LUKE 16
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. ARE YOU PREPARED TO INVEST WISELY? [v. 1-13]
1. Invest in Your Future [v. 1-8]
2. Invest in Eternity [v. 9]
3. Invest in God’s Will [v. 10-13]
II. ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE REVEALED? [v. 14-18]
1. God Reveals your Heart [v. 14-15]
2. God Revealed His Word [v. 16-17]
3. God Reveals His Will [v. 18]
III. ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE DEAD? [v. 19-31]
1. Death Comes to All [v. 19-23]
2. The Destination is Final [v. 24-26]
3. Death Does Not Change Your Mind [v. 27-31]
MATTHEW 2:1-16
Pastor Rick Jackson
As far as being in time for the first Christmas the wise men
were about 2 years late. But that didn’t let it stop them and it shouldn’t stop
you. You can, like them, be a wise man by being better late than never. How?
I. Study the Scriptures [2:1-2, Daniel 9:25]
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of
the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince
shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built
again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a
lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the
gathering of the people be.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold
him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall
rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the
children of Sheth .
II. Give Time to your Soul’s Welfare [2:2, Lk.
12:16-21]
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself,
saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And
he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and
there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul,
Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,
and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be
required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
III. Follow the Light that God Gives You [2:2]
Jn. 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that
cometh into the world.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil.
IV. Seek More Light [2:2, 7-9]
Rm. 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools,
V. Rejoice in God’s Leading [2:10, 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?
VI. Recognize & Receive Christ [2:11]
Gold for the King who must be served, Frankincense for God
Who deserves prayer & praise, Myrrh for the Saviour who pays for sin with
His own life, Worship of God in the flesh.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
VII. Obey God Rather than Man [2:8, 12, 16]
Saul of Tarsus came late but he came. Here’s what he said in
1 Cor. 15:1-10;
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I
preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye
have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And
that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he
was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part
remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen
of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as
of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not
meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by
the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was
not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the
grace of God which was with me.
Pastor Rick Jackson
JOHN
3:11-18
Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have
seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye
believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man
hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of
man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on
him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because
he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
I. JESUS
CAME TO REVEAL THE FATHER [Jn. 14:7-11, 10:30]
If ye had
known me , ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know
him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it
sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and
how sayest thou then, shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of
myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that
I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works
sake.
I and my
Father are one.
1. God’s
Love [Jn. 3:16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
2. God’s
Interest [1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you]
Ps. 8:4 What
is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest
him?
3. God’s
Purpose [1 Tm. 2:3-4] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of
the truth.
II. JESUS
CAME TO REVEAL HEAVEN [Jn. 14:1-3]
1. Where
Saints Live Forever [Jn. 10:28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
2. Where
Saints Understand [1 Cor. 13:12] For now we see through a glass, darkly ; but
then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.
3. Where
Saints Dwell Joyfully [Rev. 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.
JESUS CAME TO REDEEM MANKIND
1. He Knew
the Condition of Man [Lk. 19:10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost.
2. He Knew
the Cost of Redemption [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:
1 Peter 1:18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers;
Revelation
5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
3. He Knew
the Call of 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.
Man isn't saved by man living. Man is saved by Christ dying! -John R. Rice
Wouldn't it be a pity for you to go through Christmas and still be unsaved? You are in God's world which He made and you don't love Him.
ISN’T HE WONDERFUL?
ISAIAH
9:6
Pastor Rick
Jackson
I.
WONDERFUL BIRTH
1. Foretold
by the Prophets [Gen. 3:15, Is. 7:14, 9:6-7; Jer. 31:22, Micah 5:2]
And I will
put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and
bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel .
For unto us
a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government
and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his
kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from
henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
How long
wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a
new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
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 .
2. Announced
by Angels [Mt. 1:20ff, Lk. 1:11-12, 1:26ff, 2:8-15]
And there
appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar
of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon
him.
And in
the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee,
named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And there
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over
their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the
angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven , the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us
3.
Orchestrated by God Almighty [Lk. 1:32-37, Gal. 4:4-5]
He shall be
great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give
unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto
the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered
and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be
born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth,
she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with
her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
But when
the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons.
“It was
wonderful that at such a time and in such a country such a people could produce
Jesus.” – Billy Sunday
II.
WONDERFUL CHARACTER
1. Wonderful
in His Sinlessness – think of the only charges His enemies could come up with [John
8:46]
-claimed God
as His Father
-received
sinners
-did good on
the Sabbath
Which of
you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
2. Wonderful
in His Unselfishness – He did miracles to help others, never for Himself [Mt.
20:28]
Even as the
Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many.
3. Wonderful
in His Example [1 Peter 2:21]
For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps:
Churches,
hospitals, missions, organizations (Salvation Army), etc
It is
wonderful that the greatest figure in history came from such obscurity and
became the most famous.
III.
WONDERFUL INVITATIONS
1. Come Now
[Isaiah 1:18]
Come now,
and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be
as wool.
2. Come All
[Matthew 11:28]
Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
3. Come to
Jesus [John 7:37]
In the last
day, that, great day of the feast, Jesus, stood and cried, saying, If, any man
thirst, let, him come unto me, and, drink.
THE WIELDER OF THE SWORD
REVELATION 2:12-17
Pastor Rick Jackson
People often have portraits done of themselves indicating
their occupation, a hobby or passion, a
prized possession or something they often use and are thus associated with that
item. In verses 1 through 11 Jesus was pictured with 7 stars in His hand but in
these verses, the Lord Jesus is portrayed as the Wielder of a sword.
In the Bible the wielder of the sword is one who had
governmental authority. In Romans 13:1-5, for instance, we are told of the
purpose of human government. Here in Revelation the Sword Wielder has higher
authority still.
1:16 also mentions the Sword. Hebrews 4:12 adds some
additional illumination. 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.
I. THE WIELDER OF THE SWORD IS AWARE [2:12]
1. Of Your Toil [2:13]
2. Of Your Situation [2:13]
3. Of Your Stand [2:13]
Just knowing what we do is known and appreciated makes a big
difference. Down through the years stories are told of soldiers that did
incredible things because of their respect for their commander. Heb. 4:12-16
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. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his
sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we
have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have
not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace
to help in time of need.
II. THE WIELDER OF THE TWO-EDGED SWORD IS ALERT [2:12]
1. Knows When Compromise is Made for Material Gain [2:14]
2. Knows When Compromise Causes Others to be Led Astray
[2:14]
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this
liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
3. Knows When Compromise is Made with False Teachings [2:15,
1 Tm. 4:1-2]
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
III. THE WIELDER OF THE SWORD IS ACCURATE [v. 16-17]
1. Do What He Says and Change Your Mind [v. 16]
2. Do What He Says and Change Your Manner [v. 16]
3. Do What He Says and Change Your Future [v. 17]
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 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;
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that
day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
ROMANS 14:1-12
Rick Jackson
I. THE DATE
(Was Jesus Born in
December?)
It is
amazing the amount of people, even Christians, who doubt Jesus was born in
December. The problem is they are merely repeating a mantra they have heard
from others- and the others didn't do their homework!
1. Critics Claim
It Was Too Cold for the Sheep in Bethlehem’s Field in December when Christ was
Born
Were you
there then? Have you ever been there?
Dr. Mark
Cambron, respected Bible scholar had heard this unsubstantiated claim that it
is too cold for the sheep in December. We must remember Israel is not North
Dakota or even Ohio. Dr. Cambron was at the shepherds’ field in Bethlehem one
Christmas eve and noticed there were shepherds present. He asked them, “Why are
sheep here and not in folds. Isn’t it too cold?” They replied, “This is when
the grass grows best, so we graze here!” Then he noticed the grass was indeed
thick and over knee high. Hearsay destroyed by eyewitnesses!
2. Critics
Claim the Bible Doesn’t Give the Date as December
Well, not in
those terms. But- you must rightly divide the Word of God.
-Bible fact
# 1 In 1 Chr. 24:1-19 David organized the priests for the Temple. There
were 24 orders for the 12 months, two orders per month (v. 18-19). Note in the
fourth month, the latter part of the month is the order of Abijah (v. 10).
-Bible fact
# 2 In Ex. 12:2, 13:4 God says the month Nisan is the first month of the Jewish
calendar. Nisan falls in our Mar. /Apr. which puts the order of Abijah in our
July.
-Bible Fact
# 3 Zechariah was serving in July. (Lk. 1:5-7) Not yet 50 but advanced in years
(people age differently, in US pioneer days the average lifespan was 35). Luke
1:8-23. He went home in August and John the Baptist was conceived in August or
September (Luke 1:24). Elisabeth’s first month would be Sept. or Oct. Her 6th
month would be Feb./March. (1:26-36 Mary conceived in Elisabeth’s 6th month so
her first month would be March-April. Count it out. April, May, June, July,
Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., December.
Late
December is when the shepherds are out in their fields to watch their sheep by
night. The night the angels came. Luke 2:8-15. The night, Christ was born. I for
one am not going to let the Devil steal my Christmas.
II. THE
DETAILS
1. Some Claim
Christmas Trees are of Pagan Origin [Jer. 10:1-4]
-Jeremiah is
not talking about Christmas trees [Jer. 10:5-15] He is referring to wooden
idols, carved by men, overlaid with gold, etc.
-Christmas
trees are actually Christian.
John R. Rice
recounts the origin of the Christmas tree: “In the 8th century a missionary
named Boniface went to Germany to preach Christ. The Germanic tribes worshipped
the oak tree as a symbol of deity. Boniface told them it was a poor symbol for
God since it sheds its leaves and appears dead in winter. He told them the tree
that should remind them of God was the evergreen. Always green and thriving.”
“Christmas trees became popular in England
primarily through the influence of the German-born, Prince Albert, husband of
England’s Queen Victoria. In America the trees were introduced by German
immigrants in Pennsylvania.”
-the Christmas
tree reminds me of Calvary [Gal. 6:14, 1 Pt. 2:24]
2. The Lights
Remind Me of Jesus & the Christmas Lights [Mt. 2, Lk. 2] the Star, the
Angels
-Jn. 8:12 Then
spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
-Jn. 9:5 As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
-1 Jn. 1:5 God
is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
-Mt. 5:14 Ye
are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
3. Critics say
giving gifts has become too commercialized [Esther 9:20-22]
It can be
but need not be. Besides, since when do we not do right because someone else
does it wrong. Many cults have services on Sunday- we still follow the Bible
pattern as given in the N.T.
And Mordecai
wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the
provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among
them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the
fifteenth day of the same, yearly , As the days wherein the Jews rested from
their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and
from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and
joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
III. THE
DEVOTION
1. Worship
in Spirit and truth [Jn. 4:24]
God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
2. Be fully
persuaded in your own mind. [Rm. 14:5-6]
One man esteemeth
one day above another : another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be
fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto
the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.
He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that
eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
3. Whatever
ye do, do it unto the Lord [Col. 3:17, 23-25]
And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by him.
And
whatsoever ye do, do it heartily , as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing
that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve
the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he
hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
You shouldn't tell lies. You say, "What about Santa Claus?" It is certainly wrong to lie about Santa Claus and tell that myth as the truth. Such lying and deception is always a sin, and Christians should not be guilty of it. However, I do not believe that Santa Claus would necessarily be wrong used simply as a symbol of Christmas cheer and giving and happiness, provided one did not mislead children nor help others mislead them. It is possible for Christian people to use Santa Claus as simply a kind of Christmas symbol like we use Christmas trees and holly and greeting cards and turkey dinners. In our own home we spoke about Santa Claus in a symbolic way. All my children from babyhood were taught the simple truth that Santa Claus was simply a mythical character who does not exist. Rather, he represents an idea of Christmas cheer and giving. - John R. Rice [Christmas Now and All the Year, pg. 9]
And so with baptism. It is a picture of the burial and resurrection of Christ. He wants us to remember His resurrection. It would be good for us to remember His birth also. It is put down in the Bible, and God wanted us to know about it, and God wanted us to enjoy it and rejoice in it. There is nothing wrong about celebrating the birth of Christ and His coming. Just so, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - John R. Rice [Christmas Now and All the Year, pg. 10]
Let's put Christ at the head and top at Christmastime. Let us love Him. Let me suggest this. Be sure that in your private devotions in your time alone with the Bible, your heart is happy. Make sure you thank God for Jesus Christ, His coming as a Saviour. Let your heart run over with joy. - John R. Rice [Christmas Now and All the Year, pg. 13]
LUKE 15:1-2
Pastor Rick Jackson
Luke 15 is one of the most well-known chapters in the Word
of God. It contains three parables all told with the same end- to show the
attitude of God toward lost sinners. It is true that God is angry with the
wicked every day [Ps. 7:11] but it is equally true that God loves sinners [Rm.
5:8] and desires to reclaim them all from sin, self, and Satan. Note the two
first verses of this incredible chapter.
I. THE PORTRAIT OF THE SHEPHERD [v. 3-7]
1. His Concern for the Lost [v. 3-4]
2. His Compassion for the Lost [v. 5]
3. His Comparison of the Lost [v. 6-7]
II. THE PORTRAIT OF THE WOMAN [V. 8-10]
1. Her Diligence [v. 8]
2. Her Delight [v. 9]
3. Her Details [v. 10]
III. THE PORTRAIT OF THE FATHER [v. 11-32]
1. The Sinning Son [v. 11-21]
2. The Loving Father [v. 20-24]
3. The Self-Righteous Son [v. 25-30]
4. The Loving Father [v. 31-32]
REVELATION 2:1-7
Pastor Rick
Jackson
I. THE
LORD WHO KNOWS [2:1] THE ALL-KNOWING HEAD OF THE CHURCH
1. The
Lord’s Authority [1:9-17a]
2. The
Lord’s Position [1:17b-2:1]
3. The
Lord’s Knowledge [2:1-2a]
II. THE
LORD KNOWS OUR EFFORTS [v. 2-3]
1. Christ
Knows the Deeds Done [v. 2]
2. Christ
Knows the Energy Expended [v. 2] a large man burns more calories than a small
man doing the exact same work
3. Christ
Knows the Attitude Exemplified [v. 2-3, 6]
III. THE
LORD KNOWS OUR SHORTCOMINGS [v. 4-7]
1.
Motivation is Key [v. 4, 1 Cor. 13:1-3]
Though I
speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become
as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give
my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
2.
Correction is Essential [v. 5, Heb. 12:5-13]
And ye have
forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son,
despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of
him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what
son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement,
whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore
we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them
reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of
spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own
pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no
chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned
out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
3. Response
is Reasonable [v. 7, 1 Jn. 1:6-10]
THE “IFS”
OF 1 JOHN 1
6 If
we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do
not the truth:
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.
8 If
we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
LUKE 1:26-38
Pastor Rick
Jackson
The virgin
birth of Christ is no myth. Nor is it an unnecessary event concocted to make a
simple story spectacular. No, the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is an
absolute unequivocal necessity. There are at least 6 solid, sensible, and most
importantly, scriptural reasons, that this is true.
I. Christ
was Virgin Born so He would Fulfill Scripture [Mt. 1:18-23, Is. 7:14, Gn. 3:14-15, Jer. 31:22]
18 Now the
birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to
Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public
example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these
things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying,
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that
which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a
son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from
their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, , and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.
Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and
bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
And the LORD
God said unto the serpent. . . .And I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou
shalt bruise his heel.
How long
wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a
new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
II.
Christ was Virgin Born so He would NOT have a Sin Nature [Ps. 51:5, Lk. 1:35]
Behold, I
was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
And the
angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the
power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
III.
Christ was Virgin Born so He would be Human as well as Divine in His Nature [Phil. 2:5-8]
Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross.
IV. Christ
was Virgin Born so He could Face Temptations as Other Men [James 1:13, Heb.
2:18, 4:15]
God cannot
be tempted with evil
For in
that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that
are tempted.
For we have
not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
V. Christ
was Virgin Born so He could make an Adequate Payment for Sin [Isaiah 53:6, Heb. 1:1-3, 1 Jn.
2:1-2]
All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
God, who
at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the
brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all
things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat
down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
We have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the
propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world.
VI. Christ
was Virgin Born so He could Serve as Mediator [John 14:6, 1 Tm. 2:5]
Jesus saith
unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.
For there is
one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
I will talk
to you today about the virgin birth of Christ, one of the great doctrines of
the Bible. It is essential to the deity of Christ. And one who does not believe
in the virgin birth is really doubting the actual deity of Christ and the
inspiration of the Bible and is not a good Christian. - John R. Rice
Some minister preaches and feels, “Oh, I cannot prevail on men to hear, to repent, to serve God.” But your failure was not in the pulpit but in the secret closet before you entered the pulpit. If you had first prevailed with God, you could prevail with men. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 455]
Prayer is asking; the answer to prayer is receiving. - John R. Rice
I am glad the time is near for Christmas. I will talk to you today about the virgin birth of Christ, one of the great doctrines of the Bible. It is essential to the deity of Christ. And one who does not believe in the virgin birth is really doubting the actual deity of Christ and the inspiration of the Bible and is not a good Christian. - John R. Rice [Christmas Now and All the Year, pg. 3]
The Virgin Birth Is Taught in Jeremiah 31:22
LUKE 14
Pastor Rick
Jackson
In Luke 13
we were “LEARNING TO LEAN ON JESUS” but in this chapter the emphasis for us is “LEARNING
TO LISTEN TO JESUS.”
I. THE
LESSONS “THEY” MISSED [v. 1-6]
1. “They”
Watched Him Critically [v. 1-2, Proverbs 15:3]
The eyes of
the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
2. “They”
Held Their Peace [v. 3-4, 20:26]
And they
could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his
answer, and held their peace.
3. “They”
Could Not Answer [v. 5-6, Romans 3:19]
Now we know
that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:
that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before
God.
II. THE
LESSONS OF THE THREE FEASTS [v. 7-24]
1. There is
No Excuse to Exalt Yourself [v. 7-11, 1 Cor. 4:1-5]
Let a man so
account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of
God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But
with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am
I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 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. There is
No Excuse to Not Bless Others [v. 12-14]
3. There is
No Excuse to Miss God’s Great Supper [v. 15-24]
III. THE
LESSONS OF DISCIPLESHIP [v. 25-35]
1. The Cost
[v. 25-27]
2. The Count
[v. 28-33]
3. The Cast [v.
34-35]
REVELATION 1
Pastor Rick Jackson
I considered titling this sermon “Baby Jesus has Left the
Building” but I though some might think I was mocking our Lord. I would not be mocking
Jesus but I would be mocking the idea that He is still the babe of Bethlehem.
When I was communicating with a family member some years ago about their
salvation they told me that they were okay because “I love the baby Jesus”.
Listen, I love that Jesus left Heaven’s glory and became
human by way of Mary’s womb and Bethlehem’s manger and I rejoice that I get to
preach about that monumental event in history but my friends, Jesus grew up. He
did not stay a baby any longer than any normal human being. It’s alright to
visit the past but you can’t live there.
Suppose someone was curious what my daughters look like now
and I showed them their baby pictures from the 1980s. When a person is missing
the authorities often ask for a recent picture that they can use to aid in
finding them. Suppose a man went missing and his wife gave them his baby
picture. They would probably assume she was not interested in him being found.
So it is with the Bible. The last book of the Bible is the
book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ- both physically and chronologically. The
Holy Spirit of God gave John the task of closing out the Holy Writ and during
that task he gives us several of the last portraits of Jesus given to us.
Rather than look solely at His baby years, which, while important cover a few
years out of the approximately 6000 years of human history let us see the
Saviour we are still worshipping today in His glory and majesty.
I. THE PICTURE CHRISTIANS SEE [v. 1-6]
1. The Word [v. 1-3]
2. The Witness [v. 4-5a]
3. The Washer [v. 5b-6]
II. THE PICTURE THE WORLD WILL SEE [v. 7-8]
1. The Coming King [v. 7a, 19:11-16]
2. The Crucified Conqueror [v. 7b]
3. The Almighty Concluder [v. 8]
III. THE PERSON JOHN SAW [v. 9-20]
1. John saw Christ as Never Before [v. 9-16]
2. John Saw Christ as God Incarnate [v. 17-18, Isaiah 41:4]
Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from
the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
3. John saw Christ as the Head of the Church [v. 19-20]
