FAINT? I SHOULD SAY NOT!

2 CORINTHIANS 4                                    

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Ekkakeo is found 6 times in the N.T. in our King James Version.

5 of the 6 times the Holy Spirit had Paul use the term and once his friend Luke, the beloved physician used it. Translated “faint” 4 times and “weary” twice it boils down to the Lord telling us not to give up.

These negative phrases are  positive admonitions He gives us to keep going. Keep on keeping on. Strive for mastery. Press toward the mark. Go right down the line!

This is not just some empty platitudes with no reasoning behind them. This is no “Keep a stiff upper lip ol’ chap!” “Be warmed and filled.” “Man up bucko!” No, no. This has solid reasoning to go with it.

 

I. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED MERCY – FAINT NOT! [v. 1-7]

 

1. We See! [v. 1-4]

 

2. We Know! [v. 5-6]

 

3. We Have! [v. 7, Luke 18:1]

 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

 

II. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST – FAINT NOT! [v. 8-14]

 

1. Manifest the Lord! [v. 8-11]

 

2. Manifest the Book! [v. 12-13]

 

3. Manifest the Spirit! [v.14, Rm. 8:11, Eph. 5:18]

 

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

III. IF YOU WANT TO GLORIFY GOD – FAINT NOT! [v. 15-18]

 

1. From Grace to Glory [v. 15, 2 Corinthians 12:9] Grace is coupled with glory more then 10 times in the Bible.

 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

 

2. For Weighty Glory [v. 16-17, Ephesians 3:13]

 

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

 

3. For Eternal Glory [v. 17-18, Galatians 6:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:13]

 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

PRAISE THE LORD IN THE HALLWAY

1 SAMUEL 25                                    

 

Pastor Rick Jackson 

 

There is a solid saying I like, “Until the Lord opens the door praise Him in the hallway!”                     

 

I. A SIN CURSED WORLD

 

1. A Loss Realized [v. 1]

 

 2. A Logical Request [v. 2-9]

 

 3. A Loud-Mouth’s Rant [v. 10-13]

 

 II. A SPIRIT CONTROLLED WOMAN [James 3:17]

 

 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.

 

1.  She Listened Attentively [v. 14-17]

 

 2. She Acted Decisively [v. 18-23]

 

 3.  She Spoke Spiritually [v. 24-31]

 

 III. A SAVIOUR WORTHY OF WORSHIP

 

 1. Bless God for His People [v. 32-35]

 

 2. Bless God for His Person [v. 36-42]

 

 3. Bless God for His Mercies [v. 43-44]

THE GREAT I AM

EXODUS 3, JOHN 8:56-58 

 

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 

 

Pastor Rick Jackson 

 

I. THE GREAT I AM KNOWS YOU 

 

1. God Knows Where to Find You [v. 1-3, Psalm 8:4] 

 

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 

 

2. God Knows Your Name [v. 4, Lk. 19:5]  

 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 

 

3. God Knows your Liability [v. 5, Ps. 103:14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 

 

II. DO YOU KNOW THE GREAT I AM? 

 

1.  The God of the Living [v. 6, Matthew 22:31-32]  

 

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 

 

2. The God of the Afflicted [v. 7, Psalm 140:12] 

 

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

 

3.  The God of Deliverance [v. 8, 2 Timothy 4:18] 

 

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

 

III. DO YOU KNOW THE PROMISES OF THE GREAT I AM? 

 

1. The Promise of His Purpose [v. 9-11, Romans 8:28] 

 

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. 

 

2. The Promise of His Presence [v. 12-16, Hebrews 13:5] 

 

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. 

 

3. The Promise of His Power [v. 17-20, Acts 1:8] 

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Dr. Bateman, in a presidential address at a meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science at Toronto some years ago, reviewed the unpleasant (to him) fact that evolution was far from proved and that many ideas scientists had taken for granted in connection with the evolutionary hypothesis were now proved untenable. But he still said that evolution must be true because the only alternative to evolution was direct creation of God, which he certainly would not accept. In other words, Dr. Bateman believed in evolution, contrary to the evidence, because he did not want to believe in direct creation! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 190-191]

A missing link? All the links are missing! There is no link between inanimate matter and living matter, organic and inorganic. We have no link between plants and animals. We have no link between conscious life and unconscious. We have no link between man and beast. In fact, we have no link between any two well-defined species in the world.
You see, men do not accept evolution because the facts force them to accept it. They accept it because they want to, in spite of the facts. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 191-192]

Once modernists said that Moses could not have written the Pentateuch because men could not read and write in Moses' day. Now no educated man who knows of the Tel El Amarna tablets and other modern discoveries can doubt that men of Moses' day wrote. On a thousand fronts modernists have been driven back as clay tablets and stone inscriptions and the uncovered ruins of ancient cities have proved the modernists wrong. There was a nation of Hittites, though the modernists long said there was none. Cyrenius was governor of Syria briefly, as Luke 2:2 declares--as historians now know, but once denied. Not one archaeological discovery, not one ancient manuscript, not one scientific development has disproved a single statement of the Word of God. Yet modernists go blithely and determinedly on their way opposing it. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 193]

Why do modernists still not believe the Bible? Because they do not want to believe it! If the Bible were true, then men ought to follow it. If the Ten Commandments be God's laws, then murder, adultery, lying and covetousness will be punished and sinful men will be held accountable for their sins. If there be a Hell for God-rejecting sinners, then these men who hate Christ are in danger of eternal damnation, and they do not like such a doctrine. If Christ be the virgin-born Son of God, then they ought to love Him and trust Him and serve and obey Him. Don't you see how modernists who want to live for today instead of eternity, who want to have their own way instead of God's way, who want to be popular with men instead of righteous before God, hate the Bible? - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 193]

The blindness, the folly of modernists, is the result of their wicked hearts. Unbelief is not a product of the mind, but of the heart. Unbelief does not come from intelligent investigation; it comes from sin in the heart. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 195]

Modernists do not agree that Jesus is the pre-existent Christ of the Old Testament, the one foretold by the prophets, the Christ of God. Everyone who does not accept Christ as God come in the flesh according to prophecy, is a deceiver and an antichrist, says the Scripture. And Christians are to look to themselves carefully lest they lose their reward for their works and suffer because of compromising with these unbelievers and modernists. One who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, the Christ of the Bible, does not have God, is not a Christian, is not to be received as a Christian. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 198]

We have the clear command of II John, verses 10 and 11: "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." Christians are not to receive a modernist into their homes. It is a sin for a Christian to receive a modernist as a Christian. It is a sin for a Christian to support the modernist with his money. It is a sin for a Christian even to bid the modernist God speed in his preaching and teaching. Everyone who gives a dime to support a modernist, or allows his influence to be used in approval of a modernist who denies part of the Bible, is a partaker of the infidel's evil deeds. If the reader is a Christian who compromises with modernists and supports them, this Scripture warns you that you will lose part of your reward in Heaven. In Christ's dear name, do not receive a modernist as a Christian, do not go to hear a modernist preach, do not send your child to schools where people teach who claim to be Christians but deny part of the Bible.

Modernists are under the curse of God! Christians should fear them, avoid them, withdraw support from them and pray for them! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 199]

DON’T BE IGNORANT!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:1, 12

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DON’T BE IGNORANT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST IN RELATION TO ITSELF [v. 15-19]

 

1. There is the Danger of Minimization [v. 15-16, 1-7]

 

2. There is the Danger of Maximization [v. 17, 8-14]

 

3. There is the Direction of the Master [v. 18-19, 3-14 noting the work of God in all this]

 

II. DON’T BE IGNORANT OF PARTS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST IN RELATION TO OTHER PARTS [v. 20-27]

 

1. Be Aware of the Pride of Negativism [v. 20-21]

 

2. Be Aware of the Power of Necessity [v. 22-23]

 

3. Be Aware of the Practicality of Unity [v. 24-27]

 

III. DON’T BE IGNORANT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST IN RELATION TO THE HEAD

 

What a strange and sad thing it is when a body will not obey the head. A horrible illness to say the least.

 

1. The Head has Preeminence [Colossians 1:18]

 

2. The Head has Power [Rm. 1:16, Eph. 5:17-23]

 

3. The Head has Purpose [Eph. 5:24-33]

THREE MEN, THREE TREES, THREE DESTINIES

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

2 SAMUEL 3

 

Absalom, Zaccheus & Jesus.  A prince, a publican and a Prophet-Priest-King. A prince who ended up being a prisoner, a publican who became a philanthropist and the Prophet-Priest-King who became our propitiation.

 

I. THE REASON (why might we climb a tree? Fun, fruit, protection, etc.)

 

1. “Accidently” as a result of Sin [2 Sam. 3:3, 13:1, 18:5-9]

 

2. “Secretly” as a result of Curiosity [Lk. 19:1-4]

 

3. “Willingly” as a result of Love [Jn. 10:15-17, 12:27, 15:13]

 

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

II. THE RESULT

 

1. Death [2 Sam. 18:10-15]

2. Life [Lk. 19:5-6]

3. Redemption [Gal. 3:13]

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

 

III. THE REACTION

 

1. Delight & Despair [2 Sam. 18:16-33]

 

2. Murmuring & Merriment [Lk. 19:7-10]

 

3. Salvation or Condemnation [Jn. 3:14-21, Rm. 10:9-14]

 

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

AN UNUSUAL FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE

1 SAMUEL 24

 

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 I. THE INNER CONFLICT [v. 1-7]

 

 1. The Temptation of David’s Head [v. 1-4, Judges 3:23-24]

 

2. The Tenderness of David’s Heart [v. 5]

 

3. The Triumph of David’s Spirit [v. 6-7]

 

 II. THE OUTER CONFLICT [v. 8-16]

 

 1. Remember God Delivers [v. 8-11]

 

2. Remember God Avenges [v. 12-14, Romans 12:19]

 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

3. Remember God Judges [v. 15-16]

 

 III. THE AGE-OLD CONFLICT OF KNOWING & DOING [v. 17-22]

 

 1. An Admission of Guilt [v. 17-19a]

 

2. An Acknowledgement of God [v. 19b-20]

 

3. An Agreement of Grace [v. 21-22]

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE DAY

 If you want to know whether any person is a modernist, ask and insist on an answer to these questions:

1. Is the Bible (as given in original manuscripts) the fully inspired and reliable Word of God?
The modernist says NO; the Bible believer says YES.
2. Is Jesus Christ the virgin-born Son of God, bodily risen from the dead, as the Bible declares?
Modernists says NO; Bible believers says YES.
3. Did Christ's death on the cross atone for sins so that the sinner may, by faith in His shed blood, be saved?
The modernist, the genuine modernist, says NO. The Bible believer says YES.
Some people who have genuinely been converted, born again, have been misled and deceived on some points by these modern infidels, but such deceived people who really love Christ and have trusted in His blood for salvation, are not true modernists in their hearts, I should say.
- John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 163-164]

The worst thing wrong with the modernist is his unregenerate, carnal heart which has never been changed by God's miracle of regeneration. The modernist should not be argued with as a brother Christian but he should be preached to as a wicked, Christ-rejecting sinner. What is wrong with the modernist is more with his Christ-rejecting heart than with his mistaught and scornful head. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 175]

A man who thinks communism is Christian, and Russia a democracy, is a fool! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 181]

Modernists said there was no Hittite nation, mentioned many times in the Bible but nowhere else in literature. Now many inscriptions have been deciphered which prove the Hittites were a nation rivaling Egypt. A man is an ignoramus, a fool, to bet against the Bible! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 181]

Modernists are deceived, they come to unintelligent conclusions, they hold untenable positions, they are not trustworthy guides. They are not scholarly, unbiased thinkers. Modernists, in the language of Jesus Christ, are fools, not the wise men they claim to be. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 182]

Never defer to a modernist as if he were a wise man. However cultured and educated he is, he has a perverted mind and a darkened heart, and cannot understand the truth. He is, in Bible language, a fool, not a wise man. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 182]

A weak Christian may be pitied, may be lovingly forgiven. The ignorant Christian should have forbearance and help of Christians. A lost sinner who admits he is a lost sinner may be lovingly warned and perhaps won by those who love the Lord Jesus. But the modernist, who is not a Christian in the historical sense, but claims to be; who does not believe the Bible but pretends to preach it; who is an infidel, an unbeliever, but hides it in order to have the honor and support of Christians, can only have scorn reserved for hypocrites! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 188]

THE DOUBLE BLESSING

PSALM 32

                               

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DOUBLE BLESSEDNESS OF SALVATION [v. 1-2]

 

1. A Christian is Blessed by a Know-so Salvation [v. 1]

 

2. A Christian is Doubly Blessed by Living His Salvation [v. 2, Philippians 2:1, 10-12]

 

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

3. A Christian is Doubly Blessed by Imputation and Non-imputation [grace & mercy] [v. 2, Rm. 4:6-8]

 

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

II. THE BARRIER TO BLESSINGS [v. 3-7]

 

1.  The Deceitfulness of Sin [v. 2-3, Proverbs 28:13]

 

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

 

2. The Drought of Sin [v. 3-4]

 

3.  The Deliverance from Sin [v. 5-7, 1 Jn. 1:9]

 

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

 

III. THE BLESSED SAVIOUR [v. 8-11]

 

1. Instruction is His Part [v. 8]

 

2. Understanding is Our Part [v. 9-10, Proverbs 12:1]

 

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

 

3. Joy is the Result [v. 11, 1 Jn. 1:3-10]

THANK GOD, THAT GOD, ISN’T FAIR

1 SAMUEL 23

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 Remember if we got from God what was fair we would all be in the lake of Fire.

 

 I. THE STRONG CHRISTIAN [v. 1-5]

 

1. The Strong Christian Desires to do Right [v. 1-2]

 

just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it’s God’s will- Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, giving all your money to the Red Cross]

 

2. The Strong Christian Seeks God’s Will [v. 2b-4]

 

1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while ° with you, if the Lord permit.

James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will °, we shall live, and do this, or that.

 

3. The Strong Christian Does the Will of God [v. 5, Mt. 6:33]

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

II. THE WEAKNESS OF THE NATURAL MAN & THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN [v. 6-13]

 

1. Men are Full of Mischief [v. 6-9]

 

2. God is Full of Knowledge [v. 10-12]

 

3. The Godly Man Must Seek God’s Wisdom [v. 13, James 3:13-18]

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. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

 III. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD [v. 14-29, 1 Peter 4:19]

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 

1. The Faithfulness of God is Seen in Daily Mercies [v. 14, Lamentations 3:22-23, 31-32]

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

 

2. The Faithfulness of God is Seen in Godly Friends [v. 15-18, Proverbs 27:6]

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

 

3. The Faithfulness of God is Seen in the Deliverance of God [v. 19-29]

THE HANDWRITING OF GOD

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE LAW ON MOUNT SINAI [Exodus 31]

 

1. The Words of God [v. 1, 12-18a]

 

2. The Testimony of God [v. 18, Heb. 11:6]

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

3 The “Touch” of God [v. 18]

 

II. THE JUDGMENT IN BABYLON [Daniel 5:1-6, 17-25]

 

1.  The End is Near [v. 26]

 

2. The Judgment is Sure [v. 27]

 

3.  The Accuracy of God’s Word [v. 28-31]

 

III. THE MERCY IN JERUSALEM [John 8:1-10]

 

1. Mercy Extended is NOT an Opportunity for Neglect [v. 11, Hebrews 2:3]

 

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

 

2. Mercy Accepted is a NEW Life for Walking [v. 11, Rm. 6:4]

 

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

3. Mercy Appropriated is NOT a License for Sin [v. 11, Rom. 6:5-6]

 

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE DAY

 How can Bible believers respect either the scholarship or the integrity of modernists, when they either have not studied of they intentionally pervert these most simple fundamental teachings of the New Testament, clearly understood for centuries by Bible-believing Christians? It is a sad truth, often demonstrated, that modernists are not scholarly as regards the Bible, and that they are not honest when they use Bible terms. When a modernist uses the word "gospel," he does not mean what the Bible means by the term. "Inspiration," "divinity," and "salvation" are terms deliberately perverted by modernists. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 47]

In every detail Jesus died exactly as had been prophesied the Messiah should die in Old Testament prophecies written hundreds of years before! That could be no accident. Only a supernatural revelation from God could foretell hundreds of years ahead of time so may, may literal, accurate details without a single error. The Bible is God's infallible Word! Christ Jesus is God's own Son, our Saviour. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 47]

Any teaching that the body of Jesus decayed and mouldered in the dust in a Palestinian grave is not Christianity. Any body of doctrine that omits the personal, literal resurrection of Christ is not Christianity. It is a false religion; a pagan, ungodly religion. For this reason we must say that the modernist who denies the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a Christian. He has denied the deity of Christ, for Jesus said that His deity would be proved by the one sign of His resurrection. He has denied the integrity of the Bible which everywhere, in the Old Testament and New Testament, declares or implies the resurrection of Christ. He has turned his back on historic Christianity, the kind of Christianity preached by the apostles and held by saints and martyrs down through the centuries. Anybody who denies the basic fact of the resurrection of Christ has denied Christianity itself, has denied Christ, has denied the Bible, has denied the God of the Bible! - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 134]

The proven character of Christ makes His resurrection from the dead easy to believe. He claimed to be deity, one with the Father. In the books of Isaiah, Matthew, and Luke, very specific claim is made that He was born of a virgin, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. All the references to Christ in the Old Testament and the New presuppose that He is God incarnate, that He is the God-man. That such an one, God come in the flesh, should prove His deity by rising from the dead is sensible and believable. Those who do not believe in Christ's deity started their unbelief far earlier than that; they do not believe in Christ Himself. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 139-140]

God turns people over to a reprobate mind that they may believe a lie and be damned, when they repeatedly and intentionally reject the light He gives. That is the clear teaching of Romans 1:21-32. Why should God reveal His truth to people who would not follow it if they had it? John 3:19-21 says, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." The reason infidels and modernists are condemned is not because they CANNOT believe the truth, but rather because they WILL NOT believe the truth. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 156]

Those who want to know the truth and are willing to follow it can find the truth. If you want to know quickly and surely whether Jesus rose from the dead, whether His is the Saviour, God incarnate, whether the Bible is His Word and true, then set out to read the Bible carefully and prayerfully. Read the gospel of John. Pray as you read for God to give you light to understand His Word. Ask God to help you see the truth and to follow it. Make up your mind to love and obey the true God when you find Him, to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, just as soon as God will show you clearly that He is the Saviour. And coming with such an open heart you will find that God will meet you. You will find God's sweet promise, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you," is true. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 156-157]

Remember, modernism is a matter of doctrine, not a matter of how one lives. A modernist, or liberal, may be a total abstainer, an outwardly moral citizen; may even be a respected preacher. On the other hand, a drunkard or gambler may not be a modernist at all, but a believer in the truths of the Bible. Do not call one a modernist because he is worldly. Worldliness is one thing; modernism is another. One may lead to the other, but they are not the same. Modernism is a denial of fundamental Bible doctrine. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 163]

IT’S OKAY FOR THE LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE TO HAVE HIGH HOPES

 

IT’S OKAY FOR THE LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE TO HAVE HIGH HOPES

 

Luke 19:3             “I want to see Jesus. [v. 3] I want to know more about Him. I might want Him to be my friend.”

 

Pastor Rick Jackson [adapted from a Corley Brothers Message]

 

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

-2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth

-Ps. 139: 11-12 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

-Heb. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

II. HE KNOWS ME [v. 5]

-Psalm 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

-John 2: 24-25 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.

 

III. HE WANTS ME [v. 5, 10]

-Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

-Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

-2 Peter 3:9 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.

 

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

-John 6: 37-40 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, , but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

-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.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

1 SAMUEL 22                                    

 

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE SANITY OF GOOD CHRISTIANS

 

1. The Good Christian Cares for Their Family [v. 1, 3-4]

 

2. The Good Christian Cares for Their Country [v. 2]

 

3. The Good Christian Cares for God’s Word [v. 5]

 

II. THE MADNESS OF CARNAL CHRISTIANS

 

1. Sinful Living Tends to Paranoia [v. 6-8]

 

2. Sinful Living Tends to Stubbornness [v. 9-16, 15:23]

 

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

 

3. Sinful Living Tends to Arrogance [v. 16-17]

 

III. THE UGLINESS OF EVIL

 

1. Ugly in its Willingness to Do Wrong [v. 17b-18]

 

2. Ugly in its Wantonness to Do More [v. 19]

 

3. Ugly in its Destiny to be Defeated [v. 20-23]

DON’T FRET… GET WITH GOD

PSALM 37

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DON’T FRET - GET RIGHT WITH GOD [v. 1-6]

 

1. By Trusting In Him [v. 1-3]

 

2. By Delighting in Him [v. 4, John 15:4-11]

 

3. By Committing To Him [v. 5-6]

 

II. DON’T FRET - GET REST WITH GOD [v. 7-8b]

 

1. Wait Patiently for Him [v. 7]

 

2 Cease from Anger [v. 8a]

 

3 Forsake Wrath [v. 8b]

 

III. DON’T FRET - GET RIGHTEOUS WITH GOD [v. 8c-40]

 

1. Exercise Control [v. 8] Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

 

2. Experience Contentment [v. 9-10, Phil. 4:11] I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 

3. Exude Confidence [v. 11, 16, 18, 23-31]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Children are the gift of God. That gift is given at conception. To destroy one of His love gifts surely is sin.
And we have a right to believe that anybody who loves and trusts the Lord will find that God will provide for what He gives and make a way for happiness and success. - John R. Rice

Nothing can eat you up and poison your whole life more than hatred and bitterness. It doesn't really hurt the other person, but it does hurt you.
The Only answer I know is one simple word -- "forgiveness." You decide by an act of your will, not through your emotions or feelings, to forgive the persons or situation that you hate so badly. The Bible teaches us that we can forgive from our hearts. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Mt. 18:35).
We can forgive in the midst of cruel treatment whether or not the person who injured us asks for forgiveness. - John R. Rice

One preacher said to me some time ago, Oh, Dr. Rice, these are terrible days we are in now." Terrible days when you have a Saviour, and Jesus is born, and has raised from the dead, and you have a Gospel for sinners? No! No! - John R. Rice

Unbelief in Christ and the Bible is not based on learning; it is based on sin. Modernists, Unitarians, infidels are not that because they are intelligent; they are that because they are rebels. When a man does not believe in Christ, it is not an honest, "I cannot," but it is a stubborn, "I will not." - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 7]

Any man who pretends to preach the religion of Jesus, the message of Jesus, and to have the spirit of Jesus, and denies the authenticity and the authority of the Word of God, is an imposter. He is either an ignoramus who never investigated the facts, or an insincere hypocrite who does not mean what he says, but with feigned words seeks to deceive the simple. The religion of Jesus involves an infallible Bible. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 16]

No one is a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ who denies that He is Lord, who denies He is the pre-existent Christ, who denies He is what He claims to be, and would make Him an illegitimate human child, an imposter, claiming what He was not. - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 37]

Those who do not believe that Jesus is Christ, that He is Lord, that He is coming again, are accursed. So said Paul [1 Cor. 16:22]. So say I and others who believe the Bible and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Why should I be more civil than Paul? When divine inspiration in the Bible puts a curse on unbelievers in Christ, who am I to contradict divine inspiration? - John R. Rice [Is Jesus God?, pg. 37]

THE BREATH OF GOD

JOB 37:5-13

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BREATH OF GOD FOR CREATION [Gen. 2]

 

1. Man’s Creation Was Specific [2:7]

 

2. Man’s Creation Was Special [1:24-31]

 

3. Man’s Creation Was Spiritual [3:8-21]

 

II. THE BREATH OF GOD FOR SANTIFICATION [John 20:19-22]

 

1.  For the Presence [14:16-17]

 

2. For the Power [20:19-22, Acts 1:8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

3.  For the Protection [1 Jn. 4:1-5]

 

III. THE BREATH OF GOD FOR INSPIRATION [2 Tm. 3]

 

1. All Sacred [v. 14-16a] speaking of its origin

 

2. All Scripture [v. 16] speaking of its entirety

 

3. All Sufficient [v. 16b-17] speaking of its sufficiency