I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE …

                         

[Basics of Christianity #4]                                             

ACTS 24:1-14a                                                   

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. I CONFESS TO WORSHIPPING BY THE BOOK! [v. 14]

1. Salvation by the Book [4:12, Romans 10:9]

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.

2. Submission by the Book [Acts 2:41]

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

3. Services by the Book [Acts 1:14]

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

II. I CONFESS TO BELIEVING BY THE BOOK [v. 15]

1. I Believe in the Hope of Life After Death [v. 15, Acts 23:6]

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 24:15 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.

Acts 26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

2. I Believe in Heaven for the Saved [v. 15, Colossians 1:5]

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

3. I Believe in Hell for the Lost [v. 15, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

III. I CONFESS TO LIVING BY THE BOOK [v. 16]

1. By Choice [v. 16a, Joshua 24:15]

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

2. Before God [v. 16b, Philippians 1:10]

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

3. Before Men [v. 16c, 1 Corinthians 10:32]

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

JOE WITH COMPASSION

MATTHEW 1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. KEYS TO HIS PERSON [Matthew 1]

1. His Godly Upbringing [v. 16-17, Proverbs 22:1]

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2. His Good Standards [v. 18, 1 Corinthians 7:1] It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

3. His God-given Salvation [v. 19a, Galatians 3:11]

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

II. KEYS TO HIS CHARACTER [Matthew 1]

1. Having been shown mercy he was merciful [v. 19, Luke 6:36]

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

2. Held Godliness in higher esteem than emotions [v. 19, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 23:23]

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment , mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

3. Highly Receptive to the Word of God [v. 20-24a, James 1:22]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

III. KEYS TO HIS CHOICES [Matthew 1:24b-2:23]

1. He Chose to be Patient [v. 24b-25]

2. He Chose to be Protective [2:13-15]

3. He Chose to be Paternal [2:19-23]

And in doing so chose obedience over fear.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

To be filled with the Holy Spirit does not mean having the carnal nature eradicated. It does not mean cleansing from sin. It does not mean "sanctification," The dear Lord Jesus had no sin. He had no evil to burn away. He did not need any cleansing. So the fullness of the Spirit does not mean cleansing, does not mean purification, does not mean sanctification. God's people do need cleansing, and may have it. But the fullness of the Spirit is something else. Jesus is our pattern in this matter, and the fullness of the Spirit did not mean that Jesus was cleansed or purified or sanctified by this experience. The fullness of the Spirit means something else. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg.71]

Jesus, when He was filled with the Holy Spirit, did not talk with tongues as an outward manifestation. There was no sound of a cyclone, a rushing mighty wind, as at Pentecost. There were no visible tongues like as of fire resting upon Him. Why would Jesus talk with tongues? All these present were Jews, all understood the same language, and Jesus did not talk in any foreign language, and did not need to. That is never given in the Bible as a sign of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And if Jesus did not need that evidence, then neither do we who are commanded to follow His example. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg.71]

The Saviour did not have the Holy Spirit come upon Him just as an ecstasy, a matter of His own personal enjoyment. I am sure His heart was glad. I am sure He was pleased to hear the Father's voice from Heaven commending Him. But that voice from Heaven was chiefly for the onlookers. That visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, like a dove lighting upon Him, was for John the Baptist and for others who saw it. Jesus surely knew, without the outward sign, that the Spirit of God came upon Him and that the Father was pleased with Him. I do not say that there is no joy in the fullness of the Holy Spirit....There is always joy in being in the center of God's will, in having God's power, in doing His Work, and in seeing the blessed fruit of His Gospel. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pgs. 71-72]

By God's grace, I will not give up a thing that is promised to New Testament Christians! If some teach baptism essential to salvation, I will not go with them but I will still teach people to be baptized as Jesus and Paul did. If some make the lord's Supper into a mass, and put forgiveness in the hands of a priest, I will not go with them, but I will still teach Christians that Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of me." I cannot throw away part of the Bible because somebody has misinterpreted it! Si I cannot, I must not, turn my back upon the marvelous teaching of Pentecost, that Christians must be filled with the Holy Spirit if they are to do the work of God acceptably, even though some have gone to fanatical extremes concerning the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pgs. 89-90]

It is immediately clear that John the Baptist, Zacharias, Elisabeth and the Lord Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost just as people were filled with the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts. And in every case they began to witness with power, the enduement of power from on high. They began their soul-winning efforts with supernatural help from God. That is what the fullness of the Spirit brings! To be filled with the Spirit means to be empowered for witnessing. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pgs. 132-133]

You may claim to be "sanctified," but if you do not have soul-winning power you are not filled with the Holy Spirit! Oh, be satisfied with nothing less than the power of God to help you win souls! For to be Spirit-filled means, always, empowered witnessing. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 140]

Joel had foretold, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that "in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy . . ." And again, "And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." Now Peter says, by divine inspiration, that Joel's prophecy is fulfilled at least in part. Here are the people filled with the Holy Spirit, as Joel said, and they prophesy!
So when people preached the gospel and witnessed for Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, they were prophesying. It is only incidental that some of them prophesied in foreign languages. But the important thing is that they did prophesy, that is, they spoke for Christ by divine revelation and by divine enabling, and this was called prophesying, and it came, we are told, as a result of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon Christian people. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 178]

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

[Rightly Dividing the Great White Throne Judgment]

REVELATION 20:11-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE SETTING – A Great White Throne

1. Great in its Place [v. 4, 11] not on earth

2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men

2. Great in its Prominence [v. 4, 11-12] alone, extensive, no higher courts

3. Great in its Purpose [v. 11-13] every wrong is weighed and found wanting, no excuses, no exemptions

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

II. THE SOVEREIGN

1. God [v. 12, Psalm 50:6]

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Psalm 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Hebrews 12:23 … God the Judge of all

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

2. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ [Jn. 5:22-27]

Romans 3:6 God forbid : for then how shall God judge the world?

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

3. God the Saviour, the Advocate, now the Judge [Romans 2:16]

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

III. THE SINNERS

1. Not Sinners Saved by Grace [v. 4-6, 12-15]

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. Small & Great Sinners [v. 12-13]

3. Guilty Sinners [v. 14-15]

2 Pt. 2:9-13] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

THE WORLD OF GOD [Basics of Christianity #3]

PSALM 19

Pastor Rick Jackson

Psalm 19 DECLARES, DEFINES, AND DETAILS. It grabs the attention, gives the information, and goes the distance- all the way past the finish line!

I. WHAT NATURE DECLARES [v. 1-6]

1. God’s Glory in the universe [v. 1a]

2. God’s Glory in Detail [v. 1b-2]

3. God’s Glory in Human Experience [v. 3-6]

II. WHAT GOD’S WORD DOES [v. 7-11]

1. Evangelizes the Lost [v. 7a]

2. Edifies the Believer [v. 7b-10]

3. Enhances the Life [v. 11]

III. WHAT MAN SHOULD DESIRE [V. 12-14]

1. To Be Right before God [v. 12]

2. To Do Right for God [v. 13]

3. To Be Pleasing to God [v. 14]

It should never be based on feelings or desires of people but on the plain teaching of God’s Word. How often people say “I Prayed about it” or “I feel God led me” in total opposition to the written Word of God.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Galatians 1:10 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.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Hebrews 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.

MY FATHER IS RICH

                                                    Psalm 50:7-15, 23                                                            

Pastor Rick Jackson

In 1883 Pete Bilhorn was engaged in evangelistic work among the western cowboys. “We had started up the Missouri River for Bismarck, and on Sunday we stopped at a new town, named Blunt, to unload some freight. A crowd of men and boys came down to the wharf. I took my little organ, went on the wharf boat, and sang a few songs—among others the glorious hymn, ‘I’m a child of a King.’ I thought nothing more of the occasion until long afterward, when I sang the same song in Mr. Moody’s church in Chicago. Then a man in the back part of the house arose, and said in a trembling voice: ’Two years ago I heard that song at Blunt, Dakota; I was then an unsaved man, but that song set me to thinking, and I decided to accept Christ, and I am now studying for the ministry.’ ”

We are told in Col. 3:16, “Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” This is both a Hymn- because it speaks of HIM and a spiritual song because it is a song of testimony. This great old song declares Bible truth for us in a powerful form that is both pleasing to the ear and cutting to the heart. It describes for us the richness of the Father by describing His riches in 5 or 6 categories.

I. THE RICHNESS OF HIS FOOTSTOOL [Ps. 50:10-12, Isaiah 66:1]

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Matthew 5:34-35 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool : neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

My Father is rich in houses and lands, He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

II. THE RICHNESS OF HIS LOVE [2 Corinthians 8:9]

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men, Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;

But now He is pleading our pardon on high, That we may be His when He comes by and by.

III. THE RICHNESS OF HIS MERCY & GRACE [Romans 2:4]

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

I once was an outcast stranger on earth, A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,

But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down, An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.

IV. THE RICHNESS OF HIS PLAN [Romans 11:33]

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Romans 9:22-24 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there;

Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing: All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.

V. THE RICHNESS OF HIS WAY [1 Peter 1:3-5]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I’m a child of the King, A child of the King: With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

There is no varying in the way the Holy Spirit regenerates, the way He dwells in the body of a Christian, the way He puts a convert into the body of Christ and makes him a member of that body. There is no difference in the way He Himself is the seal of redemption. But as the Christian life continues, the Holy Spirit will do more for the Christian--as much as the Christian permits. We might say that every Christian goes to the same school, but some learn more than others from the same teacher. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 46]

We are prone to forget what we read. But if we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit, He will bring to our remembrance the things that Jesus said. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 47]

The best Bible teacher in the world is the Holy Spirit. Every Christian, every time he opens the Bible, should prayerfully ask the sweet Spirit of God to make clear what He wants to say through the Word of God. To the open and contrite heart the Spirit makes clear spiritual truth. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 47-48]

People misinterpret John 16:13. Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." They say, "The Holy Spirit never speaks of Himself," as if the Holy Spirit were so modest that He would not reveal any truth about Himself! But that is not what the Scripture means, nor what it says. What it really says is that the Holy Spirit always says what Jesus wants Him to say, and that the Holt Spirit does not work independently of Jesus and the Father. He speaks what is given Him to speak. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 48]

Any student of the Bible will find that the Holy Spirit who moved on the hearts of the men who wrote it, the Holy Spirit who is the real author of the Bible, wrote much about Himself. But everything He wrote, He wrote because the Father and the Son agreed with Him that it should be written. The Holy Spirit does not work independently of Christ and the Father. He speaks about Himself and about Jesus and about the Father, but He does it as all are perfectly agreed, and He represents the others as much as Himself, Jesus said. So as the Holy Spirit guides one in understanding the Scripture, one can know just as much as if he could sit down with Jesus and hear the dear Saviour Himself explain the Word of God. For the Holy Spirit tells us just what Jesus would tell us. He is our teacher and guide! - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 48]

Jesus came to be my pattern. But of course I was born with a sinful nature and Jesus was not. I needed to repent and Jesus did not. I needed to be born again and Jesus did not. So nothing that I did or could do on the other side of my regeneration could be following Jesus. Only when I have trusted Christ as my Saviour and when the Holy Spirit made me a new creature and made me a partaker of the divine nature, can I follow the example of Jesus. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg.65]

Do you want to know what people will do if they are filled with the Holy Spirit? Then go and see what Jesus did. Do you want to know how they will act? Then go and see how Jesus acted. Do you want to know what outward manifestations are necessary when one is filled with the Holy Spirit? Then see what manifestations, if any, attended the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus, and do not require any manifestations that are not shown there. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg.71]

FIVE GREAT JUDGMENTS

           [Rightly Dividing the Great White Throne Judgment]

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Pastor Rick Jackson

If you ask many people how many judgments are in the Bible you would get a wide range of answers. Some think there is only one general judgment and one general resurrection--- but they would be wrong. Some say two judgments- one for the lost and one for the saved. Again--- wrong. The Bible teaches there are 5 "Great" judgments. (We say "Great" because individual "judgments" or decisions are going on all the time. God sometimes judges believers' behavior causes them to be more trouble than they're worth and He takes them home prematurely.

1 Corinthians 11:29-31 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Many have mixed these 5 judgments together to their own confusion. It is not the objective of this message to cover each one exhaustively today but to give us a general idea of the FIVE GREAT BIBLE JUDGMENTS so as not to confuse them.

I. JUDGMENT of THE BELIEVER'S SIN

Here is a strange thing, this judgement is passed. It occurred almost 2000 years ago. This is one judgment you want to be sure and get in on. Every believer's sin was judged and paid for on the cross of Calvary by the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

II. JUDGMENT of THE BELIEVER'S SERVICE (THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST)

This judgment will cause tears in Heaven.

1. Tears of shame 1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

2. Tears of loss [1 Cor. 3:10-15]

3. Tears of Terror [2 Cor. 5:10-11]

Thank God, after the millennium God will wipe away ALL tears. [Revelation 21:4]

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

III. JUDGMENT of THE NATION OF ISRAEL DURING THE TRIBULATION [EZ. 38-39]

Jer. 30 calls it "the time of Jacob's trouble" but this judgment prepares their hearts to accept Jesus Christ for Who He is, the long-awaited Messiah [Zech. 14:2-4; 12:1-14]

IV. JUDGMENT of THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH [REV. 19:11-16, MT. 25:31-34]

This determines who will enter the millennium in their natural bodies for 1000 years of peace on Earth.

V. JUDGMENT of All THE LOST OF ALL THE AGES (THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT) [REV. 20:11-15]

MARRIAGE

[Basics of Christianity #2]

Genesis 2:18-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. GOD INSTITUTED MARRIAGE

1. Partnership [v. 18, 22-24, Eph. 5:31-33]

2. Parentage [v. 24, 3:20; Malachi 2:14-15]

…the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 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.

3. Prayers [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.

II. GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE

1. One Man & One Woman for One Lifetime [Mt. 19:3-12]

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

2. Divine Representation [Eph. 5:23-6:4]

3. Propagation of the Gospel [Mal. 2:15]

Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

III. GOD’S MERCY IN MARRIAGE

1. Everyone Needs Help & Company [Gn. 2:18, 22]

Eccl. 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

2. God Knows this World  [1 Cor. 7:1-17, 9:5]

3. God Knows Our Hearts [Mk. 10:1-12]

Ruth’s husbands

Jacob’s wives

Solomon & Bathsheba

JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE

GENESIS 37

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS CHARACTER

1. Family [37:2-3, 12-14] (his emotional satisfaction)

2. Flesh [39:1-20] (his physical satisfaction)

3. Fame [40:8, 41:15-16] (his mental satisfaction)

II. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS FAITH

1. Faith in God’s Word [37:5-11, 41;28-37]

2. Faith in Spite of the Dark Hours [39:1-5, 20-23]

3. Faith in God [41:51-52, 45:7ff., 50:20]

III. JOE WOULDN’T COMPROMISE HIS COMPASSION

1. Forgiveness [50:20-21] Mr/Mrs Potiphar, Chief Butler, brothers

2. Fearing God [42:18, 25]

3. Faithful Witness [40:8, 41:15-16, 43:19-23]

(without compromise- compromising “right” is not compassion)

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

It is startling to realize the work that the Holy Spirit does for a human being. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts a sinner, the Holy Spirit who regenerates one who trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit who makes him a new creature. It is the Holy Spirit who comforts a Christian, who brings the witness and assurance of salvation into his heart. It is the Holy Spirit who helps a Christian to understand the Bible, helps a Christian to pray, brings to his memory the commands of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who works out and develops and produces the fruit of the Spirit, the Christian graces, in the Christian's life: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 37]

Many people thoughtlessly speak of the Holy Spirit as "it." Perhaps when the matter is called to their attention they say, "Oh, I know better." Well, in one's head one may know better, but actually one has not come to realize that the Holy Spirit is a blessed and real and familiar person, if he speaks of the Holy Spirit as an impersonal, neuter "it." No woman who loves her husband ever speaks of him as "it" because she does not feel that way about him. She knows him as a living, loving person and so calls him by the masculine pronoun. And Christians everywhere who learn to know the Holy Spirit intimately speak about Him and speak to Him with the greatest reverence and with the masculine pronoun, just as we refer to God the Father and just as we refer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, God's Son. The Holy Spirit is a blessed and wonderful person with whom the Christian should become very intimately acquainted. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 38]

The Holy Spirit is the one person of the Godhead with whom the Christian has the most intimate and daily contact. For Christ, with a glorified, resurrected body, is in Heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. But God the Holy Spirit literally lives within the body of the Christian, is with him all the time and represents the Father and represents Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 39]

Did I say in the paragraph above, "God the Holy Spirit"? Yes, and that is exactly who He is. The Holy Spirit is GOD, just as Jesus, God's Son, is GOD and just as God the Father is GOD. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 39]

When a stone is put into the wall of a building and then covered over with mortar and other stones, it is submerged or buried or covered in the wall. It is "baptized" in the wall. in that sense the Holy Spirit baptizes every new convert into the body of Christ, makes him a part of this body, the group of Christians who will be called out when Jesus comes. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 44]

The fact that God put restrictions on what they were doing at Corinth shows us that what they were doing was wrong. When God rebukes what they were doing, it shows it is not miraculous, not God-given. God never gave a miracle and then rebuked somebody for the way he used it. God never gives somebody a miraculous gift and then be angry with the way they use it. No, miraculous gifts don't need rebuking, don't need a restraint put on them; but they did in the use of natural languages over in Corinth. - John R. Rice

To be baptized into the body of Christ simply means that one is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, has the Holy Spirit living in his body, and is now destined to be called out at the rapture of the general assembly and church of the first-born, when Jesus comes for His own. To be filled and covered or baptized with the Holy Spirit for service is another matter, as we will prove elsewhere. But to be buried, baptized into the body of Christ, is the usual and ordinary work of the Holy Spirit, which He does for every single person ever converted. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is another matter which many Christians never do receive, although they should. Every Christian is put into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 44-45]

THE KINGDOM COMES

THE KINGDOM COMES

ZECHARIAH 14

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE KING ENDS THE TRIBULATION [v. 1-7]

1. The Taking of Jerusalem [v. 1-2]

2. The Touchdown of the King [v. 3-4]

3. The Tunnel of Escape [v.5-7]

II. THE KING BEGINS THE MILLENNIUM [v. 8-15]

1. The Living Waters [v. 8]

2. The Lord of Earth [v. 9]

3. The Land of Safety [v. 10-15]

III. THE KING REIGNS [v. 16-21]

1. The Feast of Tabernacles [v. 16]

2. The Punishment of Foolishness [v. 17-19]

3. The Triumph of Holiness [v. 20-21]

THE DAY, THE TIME, THE LORD

MALACHI 4

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE DAY COMETH [v. 1-3]

1. THE DAY OF FIRE [v. 1, 2 Thess. 1:7-10]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2. THE DAY OF FEAR [v. 2, 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19, Proverbs 14:26]

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:

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

3. THE DAY OF FEET [v. 3, Ez. 39]

II. THE TIME TO REMEMBER [v. 4-6, 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;

1. THE PROOF OF SIN [v. 4, Romans 3:20]

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. THE PROPHET OF HOPE [v. 5, 3:1-3, Isaiah 58:14]

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

3. THE POWER OF FAITH [v. 6, Lk. 1:16-17]

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

III. THE LORD OF HOSTS [v. 1-6]

1. GOD IS HOLY [v. 1-4]

2. GOD IS MERCIFUL [v. 5]

3. GOD IS GRACIOUS [v. 6]

The final word in the Old Testament is "curse", the New testament opens with the story of the One who will remove the curse.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. IT WAS REVEALED DIVINELY

1. God The Father is Fully Invested [2 Tm. 3:16, John 14:24]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

2. God The Son is Fully Invested [Mark 8:38, 13:31, Rev. 1:1-2]

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3. God The Holy Spirit is Fully Invested [2 Pet. 1:19-21, 1 Cor. 2:12-23]

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

II. IT IS TO BE REVERENCED DEVOTEDLY

1. It is to be Received For What It Is [1 Thessalonians 2:13]

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2. It is to Be Loved For Whose It Is [Psalms 119:97]

O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

3. It is to Be Esteemed For Its High Value [Job 23:12, Psalms 138:2]

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

III. IT IS TO BE RIGHTLY DIVIDED

1. It Must Be Read [Isaiah 34:16]

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

2. It Must Be Studied [2 Tm. 2:15]

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

3. It Must Be Lived [James 1:21-25]

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

When you come out of the water, picturing new life, you didn't get that new life in the water. It is an object lesson picturing the new life. You can go into the water a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner. Baptism ought to picture something that has happened already. Do not think that baptism secures salvation. It does not. Baptism pictures salvation. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Baptism pictures salvation. It not only ought to picture that this old man is now dead to sin but also that he is alive to newness of life. New life. New power. Walking like Jesus. Wanting what Jesus wants. Going in His power. Jesus lived and died to save sinners; so that must be the Christian's aim. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Let me tell you, this pussyfooting generation has scholarship but not the power of God. This pussyfooting generation says the only real vital issue is love. Love everybody, pat the Devil's crowd on the back and tell them how nice they are. That is not New Testament Christianity. New Testament Christianity is bold against sin, bold to attack it, bold to expect the hand of God to intervene to save sinners. So our great lack is the fullness of the Spirit, which gives boldness to our testimony. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 203]

I was saved in a Baptist church, and I grew up to love Baptist people. And I suspect I absorbed a lot of Baptist prejudice. Not that it is wrong to be a Baptist, but it is wrong to believe that Baptists are the only people in the world going to Heaven. It ought to be Jesus and the Bible first.
I believe one ought to be baptized by immersion. I believe one ought not be baptized until he is saved. I believe nobody should be a member of the church but saved people. I believe it is wrong to sprinkle babies. I believe when Jesus saves us, we are saved forever. All that is Baptist doctrine. So I am a Baptist.
But some people foolishly claim that it means more than that. Some claim it is loyalty to the denomination, that Baptists are THE people, etc. I do not believe one's loyalty should be to a denomination but to Christ and the Bible. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 230]

You say, "Wickedness is so great. There is so much sin." Yes, but wherever there is sin there is heartbreak. And heartbroken people are easier to win than the self-satisfied. The old Devil is always overstepping himself. God makes the wrath of men to praise Him. God sometimes lets the Devil do some of his work in order to get sinners ready to be saved. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). I say, the fact is, sin never satisfies anybody. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 260]

Do you want to know why I am bold in my preaching? I will tell you why. People may look very mad and talk very sharp, but I know one thing about them: there is something inside that says, "You fool! That preacher is right. You are getting nowhere. You are going to cause your home to break up if you don't watch out. You will lose your job. Then you will wake up in Hell if you don't watch out. That preacher is right!" When I preach sharp, plain and hard messages some people don't like it. But there is something down inside that says, "You had better listen, old boy, to God's man. That fellow is right!" Conscience is a friend of the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 261]

Many long for revival and pray for revival. As solemnly as I know how I urge that there cannot possible be any great revival except by a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit as God's people seek his power and wait upon Him for enduement from on high. And I believe that revival is the only hope of survival for Bible Christianity in the churches. O God, send upon us the power of Pentecost that we may see the revival for which we have so longed prayed and for which we now devoutly yearn! - John R. Rice {The Power of Pentecost, pg. 10]

ISRAEL’S UNIVERSAL PROBLEM

MALACHI 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

So many folk want to get rid of Israel and replace it with the Church but God doesn’t.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: The strange thing is we have the same problem that Israel had and has today. It is the Sin problem.

I. MAN’S DILEMMA [v. 5-7]

1. The Sin Debt [v. 5]

2. The Sovereign Deity [v. 6]

3. The Single Deliverance [v. 7, Acts 4:12, Jn. 14:6, 1 John 5:12]

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

II. SIN’S DENIAL [v. 7-9, 13-15]

1. Distance Denied [v. 7, Is. 59:2]

2. Debt Denied [v. 8-9]

3. Declarations Denied [v. 13-15, Matthew 12:36]

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

III. BLESSING BESTOWED [v. 10-12, 16-18]

1. Blessings Delayed by their sin [v. 10-12, Hebrews 7:2]

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2. Blessings Remembered [v. 16, Psalm 56:8]

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

3. Blessings Promised [v. 17-18]