THE PEACE OF THE CITY

Jeremiah 29:1-7

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PEACE OF YOUR CITY [Jeremiah 29:7]

1. Be Involved [v. 4-7]

"Seek" darash, daw-rash'; a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search)

Christians ought be good citizens- be informed, vote, do your other civic duty [jury duty, report crimes, etc.]

This was not an ideal situation, but it was the will of God [v. 4]

2. Be Interceding "pray" [1 Tm. 2:1-6, Jer. 29:7b]

3. Be Illuminating [Mt. 5:13-16]

II. THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM [Psalm 122:6] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

1. Pray for the Jews [Ps. 122:6-7]

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

2. Present the Messiah [v. 8, Rom. 10:1] through personal testimony and missions

For my brethren and companions sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

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

3. Prepare for the Future [Ps. 122, Rm. 11]

III. THE PEACE OF ANY CITY

1. Dependent Upon the Prince of Peace [Isaiah 48:22]

There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

2. Dependent upon the Permeation of the Gospel [Genesis 18:32]

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

3. Dependent upon the Prayers of God's People [2 Chr. 7:14]

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Nobody can understand the Bible if you have a thousand detours, if you don't put first things first. Millions have varying theories and tomfool ideas about Pentecost. Some talk about it being the "birthday of the church." Others talk about a new dispensation; others, about social reforms. The only reform God talks about is just keeping people out of Hell. Three thousand saved in one day is a good example! If you get concerned about what God is talking about, you won't go wrong in doctrine. You won't be led astray by every shifting wind. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 141]

"Brother Rice, I don't believe there are any more miracles performed." You don't? What do you think conversions is? What do you think regeneration is? We are talking about things that are supernatural, things only God can do; not ordinary but extraordinary; not human but Divine' not explainable but inexplicable. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth" (John 3:8). That is the way people are born again. . - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145]

You say, "Brother Rice, the day of physical miracles is over." Who told you so? You may have read it in some geography book. Or Darby said it, didn't he? I use a Scofield Bible-the best reference Bible in the world-but on the matter of dispensationalism, it is wrong for anyone to teach that miracles are not for us, that they were just for the Jews. Now God has a plan for the Jews all right, but when it comes to the nature of God, answered prayer, the Holy Ghost, the supernatural intervention in the lives of men, God is talking as much to John R. Rice as he is to Elijah, and anybody else. He sure is! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145-146]

Preachers and Christian workers, if you don't have miracles, then it is worthless. Some say it is getting hard to have revivals. It is not getting hard; it has always been hard, in fact, impossible unless God steps in. You say that sinners' hearts are so hard, that sinners are deaf. They are not deaf; they are DEAD. And if you don't have a God who raises the dead, then shut up and go plow corn, or be a plumber, or a schoolteacher. You have to have miracles to win souls. If you don't have a God who can make a drunkard sober when Alcoholics Anonymous can't, if you don't have a God who can make a harlot pure when there is no other power that can, if you don't have a God who can make an infidel into a happy believer when all the arguments can't, if you don't have a God who can make a sinner bound for Hell into a child of God, then shut your mouth; you are not called to preach. You haven't got anything to say. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 146-147]

Later they [the disciples] said, "There is a storm at sea." They said, "Jesus, wake up! We are about to sink! Don't you care if we perish?" He said, "But where is your faith?" Do you think that boat can go down with the Creator of Heaven and earth in it? Do you THINK any storm can get Jesus? If you do, you have another THINK coming. Where is your faith? The one thing that would decide whether you are scared or not more than everything else put together would be your faith. Oh, how we must grieve Him with no faith! "Have faith in God." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153]

A woman wrote me: "I have read your book on Prayer. I have read others of your books and I know you are a man of faith. I am asking you to pray about. . . ." and she named what she wanted me to pray about. I write a book on Prayer and so somebody says, "Oh, I see that you have a pull with God." I didn't write a book to say what a great pray-er I am; I wrote a book to show what a great answer-er to prayer God is. You may not believe it, but God would as willingly answer your prayers as those of George Muller, Elijah, D. L. Moody, or anybody else. "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come," says Psalm 65:2. All right, then "whosoever"--all flesh-- is to come in prayer. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153-154]

Remember the demon-possessed boy? Jesus came down form the Mount of Transfiguration and with Him were Peter, James and John. And as the mobs and commotion grew, Jesus said, "What is going on?" A man said, "It's my boy! My poor boy! The old Devil throws him in the water and the fire and tries to kill him. He can't talk. He is devil-possessed. I brought him to the disciples and they couldn't do anything. Maybe you can't either."
Jesus said, "You've got the 'if' in the wrong place. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). He said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me" (Matt. 17:17), He healed the boy and gave him to his father. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 176]

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE TRIBULATION

2 Timothy 2:15

Pastor Rick Jackson

This is necessarily a brief synopsis. Thick volumes have been written on this subject and even on just parts of it.

I. THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL [9:24-27]

1. Sixty-nine Weeks (483 years) of the Seventy Weeks (490 years) and the Clock is Stopped [v. 24-26a]

2. Destruction of Jerusalem by Rome approximately 70AD [v. 26b]

3. The Prince that shall Come Restarts the Clock [v. 26-27]

Many implications-revived Roman Empire, Antichrist, Temple Rebuilt, 3 ½ years before true colors are revealed

II. THE LORD LAYS IT OUT IN MATTHEW 24

1. The Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction brings Questions [v. 1-3]

2. The Last Days (from the Incarnation to the Coronation) [v. 4-35]

-the Beginning of Sorrows [v. 4-8]

-the 70^th Week [v. 9-13]

-the Abomination of Desolation Mid-week starting “The Great Tribulation” i.e., latter half of the tribulation [v. 14-22, Revelation 13:14-17]

-the false versus the True [v. 23-31]

-the Tribulation to Millennial Reign [v. 32-35]

3. Prewarned to be Prepared [v. 36-51] Be saved [v. 36-44] & Be Serving {v. 45-51]

III. PAUL’S CURE FOR FRIGHTENED FOLKS IN 2 THESSALONIANS

1. The Rapture of All Believers [2:1-3]

2. The Revelation of the Beast [2:3-12]

3. The Revelation of the True God & Only Saviour [1:7-2:8]

THE REFINER'S FIRE

THE REFINER’S FIRE

Malachi 3:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FACTS                       Several facts are given in this section concerning the Lord’s return in relation to Israel.

1. The Messenger, the Lord Himself, is Coming [v. 1]

2. Israel has been looking for His Appearing [v. 1]

3. His Coming will not be altogether pleasant [v. 2]

Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Joel 2: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Amos 5:18, 20 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. … Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

4. He, the Lord will both purify and purge Israel [v. 3, Luke 3:16]

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

5. Israel will once again offer acceptable Sacrifices [v. 3-4, Rm. 10:16-11:36, I Peter 2:1-10]

Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Hosea 9:4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Malachi 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

II. THE FOLLY [Israel missed an opportunity]

1. Gabriel Explained it to Zacharias [Lk. 1:12-17]

2. Jesus Explained it to the Multitudes [Mt. 11:7-15]

3. Jesus Explained it to the Inner Circle [Mt. 17:9-13]

III. THE FUTURE [Mal. 4:5 - God’s Will will be done]

1. They Prophesy with Power [Rev. 11:3-6]

2. They Finish with Flourish [Rev. 11:7-10]

3. They Stand with God [Rev. 11:11-13]

EARTHLY MOTTOS, HEAVENLY MOTIVATIONS

EARTHLY MOTTOS, HEAVENLY MOTIVATIONS

JOHN 3:30

Pastor Rick Jackson

Some people have a “life motto” or in some cases several life mottos. A phrase or phrases by which they are reminded how they want to live. Davy Crockett’s life motto was “Be sure you’re right and then go ahead.” Lee Roberson’s motto was probably “Die to self.” I have several that have helped me over the years- especially during my ministry at Bradford Baptist Church- “I am Doing Better than I deserve” and “For This I have Jesus.” Bob Jones, Sr. most famously use “Do Right!”

The three phrases I want to share with you this morning may not have been the life mottoes of these individuals but if you examine their lives you will see they well could have been.

I. “He must increase but I must decrease” [John 3:30]

1. John Knew where his blessings originated [v. 28]

2. John Did not Try to be What He Was not [v. 29]

3. John Found His Joy in serving Christ [v. 30-31]

II. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [Philippians 1:21]

1. Paul desired the furtherance of the Gospel [v. 12-18]

2. Paul believed in the Power of Prayer [v. 19-20a]

3. Paul put his life in God’s Hands [v. 20b-29]

III. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” [John 2:5]

1. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Will [Luke 1:38]

2. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Word [Luke 1:38]

3. Mary Submitted Her Life to God’s Word (Christ) [Jn. 1:1-5, 9-14, John 2:1-5]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Education? Yes, He can use educated people; but now and then He is going to use uneducated men like D. L. Moody, like Billy Sunday, to make a joke of the rest of us nice, stiff preachers with our degrees. Sometimes maybe it is a handicap to some of us that we have an education. We think we are so smart. God says, "I'll by-pass you and use somebody who is not thinking so much about education but who has My power on him." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86-87]

Every Christian was convicted by the Holy Spirit before he was saved. Then the Holy Spirit regenerated him when he trusted Christ. The Holy Spirit came in to dwell in the body of every one He regenerated. Then the Holy Spirit is the Teacher, the Comforter, the Prayer-Helper, the loving Friend of every Christian. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 93]

Do you want to know Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit will manifest Him to you. Do you want to remember what Jesus said? The Holy Spirit will help you to remember; "He will bring to your remembrance all things," Jesus said. The way to remember Scripture and memorize Scripture is to have the Spirit of God put it in your heart, burn it in, recall it to your memory. O Holy Spirit, teach us the Word of God! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 104]

It is quite obvious that Jesus leaves us to do His work. As far as the atoning death on the cross, of course nobody could do that but Jesus. As far as paying the price for man's sin, Jesus alone had to do that. But on the matter of getting out the Gospel, the Lord Jesus has gone away and He has left us - you will understand me - to save all who will be saved in the world. I do not mean we will get the whole world saved. I do not mean we will save anybody without the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. But the getting out of the Gospel and the use of the miraculous power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit in us are left to people today. WE are to do the work of God. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 112-113]

Somebody says, "Well, I will pray." That is all right, but praying will not take the place of obeying. Praying will not take the place of preaching the Gospel. You can pray until you are black in the face but people are not going to be saved without somebody preaching the Gospel to them. People are not going to be saved without being told how. That is God's plan. Romans 10:14 says, "How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?" God is not going to change His plan for one who does not want to obey Him. God still has us to take the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 117]

There are Christians here tonight who have never read the Bible through once. There are preachers here tonight who do not read ten chapters a day in the Bible; and that is your life's work. No doubt some preachers are here tonight who have not read all the Bible through at all. Then you wonder why you have no power! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 125-126]

I tell you, we had better begin to live in this Book. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 126]

POEM OF THE WEEK

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!

— Martin Luther

WHEN GOD NEITHER REGARDS NOR RECEIVES

MALACHI 2:10-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE COMMONALITIES [v. 10]

1. Common Heritage [Matthew 3:9]

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

2. Common Creation [Acts 17:22-32]

3. Common Problem [Romans 5:12]

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

II. THE CRIMINALITY [v. 11-13]

1. The Wicked Charge [v. 11]

2. The Weep-weary Consequence [v. 12-13]

3. The Widespread Corruption [v. 12-13]

III. THE CRITICALITY [v. 14-17]

1. God’s Purpose for Marriage [v. 14-15]

2. God’s Hatred for Divorce & Domestic Violence [v. 16]

3. God’s Weariness for Hypocrisy [v. 17]

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

SEEK YE FIRST

SEEK YE FIRST

MATTHEW 6:33

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PRIORITY OF THIS COMMAND

1. Make it a Prominent Priority   -nothing should come before your relationship to God

                                                                -for the Lost that means come to Christ for salvation

                                                                -for the Saved that means our relationship to Christ comes first

2. Make it a Personal Priority      -no one can make it for you [think of the great invitations]

3. Make it a Passionate Priority  -lukewarmness makes God sick [Rev. 3:14ff]

II. THE PERSON OF THIS COMMAND

1. No Kingdom without the King

2. No Righteousness without God

3. No Salvation without Christ

III. THE PROMISE OF THIS COMMAND

1. All Spiritual Provisions [v. 24-25]

2. All Material Provisions [v. 26-31]

3. All Time & Eternity [v. 32-34]

                                                               

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Darwinism came along. It had hard sledding in America and in England for awhile, but Germany swallowed it whole. The schools there began to take it up. The Bible, they said, may contain the Word of God, but it is not the Word of God. They said Jesus was a good man but not Deity. They said Jesus may have represented God in some form but He was not virgin-born. They said Jesus' spirit may have rose from the dead, but there was no bodily resurrection. But bodily resurrection is the only kind of resurrection there is! It is only the body that was buried. There could be no resurrection but a bodily resurrection. If anyone talks to you about a so-called spiritual resurrection of Jesus or people, that one is either a common and deliberate deceiver, or he is an ignorant fool. The only kind of resurrection the Bible knows is that the body of Jesus Christ came out of Joseph's tomb, because it was the body that was buried. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 45-46]

A woman came to Dr. R. A. Torrey and said, "Dr. Torrey, God has called me to preach."
Dr. Torrey said, "Is that so? I thought you were married."
"I am. I have a husband and eight children."
He said, "Well, that is wonderful. He has not only called you to preach, He has given you a congregation. Now go home and get to work to win your congregation."
You have a crowd. In God's name win those you are accountable for. We can't win everybody, but we ought to be able to win our own. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 66]

One young preacher who had spent some time in a Christian college and who had had two years in a seminary, told me, "I want to be a teaching pastor. I do not want to have too large a church because I would have too many people to visit. I would like a church just big enough to pay me well. I want to be a teaching pastor and spend most of my time in the study. I enjoy my books. I do not feel called to evangelism."
I told him what I tell you" "There is nothing wrong with you that a good old-fashioned revival won't fix. If you would get over your backsliding and get right with God, that would fix your conception of the ministry." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 72-73]

You are to be a soul winner. If you are not a soul winner, you are not a good Christian but a backslider, disobedient, and you are not fulfilling the Great Commission. Your life is on the wrong track. You have left God's blueprint. You are not in God's plan. You are out of the will of God. If you are not a soul winner you are a rebel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 83]

Excuses! Excuses! Lying, insolent, deceiving excuses! That is all that men offer when they will not have Jesus as Saviour and pretend that it is for some good reason. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

"I am as good as most church members," someone tells me. Perhaps you are. . . . But then, on the other hand, I doubt whether you are as good as church members. You critics, you Christ-rejecters, you who stand outside and point the finger of scorn at church people, let me tell you of a difference between you and them. Church people at least are for Christ, or claim to be, and you are against Him. Most of these in the church want Christ, and you do not want Him. They love Him, and you despise Him. They accepted Him while you rejected Him. They have confessed Him openly while you have denied Him. And every church member who is honest and has really come to Jesus Christ is a thousand times better off than the man on the outside who points the finger of scorn and either derides or imitates the church member. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

He [Jesus Christ] did not say, "Now, I'll tell you what to do. You are sort of an ignorant bunch, but I have trained you the best I could. Be sure to learn your Scripture. Then when you go get somebody converted, get him baptized, then put him through a Bible institute. Put him through Tennessee Temple Schools, or through Baptist Bible College, or Moody Bible Institute or some seminary." He did not say that. You will not misunderstand me--I am not against education. I was a college teacher. (I have been forgiven for my past sins--you ought not to hold that against me!) But I was a college teacher! I am for education. And I have some degrees (not all deserved, maybe). But, my friends, education is like the snap of a finger--it is an incidental. It is like a feather in the road beside this one main matter of the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86]

THE RAPTURE & THE TOUCHDOWN COMING: TWO PARTS OF A BIG EVENT

2 Timothy 2:7-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

The Rapture and the Touchdown Coming of Christ are only two parts of a multifaceted event- the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This event includes the rapture, the tribulation, the Great Tribulation, the touchdown coming, the salvation of the nation of Israel, the judgment of the nations & the beginning of the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth. Depending on how you divide events it can certainly include dozens of other events but for our purposes we want to show the difference between two parts that people often get confused. We need, by the Spirit’s guidance to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

I. THE REASONS

1. In the Rapture Christ comes FOR His Bride, in the TD He comes with His Bride [1 Th. 4:13-18, 3:13, Jude 14]

2. After the Rapture the Tribulation begins, after the TD the Millennium begins [2 Thess. 1:6-9, Rev. 20:1-7]

3. After the Rapture Only unsaved enter tribulation,  After TD only saved enter millennium [1 Thess. 1:10; 5-9, Rev. 6:12-17, Mt. 25:31-46]

II. THE RESCUES FOR THE TWO EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT

1. In the Rapture Christ claims His Bride, in the TD He comes with His Bride [1Thes. 4:17, Rev. 19:6-14]

2. Christ Comes in the Rapture to Spare Christians, He comes in the TD to Spare the World [1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 24:21-22, Mark 13:19-20]

3. In the Rapture Only His own see Him, in the TD Every eye shall see Him [1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 1:7]

III. THE REALITIES FOR THE TWO EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT

1. In the Rapture Christ comes stays the air, in the TD Christ come to the earth [1Thes. 4:17, Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:11]

2. The Rapture is the Removal of believers, the TD commences the Removal of unbelievers [1 Thess. 4:17, Matt. 24:36-41]

3. Rapture Saved: delivered from wrath, Unsaved experience wrath [1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9, Rev. 6:12-17]

4. No signs precede rapture, Signs precede the TD [1 Thess. 5:1-3, Luke 21:11,15]

5. Rapture Focus: Lord and Church, TD Focus: Israel and Kingdom [1 Thess. 4:13-18, Matt. 24:14]

REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE

                                            

LUKE 17:32                                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

Memory can be a wonderful thing. Memory can also be a curse. There are some things God tells us to forget. God had Paul say, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” But there are some things God’s wants us to remember.

Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Nehemiah 4:14 Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord…

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Ecclesiastes 12:1 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;

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Acts 20:35 remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

But what I want you to concentrate on for this message are the very simple, very concise words of the Lord Jesus from Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.

Memories can be a blessing. Remembering can strengthen us in our Christian walk. Remember your salvation! Remember decisions of consecration which you have made: baptism, assurance of salvation, church membership, giving God’s way, witnessing…

But why remember Lot’s wife? It must be important for Jesus to say it. It must be important for the Spirit of God to move Luke to record it. There are a multitude of reasons but three must suffice for this message. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE:

I. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THERE ARE DANGERS IN LOOKING BACK [Gen. 19:17, 24-26]

1. The Danger of Lamenting Over Temporal Loss [Phil. 3:7-9, 17-19, 4:11-13]

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Mistakes [Phil. 4:13] –

-If it can be rectified- do it!

-If it was a sin- Confess it! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

-If it can’t be rectified, and it wasn’t a sin - F.I.D.O.!!!! [FORGET IT & DRIVE ON]

3. The Danger of Worrying About Your Past Missteps [Ps. 118:24] This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

II. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THE BEST IS AHEAD

1. We Can Serve Christ [Phil. 3:10-16]

2. We Can Seek Souls [Phil. 1:12-18, 27]

3. We Will See Jesus [Phil. 1:21-23]

III. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE BECAUSE THERE IS DIGNITY IN OBEDIENCE

1. Obey God Regardless of Men’s Opinions [Gal. 1:10, Acts 5:29]

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

2. Obey God Despite Circumstances [Phil. 4:11-13]

3. Obey God & Rejoice In It [Phil. 4:3-4]

During the War Between the States a messenger from Stonewall Jackson delivered a message to his pastor. An anxious crowd gathered expecting war news particularly since the letter was dated immediately following a major battle. The letter read, “My dear pastor, I recalled today that my gift to foreign missions was due. Find it enclosed. May the day soon come when this war is over… that we may get back to our primary task of saving the souls of men.”

His heart was on the main business.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

How many of us are fair-weather Christians! How many of us can be happy when we are well but not when we are sick; can be gentle and unselfish and kind until we suffer, until we lose friends, until we face disaster! How many of us are good Christians until we are tired, are good Christians until someone speaks sharply, are good Christians as long as everything is easy! Bless God for the example of the dear Saviour who "the same night He was betrayed," knowing the torment that faced Him, still loved His disciples, still gently washed their feet and taught them to love one another! Does Jesus shine in you when you are sick or tired or disappointed or in trouble? Do you love people when under pressure? - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229-230]

We had as well acknowledge the fact that all Christians walk in a dirty world and need day by day to confess their sins and failures and be cleansed anew. What shall be the attitude of a Christian toward Christians who fail, who do not live as they ought, who bring reproach on the name of Christ? Certainly, the first aim and effort of a Christian in such cases is to seek to wash the dirty feet, that is, seek to help the erring one to see and forsake the way that is wrong, or the sin into which he may have, unawares, fallen, tempted and trapped by Satan. Oh, how wicked it is to hurt an immature Christian, to discourage him, to disfellowship him! - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 240-241]

All Christians need, periodically, to make a new start. I have no patience with the shallow argument that because we have made good resolutions before and failed to keep them, therefore we should not make new resolutions. No man living ever did all he planned to do. No woman ever kept all her vows. But everyone who tried to do better was helped by it. People who try do more than those who do not try. People who resolve do more than those who do not resolve. And however much you may have failed in the past, the coming of the new year or of some special time of refreshing or conviction from God is an ideal time to start over again to live for God and to be what God wants you to be. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 245]

Elisha said, "I am going to be a prophet of God." And he set out to be.
When Bill Rice was in a meeting close to Kansas City, he drove his car in to be serviced. The fellow working on the car said, "Brother Rice, my name is so and so."
"I am glad to meet you," said Bill. "You are a Christian?"
"Oh yes," he said. "I am called to be an evangelist just like you. I am called of God as an evangelist."
Bill said, "Well, are you preaching?"
"No, I have a family and there is no way to make a living without this work. But I am an evangelist just like you." Bill replied, "No, you are not just like me. I was called too and we starved but we went to Moody Bible Institute. I gave up my job when I only had one or two revivals ahead of time. I gave my life to it. I am going to preach or starve. No, you are not like me unless you are out preaching like I am."
Elisha said, I am going to be the prophet of God and put off the old garment and I am going to wear this mantle of the man of God the rest of my days." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 24-25]

God's law, such as "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," is just as true about ten men as it is about one man; just as true about a whole city of men as one man; just as true about a nation of men as about one man. Sin brings death, ruin, failure. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" is just as true of a nation as an individual. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 35]

It is clear, from many, many cases in the Bible, that nations are punished for their sins. And God is going to hold America accountable for her sins. We, as a nation, are heading on toward judgment, and it is time for repentance, time for Christians to take stock of themselves to see what they can do and what they ought to do to stop the judgment of God. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 35]

I wish I could go into detail about France, how she got into a bloody revolution. We talk about communism as if that were so bad. But communism and socialism are about the same. The New Deal socialism in America is Karl Marx' teaching, just like communism of Russia is Karl Marx' teaching. It is godless, it is atheistic, it is against government, against Christianity, against American free enterprise. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 44-45]

THE IDENTITY OF THE ANTICHRIST

Daniel 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

Back in the 1960s and the 1970s there was a rumor going around that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was the Antichrist. Later in the 70s it was rumored to be Jimmy Carter. Since then I have heard that Ronald Wilson Reagan or Bill Clinton must be the Antichrist. There was an email going around the Internet in March 2008 that said:

According to the book of Revelations [sic] Chapter 13: The beast will be allowed to have authority for 42 months, which is almost a four-year term of a Presidency. The anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40's, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal. The prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything. Is it OBAMA?

I have read where people thought the Antichrist was the pope. One Bible teacher of former days thought Mussolini, the Italian dictator up into WWII was the Antichrist. At least he had some factual information to go on. What does the Bible say about the Antichrist? Can we identify him? Is he alive today?

I. THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ANTICHRIST

Just as the Bible gives us information to identify Christ the Messiah (His tribe, place of birth, time of birth, type of birth, etc.) which not only identify Him but excludes others (anyone born outside of Bethlehem for example) so the Bible does the same for the Antichrist. There are certain things we know that will be true of him that identify him and excludes others. Here are just a few.

1. He's the man of a place [Dan. 9:26-27] -the revived Roman Empire

2. He's the man of a people [Rev. 13:1, 17:15] -the nations of the Gentiles

3. He's the man of perversions [Dan. 11:36-39]

II. THE EXPRESSION OF THE ANTICHRIST [1 John. 2:18]

John reminds his readers that while the Antichrist is coming since we are in the last days already (in his day and on up into ours) there are many expressions of Antichrists already. The expression of antichrist thinking is blatantly anti-trinitarian. These are characterized by:

1. Liars that deny the Father and the Son [2:22-23]

2. Liars that deny the Holy Spirit and the Son [4:1-6]

3. Liars that deny the Deity of Christ [2 Jn. 7-11]

III. THE INCARCERATION OF THE ANTICHRIST [Rev. 19-20]

The Antichrist will be Satanically empowered. Who can stop this blasphemer yet to be revealed?

1. The Lord Jesus will be revealed at the end of the tribulation [19:11-16]

2. The False prophet and the Antichrist will be thrown into the lake of fire [19:19-21]

3. Satan himself will be incarcerated [20:1-10]

THIS COMMANDMENT IS FOR YOU

MALACHI 2:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

“Wait Brother Rick, this is for the priests.” “That’s right- but who are the priests today?” “Baptists don’t have priests.” “Wrong. Baptist churches do not have priests, but one of the hallmarks, yea, one of the distinctive of Baptists is that they believe in the Bible doctrine of the priesthood of the believer.”

1 Peter 2:5 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.

2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I. THE WARNING [v. 1-3]

1. Do not Listen? [v. 1-2a]

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

2. Do not Learn? [v. 2b, Jer. 12:7-17]

3. Do Not Linger! [v. 2c-3]

II. THE WAY [v. 4-7, Isaiah 30:21]

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

1. A Holy Origination [v. 4-5, 2 Peter 1:21]

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2. A Holy Expression [v. 5-6, Amos 3:3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

3. A Holy Expectation [v. 7, Romans 6:1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

III. THE WICKEDNESS [v. 8-10]

1. Far Reaching Corruption [v. 8, Mark 9:42]

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

2. Far reaching Consequences [v. 9, Psalms 18:21, 119:168]

For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee

3. Far Reaching Considerations [v. 10, Galatians 6:10]

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

WINNING CHECKERS WITH GOD

                                    

James 4:8                           

Pastor Rick Jackson

Checkers is an interesting game. Easy to learn, easy to play, a lifetime to master. According to Wikipedia what we in North America call checkers is really English draughts. It is played on an eight by eight squared board (with sixty-four total squares) with twelve pieces on each side. These pieces may only initially move and capture diagonally forwards. Only when a piece is "crowned" or "kinged" may it move both backwards or forwards.

As in all draughts variants, English draughts is played by two people, on opposite sides of a playing board, alternating moves. Traditionally the pieces are either black, white, or red, and the board alternates between red and black squares. The opponent's pieces are captured by jumping over them.

How the game ends - A player wins by capturing all the opposing player's pieces, or by leaving the opposing player with no legal moves. The July 2007 announcement by Chinook's [a checker player computer program] team stating that the game had been solved must be understood in the sense that, with perfect play on both sides, the game will always finish with a draw. Yet, not all positions that could result from imperfect play have been analyzed

In the case of God He always plays a perfect game but there is no draw. The Devil plays but will lose to God. The lost play but will lose. The carnal Christian gets a type of draw but only by the grace of God. The spiritual Christian sees God win but gets to win as well as we shall see- but his win is also- by God’s grace.

I. MOVES & COUNTER-MOVES

1. Revelation [Ps. 19:1-8ff, Heb. 11:6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. Repentance [Rm. 2:4] “… the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”

3. Reaction [Acts 17:30] “God … commandeth all men every where to repent”

II. MOTIVES & METHODS

1. God allows you to Jump to get you where He wants you [Acts 9]

2. God blocks to Keep you from where He wants you [Acts 16:7]

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

3. God allows you to move where He doesn’t really want to teach you [Psalm 106:15]

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

III. GOALS & GLORY

1. Goal is for you to be crowned

1 Corinthians 9:25 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.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2. God’s Ultimate Goal is to be Glorified in His Creation

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

2 Timothy 4:8 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.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

3. Our Goal should be to “Crown Him with Many Crowns” [Rev. 4:4, 10-11]

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. …The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

The command of God about being yoked with unbelievers certainly applies to marriage. Marriage is a yoke. The only one who would deny this is a man or woman who has never been married. When a Christian man or woman takes in marriage a husband or wife who has not been saved, then he disobeys this explicit command of God. He yokes a believer with an unbeliever; he puts righteousness in fellowship with unrighteousness; he puts light in communion with darkness; he puts Christ in concord with Belial. He, a believer, has part with one who is an unbeliever and he makes the temple of God in agreement with an idol. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199]

Children of God should never marry those who are not children of God, no matter how virtuous or high-minded or cultivated or pleasing they may be outwardly. Inwardly they are rebels against Christ, children of Hell. To do so is a sin against God and a sin against one's own best self. It is a sin certain to be reaped with sorrow in the future. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199]

Some one has well said that one who marries the Devil's child is sure to have trouble with his father-in-law. The Christian, married to one not a Christian, is certain to have trouble. Such marriage should not be broken, and the Christian believer should not depart from his unbelieving mate (I Cor. 7:10-16). The time to do right about that is before marriage. After marriage is too late to avoid trouble. All one can do then is pray that God will save the unsaved ones and try one's best to atone for the sin of yoking up in marriage with an enemy of your Saviour and your God. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199-200]

In every revival campaign I hold there is one kind of request made again and again - the request of wives that people pray for the salvation of their unsaved husbands. I am sorry to say that in a majority of cases the revival services come to a close and such husbands are not saved. Women ignore the plain command of God, go against the Bible and marry unsaved men, and then turn and ask God to put His blessing upon their sin. In many cases a good and merciful God does answer their prayers, but in hundreds of such cases, for some good reason, He does not. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 203]

Dear Christian girl, if you want some man saved, then get him saved before you marry him. To sin against God in this matter often means that you will so displease God and so compromise your own Christian influence that you will be unable to win to Christ the man who is to be the father of your children and your lifetime companion. After you marry then you ought not to leave your husband. But if you plan such a marriage, then heed the command of God and break up your plans, even though it be only one day before the wedding. You may think it will break your heart now, but a heart broken in doing right will soon be healed by the mercy of a loving heavenly Father. I warn you now that if you go headlong against the direct command of God in this matter your heart will be broken a thousand times. After all, only one thing brings real trouble, and that is to sin against God. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 203-204]

Honest Christians may differ as to some details of Bible interpretation, but honest Christians cannot differ about the deity of Christ nor whether the Bible is all God's Word, infallibly true, nor about the blood atonement not about the miracles such as the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Christ, the creation of the world by the direct act of God, etc., nor about a literal Hell. When a man dissents from what the Bible says on such great fundamentals of the faith, then that man has no right to call himself a Christian, much less a preacher of the gospel or a teacher of the Bible. Such a man is an impostor, a deceiver, a false prophet. An honest infidel one might somewhat respect even though the Bible calls him a fool. But an infidel in the garb of a preacher, with language of deceit because of covetousness, is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a base hypocrite. He forfeits the respect of decent people and should have open scorn and public exposure at the hands of true Christians everywhere. The Bible commands us to contend earnestly for the faith. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 215-216]

The kind of Christian character that does not stand up under temptation is not the right kind of character. The kind of faith that will not make us happy Christians even in war time, happy Christians when food is rationed, when boys are in the armies, when we do without our coffee, or sugar, or meat, or cars, is not enough faith. Love that falters in its expression in time of trouble and temptation is not perfect love. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229]