THE GOSPEL CHRIST YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER

LUKE 2:26, ROMANS 1:16

 

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

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. JESUS AT EIGHT DAYS OLD [v. 21]

 

1. Made of a Woman [Galatians 4:4]

 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman…

 

2. Made Under the Law [Galatians 4:4]

 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

3. Made For a Purpose [v. 31, Galatians 4:5]

 

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

II. JESUS AT FORTY DAYS OLD [v. 22-38]

 

1. The Poorest of Families [v. 22-24, Lev. 12:6-8] -proves the wise men were not at the stable

 

2. The Proclamation of Simeon [v. 23-35]

 

3. The Praise of Anna [v. 36-38]

 

III. JESUS AT TWELVE YEARS OLD [v. 39-52]

 

1. The Moving Jesus [v. 39-41]

 

Luke relates no more concerning them, till they were returned into Galilee; but it appears by St. Matthew’s gospel (chapter 2) that from Jerusalem they returned to Bethlehem, and there they continued till they were directed to flee into Egypt, and, returning thence when Herod was dead, they were directed to go to their old quarters in Nazareth. It is here called their own city. - Matthew Henry

 

2. The Missing Jesus [v. 42-50]

 

3. The Submissive Jesus [v. 51-52]

 

If ever a child was misunderstood…

If ever a child knew more than those raising Him…

If ever a child already had His life planned out for Him…

THE MASTER AT WORK

JOHN 4:1-42

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PLAN OF JESUS FOR SOUL-WINNING

 

1. Jesus Planned to Witness [v. 3-4]

 

Oft times we plan to fail because we fail to plan.

 

2. Jesus Didn’t Lose Sight of the Individual [v. 5-6]

 

3. Jesus Started with a Casual Conversation [v. 7-9]

 

II. THE PATTERN OF JESUS FOR SOUL-WINNING

 

1. Jesus Turned the Conversation to Spiritual Matters [v. 10-15]

 

2. Jesus Dealt with the Sin Issue [v. 16-20]

 

3. Jesus Led Her to the Saviour [v. 21-26]

 

III. THE PRINCIPLES OF JESUS FOR SOUL-WINNING

 

1. Be Focused on God’s Will [v. 27-34]

 

2. Be Soul-Conscious [v. 35]

 

3. Be Assured [v. 36-42]

 

-it’s worth it

-you can win some

-you won’t win everyone

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 It is shocking that money becomes a master. It is a good servant but a bad master. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 390]

Is the fire in Hell literal fire? We think so. It would seem strange and hardly honest for God to use the term again and again and again about Hell, unless He meant it. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 400]

Some argue that the term "everlasting punishment" means simply "age lasting" or "lasting indefinitely," not necessarily lasting forever. But the same word is used for everlasting fire and everlasting punishment in Matthew 25:41, 46 as is used for everlasting life in John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24 and elsewhere. If Heaven is to be eternal, everlasting, then Hell is to be eternal, everlasting. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 402]

I tell you, Heaven is a real, literal, physical place, a city as material, as physical, as literal as Chicago or London or New York or Tokyo. - John R. Rice

Let us say then that every lost man in the world could get the Gospel. If he followed what light he had, God would give more light. If one, like that Roman centurion in Acts, chapter 10, who had never heard the Gospel, prayed with all his heart and sought God, God would surely make some way for him to hear the Gospel. And every lost man will be judged: if he has the Scriptures, by the law, i.e. the Scriptures, and if he does not have the law, he will be judged by his own conscience-the conscience either accusing or excusing (Rom. 2:12-16). - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 404]

There [Lk. 17:11-19] is a sad usual pattern in the fact that so many, greatly blessed beyond measure, did not even return to thank Christ ! Many now do not even regularly thank God for their food. And is it wickedness beyond measure for those who take God's mercies, His sunshine, His air, His food, family, friends, work, pleasure, to never turn to give any thanks to Christ, to God, or to love and trust the Saviour. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 412]

How triumphantly one of my six daughters used to say, "Chi'ren, go 'bey your parents for this is right!" One little daughter memorized John 3:15 and she said it, "... that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have INTERNAL life." Oh, fill their little minds with Scriptures and with Christian songs and with the fundamental truths of the Bible! And teach them to pray. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 434-435]

IN GOD

PSALM 56

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I was talking to a man the other day and he was telling me about bad experiences outside the USA. Now I realize, as an accident-prone person, bad things can happen to you anywhere but he made a convincing argument for staying in our borders. You may feel safer in your home country, in your home state, in your hometown, in your home, in your bed but things can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. The only sure place to be is “In God”. In Him, nothing can happen to you that He is not aware of and that He did not at the very least “allow” it for your good and His glory.

 

 

I. IN CONTRAST [v. 1-3]

 

1. Man Oppresses, God Blesses [v. 1]

 

2. Man is Low-Down, God is “on High” [v. 2, Psalm 102:19]

 

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

 

3. Man is a Contradiction, God is Constant [v. 3, Heb. 9:28, James 1:17]

 

II. IN GOD [v. 4-6]

 

1. I’ll Praise His Word [v. 4]

 

2. I Have Put My Trust [v. 4]

 

3. I Won’t Fear “In God” [v. 4-6, Is. 26:3, Heb. 12:2]

 

III. IN CONCLUSION [v. 7-13]

 

1. God is For Me [v. 7-9, Romans 8:31]

 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 

2. I Am In God [v. 10-11, Romans 12:5]

 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

3. I Will Live for God [v. 12-13, Philippians 1:21]

 

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

THE GOSPEL DRAW

LUKE 2:1-20

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

In Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on Luke 2 he points out the drawing power of the birth of Christ.

 

I. JESUS’ BIRTH DREW MARY AND JOSEPH FROM NAZARETH [v. 1-7]

 

1. God used a Heathen King to Unwittingly Do His Will [v. 1-3, Micah 5:2, Proverbs 21:1]

 

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting .

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

 

2. God Used Submissive Servants to Willingly Do His Will [v. 4-5]

 

3. God Used Ignorant Crowds to Unknowingly Do His Will [v. 6-7]

 

II. JESUS’ BIRTH DREW ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY [v.8-15a]

 

1. The Terror of the Angel [v. 8-9]

 

2. The Tidings of the Angel [v. 10-12]

 

3. The Testimony of the Angels [v. 13-15a]

 

III. JESUS’ BIRTH DREW THE SHEPHERDS FROM THEIR FIELDS [v. 15-20]

 

1. Their Faith [v. 15]

 

2. Their Fastness [v. 16]

 

3. Their Forwardness [v. 17-20]

 

IV. JESUS’ BIRTH IS NOT THE LIMIT OF THE GOSPEL DRAW

 

1. God Draws with His Love [Jeremiah 31:3]

 

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

2. God Draws with His Word [John 6:44-45]

 

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

 

3. Christ Draws with His Vicarious Death [John 12:32-33]

 

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.

THE SACRED SECRET OF SINS FORGIVEN

THE SACRED SECRET OF SINS FORGIVEN

 

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD DOES NOT OWE US FORGIVENESS

 

People seem to have the idea that the world owes them a living and God owes them forgiveness. Such is not the case.

 

1. We Are Guilty of Sin [Rm. 3:10-23]

 

2. We Do Not Deserve Forgiveness [Rm. 6:23]

 

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

 

3. We Will Do It Again [Proverbs 23:29-35, Hebrews 12:1]

 

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup , when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

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

 

II. GOD DOES OFFER FORGIVENESS THOUGH HE DOES NOT OWE IT TO US

 

1. God Offers Forgiveness By His Grace [Ephesians 1:7]

 

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

 

2. God Offers Forgiveness By His Mercy [Numbers 14:19]

 

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

 

3. God Offers Forgiveness By His Love [Titus 3:3-7]

 

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

III. THE FORGIVENESS GOD OFFERS IS CONDITIONAL

 

1. The Condition for Everyone is to Concede the Need [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.

 

2. The Condition for the Lost Man is to Confess Christ Because this is a matter of Relationship [Jn. 1:12, Rm. 10:9-13]  

 

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

3. The Condition for the Saved Man is to Confess His Sin Because this is a matter of Fellowship  [1 Jn. 1:9]

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Salvation will eventuate for all of us one time, with all the weakness and frailties of the body gone; all the curse of sin removed. Perfect in mind and body and soul, we will rise to be with Jesus and to be like Jesus, for all healing now is relative and temporary until the resurrection or rapture. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 330]

A young mother had a miscarriage, and she sobbed in great grief. We said to her, "You have two children; you are young; you will have other children. Do not weep." But, sobbing, she said, "Oh, I know, but I wanted that one, too!" So Jesus feels, we are sure, about every lost sinner in the world. And so should we feel also. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 367]

On the Shepherd's shoulder. What a sweet picture of salvation! All of grace and not of human merit nor works! The sheep is put safely on the Shepherd's shoulder. He does not have to know the way home. He does not have to outrun wolves. He does not have to be faithful in effort. He simply rests on the Shepherd's should and is carried home. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 367]

Some "sheep" have stood up in prayer meeting and have left the wrong impression; they have said, "I'm determined to make Heaven my home!" and "I want all to pray for me that I may hold out faithful. And as far as meeting God's standard for righteousness, none of us were faithful to start with, and none of us has ever been righteous for even ten minutes in the pure and absolute sense that would deserve Heaven. No, our righteousness is Christ's righteous! - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 367]

Some translations of the Bible, as the Revised Standard Version, the N. E. B., and the Good News for Modern Man, are not only presumptuous to change John 3:16 to say that "God gave his only Son," leaving out the word "begotten"; it was irreverent presumption to conjecture about the text but it is also fatally wrong in doctrine: Jesus is not the only Son of God. He is simply the only one physically begotten of God without a human father. In our second birth, Christians are "born of the Spirit" and so we became "partakers of the divine nature" (II Pet. 1:4). - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 379]

It is shocking that money becomes a master. It is a good servant but a bad master. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 390]

WHEN DISASTER COMES KNOCKING

 

Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose, blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, , upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 

Revelation 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

 

Outline By Missionary David H. Snyder edited by Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. We Do Not Know What a Day Will Bring Forth [Proverbs 27:1]

 

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

James 4:14-15 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that

 

II. Our Hope is in the Lord [Psalm 146:5-6]

 

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.

 

III. God is in Control Eliminating Fear [Psalm 46]

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

 

IV. Mankind is so Very Small Compared to this Universe [Ps. 8:3-4]

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

 

V. Safety is of the Lord [Ps. 121]

Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

 

VI. Things of this Earth are Only Temporary [Mt. 6:25-33]

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

VII. We Have Only a Short Time To Witness [John 4:35]

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

 

VIII. There is a Great Need for Laborers [Matthew 9:37]

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Someone has said, “If you can’t go, send someone else.” While there is a lot of truth to that most of us can go- if not to the uttermost parts of the earth or even our Samaria, we can go to our Jerusalem and our Judea.

THE SACRED SECRET OF SUFFERING

JAMES 1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Everybody suffers. No ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to suffering. Naturally, God has a way for His children, not to avoid suffering, but to make the most out of it. One book of the Bible that really helps is the book of James. You could say the key to the book of James is suffering, and a key to handling suffering the right way is the book of James.

 

I. GET THE KEYS [v. 1-4]

 

1. Count it Joy [v. 2]

 

2. Know it’s Purposeful [v. 3, 2:20, 5:20]

 

3. Let it Work [v. 4]

 

II. TURN THE KEYS [v. 5-27]

 

1. Count on God- pray for wisdom [v. 5-8] each trial is different, John lost his head, Daniel lived

 

2. Know God’s Way- get the Facts [v. 9-17]

 

3. Let God be God- Obey His Word [v. 18-22]

 

III. DON’T LOSE THE KEYS [v. 22-27]

 

1. Lest you be Deceived [v. 22-23]

 

2. Lest you be Forgetful [v. 24-25] literally “to lose out of mind”

 

3. Lest you be Vain [v. 26-27]

THE STRANGE STORY OF SIMON, THE SINNING SAINT & THE SAVIOR

JOHN 21:4

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

A lost person, the natural man, the unbeliever – does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He may know of Him, but he does not know Him. He was created by Him, but he knows Him not. Not in the Bible sense of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

The saved person, the Christian, the believer – does have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He knows of Him and he knows Him. He was created by Him, and by receiving Him he became a son of God. He is a saint, a sanctified one, saved by the grace and mercy of Almighty God. He has a saving relationship which neither he, nor Satan, nor sin can break. His fellowship with Christ can be broken but his relationship with Christ cannot.

Let’s see what we mean with an example of a sinning saint from the Word of God.

 

I. THE OBVIOUS SINS OF SIMON

 

1. Lying [John 18:17-18, 25-27]

 

Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

 

2. Cursing [Mark 14: 70-71]

 

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

 

3. Denying the Lord [Matthew 26:34]

 

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

 

II. THE AWKWARD SINS OF SIMON

 

1. Simon Peter Went Back to His Old Life [21:1-3a]

 

This is not the way a Christian is supposed to live but it is a way many a Christian lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Rm. 6:4-7 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

 

2. Simon Peter Influenced Others for the Bad [21:3, Gal. 2:11ff.] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

 

1 Timothy 4:12 …be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

3. Simon Peter Got His Eyes on Others [21:20-22]

 

III. THE SWEET SAVIOUR OF SIMON

 

1. The Saviour Maintains the Relationship [21:4-8]

 

2. The Saviour Meets Needs [21:9-14]

 

3. The Saviour Motivates Ministry [21:15-19]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Jesus rejoiced greatly in the blessing of God on these seventy. In verse 21 [Luke 10] He said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.... The babes are these seventy, "lambs" sent among "wolves" (vs. 3). How wonderful that God can use the soul winner who does not have all the wisdom of the schools, the prestige of experience and age! - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 255-256]

Notice verse 22 [Luke 10] that "All things are delivered to me of my Father," Jesus said. And nobody knows the Father "but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him." There is no way to know God except by Christ. Not the Unitarian, not the Buddhist or Hindu, not the Christian Scientist nor any religious liberal can know the Father until he learns to come, in his penitent, believing heart, to Christ, the Son of God, the atoning Saviour who reveals the Father. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 257]

The term "forgive" is used in two senses in the Scripture. There is forgiveness in the sense of God's daily approval and fellowship of people already saved. That is the meaning here [Luke 11:2-4]. The term is also used of salvation, in the sense that all our sins were laid on the Lord Jesus--all our sins of past, present, and future--and paid for on the cross; so as Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 state: ". . .we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins," we need not daily pray for forgiveness in this sense, that our sins be laid on Jesus, that we thus escape the doom sin deserves. So; "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom. 4:7-8). - John R. Rice {Luke, pg. 273]

A wife said to me about her husband, "He is such a good man. All he needs is to join the church." But she was wrong. He was unconverted and though outwardly moral was like the Pharisees whom Jesus likened to "whited sepulchres" while inwardly they were like the decay and stench of dead men's bones (Matt. 23:27). - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 287]

Once I, as a young Christian, said about a fellow schoolteacher, "I want him to be a Christian, he has such a good heart." But a pastor wisely rebuked me, saying, "No, his heart is what is wrong with him." And so it always is. The unconverted man or woman is not good. One who has not turned to Christ has rejected Him. One who is not for Him is against Him. According to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:24, one who does not love Him hates Him and one who does not hold to Him despises Him. One who wickedly rejects Christ does evil, intentionally, about the greatest moral issue in this world, that is, about Christ Himself and His Lordship and Saviourhood. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 287]

The infinite care of God gives attention even to a sparrow. Five sparrows were sold for two farthings (about one cent in 1971 currency). In a kindred passage, Matthew 10:28-31 reminds us two sparrows were sold for a farthing. Evidently, if one took four, the seller would give him a fifth one! How little the value! Yet "one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father" (Matt. 10:29). And we are reminded: "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:31). What a wonderfully sweet passage of assurance from Christ in Matthew 6:25-34! We are reminded that the fowls of the air do not sow nor reap, yet God feeds them, and we are better than they! And the very hairs of every Christian's head are numbered. And when a few hairs come out as we comb, the Lord has the heavenly record changed. Oh, with what infinite care He watches over us. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 302-303]

All who hear the Gospel and turn down the Saviour are as foolish as the criminal who argues with the policeman or who who does not immediately try to rectify his wrong and make peace before he comes to final judgment. Judgment will come to every poor, unsaved sinner and he had better heed the Word of God and turn to Christ while he can. Those who do not accept the deity of Christ and the authority of the Bible are unbelievers, not because they are cultured and educated, not because they think they know science or history that gives them reason for their unbelief--no; unbelief is a matter of a wicked heart, not a matter of an intellectual mind. It is sin and not science that turns people away from God and the Bible. Anyone who wants to find Jesus Christ may find Him and may know He is all He claims to be. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 321-322]

THE COMFORTER & HIS WORK

Preached in the morning service September 6, 2009

Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

Lamentations 1:9 Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.

Lamentations 1:16 For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

Isaiah 40:1-3 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

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

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

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

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE COMFORTER TESTIFIES (bears witness) [Jn. 15:26]

1. He was Sent by Jesus

2. He was Sent from the Father

3. He was Sent as the Spirit of Truth to Testify of Truth

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

II. THE COMFORTER TEACHES [Jn. 14:26]

1. As a Member of the Trinity

2. As Omniscient (all knowing) [1 Corinthians 2:10]

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

3. As the Author of the Holy Bible [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. [also II Tm. 3:16 proving the Holy Spirit is God]

III. THE COMFORTER TARRIES [Jn. 14:16]

1. Like Jesus, the Spirit Loves us [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

2. Like Jesus, the Spirit comes from the Father [James 1:17]

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

3. Unlike Jesus's Ministry, the Spirit's Ministry is to Tarry [Jn. 16:17]

HOW'S YOUR HEART?

2 CHRONICLES

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

[Unfortunately we could not have services this past weekend so we are publishing this message from the June 6, 2010 evening service.]

 

How is your heart? Are you watching your blood pressure? How is your cholesterol intake? Allow God to be your personal cardiologist for the next few moments. We have the right Manual for a spiritual heart specialist and with it the right diagnosis can be made. So, the question is, how is your heart?

 

I. YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A DECEITFUL HEART [Jer. 17:9]

 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

It fools even us. We think, “If I had this… I’d be happy,” but after we get it we’re not happy. Our heart deceived us. Then we want something else and the process repeats itself. Why do you think some people keep getting married and divorced?

Knowing we have a deceitful heart is only part of the problem, we may also have. . .

 

II. AN UNPREPARED HEART [2 CHR. 12:13-14]

 

So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

 

Rehoboam wasn’t trying to do evil particularly, nor was it his circumstances- he did evil, the Bible declares, because he did not prepare his heart to do good. How about us? Are we preparing our hearts?

 

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

You may decide, “Well, I will prepare,” but we can prepare and still face a third problem.

 

III. AN IMPERFECT HEART [25:1-2, 8, 14-16]

 

1-2 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

14-16 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

 

An imperfect heart does right things for the wrong reason. Matthew 6:

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.

 

IV. A LIFTED UP HEART [2 CHR. 26:16]

 

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

 

We must be careful as we may get so good in our own eyes that we think we are more than we are! Look at Uzziah in verses 4, 5, 7, 16.

4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

 

These are some major problems each of us may have or may develop. What can we do about them? Let us get the prescription from the Master Physician:

 

V. THE PRESECRIPTION

 

1. Confess and Ask God to Give Us a Clean Heart.

 

                This is a two-step process.

 

                1) The Initial Fix- Salvation [Rom. 10:9-13]

 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

2) Regular Check-Ups

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.

Ps. 51:9-10 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

 

2. Prepare Our Heart to Do Right [Pr. 23:26] My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

 

3. Have a Free Heart [2 Chr. 29:31] Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.

 

4. Love God with All Your Heart [Mt. 22:37-38] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

THE TEMPLE

 [Unfortunately we could not have services this morning so we are publishing this message from May 2010. The recording is a message based on the last point of the outline given below. Apparently when this message was prepared it was meant to be one message but the Word of God is rich and deep and the single message became three separate messages. For continuity's sake the entire outline is herein presented for your enrichment and blessing.]

AN ANSWER SOME WON'T LIKE

MALACHI 2:17-3:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PREPARER [Mal. 3:1]

1. The Messenger of the Lord of Hosts [3:1] 24 of the 55 verses in Malachi "use" this title

2. John the Baptist {Mk. 1:1-3; Mt. 3:1-3, 11:10-14; Is. 40:3-5]

3. One of Two Witnesses [Mal. 4:5, Jn. 1:21, Rev. 11:3-12]

II. THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT

1. The Blending of the Christ's Comings [Is. 6:1-3]

2. The Blending of Deliverance and Destruction [Ex. 23:20-23, 33:14-15; Is. 63:7-10]

3. The Blending of Divinity and Humanity [Heb. 1:8-12, 2:1-3, 8:8-13, 12:24-29]

III. THE TEMPLE

1. The Temple that Stood during Christ's Earthly Ministry [Lk. 2:21-22, 41-42, 46; John 2:13-17; Mt. 21:12-16]

2. The Temple that will Stand in the Tribulation [2 Th. 2:1-4]

3. The Temple of His Body [Jn. 2:18-22; Heb. 10]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 The Saturday Sabbath Was Ceremonial Law . . . The Sabbath was never commanded to anyone until God gave it to Moses and Israel in Exodus 16:23-30. "So the people rested on the seventh day" (vs. 30) and that was the first time that men ever observed the Sabbath on earth. It is never mentioned that Adam, Abel, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ever knew about the Sabbath or observed it. It was never commanded before Exodus 16. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 157]

The Saturday Sabbath Was Ceremonial Law . . . The Sabbath was never commanded in the New Testament. The moral commands of the Old Testament are repeated concerning idolatry, profanity, murder, adultery, stealing, covetousness, and lying. But there is no New Testament command about the Sabbath. In all the list of virtues and good works, the Sabbath-keeping is never mentioned, and in all the lists of the sins of the flesh, Sabbath-breaking is never mentioned in the New Testament. The ceremonial law was never commanded to anybody but to Jews. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 157-158]

The Saturday Sabbath Was Ceremonial Law . . . It is true the Sabbath is in the Ten Commandments. But God does not separate the Ten Commandments from the rest of His law. In the context of the Ten Commandments God gives both moral and ceremonial laws. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 start out, "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt." And in Deuteronomy 5 where the Ten Commandments are repeated, the passage starts off, "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them." The Ten Commandments were addressed primarily to Israel. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 158]

The Saturday Sabbath Was Ceremonial Law . . . Nehemiah 9:12-14 plainly tells us that the Sabbath is a part of the ceremonial law, made known at Mount Sinai.

"Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant."

Exodus 31:12-14 says plainly that the Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel and it is repeated in verse 17. Then Ezekiel 20:12 says, "Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them." So Israel was set apart from the Gentiles, with a Sabbath given them as a sign of their separation.

- John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 158]

The Saturday Sabbath Was Ceremonial Law . . . Colossians 2:13, 14 tells us how Christ "having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." So the ceremonial law is not now binding. And verses 16 and 17 give some details: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." So the Sabbath is a part of that handwriting of ordinances that was nailed to the cross, it was a shadow of things to come, it was a ceremonial picture, object lesson of spiritual truth in Christ. Now Christ is come and a New Testament Christian is not to be judged about the ceremonial Sabbath of the Jews. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 158-159]

Since the command is that you are to make good an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth (See Exod. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21.), you are not only to pay what you really owe but more if it is demanded [Luke 6:27-31]. If you smote a man on the cheek, you must allow him to smite you back, in restitution, and then you should offer the other cheek. The idea is that the Christian must be so insistent on paying every debt and making good every wrong that he is willing to go further than simple justice demands, in order to prove his love and honesty. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 170]

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and, sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither, he himself would come.

Who were these seventy? We do not know the name of one. They were, we suppose, not very mature Christians, but rather earnest, new converts. They were "lambs," not sheep, sent "among wolves." So any convert should at once become a soul winner. And God would hold the hearers of such a witness to solemn accounting. - John R. Rice [Luke, pg. 251]