POWER WE CAN USE

1 SAMUEL 16

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HELPING POWER OF GOD [Hebrews 4:16]

 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

1. To Overcome Fear [v. 1-5, Acts 4:29]

 

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

 

2. To Overcome Frailty [v. 6-13, Pr. 3:5-8]

 

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. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 

3. To Overcome Folly [v. 14, Ephesians 4:30]

 

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

II. THE HOLY POWER OF GODLINESS

 

1.  Revealed in the Purpose of God [v. 1, 12-13a,  1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:19]

 

But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Quench not the Spirit.

 

2. Revealed in the Presence of God [v. 13, Zech. 4:6, Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 1:3]

 

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

3.  Revealed in the Providence of God [v. 14-22, Acts 16:6-10, Rm. 8:28, 1 Timothy 6:6]

 

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him , saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

III. THE HEALING POWER OF GODLY MUSIC [v. 23]

 

1. For good and for bad music affects us Physically - “so Saul was refreshed”

 

2. For good and for bad music affects us Mentally – “so Saul was refreshed, and was well”

 

3. For good and for bad music affects us Spiritually –  “so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him”

MISSING … WHAT?

JOHN 20:24

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MISSING MORE THAN A SERVICE [v. 19-23]

 

1. Missing the Blessing of Jesus [v. 19]

 

2. Missing the Joy of Jesus [v. 20]

 

3. Missing the Words of Jesus [v. 21-23]

 

II. RESULTS OF MISSING [v. 24-25]

 

1. Fellowship was Weakened [v. 24, 1 Jn. 1: 7]

 

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

 

2. Faith was Weakened [v. 25b, 2 Corinthians 5:7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

 

3. Unbelief was Strengthened [v. 25c, Heb. 11:6] But without faith it is impossible to please him:’

 

III. RESTORATION FOR MISSING [v. 26-29]

 

1. Restoration takes Time [v. 26]

 

2. Restoration takes the Word of God [v. 27]

 

3. Restoration takes Rebuke [v. 28-29, 2 Tm. 3:16]

WHAT CAN WE GIVE JESUS?

 

                                                                                                

LUKE 10:38-42

Pastor Rick Jackson [adapted from a message by J. Don Jennings]

 

We get so much from the Lord- have you ever considered what you can give Him? The Scriptures are replete with much we can give to Jesus- not that He needs anything, but like a parent enjoys the expression of giving that a child can make, the Lord enjoys when we give to Him. What can we give the Lord?

 

I. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR WELCOME [v. 38, Rev. 3:20]

 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

II. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR ATTENTION [v. 39, Mt. 7:24-26; 10:14, 27; 11:15]

 

-Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

-And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

-What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

-He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 

III. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR SERVICE [v. 40a, Rm. 12:1-2, Acts 6:1-4]

 

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.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

IV. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR TREASURES [v. 40a, Jn. 12:1-3, 2 Sam. 24:24]

 

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard , very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

 

V. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR PROBLEMS [v. 40b, Jn. 11:21-27]

 

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

 

VI. WE CAN GIVE JESUS OUR SINS [Is. 53:1-6, 1:18; Mt. 11:28]

Dr. John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Thank God. I can know my name is written down in Heaven! For 1 John 5:13 says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." Salvation is not something that we get when we die. Sometimes people very foolishly pray, "Save us at last in Heaven." "At last in Heaven" is not where you get saved. You get saved down here. And one who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus has everlasting life now. The Scripture says, "...we have now received the atonement" (Rom. 5:11). And, "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). Has it now, thank God! One who doesn't trust Jesus is condemned already. So you can know you are saved. - John R. Rice

It is sinful to presume you can add to the saving blood of Christ. It is sinful, it is tragic, for anybody to put some other part into salvation.

Suppose somebody came and said, "All right, now Jesus died for me. That is pretty good payment, but I am going to pay the rest of it myself." Oh, wicked man, will you put any deed you could do, any thought you could think, any word you could utter, any sacrifice you could make, on a par with the death of Jesus on the cross, when He died for your sins? No, you can't add a thing. You disgrace the Gospel. You dishonor God. You cloud the issue when you put anything else in the plan of salvation. John R. Rice

When I was twelve years old in Gainesville, Texas, in a prayer meeting, a woman asked the pastor, "I have a next-door neighbor who says she knows she is going to Heaven. Don't you think it is presumptuous for anybody to think they are good enough to be sure of Heaven?

The pastor very wisely answered, "If you were depending on your good works, it would be very foolish and presumptuous to pretend you were good enough to go to Heaven. But if you trusted Jesus Christ and are relying on His clear promise in the Bible that your sins are forgiven, that you are born again, that you are a child of God and that nothing can separate you from God, you can know and you ought to know."

It is a sad thing, a shocking thing that many people do not know for sure they are saved. - John R. Rice

There is no judgment between death and Heaven for a Christian. There is up in Heaven a judgment seat of Christ where Christians will be rewarded according to their works. It is true that rewards will be different for different Christians, depending on how each lived, but the salvation question and the getting-to-Heaven question is already settled forever. Paul cried in in Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." I thank God that one can know he is going to Heaven. - John R. Rice

Men who write books about their heroes make much of their good points, and gloss over or excuse their sins and failures. Men who write books about their enemies make much of their sins and failures, and gloss over their good qualities. But the Bible, written by an honest and holy God, simply tells the truth about mankind. We are a race of sinners, and the best men that ever lived still sinned. - John R. Rice

When a centurion who came to Jesus, asking healing for a servant, humbly said, "Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed," Jesus was greatly pleased and said, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matt. 8:5-10). This centurion was probably an Italian, certainly not a Jew, but he had much to teach Jews as well as Christians!

The division of people into sects and denominations has some good points but it also has great hindrances to the cause of Christ. It is not wrong that people should have strong convictions, and I do not say that Christians should lightly give up their convictions where there are honest differences of opinion about minor doctrines of the Bible. But I do say that God would be greatly honored if Christians love one another, and if Christian fellowship should cross over the boundaries of denominations and sects. - John R. Rice

Many a man intends to be saved, but he intends to be saved tomorrow and tomorrow never comes. He intends to be saved sometime, but his heart gets no more tender with waiting, his mind gets no clearer, his will grows no firmer. The contrary is true. His heart and mind and will harden against God and so he is never saved. Therefore the Scripture here says, "Let us hasten therefor to enter into that rest." Today, look to Jesus, trust in Him and be saved at once. Let Heaven come into your heart. - John R. Rice

SLIP SLIDING IN THE REIGN

1 SAMUEL 15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PERIL OF A MIXED FOCUS [v. 1-11]

 

1. A Clear Command [v. 1-3]

 

2. A King’s Kindness [v. 4-6]

 

3. A Costly Compromise [v. 7-11]

 

II. THE PATTERN OF MULTIPLE FAILURES [v. 12-23]   

 

Samuel asked 3 penetrating questions, Saul gave 3 evasive answers

 

1. Boasting & Blaming [v. 12-15, 9]

 

2. Disobedience & Denial [v. 16-20, v. 3]

 

3. Rebellion & Rejection [v. 21-23]

 

III. THE PROBLEM OF MASKING FOLLY [v. 24-35]

 

1. A Convenient Religion [v. 24-26]

 

2. A Communal Religion [v. 27-31]

 

3. A Condemnation Revealed [v. 32-35]

THE FATHOMLESS, FANTASTIC, FIRST EASTER EVENING EXAMINED

JOHN 20:19-23

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST [v. 19-21]

 

1. Gives Peace in the Face of Fear [v. 19, 14:1, 27-29]

 

2. Gives Joy in the Face of Sorrow [v. 20, 1 Thess. 4:13-18]

 

3. Gives Direction in the Face of Uncertainty [v. 21, 1 Cor. 9:24-27]

 

II. THE BREATH OF GOD [v. 22]

 

1. Creation [Gen. 2:7]

 

2. Scripture [2 Tm. 3:16]

 

3. Indwelling Holy Spirit [v. 22]

 

III. THE DECLARATION OF THE GOSPEL [v. 23]

 

1. Sins Remitted Explained [Jn. 3:16-17, 36a; Rm. 1:16]

 

2. Sins Retained Explained [Jn. 3:16b, 18, 36b]

 

3. All Christians Expectation [v. 23, Mt. 16:19, 18:18]

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE THE EVENT

 

1. Reported by Matthew

-27:60 Solid Rock Tomb

-27:60 Stone “Door”

-27:62-65 Roman Guard

-27:66 Roman Seal

 

2. Reported by Mark

-15:42-45 Jesus was Definitely Dead

 

3. Reported by John

-19:38-40 Jewish burial Customs

-20:19 Disciples were Frightened

 

II. THE FACTS AFTER THE EVENT

 

1. The Tomb was Empty [Lk. 24:1-3]

 

2. The Stone was Moved

-Lk. 24:2 apokulio, to roll away

-Mt. 28:2 “rolled back the stone from” apokulio- lithos;  apo "off," i.e. away (from something near),

-Mk. 16:3-4 apokulio ek; a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out

-Jn. 20:1 airo ek - a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away

 

3. The Guard was AWOL [Mt. 28:4]

 

4. The Grave clothes were Folded [Jn. 20:3-9]

 

5. The Lord was Appearing [Acts 1:1-3, 1 Cor. 15:1-8]

 

III. THE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE EVENT

 

1. The Disciples Stole the Body [Mt. 28:11-15]

 

2. The Unbelieving Jews Stole the Body

 

3. The Wrong Tomb

 

4. The Swoon Theory

 

5. The Resurrection [Jn. 20:24-31, Romans 1:4]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 It is a sad thing, but here is a church. They say, "Here is a professor in a college nearby. (Oh, he has a Ph.D. degree. I can almost see that little crown of glory on his head, that halo.) Let him teach the Bible to us." He is an infidel if he hasn't been converted, if he doesn't believe the Bible, if he doesn't have Christ in his heart as his own Saviour. But you say, "He has been to college, then to the seminary, and has written books." Then all the more he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. And the fact he is in sheep's clothing ought to make you even more scared of him. You ought not to have him in your church, you are not to hear him speak, you are not to have him teach your class and God knows, you are not to have him in your pulpit. The Bible plainly says, "He that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." - John R. Rice

Someone says, "To be a Christian is to be like Christ." No, to be a Christian is to trust in Jesus Christ. In some small way-- so small that sometimes you can't even see it or tell it-- since when one is born again he has Christ within, the Holy Spirit within, and so one is made just a little bit-- not much-- like Christ. But one day I will awake in His likeness. But it is not being like Christ that saves you; it is Christ Himself that saves you. It is not simply faith in Christ, but when you trust Him, it is Christ himself who does the saving. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." When you come to Jesus, then you get salvation. - John R. Rice

This message is not only to undone sinners who never knew God, who never had peace and who never came trusting in Christ. I would have you know that the blood of Jesus Christ is the daily hope and assurance and cleansing and peace of every child of God. What man buys, he can sell. What man attains, he may lose. What man does can be undone.

If men save themselves, then men must keep themselves. If salvation is by men's works, then the keeping is by men's works. too. And yet no man ever made peace with God. Rather, God has made peace with men through the blood of Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice

Our Catholic friends think that by "elevating the host," that is, by the offering of the bread and wine, that a new sacrifice is made to God that is pleasing and acceptable. But it is not so! The Scripture plainly said, "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Heb. 10:26). God will have no more sacrifice! No more is needed, no more is wanted, and He will receive no more. The only Sacrifice God ever did want to pay for sins has been offered, and now, thank God, the veil is torn down, and men may enter in boldly since Jesus died. He tore down all the barriers between God and man!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! - John R. Rice

All things are judged by the cross, both man and God. Only a race of men degenerate, sin-possessed, with willful malice toward God and right, would shamefully crucify the Son of God. As Jewish leaders and the mob, with Herod and Pontus Pilate all joined in the crucifixion, so the whole race, Jews and Gentles, are guilty of the death of Christ. Cain, Korah, Judas and the Antichrist are alike proper representatives of the human race. Every unconverted man in the world is lost because he hates Christ, the Light, and deliberately chooses the wrong (John 3:19-21). - John R. Rice, from the book "And God Remembered..."

It is not strange that Jesus was born of a virgin. The Son of God could not have been born any other way. It is strange and unnatural to suppose the Son of God could be born any other way. I say, the virgin birth causes me no trouble. But I am lost in awe and wonder at the thought that He should be born at all! It is not amazing that Christ would be born as the Son of God must be born, with no human father, but it is the most amazing thing that human ear ever heard that one who is the Son of God would consent to be born at all of a human mother, that He should love men enough or have any purpose great enough that the Son of God should give up His glory as God and become a man! - John R. Rice

Here is the sweet meaning of John 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." And no wonder that Romans 4:7, 8 says: "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

There it is in a nutshell. God cannot remember sin against the sinner who is forgiven, because his sins are not even charged up to him. They are charged against Jesus and paid. God is just who must require sin to be paid for, but God is so just that He cannot require that it be paid for twice. - John R. Rice

3 OPPORTUNITIES

MT. 26:20-30

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXAMINATION [v. 20-25]

 

1. Are You Saved?

 

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves . Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

2. Are You Sanctified?

 

II Chronicles 35:6 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

 

3. Are You Surrendered?

 

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

II. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXHORTATION [v. 26-29]

 

1. The Body Broken [v. 26, 1 Corinthians 11:24]

 

2 The Blood Bestowed [v. 27-28]

 

3 The Book Beloved [v. 29, Joshua 1:8]

 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 

III. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPRESSION [V. 22, 26-27, 30]

 

1. The Expression of Humility [v. 22]

 

2. The Expression of Acceptance [v. 26-27]

 

3. The Expression of Praise [v. 30]

FAITHFUL OR RELIGIOUS?

1 SAMUEL 14

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FAITH IS THE VICTORY [1 John 5:4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

1. Faith is Encouraging [v. 1-7, Mark 11:22] And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

 

2. Faith is Enabling [v. 8-15, Mt. 17:20-21] And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 

3. Faith is Contagious [v. 16-23, Luke 22:32] 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

II. RELIGION IS A SORRY SUBSTITUTE

 

1.  Undercuts Its Adherents [v. 24-28, Matthew 6:7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

 

2. Underutilizes Sanctified Common Sense [v. 29-30, Mt. 7:3-5] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

 

3.  Undermines True Faith [v. 31-34, Mt. 7:21-24] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

 

III. RELIGIOUS RESULTS

 

1. Silence of God [v. 35-37, Psalm 66:18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

 

2. Silliness of Man [v. 38-45, Proverbs 14:12] There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

3. Stubbornness of Sinners [v. 46-52, Ps. 146:2-3] While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

OH, IT [PALM SUNDAY] MATTERS

ZECH. 9:9, MT. 21:1-13                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT’S THE MATTER? [Zech. 9:9]

 

1. It’s a Matter of Revelation [Isaiah 46:9-10]

 

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

2. It’s a Matter of Record [Mt. 21:5]

 

3. It’s a Matter of Rejoicing [Zech. 9:9]

 

II. WHERE IT MATTERS [Zech. 9:9]

 

1. Israel is Not Forgotten [Zech. 12:10, 13:1, 4; 14:4]

 

2. Jerusalem is not Forsaken [Ps. 137: 5-6, Luke 13:34]

 

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

 

3. The World is Not Forfeited [Zech. 9:9-10, 14:9]

 

III. WHY IT MATTERS

 

1. It is a Matter of Royalty [Mt. 21:5]

 

2. It is a Matter of Righteousness [Zech. 9:9, Romans 10:3-6, 10]

 

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

3. It is a Matter of Redemption [Mt. 21:9-13]

 

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Repentance was Christ's plan of salvation. And when He gave the disciples the Great Commission, as reported in Luke, He said unto them, "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). It was just another way of stating His plan of salvation "among all nations." All who honestly repent-- that is all who turn, in the heart, from sin to God-- certainly trust in Christ. So repentance and faith are inseparable.

And Paul preached the same thing, namely that God "commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). It is silly, then, to say that repentance is only for Jews. Actually repentance means a change of mind, a heart's turning from sin toward God. And of course every person who was ever saved in the Old Testament or the New turned his heart from sin toward God, that is, he repented, as he trusted. - John R. Rice

I went into the Masonic lodge. I meant well. My father was active and a speaker in the Masonic lodge. Other good men said, "Brother Rice, you are going to be a preacher; and you will have more influence if you belong to the lodge." I thought that. They thought it was true. I went in. I found in it an old infidel, cussing, dirty-mouthed man whom I had rebuked on the streets for cursing in my presence and the presence of others. Yet, here he was helping my father give me the entered apprentice degree in a Masonic lodge! And I found I was taking oath to support these men in business instead of others who were not lodge members, support them when they ran for office instead of somebody else who wasn't a lodge member, and I should support him if he got arrested and put in jail, and if I were on the jury I was to try and uphold him. Good night! I didn't want that! I thought, that is not my place. That is not my crowd. So I got out. I never went back. I have great respect for many noble good men who mean well, but they still ought not be yoked up with unbelievers. - John R. Rice

Sure, I love born-again Christians where they are in the churches. I mean I am a brother to Southern Baptists or Methodists or Presbyterians or Pentecostals or to any man who loves the Lord Jesus and trusts in Him and believes the Bible and depends on the shed blood of Jesus. I am his brother. I am his friend. I want his love. But I don't want to call any man "brother" who says the Bible is full of mistakes, who says Adam was not a real person, as the Bible says-- that that story is just mythical and allegorical; who say God didn't create the earth like He said He did in six days but instead, says the earth has been here billions of years. I don't want any fellowship with him. That is infidelity. That is contrary to the Bible. Christians ought not put up with it. You are not to run with those people. Rather, you'd better say, "I am never going to give another dollar where it will get in the hands of anybody who is breaking down faith in the Bible." - John R. Rice

So Paul was inspired to use the same figure of speech in 1 Corinthians 12:13 when he said, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." In a figurative sense, when one is converted, he becomes a part of the mystical, unseen body of Christians who will be called out at the rapture and assemble in Heaven. So as a figure of speech, one may say that he is buried into that body, immersed in it, becoming a part of that body. The picture is the same used in 1 Peter 2:5 where Christians are said to be living stones, built into a wall, and the wall is a spiritual house for God. In that fanciful and beautiful figure of speech the word baptism or immersion is used. But actually, of course, that is not in a physical baptism. It is only in a figurative sense that a Christian is built into a wall and covered or buried in the wall of a house. It is all right to say we are baptized into the body of Christ, if you realize that it is only a figure of speech and not a literal, physical immersion of the believer into anything. - John R. Rice

Listen. You better get out and put your influence out-and-out for Christ and the Bible.

I don't mean to hate anybody. I am just against those who are not for Christ and the Bible. I am for everybody who is for Christ and the Bible. Christians ought to take sides and put your money where your mouth is. And it ought to be your mouth and your money both for Jesus and salvation. - John R. Rice

One pastor said to me when I was in a revival campaign, "You talk as if Satan were out after you all the time and opposing you! Satan never bothers me." I said to him, "If you twisted his tail as much as I do and got as many drunkards saved as I do, he would be against you."

The Devil is working against the Lord and against the salvation of souls and against out-and-out Christians. - John R. Rice

So it is with the Christian schools. Yale, Harvard, Brown, Princeton, Oberlin, Northwestern, University of Chicago-- all these schools were founded primarily for training preachers in the Christian religion. They are gone now. Yes, they grow rich and powerful and scholarly, so after awhile scholarship gets to be more important than the power of God, and they drift away. God then has to start some other schools. - John R. Rice

THE END OF THE BEGINNING II

LUKE 24:36-53, ACTS 1:1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BODY [v. 36-43]

 

1. More Than Before [v. 36-37, 1 Corinthians 15:44]

 

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

2. Similar as Before [v. 38-40]

 

3. Better Than Before [v. 41-43]

 

“We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better...stronger...faster.”

 

II. THE BOOK [v. 44-48]

 

1. Prophesied [v. 44-45]

 

2. Powerful [v. 46-47, Rm. 1:16, 10:9-17]

 

3. Personal [v. 48]

 

III. THE BLESSING [v. 49-53]

 

1. The Authority of Christ [v. 49]

 

2. The Ascension of Christ [v. 50-51]

 

3. The Adoration of Christ [v. 52-53]

THE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF A SINFUL SAINT

1 SAMUEL 13

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION

 

1. Took Credit He Didn’t Deserve [v. 1-4]

 

2. Took Liberties He Shouldn’t Demand [v. 5-9]

 

3. Refused Responsibility He Should Accept [v. 10-12]

 

II. THE INWARD EXPRESSION

 

1.  Foolishness [v. 13a, 26:21]

 

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly .

 

2. Disobedience [v. 13b]

 

3.  Heart For Self [v. 14, Gal. 5:24, 6:14, Col. 3:15]

 

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

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

In the Christian’s heart there are two places- a cross and a throne- Christ is on one, self is on the other- [the decision is yours]

 

III. THE OUTWARD MANIFESTATION

 

1. Opportunity Lost [v.15, Proverbs 28:13]

 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 

2. Opposition Looms [v. 16-21]

 

3. Opportunities Limited [v. 22-23]

THE MASTER ON A MISSION

LUKE 9:51

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHERE IS THE RECEPTION FOR THE MASTER? [v. 51-56]

 

1. Prejudice Prevented Reception – if you are going to “those people” we won’t receive you

 

2. Pride Prevented Reception- my will is better than God’s

 

3. Ignorance Prevented Reception- if Jesus didn’t go to Jerusalem and die, no-one could be saved

 

II. WHERE IS THE DEDICATION TO THE MASTER?  [v. 57-62]

 

1. Lack of Finery Prevented Dedication [v. 57-58]

 

2. Lack of Faith Prevented Dedication [v. 59-60] Note-Jesus had called this one

 

3. Lack of Focus Prevented Dedication [v. 61-62]

 

III. WHERE IS THE MASTER’S INDECISION?

 

1. Having a Cause Prevented Indecision [v. 51]

 

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

 

2. Having Correct Knowledge Prevented Indecision [v. 54-55]

- the example of Jesus

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

-the example of Paul

2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

-the example of Peter

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

 

3. Having Compassion Prevented Indecision [v. 56, Jude 1:22]

 

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Can a saved person ever be lost? That depends on who does the saving. If God does the saving, then of course if God fails, the salvation is lost. If God is faithful and does what He promises, then one who trusts in Him will not become lost. But if a man does his own saving by his good works, then when man quits working he is lost. And if he does "hold out faithful," if he does "endure to the end,"... and if he does "go through with God," then of course his salvation is by human works and not by God's unmerited grace.

But that is an absurdity, for Ephesians 2:8, 9 says:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

The clearest doctrine in the Bible is that no man deserves salvation and that only God's grace, his unmerited favor, His mercy on Hell-deserving sinners, can keep any of us from eternal destruction. - John R. Rice

[Romans 4:5-8] Iniquities forgiven! Sins covered! Righteousness imputed to us without works!

The Lord Jesus was counted bad when He was good. Now, thank God, since He paid our debt for us, we who were bad may be counted good. And better still, He places in us His goodness, and His righteousness is imparted as well as imputed, and we will end up in His likeness! - John R. Rice

I heard the beloved Dr. H. A. Ironside, eighteen years pastor of Moody Church and now with the Lord, tell of a time when he played "bear" with one of his little boys. I smile as I think of the portly Dr. Ironside, as I knew him, with a big fur coat on and down on all fours galloping from room to room after his five year old boy! The little fellow screamed with excitement and delight until Dr. Ironside, the "bear," cornered the little fellow in the kitchen and snarled and growled. The little fellow's excitement became fear, then hysteria, and finally he cried out, "You're not any old bear! You wouldn't hurt me! I'm your own little boy!" and fell sobbing into his father's arms. Dr. Ironside said that he laid aside the fur coat, took the little one in his arms, walked to and fro and said, "Why, of course I wouldn't hurt you. I'm your own daddy. I love you. We were just playing. I'm not any old bear."

And Dr. Ironside said he remembered how once he felt that God was running after him, a poor, wicked sinner, with a sword of vengeance. the fear of judgement was upon him, and when he could find no way of escape, he turned and fell into God's arms and found that God did not hate him, but loved him! God did not want to condemn him but forgive him.

So, dear sinner, take your place as a sinner and walk into the open arms of Jesus for forgiveness. All your sins are paid for! - John R. Rice

We ought to read the whole rich story in Isaiah 53. How amazing that here is the Gospel of the atoning death of Jesus as clear as any New Testament book! I do not wonder that sometimes this has been called "The Gospel of Isaiah," and how it proves the Bible and proves the deity of the Lord Jesus, that all this should be so meticulously written down over seven hundred years before it came to pass- the story of the Saviour's love, His atoning death, His being made a sinner for us, and the fact that through His stripes we are healed, and that He would make intercession for us, the transgressors! - John R. Rice

Oh, the way to have peace is not striving for salvation, not in "holding out faithful," not in vainly trying to earn salvation. Oh, no. The way to enter into rest is to cease from all works as far as salvation is concerned and take the free gift of God. For this salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast." One who sees he cannot earn salvation and lets Jesus Christ do all the saving and gives Him all the glory, has entered into this sweet rest when he ceases dependence upon his own works and merits and trusts wholly and simply in the price Jesus has already paid! - John R. Rice

Once men made great threats against me. I wondered what would happen if I didn't go along with the denomination and boost the program. So I went to the Bible and began to consult with the prophet Daniel. I said, "Daniel, what about it?"

And Daniel said, "John, these lions' dens are greatly overrated. They are not so bad." God can handle all the lions in the world. A wonderful thought, isn't it? - John R. Rice

You can see that it is a foolish and wicked scheme of the Devil to get people to disregard the Word of God. Any man who throws away part of the Bible is a kind of modernist and is not to be trusted. If one man has a right to disregard the command of Jesus Christ about baptism, other men have a right to disregard the teaching of Jesus on any other matter. As for me, I will have a whole Bible, inspired of God, all of it authoritative and reliable, or I will have no Bible at all. - John R. Rice