JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 You say, "Wickedness is so great. There is so much sin." Yes, but wherever there is sin there is heartbreak. And heartbroken people are easier to win than the self-satisfied. The old Devil is always overstepping himself. God makes the wrath of men to praise Him. God sometimes lets the Devil do some of his work in order to get sinners ready to be saved. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). I say, the fact is, sin never satisfies anybody. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 260]

Do you want to know why I am bold in my preaching? I will tell you why. People may look very mad and talk very sharp, but I know one thing about them: there is something inside that says, "You fool! That preacher is right. You are getting nowhere. You are going to cause your home to break up if you don't watch out. You will lose your job. Then you will wake up in Hell if you don't watch out. That preacher is right!" When I preach sharp, plain and hard messages some people don't like it. But there is something down inside that says, "You had better listen, old boy, to God's man. That fellow is right!" Conscience is a friend of the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 261]

Many long for revival and pray for revival. As solemnly as I know how I urge that there cannot possible be any great revival except by a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit as God's people seek his power and wait upon Him for enduement from on high. And I believe that revival is the only hope of survival for Bible Christianity in the churches. O God, send upon us the power of Pentecost that we may see the revival for which we have so longed prayed and for which we now devoutly yearn! - John R. Rice {The Power of Pentecost, pg. 10]

Satan has no happy old people. - John R. Rice

It is startling to realize the work that the Holy Spirit does for a human being. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts a sinner, the Holy Spirit who regenerates one who trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit who makes him a new creature. It is the Holy Spirit who comforts a Christian, who brings the witness and assurance of salvation into his heart. It is the Holy Spirit who helps a Christian to understand the Bible, helps a Christian to pray, brings to his memory the commands of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who works out and develops and produces the fruit of the Spirit, the Christian graces, in the Christian's life: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 37]

Many people thoughtlessly speak of the Holy Spirit as "it." Perhaps when the matter is called to their attention they say, "Oh, I know better." Well, in one's head one may know better, but actually one has not come to realize that the Holy Spirit is a blessed and real and familiar person, if he speaks of the Holy Spirit as an impersonal, neuter "it." No woman who loves her husband ever speaks of him as "it" because she does not feel that way about him. She knows him as a living, loving person and so calls him by the masculine pronoun. And Christians everywhere who learn to know the Holy Spirit intimately speak about Him and speak to Him with the greatest reverence and with the masculine pronoun, just as we refer to God the Father and just as we refer to our Saviour Jesus Christ, God's Son. The Holy Spirit is a blessed and wonderful person with whom the Christian should become very intimately acquainted. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 38]

The Holy Spirit is the one person of the Godhead with whom the Christian has the most intimate and daily contact. For Christ, with a glorified, resurrected body, is in Heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. But God the Holy Spirit literally lives within the body of the Christian, is with him all the time and represents the Father and represents Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice [The Power of Pentecost, pg. 39]

ARE YOU A RIGHTLY DIVIDING CHRISTIAN?

1 Peter 3:15-22

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Located within these verses are two unnecessarily complex questions with rather simple but strong Biblical solutions. I am reminded of how Jesus once told the Sadducees, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." This is somewhat the case herein. Some, having heard the off-the-wall explanations of some early interpreters repeated the same mistakes until they snowballed into semi-widely held viewpoints that are unreasonably mystical and unmistakably unscriptural. Just because a large number of people believe something doesn't make it accurate. Most people wrongly believe Heaven can be attained by good works. Salvation is the "gift of God" [Rm. 6:23, Eph. 2:8-9].

 

I. DID JESUS GO TO HELL TO PREACH? [18-20]

 

Variations of this theme have Jesus suffering in Hell for 3 days, being beat up for 3 days by the Devil and his demons, being locked up for three days and then demanding the keys and leaving. Another view has paradise and hades both together in the center of the earth but segregated. Jesus later moving paradise to Heaven and taking with Him a contingent of others.

Forgetting for the moment the weirdness of these many views let us look at the one thought to be taught here exclusively. That is the view that Jesus, sometime after His death, before His resurrection, went to Hell and preached to the lost souls that had lived in Noah's day.

 

1. The problems are immediate!

-what would be preached to lost souls in Hell? Another chance of salvation? Or was this a "ha-ha, look at you, you blew it!"

-why just those particular spirits--- why not all the lost in Hell?

-this view also opens the door for many weird views (some already mentioned)

 

2. The solution is Biblical!

The Bible is always the best interpreter of the Bible. Apply basic laws of Biblical interpretation here (as well as everywhere else). #1 Check the context. #2 Compare Scripture with Scripture. #3 If the plain sense makes good sense seek no other sense. #4 Always interpret unclear passages by clear passages not vice-versa.

 

Here's the solution: Christ, by the spirit, preached through Noah while Noah was building the ark. This puts the time in place in Noah's lifetime. Christ through the Holy Spirit offered salvation to a lost and dying world for 120 years. Their refusal of God's mercy culminated in the flood.

 

Does this meet the rules of Bible interpretation mentioned. Yes! On all counts.

-1 Peter 1:10-12 establishes the Spirit of Christ was in the Old Testament prophets.

 

-Heb. 9:27 establishes there are no second chances after death

it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

-Rev. 20:11-15 establishes when the lost will be judged (not made fun of) for their sin

 

-Lk. 23:43, 46 establish Christ went to paradise and was in the hands of the Father not the devil.

v. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise…   v. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

-Mt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10 establish when the Devil is cast into Hell and that he won't be in charge there "Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven is not Biblical nor true!

-Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

-And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 

-Mt. 10:28, Rev. 1:18 establish Christ has always had the keys to Hell and death

-And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

-I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

-Jn. 19:30 and Luke 23:46  establish that Jesus finished paying for our sins on the cross and didn't have to go to Hell for three days

-When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

-And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

 

-the “raptures” of Enoch (Gn. 5) and Elijah ( 2 Kings 2) establish the abode of the saved dead "up" in Heaven rather than in the belly of the earth even before Christ's resurrection

 

other Scriptural interpretations of Eph. 4 are possible without resorting to fanciful speculations

 

II. DOES BAPTISM WASH AWAY SINS? [v. 21]

 

The problems are immediate & the solution is Biblical!

 

1. Simply put, baptism is a work of righteousness [Mt. 3:15, Titus 3:5]

 

2. Christ's blood (not baptismal waters) wash away sin [Rev. 1:5]

 

3. Baptism is not part of the saving Gospel [Rm. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:14-17, 15:1-4]

 

4. The verse expressly says it doesn't get rid of sin! [v. 21]

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

 

III. ARE YOU AN OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN?

 

1. Are You Rightly Dividing the Bible [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.

 

2. Do You Understand the Meaning of Baptism? [Rm. 6:1-12]

 

3. Have You Obeyed the Lord and Been Scripturally Baptized After Being Saved? [Mt. 28:18-20]

THE LORD IS THY KEEPER

PSALM 121:5

                                                                 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HILLS THAT REMIND [v. 1]

 

1. Sinai reminds us of the Law [Nehemiah 9:13, Gal. 4:21-25]

- Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

- Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

 

2. Jerusalem reminds us of the Promise [Gal. 4:26-28]

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

 

3. Calvary reminds us of Grace [Luke 23:33]

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

II. THE HELP THAT REMOVES [v. 2-6] The Help that comes from the Creator removes:

 

1.  Instability [v. 2-3, 2 Thessalonians 3:3]

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.]

 

2.  Uneasiness [v. 4, Philippians 4:7]

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

3.  Insecurity [v. 5-6, John 17:11]

Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me…

 

III. THE HOPE THAT REMAINS [v. 7-8]

 

1. Preservation from Satan [v. 7a, John 17:15]

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

 

2. Preservation of the Soul [v. 7b, Jude 1:24, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 Peter 1:5]

-Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding Joy

-I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

-Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

3. Preservation Forever [v. 8, 2 Timothy 4:18]

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

EZEKIEL 28

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. NOT THE WISE [v. 1-10, 1 Corinthians 1:19]

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

 

1. Pride Unrecognized Brings Delusion [v. 1-6, 1 Corinthians 10:12]

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

 

2. Pride Unrestrained Brings Destruction [v. 7-8, Proverbs 16:18]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

 

3. Pride Unrepented Brings Death [v. 9-10, Rev. 20:14]

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

II. NOT THE WICKED ONE [v. 11-19, Matthew 13:38]

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

 

1. The Perfect Creation [v. 11-15]

 

2. The Prideful Corruption [v. 16-17]

 

3. The Public Condemnation [v. 18-19]

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

 

III. NOTABLY, THE WISE SOVEREIGN [1 Timothy 1:17]

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

1. The Lord Who is Sovereign Speaks [v. 1-2, 6, 10, 11-12]

 

2. The Lord Who is Sovereign Sees [v. 2, 6, 17, 1 Samuel 16:7]

… the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

 

3. The Lord Who is Sovereign Saves [v. 25-26, Joel 2:32, Rm. 10:13]

-And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

4. The Lord Who is Sovereign Judges [Rev. 20:11-13]

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

 

5. The Lord Who is Sovereign Reigns [Revelation 11:15]

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Later they [the disciples] said, "There is a storm at sea." They said, "Jesus, wake up! We are about to sink! Don't you care if we perish?" He said, "But where is your faith?" Do you think that boat can go down with the Creator of Heaven and earth in it? Do you THINK any storm can get Jesus? If you do, you have another THINK coming. Where is your faith? The one thing that would decide whether you are scared or not more than everything else put together would be your faith. Oh, how we must grieve Him with no faith! "Have faith in God." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153]

A woman wrote me: "I have read your book on Prayer. I have read others of your books and I know you are a man of faith. I am asking you to pray about. . . ." and she named what she wanted me to pray about. I write a book on Prayer and so somebody says, "Oh, I see that you have a pull with God." I didn't write a book to say what a great pray-er I am; I wrote a book to show what a great answer-er to prayer God is. You may not believe it, but God would as willingly answer your prayers as those of George Muller, Elijah, D. L. Moody, or anybody else. "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come," says Psalm 65:2. All right, then "whosoever"--all flesh-- is to come in prayer. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153-154]

Remember the demon-possessed boy? Jesus came down form the Mount of Transfiguration and with Him were Peter, James and John. And as the mobs and commotion grew, Jesus said, "What is going on?" A man said, "It's my boy! My poor boy! The old Devil throws him in the water and the fire and tries to kill him. He can't talk. He is devil-possessed. I brought him to the disciples and they couldn't do anything. Maybe you can't either."

Jesus said, "You've got the 'if' in the wrong place. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). He said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me" (Matt. 17:17), He healed the boy and gave him to his father. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 176]

When you come out of the water, picturing new life, you didn't get that new life in the water. It is an object lesson picturing the new life. You can go into the water a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner. Baptism ought to picture something that has happened already. Do not think that baptism secures salvation. It does not. Baptism pictures salvation. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Baptism pictures salvation. It not only ought to picture that this old man is now dead to sin but also that he is alive to newness of life. New life. New power. Walking like Jesus. Wanting what Jesus wants. Going in His power. Jesus lived and died to save sinners; so that must be the Christian's aim. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg.196]

Let me tell you, this pussyfooting generation has scholarship but not the power of God. This pussyfooting generation says the only real vital issue is love. Love everybody, pat the Devil's crowd on the back and tell them how nice they are. That is not New Testament Christianity. New Testament Christianity is bold against sin, bold to attack it, bold to expect the hand of God to intervene to save sinners. So our great lack is the fullness of the Spirit, which gives boldness to our testimony. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 203]

I was saved in a Baptist church, and I grew up to love Baptist people. And I suspect I absorbed a lot of Baptist prejudice. Not that it is wrong to be a Baptist, but it is wrong to believe that Baptists are the only people in the world going to Heaven. It ought to be Jesus and the Bible first.

I believe one ought to be baptized by immersion. I believe one ought not be baptized until he is saved. I believe nobody should be a member of the church but saved people. I believe it is wrong to sprinkle babies. I believe when Jesus saves us, we are saved forever. All that is Baptist doctrine. So I am a Baptist.

But some people foolishly claim that it means more than that. Some claim it is loyalty to the denomination, that Baptists are THE people, etc. I do not believe one's loyalty should be to a denomination but to Christ and the Bible. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 230]

ARE YOU A TESTIMONY? WHAT KIND?

1 PETER 3

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT KIND OF WIFE ARE YOU?

 

1. The Kind Who Accepts God’s Will for Your Role? [v. 1-2]

 

2. The Kind Who Accepts God’s Way for Your Role? [v. 3-4]

 

3. The Kind Who Accepts God’s Wisdom for Your Role? [v. 5-6]

 

II. WHAT KIND OF HUSBAND ARE YOU? [v. 7]

 

1. Are You the Kind Who Knows God? [2 Peter 3:18]

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

2. Are You the Kind Who Honors Your Wife and Her Place? [Num. 16:9-11]

 

Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

 

3. Are You the Kind Who Recognizes You are Heirs Together?

 

III. WHAT KIND OF TESTIMONY ARE YOU?

 

1. Are You of One Mind? [v. 8-14, Phil. 2:5]

 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

2. Are You Ready? [v. 15-17]

 

3. Are You Obedient? [v. 18-22, 1:10-12]

 

Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

MEASURING GREATNESS

MATTHEW 11

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

"Be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." ~ William Shakespeare

One modern wag paraphrased this quote and said, "Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them."

 

Here's a question for you. Outside of the Lord Jesus, who, in your opinion, was the greatest person to ever live? Noah? Moses? Joshua? Ruth? David? Elijah? Elisha? Esther? Isaiah? Daniel? One of the twelve? Peter, Paul or Mary?

Note one answer which the Lord Jesus Christ would give in verse 11, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

How can there be none born of woman greater than John and yet the least in the kingdom be greater than him? As always the Scriptures have the answer. Brother Roloff once said, "There is not a question asked in the Scriptures that is not also answered in the Scripture." I have never found that statement to be wrong in my experience and study.

 

I. WHY THE WORLD OFTEN MISSES GREATNESS

 

1. They Have Rejected the Standard of Greatness  [v. 11-15]

 

2. They Want It Their Way NOT the Right Way [v. 16-17]

 

3. They Are Wildly Inconsistent and Hypocritical [v. 18-19]

 

II. THINGS THAT MADE JOHN GREAT [v. 2-11]

 

1. He Endeavored Honorably to Settle His Doubts [v. 2-6]

Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief.

 

2. He Endured Hardship to Serve His Master [v. 7-9]

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ

 

3. He Endeared Himself to the Saviour with His Attitude [v. 10-11a]

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

III. THE GREATNESS OF THE LEAST [v. 11]

 

1. A New Nature Without Competition [Rm. 7:14-25]

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

2. A New Mind Without Carnality or Limitations [Rm. 8:6-7]

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 

3. A New Body Without Corruption [Rm. 8:21-23, 1 Cor. 15:50-54]

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

AN ORDINARY DAD WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY GOD

MARK 9:14-27

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A FATHER'S HORROR

 

1. Distractions [v. 14-15]

 

2. Delays [v. 16]

 

3. Disappointments [v. 17-18]

 

II. A FATHER'S HEART

 

1. The Perception of Care [v. 19-22a]

 

2. The Prayer of Compassion [v. 22]

 

3. The Passionate Confession [v. 23-24]

 

III. A FATHER'S HELP

 

1. The Lord Who Can [v. 22-23] You’ve got the “if” in the wrong place!

 

2. The Lord Who Cares [v. 19, 24, Matthew 14:14]

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

 

3. The Lord Who Will [v. 25-27, Hebrews 4:14-16]

 

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 There are Christians here tonight who have never read the Bible through once. There are preachers here tonight who do not read ten chapters a day in the Bible; and that is your life's work. No doubt some preachers are here tonight who have not read all the Bible through at all. Then you wonder why you have no power! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 125-126]

I tell you, we had better begin to live in this Book. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 126]

Nobody can understand the Bible if you have a thousand detours, if you don't put first things first. Millions have varying theories and tomfool ideas about Pentecost. Some talk about it being the "birthday of the church." Others talk about a new dispensation; others, about social reforms. The only reform God talks about is just keeping people out of Hell. Three thousand saved in one day is a good example! If you get concerned about what God is talking about, you won't go wrong in doctrine. You won't be led astray by every shifting wind. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 141]

"Brother Rice, I don't believe there are any more miracles performed." You don't? What do you think conversions is? What do you think regeneration is? We are talking about things that are supernatural, things only God can do; not ordinary but extraordinary; not human but Divine' not explainable but inexplicable. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth" (John 3:8). That is the way people are born again. . - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145]

Prayer is asking; the answer to prayer is receiving. - John R. Rice

You say, "Brother Rice, the day of physical miracles is over." Who told you so? You may have read it in some geography book. Or Darby said it, didn't he? I use a Scofield Bible-the best reference Bible in the world-but on the matter of dispensationalism, it is wrong for anyone to teach that miracles are not for us, that they were just for the Jews. Now God has a plan for the Jews all right, but when it comes to the nature of God, answered prayer, the Holy Ghost, the supernatural intervention in the lives of men, God is talking as much to John R. Rice as he is to Elijah, and anybody else. He sure is! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 145-146]

Preachers and Christian workers, if you don't have miracles, then it is worthless. Some say it is getting hard to have revivals. It is not getting hard; it has always been hard, in fact, impossible unless God steps in. You say that sinners' hearts are so hard, that sinners are deaf. They are not deaf; they are DEAD. And if you don't have a God who raises the dead, then shut up and go plow corn, or be a plumber, or a schoolteacher. You have to have miracles to win souls. If you don't have a God who can make a drunkard sober when Alcoholics Anonymous can't, if you don't have a God who can make a harlot pure when there is no other power that can, if you don't have a God who can make an infidel into a happy believer when all the arguments can't, if you don't have a God who can make a sinner bound for Hell into a child of God, then shut your mouth; you are not called to preach. You haven't got anything to say. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 146-147]

Later they [the disciples] said, "There is a storm at sea." They said, "Jesus, wake up! We are about to sink! Don't you care if we perish?" He said, "But where is your faith?" Do you think that boat can go down with the Creator of Heaven and earth in it? Do you THINK any storm can get Jesus? If you do, you have another THINK coming. Where is your faith? The one thing that would decide whether you are scared or not more than everything else put together would be your faith. Oh, how we must grieve Him with no faith! "Have faith in God." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 153]

ARE YOU A BABY? WHAT KIND?

1 PETER 2

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT ABOUT A GOOD BABY? [v. 1-3]

 

1. A Good Baby’s Deliberation [v. 1, 1 Corinthians 14:20]

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

 

2. A Good Baby’s Desire [v. 2]

 

3. A Good Baby’s Dilemma [v. 3]

 

II. WHAT ABOUT A GOOD BUILDING? [v. 4-8]

 

1. Focused on a Person [v. 3-4]

 

2. Fashioned for a Purpose [v. 5]

 

3. Following the Pattern [v. 6-8]

III. WHAT ABOUT GOOD PEOPLE? [v. 9-25]

 

But doesn’t the Bible say “there is none good, no not one”? Uh… not quite.

Romans 3:12, quoting Psalm 53, says, They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one

Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

The Bible says of Barnabas in Acts 11:24, For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

No one is good intrinsically but God. But God can make a person good by His grace.

 

1. Chosen to be Good [v. 9-10]

 

2. Encouraged to be Good [v. 11-20]

 

3. Shown [by Christ’s example] to be Good [v. 21 -25]

 

 

BE A WINNER

JOHN 1:35-42

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. ANDREW WAS A WINNER BECAUSE HE WAS A CONVINCED MAN

 

1. He was Convinced there is a Sin Problem [v. 23, 29]

 

2. He was Convinced there is a Sin Solution [v. 19-25]

 

3. He was Convinced Jesus is the Saviour from Sin [v. 35-42]

 

II. ANDREW WAS A WINNER BECAUSE HE WAS A CARING MAN [v. 41]

 

1. “First” indicates Priority [Mt. 6:33]

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

 

2. “First” indicates Pattern [Jn. 6:8-9, 12:21-22

- One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many

- The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

3. “Findeth” indicates Passion [v. 41, 43, 45]

 

III. ANDREW WAS A WINNER BECAUSE HE WAS A COMMUNICATIVE MAN [v. 41]

 

1. It was a Spoken Communication [v. 41, Mt. 28, Jeremiah 20:9]

 

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

 

2. It was a Simple Communication [v. 41, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2]

AND I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

 

3. It was a Saving Communication [v. 41, Rm. 1:16]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

APPROACHING THE BIBLE

John 17:17   Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

It was in the wee hours of the morning when he approached 1703 E. 12th Street in Chattanooga, Tn. with robbery on his mind. He and his partners had already hit several houses in the neighborhood and had quite a haul piled up on the street waiting to be loaded into their car. This house had a five foot fence around it but no big deal, they were young, stealthy, and cocky with the thrill of the successes of the night. May as well hit these last two houses on this side of the street.

Inside the house I awoke when I heard the unmistakable sound of someone slowly scaling a chain link fence. Shadow, our 80 lb. Weimaraner, had heard it too and waited as I slowly unlocked the back door and let him slide into the yard. He must have been quite a sight in the full moon as he ran down the driveway because the burglar's approach to the fence had changed drastically. Very noisy and very, very quick.

Our approach to things can change depending on our circumstances. I used to read the Gainesville Sun but approached it with some skepticism. When I read an article in the Biblical Evangelist by Robert L. Sumner there was a lot more trust in what I was reading. I remained fully aware that Doc was human, but I also knew where he stood in matters of faith. When I read the Bible, I know that the author is none other than God Himself and I need not judge the Book, the Book judges me!

What then should be our approach to the Bible? To hear some tell it you should approach the Bible as you would a book of myths and legends. Others say, "Nay, nay. Come seeking to understand what God is saying through parable-like stories that are intended to display deeper applications than appear on the surface." The simple truth is you should approach the Bible... as the verbally inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God!

Approach the Bible with reverence for its Author, respect for its message, and realization for its intent.

 

I. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REVERENCE FOR ITS AUTHOR--- GOD!

 

"A light view of God produces a light view of sin." If you reverence His Person, you will reverence His Word.

1. CONSIDER HIS KNOWLEDGE [Acts 15:18] Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

God is omniscient. He knows everything there is to know.

 

2. CONSIDER HIS CHARACTER [Numbers 23:19]

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Someone said, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" My friend, God said it and that settles it whether I believe it or not! When it comes to Genesis, God revealed it as fact and Moses recorded it as history.

Psalm 119:160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

 

3. CONSIDER HIS ABILITY [Is. 46:9-11] God is omnipotent.

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: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

If He said it, He did it!

If He said He will do it, He will do it!

 

II. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH RESPECT FOR ITS MESSAGE [2 Timothy 3:16]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

1. THE BIBLE IS HEAVENLY REVELATION [2 Peter 1:21]

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

2. THE BIBLE IS HISTORICALLY CORRECT

 

Mt. 19:3-6 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 

3. THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE

 

"But the Bible's not a science textbook!" Good, then it doesn't have to be revised every few years like the so-called “science books.”. The Gainesville Sun isn't a science textbook either but it's generally accurate when it gives the times for sunrise and sunset. The Bible is even more scientifically accurate than any document ever written or printed.

 

III. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REALIZATION FOR IT'S INTENT

 

Take Genesis for example. Someone foolishly says "The book of Genesis... is not very much concerned with how things happened. But it is very concerned with who made them happen."

Balderdash and poppycock! That's just nonsensical gibber-jabber! The Bible clearly tells us Who created, how He created and how long He took to do it!

"But isn't Genesis 1 and 2 Hebrew poetry?", someone says.

Dr. Fred Afman told us preacher boys at Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, "Anyone who says Genesis 1 and 2 are Hebrew poetry doesn't know Hebrew and doesn't know poetry!"

 

God created for His glory!

Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

God created for His pleasure!

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

All the Scriptures treat the Genesis creation account as pure history. When you read it the clear intent is to give a pure history. When you realize the intent of the Bible, recognizing its truth and reverencing its Author it does several things:

 

1. IT ALLOWS THE WORLD TO MAKE SENSE (Ps. 73:1-3, 17, 24-28)

-Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

-Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

- Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

 

2. IT ALLOWS THE WORD TO MAKE SALVATION KNOWN [Mark 16:15]

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

 

3. IT ALLOWS THE WILL TO BE SURRENDERED [Luke 5:1-5]

AND it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

 

Have you surrendered your will to Him? Come to Him for salvation. Come to Him for guidance. Come to Him for strength. Come to serve Him!

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Excuses! Excuses! Lying, insolent, deceiving excuses! That is all that men offer when they will not have Jesus as Saviour and pretend that it is for some good reason. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151]

He [Jesus Christ] did not say, "Now, I'll tell you what to do. You are sort of an ignorant bunch, but I have trained you the best I could. Be sure to learn your Scripture. Then when you go get somebody converted, get him baptized, then put him through a Bible institute. Put him through Tennessee Temple Schools, or through Baptist Bible College, or Moody Bible Institute or some seminary." He did not say that. You will not misunderstand me--I am not against education. I was a college teacher. (I have been forgiven for my past sins--you ought not to hold that against me!) But I was a college teacher! I am for education. And I have some degrees (not all deserved, maybe). But, my friends, education is like the snap of a finger--it is an incidental. It is like a feather in the road beside this one main matter of the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86]

Education? Yes, He can use educated people; but now and then He is going to use uneducated men like D. L. Moody, like Billy Sunday, to make a joke of the rest of us nice, stiff preachers with our degrees. Sometimes maybe it is a handicap to some of us that we have an education. We think we are so smart. God says, "I'll by-pass you and use somebody who is not thinking so much about education but who has My power on him." - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 86-87]

Every Christian was convicted by the Holy Spirit before he was saved. Then the Holy Spirit regenerated him when he trusted Christ. The Holy Spirit came in to dwell in the body of every one He regenerated. Then the Holy Spirit is the Teacher, the Comforter, the Prayer-Helper, the loving Friend of every Christian. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 93]

Do you want to know Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit will manifest Him to you. Do you want to remember what Jesus said? The Holy Spirit will help you to remember; "He will bring to your remembrance all things," Jesus said. The way to remember Scripture and memorize Scripture is to have the Spirit of God put it in your heart, burn it in, recall it to your memory. O Holy Spirit, teach us the Word of God! - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 104]

It is quite obvious that Jesus leaves us to do His work. As far as the atoning death on the cross, of course nobody could do that but Jesus. As far as paying the price for man's sin, Jesus alone had to do that. But on the matter of getting out the Gospel, the Lord Jesus has gone away and He has left us - you will understand me - to save all who will be saved in the world. I do not mean we will get the whole world saved. I do not mean we will save anybody without the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. But the getting out of the Gospel and the use of the miraculous power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit in us are left to people today. WE are to do the work of God. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 112-113]

Somebody says, "Well, I will pray." That is all right, but praying will not take the place of obeying. Praying will not take the place of preaching the Gospel. You can pray until you are black in the face but people are not going to be saved without somebody preaching the Gospel to them. People are not going to be saved without being told how. That is God's plan. Romans 10:14 says, "How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?" God is not going to change His plan for one who does not want to obey Him. God still has us to take the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Ten Messages That Changed Ten Thousand Lives, pg. 117]