O LORD MY GOD

Pastor Rick Jackson                                        

 

Psalms 145:3    Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

 

I. HOW GREAT IS THE FATHER?

 

1. In His Holiness He is Greater than Our Heart [1 John 3:20, Jer. 17:9]

-For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

-The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

2. In His Omniscience He knows of None Greater [Heb. 6:13-20]

 

3. In His Omnipotence He is Greater than All [John 10:27-31]

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

 

II. HOW GREAT IS THE SAVIOUR?

1.  He is Greater than the Greatest of Men - Solomon [Lk. 11:31], Jonah [Lk. 11:32], Jacob [Jn. 4:12, 29], Abraham [Jn. 8:53], or Moses [Heb. 3:1-6]

- The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

-The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

- Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

-Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

- Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

2. He is Greater than the Angelic Host [Heb. 1:4-9]

 

3.  He is Greater than the Holiest of Locations - Temple [Mt. 12:6] Tabernacle [Heb. 9:6-14]

- But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

 

 III. HOW GREAT IS THE SPIRIT?

 

1. He Makes Mortal Men Great [Lk. 1:15, 7:28]

- For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

- For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist

 

2. He is Greater than the World, the Flesh & the Devil [1 Jn. 4:4]

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

 

3. He is the Great Witness [1 Jn. 5:9-10, Rm. 8:16]

- If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

- The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God

 

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Psalm 138:5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

QUESTIONS WITH ONLY ONE RIGHT ANSWER

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Luke 7:40-43, 2 Timothy 2:15    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

I. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON MATTHEW 7:17-18

1. What kind of fruit does a good tree bring forth?

2. What kind of fruit does a corrupt tree bring forth?

3. Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit?

4. Can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit?

 

II. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON JOHN 3:6

1. What is born of the flesh?

2. What is born of the Spirit?

Nothing happens to your flesh when you get saved.

 

III. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON ROMANS 7:18

1. What does not dwell in our flesh?

2. What do I not find in my flesh?

 

IV. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON GALATIANS 5:17

1. What does the flesh do against the spirit? [lusteth [to set the heart upon]

2. What one word sums up the relationship between the flesh and the spirit?

3. What does this mean about the things you would do? [the desire of both is to control your life]

Galatians 5:19-25

 

V. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON JAMES 3:8-12

1. Can any man tame his tongue? [v. 8]

2. Should we bless God and curse men with the same mouth? [v. 9-10]

3. Does a fountain give sweet and bitter water at the same place? [v. 11]

4. Does a fig tree bear olives? Does a vine bear figs? [v. 12]

5. Does a fountain yield salt and fresh water at the same place? [v. 12]

James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

 

VI. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON 2 Peter 1:4

1. What has been given to us?

2. What do they allow us to partake of?

3. What do we escape from?

 

VII. AN OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON 1 JOHN 3:9

1. Does the person born of God commit sin?

2. Why?

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin [nature], we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

CONCLUSION

John 3 We must be born again!

Psalms 17:15  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

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

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

2 KINGS 2:1-14                    

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT GOD?

 

1. The Powerful God [v. 8, read up on Elijah- you’ll see…]

The God that can withhold/give rain, provide sustenance during famine, raise the dead, send fire, protect his servants…

2. The Personal God [v. 9-14, 1 Kings 18:36]

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

3. The Promise Keeping God [v. 10, 14; 1 Kings 18:31]

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

 

II. WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

 

1.  God is Seated on His Throne [v. 14]

-Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

-Psalm 47:8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

2. God is Seeking  His Own [2 Chronicles 16:9]

-For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

3.  God is Saving Sinners [Isaiah 59:1, Luke 19:10]

-Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

-For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

III. HOW DO I FIND THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

 

1. A Godly Desire [v. 1-6, Phil. 3:7-8]

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 

2. A Deep Devotion [v. 7-10, Phil. 3:8-10]

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

3. A Passionate Dedication [v. 11-14, Phil. 3:11-21]

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

2 KINGS 2:1-14                     

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT GOD?

 

1. The Powerful God [v. 8, read up on Elijah- you’ll see…]

The God that can withhold/give rain, provide sustenance during famine, raise the dead, send fire, protect his servants…

2. The Personal God [v. 9-14, 1 Kings 18:36]

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

3. The Promise Keeping God [v. 10, 14; 1 Kings 18:31]

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

 

II. WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

 

1.  God is Seated on His Throne [v. 14]

-Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

-Psalm 47:8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

2. God is Seeking  His Own [2 Chronicles 16:9]

-For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

3.  God is Saving Sinners [Isaiah 59:1, Luke 19:10]

-Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

-For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

III. HOW DO I FIND THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH?

 

1. A Godly Desire [v. 1-6, Phil. 3:7-8]

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 

2. A Deep Devotion [v. 7-10, Phil. 3:8-10]

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

3. A Passionate Dedication [v. 11-14, Phil. 3:11-21]

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Honest Christians may differ as to some details of Bible interpretation, but honest Christians cannot differ about the deity of Christ nor whether the Bible is all God's Word, infallibly true, nor about the blood atonement not about the miracles such as the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Christ, the creation of the world by the direct act of God, etc., nor about a literal Hell. When a man dissents from what the Bible says on such great fundamentals of the faith, then that man has no right to call himself a Christian, much less a preacher of the gospel or a teacher of the Bible. Such a man is an impostor, a deceiver, a false prophet. An honest infidel one might somewhat respect even though the Bible calls him a fool. But an infidel in the garb of a preacher, with language of deceit because of covetousness, is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a base hypocrite. He forfeits the respect of decent people and should have open scorn and public exposure at the hands of true Christians everywhere. The Bible commands us to contend earnestly for the faith. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 215-216]

The kind of Christian character that does not stand up under temptation is not the right kind of character. The kind of faith that will not make us happy Christians even in war time, happy Christians when food is rationed, when boys are in the armies, when we do without our coffee, or sugar, or meat, or cars, is not enough faith. Love that falters in its expression in time of trouble and temptation is not perfect love. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229]

How many of us are fair-weather Christians! How many of us can be happy when we are well but not when we are sick; can be gentle and unselfish and kind until we suffer, until we lose friends, until we face disaster! How many of us are good Christians until we are tired, are good Christians until someone speaks sharply, are good Christians as long as everything is easy! Bless God for the example of the dear Saviour who "the same night He was betrayed," knowing the torment that faced Him, still loved His disciples, still gently washed their feet and taught them to love one another! Does Jesus shine in you when you are sick or tired or disappointed or in trouble? Do you love people when under pressure? - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229-230]

How many of us are fair-weather Christians! How many of us can be happy when we are well but not when we are sick; can be gentle and unselfish and kind until we suffer, until we lose friends, until we face disaster! How many of us are good Christians until we are tired, are good Christians until someone speaks sharply, are good Christians as long as everything is easy! Bless God for the example of the dear Saviour who "the same night He was betrayed," knowing the torment that faced Him, still loved His disciples, still gently washed their feet and taught them to love one another! Does Jesus shine in you when you are sick or tired or disappointed or in trouble? Do you love people when under pressure? - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 229-230]

All Christians need, periodically, to make a new start. I have no patience with the shallow argument that because we have made good resolutions before and failed to keep them, therefore we should not make new resolutions. No man living ever did all he planned to do. No woman ever kept all her vows. But everyone who tried to do better was helped by it. People who try do more than those who do not try. People who resolve do more than those who do not resolve. And however much you may have failed in the past, the coming of the new year or of some special time of refreshing or conviction from God is an ideal time to start over again to live for God and to be what God wants you to be. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 245]

Elisha said, "I am going to be a prophet of God." And he set out to be.

When Bill Rice was in a meeting close to Kansas City, he drove his car in to be serviced. The fellow working on the car said, "Brother Rice, my name is so and so."

"I am glad to meet you," said Bill. "You are a Christian?"

"Oh yes," he said. "I am called to be an evangelist just like you. I am called of God as an evangelist."

Bill said, "Well, are you preaching?"

"No, I have a family and there is no way to make a living without this work. But I am an evangelist just like you." Bill replied, "No, you are not just like me. I was called too and we starved but we went to Moody Bible Institute. I gave up my job when I only had one or two revivals ahead of time. I gave my life to it. I am going to preach or starve. No, you are not like me unless you are out preaching like I am."

Elisha said, I am going to be the prophet of God and put off the old garment and I am going to wear this mantle of the man of God the rest of my days." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 24-25]

God's law, such as "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," is just as true about ten men as it is about one man; just as true about a whole city of men as one man; just as true about a nation of men as about one man. Sin brings death, ruin, failure. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" is just as true of a nation as an individual. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 35]

THREE BIG REVELATIONS FROM PSALM 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BLESSED MAN

 

1. Saved & Separated [v. 1, 2 Cor. 6:14-18]

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

2. Saved & Saturated [v. 2, 2 Cor. 6:1-10]

WE then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

3. Saved & Stablished [v. 3, Colossians 2:7]

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

 

II. THE UNGODLY MAN

 

1.  Not Stable [v. 4, James 1:8, 2 Peter 2:14, 3:16]

-A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

-Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

-As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

 

2.  Not Standing [v. 5, Psalm 5:5, Mt. 12:25]

-The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

- And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

 

3.  Not Saved [v. 6, Jn. 3:16-18]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

III. THE SIMPLE DIFFERENCE

 

1. The God of the Book [v. 1, 4-6]

 

2. The Book of God [v. 2]

 

3. The Faith of the Book [Jude 3, Heb. 4:2]

- Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

- For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

THE UNPREDICTABLE CHRIST

 

JOHN 8:1-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

This morning I preached on The Predictable Christ. We like to think everybody is predictable- we know so much about them- but it is a marvel that Christ, with so much about Him given to us, remains unpredictable in many ways [His return date being just one example]. We know He will return [predictable since He always keeps His Word] but we don’t know when- an unpredictable time- [since He always keeps His Word]. Let us open the Scriptures and see why “The Predictable Christ” is also “the Unpredictable Christ”.

 

I. HOW IS CHRIST OFTEN UNPREDICTABLE?

 

1. In His Actions [Jn. 4:27]

- And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

We sometimes think Christ acts like us, has our prejudices and foibles, our reactions, etc.

 

2. In His Words [Jn. 2:18-21, 7:46]

- Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.

- The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

 

3. In His Inaction [John 11]

 

II. WHO FINDS CHRIST TO BE UNPREDICTABLE?

 

1. The Enemies of Christ Found Him to be Unpredictable [Lk. 6:1-11]

2. The Family of Christ Found Him to be Unpredictable [Lk. 8:19-21]

- Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

 

3. The Friends of Christ Found Him to be Unpredictable [Lk. 9:51-56]

 

III. WHY IS CHRIST OFTEN UNPREDICTABLE?

 

1. Christ is Different in His Person [Mk. 8:27-30]      And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

 

2. Christ is Different in His Planning [Mk. 8:31]         And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

3. Christ is Different in His Pattern of Thought [Mk. 8:32-33, Is. 55:5-9]

-And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

-Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

THE PREDICTABLE CHRIST

HEBREWS 13:8                      Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HOW IS CHRIST PREDICTABLE?

 

1. Christ’s Actions Always Please the Father [Jn. 8:29]

 

2. Christ’s Words are Always True [Jn. 8:30-47]

 

3. Christ’s Inaction is Always Right [John 11:1-6, 2 Peter 3:3-9]

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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.

 

II. WHO FINDS CHRIST TO BE PREDICTABLE?

 

1. The Enemies of Christ Found Him to be Predictable [Mt. 12:9-14]

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 

2. The Unsaved Found/find Him to be Predictable [Jn. 3:1-2, 6:37]

-THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

-All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

3. The Friends of Christ Found Him to be Predictable [Jn. 6:67-69]

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

III. WHY IS CHRIST OFTEN PREDICTABLE?

 

1. Christ’s Plan is Consistent [Gen. 6:8, Rm. 4:3, 4:6-8]

-But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord

-For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness

-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.

 

2. Christ’s Pattern of Thought is Consistent [Heb. 10:5-24]

 

3. Christ’s Person is Consistent [Heb. 13:8]    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.                                             

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Just here every reader will do well if he probes deep into his own heart to see his attitude toward Jesus Christ. Only those who come with hearts bowed low in worship, opening all their treasures, have come as the Lord Jesus demands that men come. - John R. Rice [Gifts of the Wise Men, pg. 4]

The command of God about being yoked with unbelievers certainly applies to marriage. Marriage is a yoke. The only one who would deny this is a man or woman who has never been married. When a Christian man or woman takes in marriage a husband or wife who has not been saved, then he disobeys this explicit command of God. He yokes a believer with an unbeliever; he puts righteousness in fellowship with unrighteousness; he puts light in communion with darkness; he puts Christ in concord with Belial. He, a believer, has part with one who is an unbeliever and he makes the temple of God in agreement with an idol. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199]

Children of God should never marry those who are not children of God, no matter how virtuous or high-minded or cultivated or pleasing they may be outwardly. Inwardly they are rebels against Christ, children of Hell. To do so is a sin against God and a sin against one's own best self. It is a sin certain to be reaped with sorrow in the future. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199]

Some one has well said that one who marries the Devil's child is sure to have trouble with his father-in-law. The Christian, married to one not a Christian, is certain to have trouble. Such marriage should not be broken, and the Christian believer should not depart from his unbelieving mate (I Cor. 7:10-16). The time to do right about that is before marriage. After marriage is too late to avoid trouble. All one can do then is pray that God will save the unsaved ones and try one's best to atone for the sin of yoking up in marriage with an enemy of your Saviour and your God. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 199-200]

In every revival campaign I hold there is one kind of request made again and again - the request of wives that people pray for the salvation of their unsaved husbands. I am sorry to say that in a majority of cases the revival services come to a close and such husbands are not saved. Women ignore the plain command of God, go against the Bible and marry unsaved men, and then turn and ask God to put His blessing upon their sin. In many cases a good and merciful God does answer their prayers, but in hundreds of such cases, for some good reason, He does not. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 203]

Dear Christian girl, if you want some man saved, then get him saved before you marry him. To sin against God in this matter often means that you will so displease God and so compromise your own Christian influence that you will be unable to win to Christ the man who is to be the father of your children and your lifetime companion. After you marry then you ought not to leave your husband. But if you plan such a marriage, then heed the command of God and break up your plans, even though it be only one day before the wedding. You may think it will break your heart now, but a heart broken in doing right will soon be healed by the mercy of a loving heavenly Father. I warn you now that if you go headlong against the direct command of God in this matter your heart will be broken a thousand times. After all, only one thing brings real trouble, and that is to sin against God. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 203-204]

Honest Christians may differ as to some details of Bible interpretation, but honest Christians cannot differ about the deity of Christ nor whether the Bible is all God's Word, infallibly true, nor about the blood atonement not about the miracles such as the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Christ, the creation of the world by the direct act of God, etc., nor about a literal Hell. When a man dissents from what the Bible says on such great fundamentals of the faith, then that man has no right to call himself a Christian, much less a preacher of the gospel or a teacher of the Bible. Such a man is an impostor, a deceiver, a false prophet. An honest infidel one might somewhat respect even though the Bible calls him a fool. But an infidel in the garb of a preacher, with language of deceit because of covetousness, is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a base hypocrite. He forfeits the respect of decent people and should have open scorn and public exposure at the hands of true Christians everywhere. The Bible commands us to contend earnestly for the faith. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 215-216]

GIVE ME A BLESSING

JOSHUA 15:16-19

 

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SHE HAD A BELIEVING FATHER

 

1. He Believed God Could & Would [Num. 14:7-9]

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

 

2. He Received God’s Promise [Num. 14:24, Joshua 14:6-14]

-But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

 

3. He Sought God’s Inheritance [Joshua 15:13-17]

 

II. SHE HAD A BOLD FAITH

 

1.  She Encouraged Her Husband’s Faith [Joshua 15:18a]

 

2. She Encouraged Her Father’s Heart [Joshua 15:18b-19, 3 John 1:4]

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

3. She Exhibited Her Own Faith [Numbers 14:24, James 3:13]

- But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

- Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

 

III. SHE HAD A BRIGHT FUTURE

 

1. Othniel was a Family Man [Judges 3:9]

And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

 

2. Othniel was a Spirit-filled Man [Judges 3:10, Ephesians 5:18-20]

- And the spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

- And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

3. Othniel was a Faithful Man [Judges 3:11, 2 Tm. 4:6-7]

THE MOTHER GOD HONORS

1 Samuel 2:30

Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, . . . them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.  

                                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD HONORS THE DEVOTED MOTHER [Elisabeth]

 

1. She was a Disciple [Lk. 1:5-6, Acts 9:36]

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did..

 

2. She Was a Discerner [Lk. 1:39-45, Hebrews 5:14]

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

3. She was Determined [Lk. 1:57-63, 1 Corinthians 2:2]

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

 

II. GOD HONORS THE FAITHFUL MOTHERS [Lois and Eunice]

 

1. Their Faith was Known [2 Tm. 1:1-5]

 

2. Their Faith was Real [2 Tm. 1:5]

 

3. Their Faith was Shared [2 Tm. 1:5, 3:15]

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

III. GOD HONORS THE ENCOURAGING MOTHER [Mary, the mother of John Mark]

 

1. She Encouraged Faithfulness [Acts 12:12]

 

2. She Encouraged Prayerfulness [Acts 12:12]

 

3. She Encouraged Service [Acts 12:25]

 

THE MOTHERS GOD HONORS ARE THE MOTHERS THAT HONOR GOD

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 All of the things that are wrong with us are wrong in the heart. Our sins, our prayerlessness, our worldliness, our absorption in trivial things, our carelessness about souls, our spiritual blindness, these all proceed from our hearts, stubborn, carnal, sin-cursed, unbroken hearts! Our lack of revival does not proceed from circumstances. Our fruitlessness, our barrenness is not a fault of the head; it is a black sin of the heart! It is not so much that our minds need to be taught, but rather that our hearts need to be broken up. May God give us grace to set about to seek the broken and contrite heart that God will not despise. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 134]

Criticism causes suicides, broken health and ruined nerves. Gossip has broken countless homes, has estranged brothers, has divided churches. Evil speaking of other Christians is a heartless, cruel and terrible sin which often ruins lives. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 170]

A Christian then may judge doctrine, comparing it with the Bible. He may judge sin, prayerfully, without judging the sinner. But no Christian ever has the right to pass judgment as to whether someone else is saved or lost. And no Christian has a right to presume that he knows the motives and intentions of any heart. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 183]

If one declares that he has trusted in Christ as His Saviour and has assurance that his sins are forgiven by faith in the shed blood of Christ, then I ought charitably to take his testimony the best I can. If he does not live as a Christian ought, then I must consider my own frail attempts, my own failures, my own sins, not so well known to the public, perhaps, but intimately known to God. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 183]

If one does not claim to have trusted in Christ and to have accepted Him as Saviour, then we do right to take his testimony that he is unsaved. We know that if one claims to be saved by his own goodness, or saved by church membership, he is mistaken because we have the plain statements of the Word of God that only those who trust in Christ are saved. We have the right to suppose that one who does not claim to have trusted Christ for salvation is lost. And charitably, we can only hope that one who professes to know and love the Saviour and to have trusted Him wholly for salvation is really a child of God. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 183]

Some are saved who cannot give any clear testimony as to when and how it happened. Something very definite happens in the heart of one who is saved; but often not much happens in the head, not much of assurance, nor of clear testimony, until the Word of God brings light to the mind. Babies are born a good while before they know much. And babies would never know who their fathers or mothers were or anything about their birth unless they were taught by others. So some are saved who have no clear testimony, and some are saved who do not act like they are saved. But a percentage of others, we are taught in the word, are not saved, though they claim to be. And many are unrighteous sinners who appear very moral and religious. We can only trust that those have trusted Christ and have been born again who say they have. - John R. Rice [The Ruin of a Christian, pg. 183-184]

Some speak very blandly of the Galilean peasant or the prophet of Nazareth or the great teacher or the Way-Shower, People call Him example, martyr, wise man, philosopher, prophet or seer; but such terms are chaff to Him who deserves so much more. All such halfhearted and impersonal praise is stinking ointment instead of holy incense before Jesus.

One rich man so came to Jesus, calling Him "Good Master"; and He sternly reproved him saying, "There is none good but one, that is, God" (Matt. 18:17). Jesus is more than a good schoolmaster or rabbi; if He is not God, then He is not good! - John R. Rice [Gifts of the Wise Men, pg. 4]

THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE GO TO HELL

JOHN 3

 

Pastor Rick Jackson [inspired by a Curtis Hutson message]

 

Why do people go to Hell? Well, because they are evil. Not quite. Well then, why do people go to Hell? Let’s look at it.

 

I. PEOPLE DO NOT GO TO HELL BECAUSE THEY ARE SINNERS [Eccl. 7:20, Rm. 3:23, Heb. 4:15]

- For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

If people went to Hell because they are sinners everyone would go to Hell except Jesus because they are all sinners.

- For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

II. PEOPLE DO NOT GO TO HELL BECAUSE OF THE KIND OF SINS THEY COMMIT [James 2:10, 1 Timothy 1:15]

- For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Some of the worst sinners are in Heaven, some of the “best” people are in Hell.

- This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

III. PEOPLE DO NOT GO TO HELL BECAUSE THEY WON’T QUIT THEIR SINNING & LIVE LIKE CHRISTIANS [1 Tim. 1:15, Rm. 7:14-15, 1 John 1:8, 10]

- This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

-For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

-If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

IV. PEOPLE GO TO HELL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED [JOHN 3:18, 36]

- 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.

- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

1. HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT:

- is condemned already

- shall not see life

- the wrath of God abideth on him

 

2. HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM:

- is not condemned

- hath everlasting life

 

Now by “believe” we do not mean just a casual acknowledgement of a fact. James 2:19 says, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But to believe on Jesus as Saviour means to trust, to depend on, rely on.

Illustration: Like a chair.

There is no promise in the Bible to those who partially believe on Christ. – T.T. Martin

The marvel is not that God sends some people to hell, but that God takes anybody to heaven. - Walter Lewis Wilson, M.D.

THEY THAT WORSHIP

JOHN 4:20-26

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP FROM THE RIGHT PLACE [v. 20-24, Luke 10:27] THE HEART

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself

 

II. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP THE RIGHT PERSON(S) [v. 21-26, 9:35-41]

 

III. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP WITH THE RIGHT PREPARATION [v. 22-24, 8:32, 14:6, 1:10-12]

-And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

-He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

IV. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP WITH THE RIGHT PATTERN [v. 24-26, 17:17]

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

Someone says, “it doesn’t matter how you worship as long as you worship.”  Really? If I order a pepperoni pizza and the guy brings me an anchovy pizza that’s bad enough. But when he wants me to accept it, pay for it and like it, I ‘ll be like, “Naw. I don’t think so Jack!” Guess it’s true, you can’t fix stupid.

It didn’t work for Cain [Gn. 4:3-7, Heb. 11:4], nor Aaron & Israel [Ex. 32:1-8].

 

V. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP WITH THE RIGHT PROMPTER [v. 22-24, 1 Cor. 6:17-20, Rm. 8:9, 12:11]

-But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

-But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

-fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

 

VI. THEY THAT WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP WITH THE RIGHT POSITION [v. 20-24]

 

The Greek word translated WORSHIP is proskunevw  proskuneo,  i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.

 

Not the position of pride –

-Cain

- Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, strange fire before the Lord

- Saul

-Pharisees & Saducees