TESTING… 1… 2… 3

2 KINGS 10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. KEEP YOUR HEAD… CHECK!

1. Enlistment [v. 1-9]

2. Inspiration [v. 10-12]

3. Ignorance [v. 13-14]

 

II. SHOW YOUR ZEAL… CHECK!

1. The Shout Out [v. 15-17]

2. The Set Up [v. 18-24]

3. The Send Off [v. 25-28]

 

III. DEPART FROM EVIL… FAIL!

1. Diminished Obedience [v. 29-31]

2. Diminished Influence [v. 32-33]

3. Diminished Expectations [v. 34-36]

MAMAS, GRANNIES, AND IN-LAWS

2 Timothy 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A GREAT MOTHER-IN-LAW [Luke 4]

There are good mother-in-laws mentioned in the Bible [Naomi] and some horrible ones as well [Jezebel]. This unnamed lady seems to be one of the great ones.

 

1. Her Situation of Life [v. 38]

2. Her Sickness of Late [v. 38b]

3. Her Service of Love [v. 39, she didn’t “milk” her illness- she served immediately!]

 

II. MARY- MARK’S MINISTRY MINDED MOTHER

 

1. A Generous Woman [Acts 12:12]

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

2. A Prayer Meeting Mother [Acts 12:12]

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

3. A Mission Minded Mother [Acts 12:25, 15:37-39, Col. 4:10]

- And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

-[very possible she encouraged her brother to take her son] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

- [not hard to imagine a praying mother encouraged her son to make things right]Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth

you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

 

 III. LOIS & EUNICE- MAKING FOLLOWING JESUS A FAMILY TRADITION

 

 1. Women of Understanding Hearts [Acts 16:1]

THEN came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2. Women of Unfeigned Faith [2 Tm. 1:5, 1 Tm. 1:5]

- When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

- Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

3. Women of an Opened Bible [2 Tm. 3:14-17]

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

BE BLESSABLE

PSALM 1                               

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The Bible is clear that God loves every one. The Bible is equally clear that God hates sin. That is why God provided a Way, the Way, for every one to be saved, to be a believer, to be a Christian, to avoid Hell and gain Heaven and that one way is the Lord Jesus Christ. Having said that God shows His love to lost and saved alike. It rains on the just and the unjust. The goodness of God leads mankind to repentance. But, to be truly blessed of God, to have peace of mind and heart, the peace of God that passes all understanding, the leading and guidance daily of the Spirit of God, access to the throne of grace to find help in time of need is NOT given to all – it can be attained by all, but to get some of the more specific blessing one must be, for lack of a better term, one must be blessable. Are you blessable? Would you like to be blessable? Psalm 1 is the ground floor for us today, get in on the ground floor and be blessable. Be blessable and you will be blessed.

 

I. TO BE BLESSABLE BE CHRISTIAN

1. The Christian has Taken God at Face Value [Psalm 1:1-2a, Gn. 1:1, Heb. 11:6]

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2. The Christian has Taken God at His Word [Ps. 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13]

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

3. The Christian has Taken Christ as His Saviour [v. 6, Rm. 5:17-19]

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

II. TO BE BLESSABLE BE CONSISTENT

 

1. God will Bless [Ps. 1:1, 1 Peter 3:12]

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

2. Others will take note [Ps. 1:1, 1 Peter 2:15, 3:15-17]

-For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

3. Decisions will be easier [Ps. 1:2, 1 Peter 4:1-3]

FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

 

III. TO BE BLESSABLE BE CONTENT

 

1. Be Content With His Provision [Ps. 1:3, Phil. 4:10-11]

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

2. Be Content With Your Possessions [Ps. 1:2-3, Phil. 4:12, Heb. 13:5]

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

3. Be Content With His Presence [Ps. 1:5, Phil. 4:13, Heb. 13:5]

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 You who will not take Jesus Christ and flee to Him for refuge will find yourselves hounded and pursued by your own sins and so certain of eternal ruin. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 33]

Man has become not the inmate of Eden but the apprentice for Hell. - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 18]

Two things. God through the Holy Spirit washes the sins and changes our hearts and gives the Holy Spirit to be within us. And so you need to get settled, "I am saved by grace. I did not earn it. I cannot earn it."

You say, "But you have to keep it." You cannot keep it. Somebody says, "Oh, I want to hold out faithful." You never started faithful. There was never ten seconds of your life when you were good enough to deserve Heaven. You had just as well settle it that your kind of faithfulness is frail and human and so you need help. - John R. Rice [Wonderful Bible Truth, pg. 16]

Children are to be brought up in the chastening or discipline and the admonition of the word.

You say, "Well, you ought to love your children." Sure you ought to love your children so much you are never content for one of them to land in Hell. You ought to love your children so much you will never be content for them to grow up as wild, irresponsible young people who never learn to obey the law and have no God but their own desires. No, children will be happy when they are reared right, and that means discipline. - John R. Rice [The Christian Home, pg. 18]

Oh, Solomon, bad company is the way to ruin! It led to the captivity and binding and death of Samson. Heathen marriages before the flood, when the sons of God took the daughters of men, as many as they chose and the whole world became violent and wicked, led to a violent, wicked race. So when Peter sat by the fire with soldiers who would crucify Jesus, he lost all his courage and cursed and swore and denied the Saviour. - John R. Rice [Great Men of the Bible, page 128]

Are you burdened about your soul? Then you have not committed the unpardonable sin. Revelation 22:17 proves that WHOSOEVER WILL may take of the water of life. If you had committed the unpardonable sin, your heart would be like ice. You would not be concerned about your soul. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 16]

How are you going to get saved? God loves you and He gave His Son "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Aren't you glad God loves sinners? That is the best thing I know about God. He loves righteousness, sure. Pharisees all love righteous people. Worldly people love righteous people. But God loved poor, wicked sinners. He went to all the lengths that a holy God could go to; He took out of Heaven his own dear Son, the fairest Jewel of Heaven, and let Him be born in this world in poverty, live a life of sacrifice and scorn; then God let Him have the bloody sweat of Gethsemane, then Pilate's judgment hall, the crown of thorns, the lash on His back, then up the Way of Sorrows to a hill shaped like a skull and nailed there. He was mocked six hours and God turned away His face and let Jesus die.

Thank God, there is a way of salvation! Thank God, it is all paid! - John R. Rice

THE ROYAL TUMBLE

2 KINGS 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE ANNOINTING OF JEHU [v. 1-13]

1. The Commission of the Commissioner Demonstrates God’s Faithfulness to Israel [v. 1-3]

2. The Commission of the Commander Demonstrates God’s Faithfulness to His Word [v. 4-10, 1 Kings 21: 20-24]

And Ahab said to Elijah, hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee; because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.

3. The Acceptance of the Commission Demonstrates God’s Peoples’ Faith Remains [v. 11-13, Romans 11:25]

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

 

II. THE DEATH OF JORAM [v. 14-26]

1. The Campaign of Jehu [v. 15-21]

2. The Character of Joram [v. 22-23, 2 Kings 3: 14]

And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee

3. The Curse on Jehoram [v. 24-26]

 

III. THE DEATHS OF AHAZIAH & JEZEBEL [v. 27-37]

1. The Death of the Man who Chose In-laws over God’s Law [v. 27-29]

2. The Failing Seductress “Falls” for Jehu [v. 30-33]

3. The Final Tally is Always the Same- God’s Word Prevails [v. 34-37]

LYDIA, THE WOMAN WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED

ACTS 16:9-15, 40             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. LYDIA OPENED HER HEART TO GOD

 

1. She Opened Her Heart to the Bible [v. 13-14]

2. She Opened Her Heart to the Gospel [v. 10, 14]

3. She Opened Her Heart to the Lord [v. 14, Rev. 3:20]

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

 

 II. LYDIA OPENED HER HOME TO THE CHURCH

 

1. She was Scripturally Baptized [v. 15]

2. She was Satisfactorily Faithful [v. 15, 1 Corinthians 4:2]

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3. She was Successfully Able [v. 15, 40, Mark 14:8]

“She hath done what she could”

 

 III. LYDIA OPENED HER PURSE TO MISSIONS

 

1. She Hosted Missionaries [v. 15]

2. She Housed Missionaries [v. 15]

3. She Honored Missionaries [v. 35-40]

GOD'S DELIGHT

MICAH 7                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. LOOK AT THE SITUATION THAT IS HOPELESS 

[v. 1-6]

 

1. There is No Hope in Yourself [v. 1]

 

2. There is No Hope in the Outside World [v. 2-4]

 

3. There is No Hope in Our Inner Circle [v. 5-6]

 

II. LOOK AT THE SOVEREIGN THAT IS HOLY 

[v. 7-13]                                                                           

 

1.  I’ve Seen The Working of God in My Own Life’s Sin 

[v. 7-9]

 

2.  I’ve Seen The Working of God in the Lives of My Enemies’ Sin [v. 10]

 

3.  I’ve Seen The Working of God in the Life of My Nation’s Sin [v. 11-13, Proverbs 14:34]

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

 

III. LOOK AT THE SAVIOUR WHO IS HONORABLE [v. 14-20]

 

1. The Flock of God Will Know It 

[v. 14-15, John 10:14-16, 25-28]

- I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

- Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 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.

 

2. The Fear of God Will Show It 

[v. 16-17]

 

3. The Faithfulness of God Bestows It 

[v. 18-20, James 4:8-10]

 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

"Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." What a sin! Oh, to pretend any reverence to God, then take the name of Jesus or Christ or Almighty or God or Lord as a byword, or to take it with cursing or to take it repeating blasphemy! How sinful it is! And how reverently we who are Christians ought to think and how reverently we ought to speak the name of Jesus and Christ and God. Oh, it is all right to talk about God and love Him, but beware, for God "will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." - John R. Rice [Favorite Chapters of the Bible, pg. 54]

When I started out as a young Christian, how vigorously I tried to keep Sunday. I didn't know then Sunday is the Lord's Day, and the Sabbath is Saturday. Well, somebody says they changed it in Bible times. The Bible never says anything about changing it. Men have said so. You may think the command applies to Sunday. But the Bible doesn't say so. The truth is, the Sabbath was given to the Jews in the modest land of Palestine. It isn't suitable for the arctic circle. "Which was contrary to us in Colosse," says the Scripture. It wouldn't be suitable in many places and times. It was suitable for the Jews in their time. Now then, it has been fulfilled. - John R. Rice [Favorite Chapters of the Bible, pg. 59]

Our Arminian friends who think that one who has been saved may lose salvation do not really understand what salvation means. "Oh," they may say, "but if your faith fails or if you turn back from serving God, you do not deserve salvation." No indeed, one would not deserve salvation then. But none deserved salvation in the beginning either! You see, if unworthiness could keep one from salvation, it would already keep everybody in the universe from salvation for all are unworthy. If God can not keep people who do not deserve it, then He could not save people who do not deserve it. You must remember that salvation by grace is wholly of God, of grace, and not of works. The God who does the saving does the keeping. The keeping is part of the salvation. - John R. Rice [Great Truths for Soul Winners, pg. 83]

God furnishes the Saviour and all you have to do is furnish the sinner. - John R. Rice [Was Pope John I a Born-Again Christian?, pg. 170]

All of us want to think that we are better than others, different from others. But God's Word thunders back that we are no better than others, no different from others, For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg. 3]

Do you believe in giving money to help the poor? Well, remember that the best help that you can give to a poor home is to give it a husband and father who is born again, who is a changed man in heart and soul, who is now a faithful provider, a true husband, a good citizen, an honest workman. - John R. Rice [The Golden Path of Successful Personal Soul Winning, pg.56]

 Years ago a preacher who thought that baptism was essential to salvation, but who seem to know little about the new birth, scoffed at the idea of eternal salvation, saying, "If I believed that one who has been saved could never lose his salvation, you know what I would do> I would first believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and get saved, and then I would just go out and have my fill of sin!"

And I said to him very seriously, "If you have not already had your fill of sin, I doubt if you know what I am talking about at all." The new heart has an inward rebuke for sin and God adds His own chastening hand. - John R. Rice [Great Truths for Soul Winners, pg. 90]

DOES IT MATTER?

2 KINGS 8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD’S OMNISCIENCE SHOWS FAITH MATTERS [v. 1-15]

 

1. God Cares To Completion [v. 1-6, Philippians 1:6]

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

2. God Calls It Straight [v. 7-10]

3. God’s Compassion to Disobedient Children [v. 11-15, Luke 13:34]

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

 

II. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS MATTERS [v. 16-24]

 

1. Man Is Unfaithful [v. 16-18]

2. God Is Faithful [v. 19, Dt. 7:9]

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

3. Unfaithfulness Has Consequences [v. 20-24]

 

III. MAN’S CHOICES MATTER

1. Bad Marriage [v. 25-27, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18]

2. Bad Decisions [v. 28, Ephesians 5:10]

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

3. Bad Health [v. 29, 1 Corinthians 11:30]

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

THREE WOMEN WHO HELPED DAVID

Proverbs 31:10, 26, 30 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. …She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. …Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Some people, men and women, seem to think that women are not very wise. They can tell you stories of silly women to supposedly prove their point. The only thing they prove is that there have been a lot of silly women. Do not the Scriptures say in 2 Timothy 3:6 “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts”?

Well, of course it does. But read the context. There are silly women and there are devious men. By the same token, there are silly men and devious women. This does not mean they are not godly wise folk in both genders. Many are the times that I have been helped by the counsel of good godly women with common sense, yes, with sanctified sense. And so had King David.

 

I. DAVID FOUND HELP IN A TIME OF OVER-ENTHUSIAM [1 Sam. 25]

 

1. She Kept Her Head when Others were Losing Theirs [v. 1-22]

2. She Kindled Humility in Others by Being Humbe Herself [v. 23-28]

3. She Kindly Helped Others when she was in danger [v. 29-35]

 

 II. DAVID FOUND HELP IN A TIME OF OBVIOUS ERROR [2nd Samuel 14]

 

1. Borrowed Words [v. 12-17]

2. Brave Words [v. 18-19]

3. Best Words [v. 20ff]

 

 III. DAVID FOUND HELP IN A TIME OF AN ORNERY ENEMY [2 Samuel 20]

 

1. She Knew Who to Talk to [v. 1-2, 13-17]

2. She Knew What to Say [v. 18-21]

3. She knew what to do [v. 22, 6]

THE MASTER'S QUESTION [2]

MT. 22:41-46

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

If you really want to know who someone is- really know – you might just ask those closest to them. Ask their family, ask their close friends, and then… ask God.

 

I. JUDE, HIS HALF-BROTHER [Jude]

 

1. He is Coming! [v. 14]

2. He is Merciful! [v. 21]

3. He is Able! [v. 24-25]

 

II. JOHN THE ELDER [1 John]

 

1. He Cleanses Us [1:7-9]

2. He Advocates For Us [2:1-2]

3. He Secures Us [5:1, 5, 10-13, 19-20]

 

III. GOD THE FATHER [James 1:5]

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

1. “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [Mt. 3:17]

2. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” [Mt. 17:5]

3. “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.” [Psalm 45:6, Hebrews 1:8]

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

THE GRACE OF GOD

 2 KINGS 4

Pastor Rick Jackson

It doesn’t matter when [in the history of this old world], it doesn’t matter where, and it doesn’t matter who; when God works in the life of any person – GRACE is involved. Just how is grace involved can be done in a myriad of ways – but when God deals with an individual, mark it down in red, underline it in black – GRACE is involved. 2 Kings 4 is but one of many examples of this found in Holy Writ.

I. GRACE PAYS THE DEBT [v. 1-7]

1. The Presence of Faith [v. 1-2]

2. The Participants of Faith [v. 3-5]

3. The Practicality of Faith [v. 6-7]

II. FAITH ACCESSES THE GRACE [v. 8-37]

1. The Graciousness of Faith [v. 8-13]

2. The Gentleness of Faith [v. 14-17]

3. The Grasp of Faith [v. 18-37]

III. GOD DISPENSES THE GRACE [v. 38-44]

1. Death is Defeated [v. 38-41, 1 Corinthians 15:26]

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

2. Expectations are Exceeded [v. 42-44, Ephesians 3:20-21]

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

3. God’s Word is Glorified [v. 44]

HANNAH’S HANDLING OF LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES

1 SAMUEL 1                                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HANNAH’S DIFFICULTIES

1. She was Provoked by Her Adversary [v. 1-7, 1 Peter 5:8]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

2. She was Misunderstood by Her Husband [v. 8; Luke 2:50, 9:45, 18:34]

- And they (Mary & Joseph) understood not the saying which he (Jesus) spake unto them.

- But they (disciples) understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him (Jesus) of that saying.

- And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

3. She was Maligned by Her Priest [v. 12-15, 1 Peter 3:16]

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

 

II. HANNAH’S DEVOTION

1. She was Faithful in Worship [v. 7, 19, Heb. 10:23-25]

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2. She was Faithful in Prayer [v. 7, 9-18, Lk. 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17]

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

- Pray without ceasing.

Note- “ceasing” is mentioned 7 times in the KJV – at least 6 of those times are in reference to prayer.

3. She was Faithful in Her Vows [v. 20-28, Dt. 23:21-23, Eccl. 5:4-5, Ps. 116:14]

-When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

- When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

- I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

 

III. HANNAH’S DELIVERANCE

1. She Exhibited a Heart of Peace [v. 16-19a, Philippians 4:6-7]

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2. She Exhibited a Heart of Praise [v. 19b-20, 2:1-2ff, Psalm 57:7]

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.]

3. She Exhibited a Heart of Purpsoe [v. 21-28, 2:18-21, Dan. 1:8, Acts 11:23]

- But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself

-Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

THE MASTER’S QUESTION

MT. 22:41-46

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

If you really want to know who someone is- really know – you might just ask those closest to them. Ask their family, ask their close friends, and then… ask them.

 

I. JAMES, THE HALF-BROTHER OF JESUS, SAYS, “HE IS THE LORD”

1. He is “the Lord Jesus Christ” [James 1:1, 7, 12; 2:1; 4:10, 15]

2. He is “the Lord of Glory” [James 2:1]

3. He is the Coming “Lord of sabaoth” [5:4, 7-8, 10-11, 14-15]

 

II. PETER, THE UNOFFICIAL SPOKESMAN FOR THE 12, SAYS “HE IS PRECIOUS”

1. His Payment is Precious [1 Peter 1:18-19]

2. His Position is Precious [1 Peter 2:4-7]

3. His Promises are Precious [2 Peter 1:1-4]

 

III. JESUS’ OWN TESTIMONY [JOHN 8:13-19] Jesus said-

1. “I AM The Bread of Life” [Jn. 6:35-41]

2. “I AM The Light of the World” [Jn. 8:12]

3. “I AM”  [Jn. 8:56-59, Exodus 3:14]

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

4. “I AM the Door” [Jn. 10:7-9]

5. “I AM the Good Shepherd [Jn. 10:11-18]

6. “I AM the Resurrection and the Life” [Jn. 11:25-27]

7. “I AM the Way, the Truth & the Life” [Jn. 14:6]

8. “I AM the True Vine” [Jn. 15:1-8]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

Everybody whoever depended on the Devil's lie, the Devil's way, the Devil's pleasure, the Devil's whims, the Devil's plan for happiness and peace, found they were duped, fooled, deceived; found that the Devil's apples all have worms. - John R. Rice [All Satan's Apples Have Worms, pg. 2]

The Lord is saying that salvation is provided; that you don't have to work for it, that you don't have to beg for it- you simply have to accept it. - John R. Rice ["BEHOLD HE COMETH!", pages 341-342]

I cannot fully understand God's foreknowledge of all things.

But with God there is no past or future, but an eternal present. Before the world began, He knew every person who would be born and what they would do. The future He knows perfectly; the past He remembers perfectly. The past is as clear to God as the present. But the future is also as clear as the present. So before the world began, God gave His Son, and in the mind and plan of God, Christ was a Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). Did God know when every sinner would trust in Him? Yes, He knew that before the world began, and He knows it now. And the only predestination regarding salvation is that God has determined that those who trust in Him will be carried on straight through to Heaven! Briefly that is the sum and substance of predestination, foreordination, and election as far as they relate to salvation at all. - John R. Rice [Predestined for Hell? No!, pg.91-92]

How many here have read every line in the Bible at least once--Revelation, Habakkuk, Chronicles, "So-and-So begat So-and-So, and he begat So-and-So"? Less than half of you have. The rest of you people are baby Christians, aren't you? You don't read the Bible, so the first time the tongues and Pentecostal crowd comes along, you go off with them, or Herbert Armstrong or Colonel Theime or someone else who teaches false doctrine. You are a kind of baby Christian, a carnal Christian, not a well-developed Christian. You are not going to be the right kind of a dad or mother until you read the Bible and have it in your heart. I would never let a year go by without reading it through. - John R. Rice [Was Pope John I a Born-Again Christian?, pg. 128]

Do not judge by the beginning; judge by the end! Do not, I say, depend on how the Devil makes it look at the start. You had better see how God says it will end. The Devil's apples look nice, smell nice, taste nice at first. But you will find out the truth when you bite into the worms of sin, sorrow, corruption, disappointments, broken hearts, smiting consciences, and torments in Hell. - John R. Rice [All Satan's Apples Have Worms, pg. 9-10]

Do not be deceived by Satan! Oh, what a fool you are if you believe that happiness comes from the Devil's way! What a fool you are if you believe his way turns out happily! It never did and it never will! - - John R. Rice [All Satan's Apples Have Worms, pg.14]

 "I have doubts about the Bible," or, "How do I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" That is the kind of excuse that others offer when urged to turn from their sins and take Christ as Saviour. I do not deny that some have doubts about the Bible. But they never earnestly sought to know the will of God about the Bible. They have never tearfully, prayerfully, and with holy zeal, set out to apply the Bible to their daily lives and to seek with humble heart the will of God. I do not have any doubt that some people really doubt the deity of Christ. Why should they not doubt? They have never, with all their souls, sought to find Him, the Fairest among ten thousand, the Chosen of God and the "express image of his person." They have not accepted Christ, so they do not know Him. - John R. Rice [Immanuel--God With Us, page 151-152]