [v. 6-7]

3. A Life Characterized by Right Thinking [v. 8-12]

III. THE “I CAN-ER” WILL POSSESS [Phil. 4:13-23]

1. The Power of Christ [v. 13]

2. The Grace of Giving [v. 14-17]

3. The Supply of Heaven [v. 18-23]

Quotes of the Week

The world doesn't like people standing when they're bowing. - Evangelist Fred Brown

Spanking in our home was like Christmas. When it was coming, you knew it was coming. Seemed like it would never get there. Finally, when it arrived - it was ever so intense, and brief. And when it was over you remembered it for at least a year. So spankings, properly administered, do work. - Evangelist Bill Rice III

When it comes to giving some people stop at nothing. - Unknown

You don't have to be real smart, you just have to be real. You don't have to be real talented, you just have to be real faithful. - Missionary Sammy Popwell

God can do anything that doesn't violate His character. - Dr. Fred Afman

There is no interest without investment. - Missionary Roy Ackerle

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. - Missionary Roy Ackerle

PORTRAIT OF A MAN, PICTURE OF THE WORLD

ACTS 3:1-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

Sometimes we can’t see the trees for the forest. Other times we can’t see the forest for the trees. We don’t even have a handle on our own problems and yet we often want to solve the problems of others. In our text we meet a man who had real problems. He knew some of his problems, but he didn’t know the right solution. Fortunately, he met some men who didn’t have what he wanted, but they did have what he needed.

I. THE CONDITION OF THE MAN [v. 2]

1. Crippled from Birth [v. 2a, Ps. 51:5, Rm. 5:12]

2. Carried by Others [v. 2b, 15:10]

3. Crying for Assistance [v. 2c, Rm. 5:6, Eph. 2:12]

II. THE DESIRE OF THE LAME MAN [v. 3-5]

1. Money from Christians [v. 3]

2. “Something” [v. 4-5]

3. Sometimes a Desire is Vague [v. 5]

III. THE REAL NEED OF THE MAN [v. 6-11]

1. His Real Need was to Learn of Jesus Christ [v. 6a, Mt. Matthew 11:29]

2. His Real Need was Met by Trusting Christ [v. 6b-7]

3. His Real Need was to Have His Life Changed [v. 8]

-a new standing

-a new walk

-a new fellowship

-a new vocabulary [v. 8] “praise” instead of begging

-a new testimony [v. 9-11]

The world has the same need!

CHOOSE

JOSHUA 24:15

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING

1. The Clear Blessing of God [v. 1-13, Rm. 12:1]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. The Clear Instruction of God [v. 14, Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13]

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man

3. The Clear Duty of God’s Man [v. 15; Rm. 12:1]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

II. GRAPPLING WITH CHOOSING

1. It is an Individual Choice [v. 15, Acts 9:6, Rm. 12:1] “choose YOU this day”

“Lord, what wilt thou have ME to do?” “that YE present your bodies”

Now I know Joshua was making a family decision- but even when you are under the authority of parents a child must decide in his heart, which only God can see, whether or not he/she is serving God inwardly as well as outwardly.

2. It is a Daily Choice [v. 15, 1 Corinthians 15:31] “choose you THIS DAY”

“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

As long as the Devil running loose -this will be a daily chore,

As long as this world is no friend of grace -this will be a daily chore,

As long as the flesh lusteth against the spirit -this will be a daily chore!

3. It is a Distinctive Choice [v. 15] “WHOM ye will serve”

evil vs. good, idols vs. the One True God, darkness vs. light, this present evil world system vs. the Kingdom of God

Choose the spiritual over the carnal! Choose the eternal over the temporal! Choose God’s will over Satan’s will. Choose God’s will over the world’s will! Choose God’s will over man’s will! Choose commitment over convenience!

III. CONSEQUENCES OF CHOOSING [v. 20]

1. Your Choice will Affect Others [v. 15-18] “MY house” your family, your friends, your acquaintances, others]

2. Your Choice will Affect Yourself Now [v. 15, Acts 9:6, Gal. 2:19-20, Philippians 1:21]

-And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

-For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

-For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3. Your Choice will Affect Your Future [2 Tm. 4:6-8]

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth … And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.