JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

That there are unsaved people in the churches I have not a doubt. The Bible expressly teaches that there would be. The parable of the tares and of the net in Matthew 13, the parable of the wedding in Matthew 22, and the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 clearly are intended to show that many claim to be saved, or expect to reach Heaven, who have false hopes and are lost. But we are expressly taught that we are not to judge which are tares and which are wheat, lest we root up the wheat also, thinking it tares (Matt. 13:29, 30). YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO IS SAVED AND WHO IS LOST. TO DARE SAY YOU DO IS A SIN, violating the plain command of Christ. - John R. Rice [page 104, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions...]

Some people are hypocrites about prayer. They stand on street corners and in synagogues and want people to hear them pray and hear them say, "My, he is lovely in prayer."
A pastor once said to me, "If you want somebody to lead in prayer, call on Sister So-and-so. She is very able in prayer." I never called on her. God deliver me from these people who are "able in prayer." I suppose he meant she was very eloquent, using beautiful language.
Watch your temptation. People are listening and you will talk to the people instead of God if you don't watch it. When you pray, don't be a hypocrite; praying to be heard of men. - John R. Rice [Great Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount, pg. 9]

When Jesus was born, the wise men came seeking "him that is born King of the Jews." When Jesus died, over His head was written, "This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews." The Angel Gabriel told Mary that "He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:33). So Christ can have no kingdom that leaves out the Jews. Born of a Jewish mother, raised in a Jewish home, worshipping in a Jewish synagogue, preaching in the land of the Jews, calling twelve Jewish apostles, dying on a Jewish Passover day, fulfilling the Jewish prophecies, ending the Jewish ceremonial law, Jesus was and is a Jew. His kingdom will be, in some sense, a Jewish kingdom since it is a restoration of the throne of David over Israel, centered at Jerusalem. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 118-119]

On the cross, just before Jesus died, He cried with a loud voice, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). You cannot buy salvation with money. You cannot buy salvation with good deeds. You cannot buy salvation by crying and praying. You cannot buy salvation by joining the church and being baptized. YOU CANNOT BUY SALVATION ANY WAY IN THE WORLD! You can accept salvation free, or you can reject it. There is nothing else you can do. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 130]

Did you notice in the Saviour's parable of the great supper that the master first "sent his servant at suppertime to say to them that were bidden. Come . . ."? Those previously invited are reminded first. It is true that God gave Scriptures to the Jews before the Gentiles. It is true that to the Jews was given the law of Moses, the sacrifice picturing the Saviour's death, the tabernacle which prefigured His glorious sacrifice and ministry. But even in the Old Testament times, the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews. Naaman the Syrian, Ruth the Moabitess, Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian king, the inhabitants of Nineveh, and multitude of other Gentiles found Christ in Old Testament times. The gospel was for all. But now that Jews have heard the gospel and rejected it, the command is to take the gospel to all the world, to press it upon every creature, to say "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 131]

There is an unpardonable sin, but if you will remember one simple thing about it, it will save you any misunderstanding and heartache on this question. There is no unpardonable sin for one who will turn to Jesus and trust Him. There is no unpardonable sin for one who is willing to accept the blessed invitation. The only unpardonable sin there is can only be committed in rejecting Christ, in turning down the gospel invitation. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely"! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 135]

If you go to Hell, you pay your own way; but you go to Heaven on a free pass. -John R. Rice