John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 All who understand the simplest, plainest doctrines in the Bible will understand why the Saviour must be born of a virgin. Men are tainted with sin. The whole race is fallen since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Every child ever born comes into this world with the curse of sin upon him. Every child is born but to die. And if Jesus were to be without the taint of sin, He needed to be conceived and born in a way different from the usual course of mankind. He was conceived and born of a virgin. Jesus had no human father! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 34]

The Christmastime is the best time you will ever have to receive Christ into your heart, to let Immanuel be your own Saviour, God with you! Why not today repent of your sins? Why not today turn to the Christ, the Saviour, and ask Him to come into your heart and forgive your sins and save your poor soul! -Why not trust Him this moment, right now, to be your own Saviour now and forever! And the very moment that you turn your case over to Him, depend upon Him, risk Him, believe in Him, that moment He will be your own Immanuel, God with you, your Saviour, your constant companion, your eternal refuge from sin, your High Priest before God, your salvation! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 50]

It is part of the penalty and guilt of sin that the sinner does not realize the enormity of his wickedness. Part of the harm of liquor is that the man who is intoxicated thinks himself wise and brave and strong and capable. He thinks himself warm while he is freezing. He thinks himself safe as he drives a car careening down the highways to kill or be killed. How many drunkards, deceived by intoxication, boldly begin a fight, without realizing their incapability and are shot down or murdered by others, perhaps equally intoxicated. So it is with sin. It deceives, enslaves and blinds while it leads men on to destruction. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 63]

The miraculous prophecies of the Old Testament now wonderfully fulfilled in the New Testament prove that the Bible is what it claims to be - the very Word of God. They prove, also, that Jesus is what He claims to be, God in human form, the virgin-born, bodily-resurrected Saviour, the God-man. - John R. Rice [The Birth of the Saviour, pg. 117-118]

Dear reader, God is not concerned about your pious platitudes as you commend the teachings of Jesus in the sermon on the mount. He turns His face with disdain when you speak of the crucifixion as "the martyrdom" of "a good man" who "died for his ideals." There is no way under Heaven that any man can approach God in peace except he come with prayer and praise to Jesus Christ as one who is very God, Creator, Saviour, one to be loved and worshipped, one who answers prayer, one who is worthy of all praises that can fall from human lips! - John R. Rice [The Birth of the Saviour, pg. 54]

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

Daniel "purposed in his heart" that he would not defile himself. I was just thinking about this tonight - I don't know whether it is original with me; I don't know whether anybody else ever thought of it or not - but my resolutions are the only real, true John Rice there is. You may look at me. You look at the way I live and the way I act and the failures I make, but you don't know my heart at all. Only in my resolutions am I what I long to be. "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Not until I see the Saviour, not until I am all that I want to be, all that I am hungry to be, all that I resolve to be, will I be what I ought to be, when my resolutions catch up with me, or when I catch up with my resolutions. So resolutions are the only true John Rice there is, or the only true anybody else. So make your resolutions. That is the right thing to do. - John R. Rice [Sweet Family Ties in Heaven and Hell, pg. 154]

DON’T GIVE UP, LOOK UP!

PSALM 3

 

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 I. PEOPLE PROBLEMS [v. 1-3]

 

1. The Works of Others [v. 1]

 

2. The Words of Others [v. 2]

 

3. The Wrongness of Others [v. 3]

 

 II. A PRESENT HELP [v. 4-6] Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

 1.  Pray to God [v. 4]

 

2. Presence of God [v. 5]

 

3. Peace of God [v. 6]

 

 III. PRACTICAL TRUTHS [v. 7-8]

 

 1. God Encourages Prayer [v. 7a, Psalm 81:10]

 

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

 

2. God Promotes Righteousness [v. 7b, Psalm 66:18]

 

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

 

3. God Blesses Believers [v. 8]

A CHRISTMAS TO DIE FOR

LUKE 2:21-35                                 

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

People sometimes say strange things. “That food is to die for.” Really? “If Christmas doesn’t get here soon, I’m going to die!” Really? But here we have a man who actually said he was ready to die after he learned about the first Christmas and my friends, he meant it!

 

I. ARE YOU READY TO DIE?

 

 1. Do You Know the God-sent Saviour? [v. 25, 30, Jn. 3:16-18]

 

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.

 

2. Have You Finished the Will of God for Your Life? [v. 26-29, 2 Tm. 4:6-8]

 

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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.

 

3. Are You Content to Let God Choose the Time? [v. 28-29, Col. 3:15-17] Let God be God!

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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.

 

II. ARE YOU READY TO LIVE BY DYING TO SELF?

 

1. It is God’s Salvation [v. 30, Ps. 119:41, Jonah 2:9]           Jonah 2:9 Salvation is of the LORD.

 

Psalm 119:41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

 

2. It is God’s Solution [v. 31-2a, 1 Corinthians 1:18]

 

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

3. It is God’s Glory [v. 32b]

 

III. ARE YOU READY TO WIN BY SURRENDERING

 

1. The Choice is Between Falling or Rising [v. 33-34, Dan. 12:2, Mt. 3:11]

 

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

2. The Choice is Believing or Rejecting [v. 34b, 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.

 

3. The Choice is to Be a Bible Christian or a Hypocrite [v. 35, Heb. 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.

THE MONUMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PERFECT GIFT

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.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Christmas Day is a monumental day commemorating a monumental event. It is one of the three most important days in all of history [the other two being Good Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday]. Any time you have an event or series of events that have monumental consequences you also have the potential for:

 

I. MONUMENTAL MISTAKES – internet article

 

“Several metro churches are not holding services on Sunday in order to let their members, staffers and volunteers spend time with their families.”

another church said  “With a church as large as ours, we have thousands of volunteers, and we feel that as a church it’s more important for them to spend time with their families on Christmas”

Well, what could be wrong with that?

 

1. It’s the Lord’s Day”, not “family Day” [Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2, Rev. 1:10] most people are off Sat. and/or Mon. anyway- make one of them family day, or take your family to church

 

-And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

-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.

- I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

 

2. That is a worldly decision, not a spiritual decision [Titus 2:11-15, Eph. 5:10-11]

 

Another church said, “On Christmas Day, there will be a pre-recorded sermon by Lead Pastor… that members can watch on the church’s website… the day away from a physical building is a way to show appreciation for volunteers and staff, “who really work every Sunday.”

-For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly , righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

- Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

3. It misses the point of the church’s gathering and the church’s mission [Heb. 10:25, Mt. 28:18-20]

 

- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

It seems the inn was not the only place with no room for Jesus on the day of His birth. But though mankind has made mistakes since God is involved there is also:

II. MONUMENTAL MERCY

 

1. The World didn’t know Him, but He knows the World [Jn. 1:10-12, 2:24-25]

- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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:

- But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

 

2. The World has no place for Him but He prepares a Place for Us [Luke 2:7, Mt. 8:34, Jn. 14:1-6]

 

- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

- And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

-Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

3. The World has no real Peace, He gives True Peace [Jeremiah 6:14, Luke 2:14, Jn. 14:27, 16:33, 20:19-21, Acts 10:36]

 

- They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

-Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

- The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

III. MONUMENTAL MANIFESTATION

 

1. Monumental Delivery [1 Tm. 3:16]

 

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

 

2. Monumental Purpose [2 Tm. 1:8-10, 1 Jn. 3:8]

 

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

--He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

 

3. Monumental Love and Truth [1 Jn. 4:9, Titus 1:2-3]

 

-In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

-In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Jesus said plainly that God's love gift to the world was in order "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus did not come as a teacher, a philosopher, but to save people from their sins. When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and said, "Rabbi, we know thou art a teacher come from God," Jesus abruptly answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:2, 3). What Nicodemus needed was not a teacher but a Saviour. He did not need a pattern; he needed a Redeemer. John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 26]

Jesus did not come to civilize the world, to change society as a whole, to stop wars and crime and poverty. The modernists who leave off revivals, who stop having supernatural conversions, and talk piously of the church "bringing in the kingdom of God," have utterly missed the point of the gospel, the point of Jesus' coming. Jesus came to save individual sinners from Hell. He came to make black hearts white in the blood, came to give new life to those dead in trespasses and sins. Joseph was told by the angel, "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit and with the baby John in his arms, prophesied, "And thou, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" (Luke 1:76, 77). The angel announced to the shepherds, and we should always emphasize his message, that "unto you is born . . . a Saviour." John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 26]

The name of Jesus means Saviour, and Jesus came to save. No one really has Jesus until he has Him as a Saviour in his own heart and has his own sins forgiven and his soul saved.

The most important thing for each reader this Christmastime is that he may make sure that he has come to Jesus as a poor lost sinner needing saving and that by faith he has accepted and received Jesus into his own heart as the Forgiver of his sins, the Pardoner of his transgressions, the Saviour of his soul. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 27-28]

How blessed that the Saviour who was born in a stable should have His arrival first announced to humble shepherds in the fields, watching their flocks. Those who feel themselves great will not come to Him. Those who are self-satisfied and say that they are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," will not run to such a meek and lowly Saviour. But all who know themselves to be sinners and long to be pure; all who know themselves to be empty of righteousness but hunger to be filled; all those who want to come for mercy and pardon instead of singing their own praises, will find the Saviour approachable. The Saviour made the way easy for all mankind when He had His coming announced to the shepherds by campfire, among the huddled flock of sheep that winter night long ago. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 17]

So, the Wise Men opened their treasures. They had brought gold for Jesus. ...

Then frankincense. Incense for praise and worship in the Temple, or praise and prayer to deity, for Jesus is God. I have people ask, "Do you pray to Jesus?" Sure. "But I thought you prayed to the Father in the name of the Son." Well, Jesus is God, too. And the Father is not jealous of His Son. Just as in the Bible people came to Jesus to ask Him for things, so I can ask Him, too, and He answers me, as He answered them. Oh yes, Jesus is God and I offer Him the sweet incense of praise and worship, and I delight in His presence. I adore Him and I bring Him my petitions and offer Him my praise. - John R. Rice

I always rejoice when Christmas time draws near. I am glad to preach about the coming of Christ. I want you to think about it with me. Don't be browbeaten by unscholarly infidels who would take away the deity of Jesus Christ. Don't be impressed by their ignorance and ranting. - John R. Rice

Jesus is Jehovah God come into this world to be our Saviour and to be a Substitute for wicked men and and to suffer for wicked sinners like us and pay the debt and save sinners.- John R. Rice

THE TRAGEDIES OF CHRISTMAS

MATTHEW 2:1-18                                                            

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TRAGEDIES OF CHRISTMAS

 

1. When People are Troubled by the Saviour’s Being [v. 1-3]

 

2. When People Know what the Bible says but are NOT Interested in Following It [v. 4-6]

 

3. The Actions of the Wicked causing Death and Sorrow [v. 16-18]

 

II. THE TRIUMPHS OF CHRISTMAS

 

1. When People Seek “the kingdom of God” in their Lives [v. 1-2, 9, 6:33]

 

2. When People Worship the One True God [v. 9-11, 4:10]

 

3. When People Obey God’s Holy Word [v. 5, 8, 12-14]

 

III. THE TRINITY OF CHRISTMAS [Luke 1]

 

1. God the Son [v. 31-35]

 

2. God the Father [v. 32, 35]

 

3. God the Holy Spirit [v. 35]

WHILE HE THOUGHT

MATTHEW 1:18-25

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHEN HE THOUGHT ABOUT IT [v. 18, Lk. 1:26-40, 56]

 

II. WHY HE THOUGHT IT THROUGH [v. 18, 2:25, 5:32, 14:14, 15:7, Lk. 1:6]

 

III. WHAT HE THOUGHT HE WOULD DO [v. 19, Dt. 22:13-14, 22-24, 24:1]

 

IV. WHILE HE THOUGHT IT THROUGH (not a snap decision) [v. 20, Acts 10:19]

 

V. WHO HE THOUGHT SHOULD SETTLE IT [v. 20-25]

 

1. The Angel of the Lord [v. 20, Luke 1:11, 19-20] God’s Representative

 

2. The Holy Spirit [v. 20]

 

Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

Isaiah 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

 

3. The Son of God, God the Son [v. 21-23]

 

4. The Word of God [v. 24-25, 21]

LATE TO THE PARTY BUT WITH THE PERFECT GIFTS

MATTHEW 2:1-2, 9-12                                   

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Have we gotten something backward? Have we missed something? When it is your birthday who gets the presents?

Who gets the recognition? Pardon me- but who gets the glory?

 

I. CHRISTMAS IS JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. HE IS THE SACRIFICE. GIVE HIM YOUR SINS [v. 11, Is. 7:14, 9:6-7, Heb. 2:9, Is. 53]

 

“The myrrh, often used for embalming the dead, showed their understanding that Christ, their Saviour, must die.” – John R. Rice

-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.

-But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

-Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 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. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

II. CHRISTMAS IS JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. HE IS THE KING. GIVE HIM YOUR SERVICE [v. 11, Psalm 24:7-10, Rm. 12:1-2]

 

“Through their gifts the wise men expressed their faith: the gold was their tribute to Christ, their King.”

-Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

-I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

 III. CHRISTMAS IS JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. HE IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD. GIVE HIM YOUR SELF

 

 “The frankincense represented their praise and prayer to Christ as God.” – J.R.R.

Leviticus 2:1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:

Leviticus 2:15 And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering.

Leviticus 2:16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Matthew 22:37 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.

Rm. 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 When the truth is known, no one truly honors Christ who does not honor the Bible. And nobody believes in Christ in the sense of historical Christianity who does not believe the Bible. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 36-37]

The simple truth is that the Old Testament very clearly foretold ahead of time the coming of the Saviour, and all the Jews knew about the Messiah, which was promised, the Son of Abraham, the Son of David, the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, the Prophet Moses talked about, the Lamb of God pictured in all the animal sacrifices, the High Priest pictured in the Jewish priesthood, the Light of the world pictured in the golden candlestick in the Tabernacle and temple, the Bread of life pictured by the manna, by the shewbread and by offerings. And when the New Testament speaks of "the Christ," it refers clearly and unmistakably to the Christ or Messiah (Greek and Hebrew terms respectively) pictured in the Old Testament. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 37]

One could not even know that Jesus claimed to die for the sins of the world unless he believed the Bible. One could not even know that Jesus claimed to be God in human form without believing the Bible. Men could not even know anything about the sermon on the mount or John 3:16 unless they believe the Bible. One would have no clear statement of the universality of human sin and the Hell that unrepentant sinners go to or Heaven where God in mercy will take those who trust Christ, without the Bible. There is no such thing as Christianity without the Bible. There is no Christ, no Saviour, no Son of God come into the world unless it be as revealed in the Word of God. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 37]

Any rejection of the Bible is a rejection of Jesus Christ. This is taught in II John, verses 7-11, as follows:

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 

- John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 37]

Note [in II John 7-11] the two names, Jesus and Christ. Jesus is the human name given at the Saviour's birth, announced to Joseph by the angel. But Christ is the term meaning "the anointed," referring to the one promised throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. So all the Jews understood the term even before Jesus came. And so they used it. And so John uses the term here. And one who "confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" is one who did not believe that the Christ prophesied in the Old Testament had come. They did not believe that He was born of a virgin as it was foretold in Isaiah 7:14. They did not believe He would die for man's sins as Isaiah 53 plainly taught. They did not believe He was the Son of God as the Second Psalm claimed. They did not believe that Jesus rose from the dead as Psalm 16:9, 10 clearly prophesied. Those who denied that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh denied the Scriptures about His coming were fulfilled. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 38]

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

Here the Scripture says that one who does not abide in the Bible teaching or doctrine of Jesus Christ does not have God, that is, he is unconverted. Any one who denies what the Bible teaches about the person and work of Jesus Christ, that is, His virgin birth, His deity, His blood atonement as a substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection from the dead--one who denies these great facts about Christ as taught in the Bible "hath not God." But one who does abide steadfastly in the Bible teaching (the doctrine) of Christ has both the Father and the Son. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 39]

It is no Christmas where people talk about Jesus but do not love Him. It is no Christmas where people celebrate a day without knowing Jesus as their own Saviour. Away with the folly, the hypocrisy, the false tinsel of the commercialized Christmas without a Saviour! Make sure that this Christmas you come to the Saviour for yourself and know Him and trust Him and go away with His peace and joy, yea, with the Saviour Himself in your heart forever! - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, pg. 21]

HE AND ME

PSALM 139

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE KNOWS ME [v. 1-6]

 

II. HE IS WITH ME [v. 7-13]

 

III. HE MADE ME [v. 14-16]

 

IV. HE LEADS ME [v. 17-24]

 

This reminds me of a sermon which I “borrowed and adapted” from the Corley Brothers [Missionaries to the Navajo] on Zacchaeus from Luke 19 –

 

I. HE SEES ME [v. 1-5]

II. HE KNOWS ME [v. 5]

III. HE WANTS ME [v. 5]

IV. HE CAN HAVE ME [v. 6-10]

Aren’t we glad that the God who gave us the New Testament gave us the Old Testament also?

CHRISTMAS JOY

LUKE 2                   

Pastor Rick Jackson                       

Nehemiah 8:10 …the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

I. THE MESSAGE OF JOY [v. 1-11]

 

1. It is a Heavenly Message [v. 9-14]

 

2. It is a Universal Message [v. 10]

 

3. It is an Evangelistic Message [v. 11, 19:10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

II. THE MASTER OF JOY

 

1. The Fountain of Joy [v. 10-11] – God come in the flesh

 

2. The Foundation of Joy [v. 10-11, Micah 5:2] – God’s Holy Word

 

3. The Fellowship of Joy [v. 10-14, 17-20]

 

III. THE MANNER OF JOY

 

1. The Joy is Verifiable [v. 15-16]

 

2. The Joy is Sharable [v. 17-18, 1 John 1:1-4]

 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

 

3. The Joy is Non-circumstantial [v. 19-20, 10:20] We can know Him “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” did they become rich? Get new jobs? Were they glad?

JESUS, CHRISTMAS'S FAVORITE SON

LUKE 1

                                                

Pastor Rick Jackson

A “favorite son,” according to the dictionary is “a famous person, especially a politician, who is supported and praised by people in the area they come from.” Christmas is a heavenly concept, a heavenly construct and a heavenly covenant. Christ is the heart of Christmas and therefore is Christmas’s Favorite Son. Let’s examine Christma’s Favorite Son in light of the Gospel of Luke.

I. JESUS, CHRISTMAS'S FAVORITE SON IS THE SON OF MARY

 

1. The Announcement to Mary [v. 26-33] – freely given

 

2. The Acceptance by Mary [v. 34-38] – freely accepted

 

3. The Actions of Mary [v. 39-43] – freely shared

 

II. JESUS, CHRISTMAS'S FAVORITE SON IS THE SON OF DAVID

 

1. Destined to sit on David’s Throne [v. 32]

 

2. Destined to rule Jacob’s People [v. 33]

 

He is the King of the Jews specifically – not the Arabs, Gentiles, etc. [He is also King of Kings]

 

3. Destined to Reign Forever [v. 33]

 

III. JESUS, CHRISTMAS'S FAVORITE SON IS THE SON OF GOD

 

1. The Great Son of the Highest [v. 32]

 

2. The Holy Son of God [v. 35]

 

3. The Lord and Saviour [v. 38-56]

FAVORITE PREACHERS IN HEAVEN [that I heard in person]

I am not trying to rate these men from 1-10 so I am listing them alphabetically by last name. Looking over the list I see I heard most of them at Highland Park Baptist Church/Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga, TN. though there is some leeway there. Of course these men were human but God used these them to bless my life and I praise Him for working on me through them. I am sure there are others but these are the ones that come to mind.

Evangelist Hyman Appelman

Pastor Clyde Box

Evangelist Fred Brown*

Dr. Mark Cambron*

Pastor A.V. Henderson

Evangelist Curtis Hutson

Pastor Bob Kelley

Josh McDowell

Evangelist John R. Rice

Pastor Lee Roberson*

*I was blessed to have these men preach in a church of which I was the pastor.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 The Bible is called "incorruptible seed." We are told that the seed is "the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." Then [1 Peter 1} verse 25 quotes again the blessed statement, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever." The Bible is incorruptible. It cannot decay. The forces which make other literature out of date or drop it from sight or cause it to be corrupted, cannot succeed with the immortal Word of God! It is incorruptible. It abideth forever. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 34-35]

Is it not sweet to know that God Himself has guaranteed that His Word cannot be corrupted, cannot fail? - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 35]

God's Word is forever settled in Heaven. And God who preserved His Son from Herod, God who preserves every Christian so he will be kept by the power of God unto salvation eternally, preserves His Word. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 35]

Psalm 119, verse 152, says, "Concerning thy testimonies [the Scriptures], I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever." It is the will of God and He has predestined ahead of time that the Word of God will last forever. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 35-36]

God has guaranteed His Word. God will see that the Bible, despite the frailties of men and the sins of men, will not fail. His true Word will be kept through the centuries an will endure forever. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 36]

Let us face the matter honestly and fairly: Christ Himself stands or falls with the Bible. Christianity stands or falls with the Bible. There is no way of being saved except by taking the Bible at face value and its message as the authoritative Word of God. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 36]

Many are abroad in the land today who would like to believe that they can have Christ without the Bible. They say they believe in Christ, but they do not believe the Bible is true. But if you follow the matter carefully and press men for the truth, you find that these men who claim to believe in Christ but not in the Bible do not believe in the Christ of Christianity, but in a Christ which they themselves have manufactured. - John R. Rice [A Coffer of Jewels About the Bible, pg. 36]

WHY THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL ALMOST GAVE THE GOSPEL

LK. 2:8-14

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

When the angel appeared to the shepherds to proclaim the first Christmas, he almost gave the gospel. Almost.

 

I. LOOK WHAT THE ANGEL INCLUDED!

 

1. Good news “good tidings” of great joy [v. 10]

 

2. For all people [v. 10]

 

3. A Saviour (for sinners) [v. 11]

 

4. “Born…Christ the Lord” God incarnate [v. 11]

 

5. Resulting in Glory to God & Good Will to men [v. 14]

 

II. LOOK WHAT THE ANGEL EXCLUDED!

 

1. The death of Christ [1 Cor. 15:3]

 

-The birth of Christ means little w/o the death of Christ

-The death couldn’t have happened w/o the birth

-He was literally born to die

 

2. The resurrection of Christ [1 Cor. 15:4, 14-20]

 

3. The prominence of the prophecies [1 Cor. 15:3-4]

 

III. LOOK AT THE EXPLANATIONS

 

1. It is the job of the redeemed to tell the Gospel [Ps. 107:2, Lk. 2:10. Rev. 14:1-7 may be the exception]

 

2. Angels live by sight and not faith. [2 Cor. 5:7]

 

3. Angel obeyed God, do we? [Acts 5:29-32]

I AM TEAM SCROOGE!

MATTHEW 2                                   

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

In Charles Dickins’ A Christmas Carol Ebeneezer Scrooge was stealing Christmas cheer long before the Grinch got started. But I would rather be either one of those characters than the folks we'll look at now. These folks are ornery, sinful, and downright mean. And worse than that... they are real. And they have people today picking right up where these miserable excuses for people left off.

 

I. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN AN ANTAGONISTIC EGOMANIAC LIKE HEROD

 

1. He was troubled than one might be considered greater than him [2:1-3]

 

2. He was deceptive in his opposition [2:7-8, 12]

 

3. He was determined to destroy the Christ of Christmas [2:13-19]

 

II. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN THE APATHETIC RELIGIONISTS HEROD USED

 

1. They were troubled like Herod [2:1-3]

 

2. They knew what the Scriptures had prophesied [2:4-6]

 

3. They made no effort to seek the Christ

 

III. I'D RATHER BE A GRINCH OR A SCROOGE THAN AN UNREPENTANT INDIVIDUAL OF ANY SORT

 

Charles Dickens, though certainly not perfect, was a professing Christian. In, A Christmas Carol, it should be noted that Scrooge is confronted with:

 

1. Scrooge is confronted with: A sinner's condemnation [Ezekiel 18:20]

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.]

 

2. Scrooge is confronted with: The testimony of saints (Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, his own nephew Fred)

 

"A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!" cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of

Scrooge's nephew..."

 

"And how did little Tim behave?" asked Mrs. Cratchit, when she had rallied Bob on his

credulity, and Bob had hugged his daughter to his heart's content.

"As good as gold," said Bob, "and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see."

 

"I was only going to say," said Scrooge's nephew, "that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I think, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm. I am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own thoughts, either in his moldy old office, or his dusty chambers. I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help thinking better of it -- I defy him -- if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying ‘Uncle Scrooge, how are you?’ ...and I think I shook him yesterday."

3. Scrooge is confronted with: A sinner's opportunity [Rm. 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.

 

"I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!

..."I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!" Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. "The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees!

...He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk -- that anything -- could give him so much happiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew's house.

... Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!