LUKE 24:1-35, ACTS 1:1
Pastor Rick
Jackson
I. THE
WOMEN [v. 1-8]
1. They
Thought They Were Prepared [v. 1]
2. They Knew
They Were Perplexed [v. 2-4a]
3. They Were
Soon Preoccupied [v. 4b-8]
II. THE
APOSTLES [v. 9-12]
1. Listened
[v. 9-10]
2. Doubted
[v. 11]
3. Hoped [v.
12]
III. THE
LORD [v.13-15]
1.
Unrecognized [v. 13-24]
2.
Unrestrained [v. 25-26]
3.
Undoubtable [v. 27-35]
1 SAMUEL 11-12
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE
PRICE OF PEACE
1. The
Failure of Appeasement [11:1-2]
2. The Folly
of Arrogance [11:3-4]
3. The Fire
of Righteous Indignation [11:5-6]
II. THE
PROPERNESS OF VICTORY
1. The Rightness of Patriotism [11:7-8]
2. The
Rightness of Planning [11:9-11]
3. The Rightness of Providence [11:12-15]
III. THE
PROGNOSIS OF SUCCESS
1. The
Saintly Servant [12: 1-5]
2. The Serious
Sermon [12:6-15]
3. The Signature
Solution [12:16-25] (continual revival)
1 CHRONICLES 16:1-7, 27
Pastor Rick
Jackson
I. GLORY
IN HIS HOLY NAME - We
often glory is such shallow things- sports, celebrities, personal achievements,
etc.
1. This
Should Be on Our Lips [v. 8-10a]
2. This
Should Be in Our Heart [v. 10-11]
3. This
Should Be on Our Minds [v. 12-22]
II.
DECLARE HIS GLORY
1. The Glory
of His Salvation [v. 23-25]
2 The Glory
of His Creation [v. 26]
3 The Glory
of His Presence [v. 27]
III. GIVE
HIM GLORY [John 15:8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples.
1. Give Self
[v. 28-29, Rm. 12:1-2]
2. Give
Submission [v. 30-33]
3. Give
Thanks [v. 34-36]
LUKE 23:44-56
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. SIGNS FROM ABOVE
1. The Optimum Time [v. 44]
2. The Optimum Payment [v. 45a, 2 Peter 2:17]
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with
a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own
shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
3. The Only Way [v. 45b-46, Mk. 15:38, Heb. 10:18-23]
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to
the bottom.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering
for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the
house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for
he is faithful that promised;)
II. REACTIONS FROM ONLOOKERS
1. Faith [v. 47, Matthew 27:54]
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him,
watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they
feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
2. Sorrow [v. 48, 2 Corinthians 7:10]
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
3. Horror [v. 49]
III. SECRET DISCIPLE REVEALED
1. His Belief [v. 50-51]
2. His Boldness [v. 52-53]
3. His Beholders [v. 54-56]
1 SAMUEL 9-10
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. SEE SAUL THE PRIVATE CITIZEN [9:1-21]
1. An Obedient Son [v. 1-4]
2. A Thoughtful Individual [v. 5-9]
3. A Humble Man [v. 10-21]
II. SEE SAUL THE UNKNOWN KING [9:22-10:5]
1. Honored by Samuel
[9:22-27]
2. Anointed by God for Service [10:1]
3. Confirmed by the
Word [10:2-5]
III. SEE SAUL THE REVEALED KING [10:9-27]
1. A New Person [v. 6, 9-13]
2. A New Priority [v. 7-8, 14-16]
3. A New People [v. 17-27]
1 PETER 5:8
Pastor Rick Jackson
We often hear, and rightly so, that God has a will for your
life. That is so true that no knowledgeable person would argue the point. For
instance, if you are lost God’s will is for you to be saved, to become a
Christian. 2 Peter 3:9 declares, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,
as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
By the same token, if you are a believer, He wants you to
live for Him. “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.” {Rm. 12:1-2]
That being said, have you ever consider the Devil also has a
will for your life. The Devil’s will is certainly NOT for your god nor is it
for God’s glory. Let us search the scriptures and discover the Devil’s will for
your life. It can be summed up in three words – Blindness, Bondage and
Blandness.
I. BLINDNESS [2 Cor. 4:3-6]
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1. Satan Hates the True Gospel [Gal. 1:6-9]
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called
you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but
there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say
I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed.
2. Satan Doesn’t Mind So-called Christian Religion [2 Cor.
11: 3-4, 13-15]
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have
not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.
3. Satan Doesn’t Mind Idolatry [1 Cor. 10:20 referencing
Lev. 17:7]
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice,
they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have
fellowship with devils.
4. Satan Doesn’t Even Mind Irreligion/atheism [Ps. 14:1, Mt.
7, Jn. 8]
Wise man builds on Jesus & His word, Satan is a liar and
the Father of it.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
II. BONDAGE
1. In Hearing [Mt. 13:18-22]
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one
heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the
wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he
which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation
or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also
that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful.
2. In Thinking [James 3:13-17]
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let
him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if
ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not
against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure , then
peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3. In Being [Eph. 2:1-3ff]
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins:; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
III. BLANDNESS
1. Satan Wants You to Think Like Lost Men [Matthew 16:23]
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me,
Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be
of God, but those that be of men.
2. Satan Wants You to Stop Serving God [Luke 22:31]
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
3. Satan Wants to Hinder Your Ministry [1 Thessalonians 2:18]
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and
again; but Satan hindered us.
Here is the reason that ceremonials laws can change and moral laws cannot. Moral law is intrinsically right of itself because its demands are part of the nature of God Himself.
LUKE 23:26-43
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION
1. The Cyrenian’s Burden [v. 26]
2. The Followers’ Sorrow [v. 27]
3. The Saviour’s Warning [v. 28-31]
II. THE CRUCIFIXION
1. The Scripture’s Fulfillment [v. 32-33, Isaiah 53:9]
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.
2. The Saviour’s Prayer [v. 34]
3. The Sinners’ Arrogance [v. 35-39]
III. THE REASON
1. The Sinner’s Confession [v. 40-41a]
2. The Sinner’s Profession [v. 41b-42]
3. The Sinner’s Possession [v. 43]
1 SAMUEL 8
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. GOD KNOWS OUR WEAKNESS [v. 1-10]
1. Samuel’s Failure as a Father [v. 1-3, Eph. 6:1-4]
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;)
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye
fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord.
2. Samuel Missed the Big Picture [v. 4-8, Pr. 3:5-7]
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
3. Samuel Preached the Hard Truth [v. 9-10, Ezekiel 3:17]
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
II. GOD GIVES WARNINGS [v. 11-18]
1. Conscription [v. 11-13]
2. Confiscation [v. 14-17]
3. Complication [v. 18]
III. GOD WATCHES [v. 19-22]
1. God Sees When We Choose Our Will Over His Will [v. 19, Pr.
3:5-7]
2. God Sees When We Reject His Purpose for Our Lives [v. 20,
1 Peter 2:9]
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
3. God Allows Them to Have What They Want Knowing It is Not
What They Need [v. 21-22, Psalm 106:15, Gal. 6:7-9]
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their
soul.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.
ACTS 3:1-9 “Silver and gold have I none” v. 6
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. WE HAVE PRAYER [v.1]
1. Peace Instead of Worry [Phil. 4:6-7]
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Provision Instead of Want [Ps.
23:1, Phil. 4:13, 19]
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
3. Proofs Instead of Wishes [Acts 1:1-3, John 7:17]
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
II. WE HAVE PROMISES – Hundreds, but to name 3:
1. We Have the Promise of His Propitiation [1 Jn. 2:1-2]
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: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world.
2. We Have the Promise of His Presence [Mt. 28:20, Heb.
13:5-6]
Lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will
not fear what man shall do unto me.
3. We Have the Promise of His Power [Acts 1:7-8]
III. WE HAVE PROSPECTS
1. We Have the Prospect of Heaven
[Jn. 14:1-2]
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.
2. We Have the Prospect of His Coming Again [Jn. 14:3]
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.
3. We Have the Prospect of His Peace [Jn. 14:1, 27]
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe
also in me.
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.
Stonewall Jackson was a devout Christian, greatly loved and respected.
LUKE 22:63-23:25
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE TRIAL OF RELIGION
Religions are human-made whilst Bible Christianity is Divine
in origin.
1. Violence without Cause [22:63-65]
2. Blindness without Excuse [22:66-71]
3. Dishonesty without Question [23:1-2]
II. THE TRIAL OF GOVERNMENT [Rm. 13:1-4, Luke 23:3-25]
The 2-fold duty of government is to praise the good and
punish the evil.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there
is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to
good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that
which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister
of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
1. Political Expediency
2. Failure to Protect the Innocent
3. Failure to Punish the Evil
III. THE TRIAL OF JESUS
Most trials concern what has been done but Jesus was put on
trial for who He was. Note the only questions Jesus was asked in His various
trials.
1. Art Thou the Christ? [22:67-69]
2. Art Thou the Son of God? [22:70]
3. Art Thou the King of the Jews? [23:3]
1 SAMUEL 6-7
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. WORLDY
WISDOM [6:1-18]
1. The
Experiment [v. 1-5]
2. The
Execution [v. 6-11]
3. The
Experience [v. 12-18]
II. THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RESPONSIBILITY [6:13-7:2, Luke 12:48]
For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:
1. Exercise
Cautiousness [6:13-15]
2. Avoid
Carelessness [6:18-19]
3. Activate
Consecration [6:20-7:2, Leviticus 20:26,
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD
am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
1 Peter 1:15-16
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
III.
REVIVAL FIRES [7:3-17]
1. Fully Return
[7:3-6]
2. Holy Help
{7:7-13]
3. Consistent
Commitment [7:14-17]
ISAIAH 1:18
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THREE REASONS MEN CAN’T SAVE THEMSELVES
1. DEAD MEN CAN’T BECOME ALIVE [Eph. 2:1-5]
And being that men are spiritually dead there is no way a
dead man can do anything to save himself. That must be done by Someone else.
All of it must be done by Someone else. Not one smidgeon can be done by the
dead person. Jesus Christ, God Himself had to become man so He could die for
the sins of man.
Hebrews 2:9 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.
2. UNGODLY CAN’T BECOME GODLY [Jude 1:4, 15; Rm. 4:5,
5:6]
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before
of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God
into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are
ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly
committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken
against him.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth
the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly.
3. UNBELIEVER CAN’T PLEASE GOD [Hebrews 3:12, 19; 4:6,
11; 11:6]
3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an
evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of
unbelief.
4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter
therein , and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of
unbelief:
4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest
any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
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.
II. THREE REASONS JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE ANYBODY
1. JESUS PAID FOR ALL THE SIN OF EVERY PERSON
Christ was virgin born so He would not have a sin nature.
Lived a spotless sinless life. Died in our place on the cross. Isaiah 53:6
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.
Christ paid for ALL sin while He was on the cross. All sin
from Adam's transgression to the last sin that will be committed by some unknown
individual in the future.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins:
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
2. JESUS PAID FOR ALL THE SIN OF EVERY PERSON WHILE HE
WAS ON THE CROSS
Jesus finished the payment for sin while on the cross. He
even said so.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the
vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Hebrews 1:3 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;
That's what you do when you finish a job- you sit down.
Heb. 10:4-14 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls
and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he
saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared
me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then
said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy
will, O God. Above when he said , Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings
and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which
are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He
taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we
are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From
henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . For by one
offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
3. JESUS PAID FOR ALL THE SIN OF EVERY PERSON WHILE HE
WAS ON THE CROSS AND PROVED IT BY RISING AGAIN
3 days later He rose from the dead to prove two things: He
was who He said He was [God, the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning
bush, in the flesh] John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. AND that He accomplished what He
came to do [pay for all sin] AND He proved it by rising from the dead.
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
III. THREE REASONS SALVATION IS A ONE TIME FOREVER
TRANSACTION
1. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF IT AS A FINISHED TRANSACTION
Church attendance, church membership, baptism, good works,
etc. can NOT save. Do NOT save. These
things are for after salvation. Not for salvation. These things are for the
Christian, not for the lost sinner. The lost sinner only needs to receive
Christ. Accept the payment Christ already made. By faith trust the risen
Saviour.
John 1:12 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:
Rom. 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh
thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we
preach; 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. CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS IMPUTED TO THE BELIVER
This is a major difference between true Bible Christianity
and all others [even those that claim to be Christian]. True Bible Christianity
teaches that Christ did everything to save you and you accept Christ as Saviour
and thus that payment by faith is imputed to your account. Romans 4:22-24 And therefore it was
imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone,
that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we
believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
3. THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR SALVATION IS ALL OF GRACE
The others teach that you must do your part. Christ did not
do enough [this teaching is actually blasphemous]. The Bible says if you add
any [even the minutest amount of works to grace it is no longer grace. It's
either grace or works. And works won't cut it. Dead, remember?
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of
works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no
more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
I was recently relating an occasion my wife and I had
witnessing to another couple some 40 plus years ago:
We were discussing the Bible truth that salvation can NOT be
earned.
Titus 3:5 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;
We talked about how all men are sinners.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God;
We discussed the penalty for that sin was death. And not
just physical death, but the second death, the lake of fire, separated from God
eternally.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Revelation 20:13-14 And the sea gave up the dead
which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell
were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And being that men are spiritually dead [Eph. 2] there is no
way a dead man can do anything to save himself. That must be done by Someone else.
All of it must be done by Someone else. Not one smidgeon can be done by the
dead person. Jesus Christ, God Himself had to become man so He could die for
the sins of man.
Hebrews 2:9 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.
Christ was virgin born so He would not have a sin nature.
Lived a spotless sinless life. Died in our place on the cross. Isaiah 53:6
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.
Christ paid for ALL sin while He was on the cross. All sin
from Adam's transgression to the last sin that will be committed by some unknown
individual in the future.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins:
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Jesus finished the payment for sin while on the cross. He
even said so.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the
vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Hebrews 1:3 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;
That's what you do when you finish a job- you sit down.
3 days later He rose from the dead to prove two things: He
was who He said He was [God, the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning
bush, in the flesh]
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
and that He accomplished what He came to do [pay for all
sin]
Heb. 10:4-14 For it is not possible that the blood of
bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the
world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said , Sacrifice and offering and
burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure
therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will,
O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which
will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once
for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . For by one
offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
So He proved it by rising from the dead.
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
As we talked we discussed that church attendance, church
membership, baptism, good works, etc. can
NOT save. Do NOT save. These things are for after salvation. Not for
salvation. These things are for the Christian, not for the lost sinner. The
lost sinner only needs to receive Christ. Accept the payment Christ already
made. By faith trust the risen Saviour.
John 1:12 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:
Rom. 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh
thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we
preach; 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.
Now I would love to tell you that couple trusted Christ
right then and there... but they did not. My wife and I drove back to St.
Augustine, where we were living at the time, because we had classes the next
day. The couple went to a Bible preaching church we had invited them to that
night and were both under deep conviction by the Holy Spirit. The husband responded
to the invitation and trusted Christ that night and the wife did as well
shortly thereafter. The Lord worked in both their lives after salvation and
many of the fruits of salvation followed. This is a major difference between
true Bible Christianity and all others [even those that claim to be Christian].
True Bible Christianity teaches that Christ did everything to save you and you
accept Christ as Saviour and thus that payment by faith is imputed to your
account. Romans 4:22-24 And
therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for
his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall
be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
The others teach that you must do your part. Christ did not
do enough [this teaching is actually blasphemous]. The Bible says if you add
any [even the minutest amount of works to grace it is no longer grace. It's
either grace or works. And works won't cut it. Dead, remember?
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of
works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no
more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Whatever we have yet of human weakness and sin after being born again will be left behind, surely, when the soul finds itself in the likeness of Christ, being carried by the angels to Heaven at death. One day we shall lose our sin and whatever remains of the carnal and sinful nature. Otherwise our personalities will be identical. The imperfect will be made perfect. The incomplete will be completed. That which is lacking will be supplied. - John R. Rice
No one of us can look at a friend and judge surely whether he lies or speaks the truth. Many a time a mother, a father, a wife or sweetheart yearns in vain to express the love that is humanly past expressing. Only in Heaven shall we really know how some people love us. Only in Heaven shall we know how deep was the penitence of others for sin and how desperately they longed to do right, though they appeared not to try. I say, here we only see through a glass darkly. Then shall we see face to face. - John R. Rice
We Christians often act like heathen. We preach that it is wonderful to be a Christian, that it is Heaven to gain and hell to shun. Then when one of our loved ones dies, we act as if it were all a lie. Our actions say that this world is better than the next, that death is a tragedy, and we ask querulously in our unbelief, Why? Why? Why? We feel that Heaven is bearable all right, when one has sucked dry all the pleasures of the earth. We feel that only after old age has come upon us, when life is a burden, when health has failed, when we are in the way and our children don't want us, that then perhaps we should be resigned to go to Heaven. Subconsciously we look upon Heaven as a scrapheap for the worn-out and useless, a kind of old-people's home, which is better than nothing but not as good as this world, with youth and health and prosperity. Shame on us! When we weep and lament at the death of our loved ones, we often make void our testimony, cast reflection on the Bible and irreverence on Heaven. - John R. Rice
For the Christian death is not a tragedy but a glorious promotion. It is not the sad end, but the glorious beginning. Sometimes people say how sad it is that one should die so young, but that is a deception of Satan. If a young Christian dies, it is not sad but glorious. Many of the fairest buds that ever grew on earth have blossomed in Heaven. However much we miss our loved ones when they fall asleep, let us remember that our mourning is selfish; there is rejoicing in Heaven. Not one in that blessed land would, if he could, return to the decaying form he left, to live out the life he planned, to see the happiest future he could imagine on this earth. - John R. Rice
Jacob commanded, "Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments" (Gen. 35:2). It is a good practice we have of bathing and putting on fresh garments when we go to the house of God. It does not matter so much about the other people who will be at the church. But one ought to dignify his going to the house of God, one ought to make it a high occasion. As one puts on his best clothes to go courting or to meet important visitors, so surely it is nice sometimes to dress the best we can just to honor Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice
Over four hundred years ago God had said to Abraham, "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:16). Even then the idolatry, the lewdness, the devil-worship, the murderous lives of these people had grieved God years ago. But God gave them another chance. Abraham was not then allowed to take over the land. The cup of iniquity was not yet filled.
But the years have gone by. Sin has done its terrible work. Now God has commanded that the inhabitants of the land be driven out, be killed, and the land, which hundreds of years before was dedicated to a chosen people and for the religion of the true God and for the writing of the Bible and for the coming of the Saviour, must now become the possession of God's people. - John R. Rice
LUKE 22:31-62
Pastor Rick
Jackson
The thief
cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
I. THE
ROAD TO RUIN
1. Failure
to Heed God’s Word [v. 31-34]
2. Failure
to Have God’s Help [v. 40, 45-46]
3. Failure
to Huddle with God’s People [v. 54-60]
II. THE
ROAD TO RESTORATION
1. Recognize
God’s Sovereignty [v. 60-61a]
2. Remember
God’s Word [v. 61b]
3. Repent
God’s Way [v. 62, 2 Corinthians 7:10]
For godly
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of
the world worketh death.
III. THE
ROAD TO RICHNESS (abundance)
1. Die to
Self – Humility [v. 31-34]
2. Die to
Self – Prayer [v. 40-41]
3. Die to
Self – Submission [v. 42]
