DAVID’S SONGS OF SUCCESS

                                                                                                                   PSALM 23

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SONGS OF SALVATION

1. Extolling Relationship [Ps. 23]

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever

2. Explaining Redemption [Ps. 32:1-2, Rom. 4:6-8]

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

3. Exclaiming Incarnation [Ps. 110, Mt. 22:41-45]

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

II. SONGS OF SECURITY [Ps. 23]

1. Revival [Ps. 32:3-7]

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

2. Restoration [Ps. 51:1-9]

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity,; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

3. ReStart [Ps. 51:10-11]

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

III. SONGS OF SERVICE

1. Scripture [Ps. 19:7-11]

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb . Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

2. Submission [Ps. 32:8-11]

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

3. Soul Winning [Ps. 51:10-15]

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

THE BATTLE IS ON!

1 SAMUEL 17:22-29

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GET IN THE BATTLE [1 Sam. 17]

Too many Christians want to sit on the sidelines when actually they are in the battle but without the battle mentality.

1. Get your Heart in the Battle by Realizing the Battle is the LORD's! [v. 23, 26, 29-37. Eph. 6:10-12]

2. Get your Head in the Battle by Refusing Unproven Battle Gear [v. 38-39, 2 Corinthians 10:4]

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

3. Get your Hands in the Battle by Reusing Proven Battle Gear [v. 40-50, Eph. 5:10, 6:10ff]

II. PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE [1 Sam. 17:51, 18:1-5, 13, 27a, 21:8-9]

1. Study [2 Timothy 2:15]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. Stay Active [Acts 24:14-16]

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

3. Share (Encourage others) [v. 52-53, 1 Tm. 4:6-16]

III. STAY IN THE BATTLE [2 Sam. 11:1]

1. Don't Remain (at status quo) [1 Cor. 3:1-2, 13:11]

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

2. Don't Revert [Gal. 1:6, 3:1-4, 4:9]

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

3. Don't Retreat [Psalm 78:9]

The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

-Stand [Acts 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Ephesians 6:11, 13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Good Christians like to testify. If you don't, you are not a good Christian. And if you used to and you don't now, you have backslidden. - John R. Rice

Do you know how to tell whether you are backslidden or not? You find out whether you take the same joy in secret prayer as you used to. Then do you like to testify? Have you always got something good to say about Jesus? Do you love to brag on Him? If you don't, you are backslidden. And so you need to be open and out and out for Jesus. I don't want anyone to mistake it. I want to tell it, I want to claim Jesus openly. - John R. Rice

No Scripture ever contradicts another Scripture, if it be rightly interpreted. - John R. Rice

It is only fair to remind you what is everywhere apparent in the Bible, not all who say, "Lord, Lord," are saved, as Jesus Himself plainly tells us in Matthew 7:21-23. Not all who believe the Bible are saved, for we are plainly told that "the devils also believe and tremble." So, acceptance of a fact mentally is not saving faith, and, of course, no one pretends that it is. - John R. Rice

If you think of faith as simply believing certain doctrinal facts, then, of course, you have missed the whole point. A fervent trust in Christ, a reliance on Christ to do what He promised to do, is faith. Mental acceptance of certain doctrines is not faith in the sense of John 3:16, and all the other blessed promises of salvation by faith. - John R. Rice

To mention the name of God or of Christ without either sincerely honoring Him or without earnestly calling upon Him in reverent prayer is taking the name of God in vain. - John R. Rice

No one is safe on Bible doctrine unless he is willing to take at honest face value every clear-cut repeated statement of the Bible. - John R. Rice

PRAYER PIECES IN THEIR PROPER PLACES

PRAYER PIECES IN THEIR PROPER PLACES

DANIEL 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PLACE OF THE WORD OF GOD [v. 1-3]

1. It is Important for Christians of Any Age [v. 1-2, 1:8]

2. It is Important for Understanding the Times [v. 2, 1:20, 2:20-21, 9:25; 1 Chr. 12:32, Jer. 25:11-12, 29:10]

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

3. it is Important for Knowing How to Pray [v. 3]

II. THE PLACES OF NEGATIVES IN PRAYER [v. 4-14]

1. Confession [v. 4-6]

2. Ownership [v. 7-10]

Who owns the problem? If you do- deal with it... if you don't- let it go!

Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

(1) God Owns Righteousness [v. 7]

(2) Man Owns Confusion of Face [v. 8]

(3) God owns Mercy & Forgiveness [v. 9-10]

3. Deservedness [v. 11-14]

III. THE PLACE OF POSITIVES IN PRAYER [v. 15-19]

1. The Righteousness of God [v. 15-16; Rm. 3:19-31]

2. The Mercies of God [v. 17-18, Lamentations 3:22-23, 32]

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

3. The Purpose of God [v. 19]

DAVID’S FIVE FAILURES

2 SAMUEL 11

Pastor Rick Jackson

Sometimes we get the idea if we go to church, pray over our meals, and drop something in the offering plate we can otherwise live any way we desire and God is pleased. The truth is God [Psalm 51:6] "desires truth in the inward parts:" and He wants the inward part to show forth in the outward parts. We have responsibilities which, if not kept, become sin to us and a stumbling block to others. We have to keep our hearts!

A great example of what I am talking about is found in 2 Samuel 11. David was not right with God and it showed forth in 5 separate areas of his life. It can just as easily be seen in our lives if we do not consider ourselves, lest we also be tempted.

David was not right with God because he was not right with his responsibilities in the area of:

I. WORK [11:1]

Gal. 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Eph. 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1 Th. 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

2 Th. 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

II. MORAL PURITY [11:2-4, Gal. 5:19-26]

Do men have a responsibility to be pure or is that just for women? Purity is for both men and women, girls and boys. Men have to guard their eyes, but women must be careful how they dress. The Bible covers both areas of responsibility.

Mt. 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

1 Tm. 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

III. MONEY [11:8, 13]

We should not use our money for wrong things. We should be careful that our money doesn't lead others astray.

Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Mt. 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

IV. FRIENDSHIP [11:13]

Pr. 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Pr. 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Pr. 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Jn. 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Jm. 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

V. HOME [11:26-27]

Malachi 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Eph. 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

-----------------------------------

It is a rare thing when a sin stands alone. If it does stand-alone it generally doesn't stay that way for long. Let's keep short accounts with God. Let us live as a child of God ought live.

“SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD”

“SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD”

MARK 14:1-9

Pastor Rick Jackson*

How many people in the Scriptures have ever had that said of them? We can dedicate ourselves to the Lord but only the Lord can determine how much we have done. For this particular time and in this particular place it is Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha- of whom the Lord says this wonderful statement, She hath done what she could. We don't know that Jesus ever said that about any men or any other women. We don't know a whole lot of things Mary said but we know of several things Mary did. Isn't that the case even in history? We remember more what most people did than what they said. Proverbs 20:11 declares, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

I. MARY'S ACTIONS

1. Mary Sat at Jesus Feet to Grow [Lk. 10:38-39]

We need to know something before we can do something. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2. Mary Fell Down at Jesus Feet to Grieve [Jn. 11:28-37]

Do you realize Jesus understands sorrow better than anyone else in the world? He was the most forsaken person in the universe.

Isaiah 53:3-4 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

3. Mary Knelt at Jesus Feet to Give [Jn. 12:1-9]

This is not to be confused with the account of the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-46 which happened in Capernaum not Bethany. Mary may have been inspired but this event and even more so be Jesus' words to that “Simon”. Note what she did according to Mk. 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. and John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

II. MARY'S CHARACTERIZATION

1. As One of a group that loved Jesus [Jn. 12:1-3]

Martha was serving (and that's wonderful), Lazarus was fellowshipping (also wonderful) and Mary (sacrificed for the cause- she saw something others had missed- perhaps because she took the time to sit at Jesus feet). Not everyone has the same gifts, do the same things in the same way. Even within the same family.

2. As One who wasted her resources [Jn. 12:4-6, Mt. 26:8, Mk. 14:4]

The world and worldly Christians see things as waste that aren't wasted. Money, talent, time, lives... "Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what's done, for Christ will last"

3. As One who was Approved by God [Jn. 12:7-8]

Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

1 Pt. 2:3-5 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

III. MARY'S CHOICE

Mary had 3 choices with her treasure.

1. She could use it all on herself or someone else of the world.

2. She could use part on herself and part on Jesus.

3. She could use it all on Jesus.

She chose to use it all on Jesus. And look how she did that.

Costly was not enough- it had to be very costly [Jn. 12:3, 5]

Unbroken was not enough- it had to be broken [Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.]

Part was not enough- she had to give it all [Jn. 12:3]

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 12:1,2

*inspired by a message by the late Evangelist Fred Brown

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Can you be a secret disciple? Yes, but it is a sorry business, a cowardly way. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews. What a sorry kind of Christian, a very unhappy kind of Christian. - John R. Rice

The world never burned a casual Christian at the stake. - John R. Rice

The best way to get rid of criminals is to stop raising them. - John R. Rice

When boiled down to its essence, unforgiveness is hatred. - John R. Rice

Any pleasure that would keep you from Christ is a sinful pleasure that will doubtless cause you anguish, heartache, tears and remorse. - John R. Rice

It is a sad and shocking fact that many religious people are in Hell. - John R. Rice

After studying the Scriptures which prove the imminence of Christ's coming, it becomes evident that the saints must be called out of the world before the great tribulation. In order that the rapture may be the great surprise which is foretold in the Scripture, then the rapture of the saints must be the next event prophesied in the Bible. It must come before the battle of Armageddon, come before the reign of the man of sin, or the great tribulation time. The thing that every Christian should watch for next is not the appearing of the Antichrist, not the restoration of the Roman Empire, not the mark of the Beast, not the great tribulation, not the last great war and the battle of Armageddon, and not the reign of Christ at Jerusalem; but the coming of Christ for His saints. - John R. Rice

CATCHING MEN

                                                                                       

MT. 4:17-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WE MUST CATCH THEM WITH AN UNCHANGED GOSPEL! [1 Cor. 15:1-6]

1. Give It Simply! [1 Cor. 2:1-2]

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

2. Give It Powerfully! [1 Cor. 2:3-4, Rm. 1:16]

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

3. Give It Sincerely! [2 Peter 1:15-19]

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

II. WE MUST CATCH THEM WITH AN IMPECCABLE LIFE!

1. Jesus Said It! [Mt. 5:16]

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2. Paul Said It! [Gal. 2:20, 2 Cor. 6:17]

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.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

3. Peter Said It! [1 Peter 3:1-2]

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Hypocrites repel men. We must be real. We must be genuine. We must strive to be like the Master! – Lee Roberson

III. WE MUST CATCH THEM WITH A BURDENED HEART!

1. Jesus Had It! [Mt. 9:35-38]

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

2. Paul Had It! [Rm. 9:1-3, 10:1]

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

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

3. Jude Had It! [Jude 20-23]

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

CAN I GET A WITNESS?

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. A WITNESS OBSERVES:

1. What Others Do [Rm. 1:9, 1 Th. 2:10]

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

2. What Others Say [1 Th. 2:5]

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

3. What Others Are [Mt. 23:31]

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

II. A WITNESS TESTIFIES: [the what]

1. What He has Done [Heb. 11:4-5]

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

2. What He Has Seen [1 Jn. 1:2, 4:14, 3 Jn. 3]

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

3. What He has Heard [Lk. 4:22]

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

III. A WITNESS TESTIFIES [the why]

1. For a Purpose [Jn. 1:7]

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

2. Of Validity [Jn. 5:31-39]

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

3. Because of a Relationship [Jn. 15:23-16:3, Acts 5:29-32]

He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

The simple truth is, anybody who turns from the Bible does it because he has a wicked heart and is not willing to turn from his sins and seek the truth. - John R. Rice

I confess that I seek no friendship of hypocrites who pretend to love the Lord Jesus, pretend to be Christians, and then deny every fundamental of the Christian Faith, and stab Christ in the back and try to wreck the faith of the young and innocent and ignorant. I say frankly that I am trying to be true to Christ; I am not especially striving for what you call "human civility." If I talk as the Lord Jesus talked about His detractors and deniers, it will not appear polite. If I pronounce the anathema that Paul pronounced on those untrue to Christ, I will not appear civil. If I follow the plain instructions (inspired of God) of the beloved Apostle John, I will not please infidels in the church, who want the friendship and the money of honest Christians while they deny the deity of Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice

You demand to be free from the letter of the Scriptures, but actually what you think is freedom is bondage. How could there be any freedom when you are enslaved to your own will, enslaved to the opinions of men--poor, human, fallible creatures like yourself? No, the Lord Jesus taught that the only true freedom is under divine authority, the authority of God in Christ and in the divinely inspired Bible. - John R. Rice

There is not a single contradiction in the Bible. No one has to break a single command of God in order to keep other commands. - John R. Rice

People who do not believe the Bible ought not try to quote the Bible to try to prove their sinful plans and ideas. - John R. Rice

Rose again! That is part of the saving Gospel! The only Saviour who could do anybody any good would be a risen Saviour. A dead Saviour couldn't save you. And nobody is saved who doesn't believe that Jesus died and that He rose again and He took the sinner's place. - John R. Rice

You don't have to know all the theology but you have to depend on the Saviour. You don't have to know all a doctor has to know but you have to risk the doctor.Jesus is the one. He is the risen Saviour. - John R. Rice

FOUND GRACE?

JEREMIAH 31:2

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE REACTIONS OF FINDING GRACE

1. Publish [v. 1-7, 10]

2. Praise [v. 7, 12-13]

3. Pray [v. 7, 9]

II. THE RICHNESS OF FOUND GRACE

1. Return [v. 8-10] [the richness of Position]

2. Redemption [v. 11, Isaiah 51:11] [the richness of Payment]

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

3. Ransom [v. 11, 50:34] [the richness of Power]

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

III. THE REALITIES OF FOUND GRACE

1. a New Thing – the Incarnation [v. 14-22]

2. A New Covenant – the Investment [v. 23-34]

3. A New Assurance – the Infinite [v. 35-40]

THE COMFORTER & HIS WORK THROUGH US

John 14:16-18

Pastor Rick Jackson*

I. WHY DO WE NEED COMFORT?

1. Because of Our Hateful Environment [John 15:18-19]

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

2. Because of our Hostile Enemy [1 Pt. 5:8]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

3. Because of Our Hurtful Sinful Nature [1 Peter 2:11]

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

II. WHAT DO WE HAVE IN THE COMFORTER?

1. A Reality in Our Relationship [Jn. 14:16-18] v. 18 comfortless = orphanos= parentless, fatherless

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

2. A Remembrance of His Word [Jn. 14:26]

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

3. A Reminder of His Presence [Jn. 15:26, 16:7]

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

III. WHAT CAN WE DO IN & THROUGH HIM?

1. Comfort as we have been Comforted [2 Corinthians 1:4]

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2. Comfort a Repentant Brother [2 Corinthians 2:7]

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

3. Comfort by Caring [2 Corinthians 7:6-7]

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Ephesians 6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

Colossians 4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

 *adapted from a message I heard Brother J. Don Jennings preach August 1986

WHAT ABOUT THE BODY?

1 Cor. 6:12-20                                                    

Pastor Rick Jackson

You are not your body. You have a body. For the Christian, absent from the body will be present with the Lord. Curtis Hutson said it this way, “You are not a body with a soul. You are a soul with a body.” You are currently limited by your body and the Word of God has much to say about it. A little bit of that we will look at in this message.

I. Trapped in a Body That is:

1. Weak [Romans 6:19] 23 verses mention this word

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

2. Sinful [Romans 7:5, 18, 25; 8:3]

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

3. Temporal [2 Corinthians 5:1]

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

1 Cor. 15 describes this body as terrestrial, corruption, dishonour, weakness, natural, earthy, flesh and blood, corruptible, mortal. This is the body we are trapped in. But praise God, while we are trapped, we have been “tapped” by God for some wonderful things.

II. Christian’s Bodies have been Tapped for:

1. Salvation [Rm. 5:6-8, 6:23, 10:9-13]

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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

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.

2. Separation [2 Cor. 6:14-17]

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

3. Service [Rm. 12:1-2]

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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

III. The Christian’s Body is to be Taken and:

1. Brought Under Control [1 Cor. 9:24-27]

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means , when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2. Crucify the Flesh [Gal. 5: 16-24]

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

3. Cared For Appropriately [1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Cor. 9:27]

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How old is the earth? 🌎

From: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>

Subject: How old is the earth? 🌎

 

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