JESUS DIDN’T STAY

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. JESUS DIDN’T STAY IN HEAVEN [1 John 1:1-3]

 

1. He Didn’t Stay in Heaven Because His Mission was too Important [3:1-5]

 

2. He Didn’t Stay in Heaven Because His Enemy was too Awful [3:6-10]

 

3. He Didn’t Stay in Heaven Because His Love was too Great [4:9-10, John 15:13]

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

 

II. JESUS DIDN’T STAY ON THE CROSS

1. He Didn’t Stay on the Cross Because He Finished the Work [John 19:30; Hebrews 4:3, 12:2]

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

- For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

2. He Didn’t Stay on the Cross Because He Fulfilled the Word [Luke 24:44-48]

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

 

3. He Didn’t Stay on the Cross Because He was No Longer Forsaken [Mark 15:34, Luke 23:46-53]

- And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

- 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. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

 

III. JESUS DIDN’T STAY IN THE TOMB

 

1. He Didn’t Stay in the Tomb Because of His Person [Rm. 1:1-4a]

PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power

 

2. He Didn’t Stay in the Tomb Because of His Power [Rm. 1:4, John 10:17-18]

- And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

-Therefore  doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

 

3. He Didn’t Stay in the Tomb Because of His Position [Acts 2:29-33]

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

THE BOOK, THE BLOOD, & THE BLESSED HOPE

2 TM. 3:16, 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Some falsely accuse Bible believing Christians of worshipping the Bible- that is, of course, false. We worship the God of the Book, but as Jesus told the woman at the well, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” The worldly practice of observing “good Friday” by many good churches is, for the most part, a carryover from the RCC- much like infant baptism and similar doctrines. The Word of God has a different teaching on these matters.

Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, used the four things we find in 2 Tm. 3:16 over and over. Those things are (1) Doctrine-what to believe, (2) Reproof-what not to do, (3) Correction-what not to believe and (4) Instruction in righteousness-what to do. In chapter 11- he applies them to the Lord’s Supper.

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

 

I. THE APPLICATION OF CORRECTION [1 Corinthians 11:17-19]

In this church were some false beliefs that Paul had had to deal with. Heresies that need to be corrected by the Book!

 

II. THE APPLICATION OF REPROOF [1 Corinthians 11:20-22]

Oftentimes when our beliefs our wrong it can cause our actions to be wrong as well. Paul says they were coming together, even as we are admonished to do, but for the wrong reasons and in a wrong way. Paul reproves them.

 

III. THE APPLICATION OF DOCTRINE [1 Corinthians 11:23-26]

Note the reminder about why they were coming together. The emphasis on Christ, His Blood, His Body, His Coming again- our Blessed Hope!

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

IV. THE APPLICATION OF INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS [1 Corinthians 11:27-34]

 

Then after what to believe he reminds them what to do. How to approach the Lord’s Table.

THE WOMAN WHO LEFT HER WATERPOT

JOHN 4:1-42                     

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A WOMAN WOUNDED BY THE WORLD

1. It had made her Curious [v. 1-9]

2. It had made her Cautious [v. 10-14]

3. It had made her Desirous [v. 15]

 

II. A WOMAN WOOED BY THE SPIRIT

1. She Was Evasive [v. 16-18]

2. She was Religious [v. 19-21]

3. She was Receptive [v. 22-26]

 

III. A WOMAN WORKING FOR THE SAVIOUR

1. She was Excited [v. 27-28a, Revelation 2:4]

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

2. She was Evangelistic [v. 28-39]

3. She was Enriched [v. 40-42]

THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE

ZECHARIAH 9:9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE WITH PURPOSE [Zechariah 9:9]

(500 years before Christ)

1. To the Place of Jerusalem

2. With the Plan of Redemption [1 Peter 3:18]

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

3. For the Purpose of Salvation [Acts 4:12]

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

4. In Humility [Phil. 2:5-8]

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

II. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE FOR PRAISE [Matthew 21:1-15]

 

III. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE IN PREPARATION [Mark 11:1-11]

 

IV. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE WITH PASSION [Luke 19:35-46]

 

V. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE FULFILLING PROPHECY [John 12:12-16]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Can Christians make good soldiers? Or to put it the other way around, Can a soldier in war be a good Christian? That answer is that he certainly can if his heart is right with God and if he is in obedience to his government in a good cause. John R. Rice

In West Texas a farmer deacon said to me sadly, "Brother Rice, I am afraid many of the preachers around here are not called to preach. They never have any tears. They never win souls. The services are so dead." But I answered, "Most likely they really are called, but are not anointed to preach." Many a man is called to preach and yet his ministry is dead because he does not have the fire of God in his bones, because he does not have the anointing of God upon him. Or in the language of Jeremiah, the Word has not become a burning fire in his heart, so that he is compelled to speak. - John R. Rice [Great Truths for Soul Winners, pg. 297]

Note that they said [in Acts 1], "THIS SAME JESUS." The Jesus in Heaven is not another but the same. The Jesus who will return for His saints is not another but the same. When He comes again to Jerusalem, Jews will look on Him whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). They will ask, "What are these wounds in thine hands?" He will answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech. 13:6). His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). Jesus now has hands and feet, the same with which He went away, hands and feet with the marks of nails! And this same Jesus now abides in Heaven with a physical body. I tell you, Heaven must be and is a real, literal, physical place! ― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven

The God of creation and the God of salvation is likewise the God of judgment. It is only a Bible-denying, fact-ignoring fool who will deny that a just and holy God must punish unrepentant sinners. May wicked sinners everywhere be warned to repent of their sins and seek the mercy of God before His wrath falls, as the book of Revelation foretells that it will. - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 116-117]

Listen, the dear Lord wants you. You say, "Brother Rice, I am not ready." Then you had better get ready. Somebody says, "Well, there are hypocrites in the church." Yes, and there are hypocrites at ball games and hypocrites in the supermarkets and hypocrites in the business offices, and hypocrites at the banks. That doesn't keep you from going on doing business with them. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? Are you going to Hell because of somebody you don't like? That is a dishonest and insincere kind of excuse. - John R. Rice [Luke 13, 14; pg. 19-20]

I suggest that you go over your prayer list. Criticize and weigh carefully each item. Are you asking this for a personal, selfish reason? Is it according to the written Word of God? And does the Holy Spirit specially lead you out in prayer for this? If you have given up your own will and if it stands the test of the last two points, then you may with holy boldness storm the gates of Heaven to get the answer to your prayer, and say like Jacob, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me!" (Gen. 32:26) - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 44]

The natural mind is a stranger from God and is not interested in the Bible. And the carnal or undeveloped and untaught and unspiritual Christian is likely to have no taste for the Word of God. A state of disinterestedness in the Bible is an unspiritual state, a state of backsliding and sin. - John R. Rice [Hindrances to Prayer, page 28]

KINGS ON PARADE

2 KINGS 15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FIVE NORTHERN KINGS ON PARADE [v. 8-31]

1. Parade Theme- God’s Word is True [v. 8-12]

2. Parade Lesson- Sin Never Satisfies [v. 13-26] nor is sin ever satisfied

3. Parade Rule- Time Doesn’t Determine Success [v. 27-31]

 

II. UZZIAH (Azariah) - THE RISE AND FALL OF A GRAND MARSHALL [v. 1-7]

1. Azariah the Prosperous [v. 1-3, 2 Chr. 26:1-5]

THEN all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

2. Azariah Preparer [v. 4, 2 Chr. 26:6-15]

And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

3. Azariah Prideful [v. 5-7, 2 Chr. 26:16-21]

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

 

III. JOTHAM- THE LESSON FROM HISTORY

1. Start Right [v. 32-24]

2. Watch the “Little” Things [v. 35, 2 Chr. 27:2]

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And the people did yet corruptly.

3. Use Success to Serve the Lord [v. 36-38, 2 Chr. 27:3-9]

He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

DON’T FRET, DON’T FEAR, DON’T FORGET

PSALM 37

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DON’T FRET [v. 1-11]

1. Your Fret is Foolish Considering 

[v. 1-2, 9-10]

2. Your Task is Faith Continually 

[v. 3-8, Mark 11:22]

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

3. Your Future is Fixed Concretely 

[v. 11]

 

II. DON’T FEAR [v. 12-22]

1. Consider What God Says about the Wicked

[v. 12-15]

2. Consider What God Says about the Righteous

[v. 16-19]

3. Consider What God Says about the Future

[v. 20-22]

III. DON’T FORGET [v. 23-40]

1. Live the Life of Delighting 

[v. 23-31]

2. Live the Life of Waiting 

[v. 32-36]

3. Live the Life of Trusting 

[v. 37-40]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 When Christians pray, they are not TELLING God; they are ASKING Him. Every prayer, to please God, must be offered with a surrendered heart, willing for God to answer in His own way, for His own glory. - John R. Rice [Healing in Answer to Prayer, page 24]

Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean that a Christian will never have trouble. But in trouble he can have the sweetest peace all the time. I do not mean that a Christian will never be sick. But in the sickness he can have the ever-present nearness consciously, of the Holy Spirit. I do not mean that a Christian will never have any problems. But I mean that he can daily take those problems to God and have them settled, without any fret, without any of the unrest that comes from unbelief. A Christian can take his burdens to the Lord and leave them there day by day and have perfect peace. And the only way he can do this is by prayer, regular prayer with supplication and thanksgiving about every problem. - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 13]

For every sinner that will be dragged out of Hell to this last judgment, Jesus died. To every one of them He was offering salvation. Their sins were paid for on the cross. We are told that "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). With what agony! what love! what mercy! Jesus provided the way of escape for these sinners at infinite cost to Himself! He did not want them to come to this place of judgment. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Again we are told that He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Jesus came into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." All these have come to this awful moment because they would not take mercy when it was offered, they would not heed when they were called, they would not receive the salvation that was offered. To all these Jesus longed to be Saviour. Since they would not receive Him as Saviour now they must face Him as Judge. - John R. Rice [When Skeletons Come Out of Their Closets, pg. 16]

One of the wonderful things about the love and grace of God is that His arms of compassion are enough to take in the whole world. - John R. Rice [Sword of the Lord, 2-22-2019, pg. 13]

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]

Lying is a terrible sin and involves decay in character. The man who gets to where he can lie and not rebuke himself but excuse it somewhat, will go further; and a man who would lie, eventually may steal. He has already let down the bars, he has already broken off one corner of his integrity.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness. . . . " To be deceitful is a terrible thing! - John R. Rice [Favorite Chapters of the Bible, pgs. 77-78]

The Holy Spirit is called "the Comforter" by our Saviour (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7). This "Comforter" is a translation of the Greek word parakletos, meaning "one called alongside." So the blessed Holy Spirit is alongside of every Christian. Better yet, the Saviour said in John 14:17, "Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." The Holy Spirit dwelled with the apostles before the resurrection. But in the future after Christ was glorified, the Holy Spirit is promised to be within us. So when Jesus rose from the dead, He breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). Now from that time, every saved person has the Holy Spirit abiding in his body. - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 41-42]

And those who sing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus," but do not love him a dime's worth out of a dollar will not get far in their praying. If you cannot trust God to supply your need and to repay you for all the tithes and offerings you bring in for Him, you have not much faith. - John R. Rice [Hindrances to Prayer, page 22]

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

2 KINGS 14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Read the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles and you’ll discover some material that seems repetitive, because these books sometimes recount the same event from a somewhat different perspective. They all are inspired but like the gospels in the New Testament the Holy Spirit had the writer emphasize different things He wanted to emphasize. That is His prerogative. You also learn that there were good kings and evil kings whose lives are recounted in Holy Writ. Sometimes a king listed as “good” did bad things- sometimes a king listed as “evil” did good things. What was the difference maker? Let’s check out two kings and see.

 

I. AMAZIAH- THE “PRETTY” KING OF JUDAH

1. He was “Pretty” Good [v. 1-4]

2. He Was “Pretty” Tough [v. 5-7]

3. He was “Pretty” Arrogant [v. 8-12]

 

II. JEHOASH- THE “FAIR” KING OF ISRAEL

1. He was “Fairly” Reasonable [v. 9-10]

2. He Was “Fairly” Thorough [v. 13-16]

3. He was “Fairly” Accurate [v. 10, 17-20]

 

III. YAHWEH [JEHOVAH] - THE DIFFERENCE MAKING GOD

1. God Sees [v. 23-24]

2. God Speaks [v. 25]

when anyone listens it makes the difference in their life [Jm. 1:18-19, Rm. 2:8-11, Ga. 5:7, 1 Peter 4:17-18]

-Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

-But unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.

-Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

-For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

3. God Saves [v. 26-29]

WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN?

Luke 7:36-50

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN BY REPUTATION [v. 36-47]

1. Luke Knew She Was a Sinner [v. 36-38, Rm. 3:10, 23]

- As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

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

2. Simon Implied She Was a Notorious Sinner [v. 39]

3. Jesus Said She Was a Woman of Many Sins [v. 40-47]

 

II. WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN BY FORGIVENESS [v. 47-50]

1. Her Love Shows She is Forgiven [v. 47, I John 4:19]

We love him, because he first loved us.

2. God’s Word Says She is Forgiven [v. 48]

3. God’s Word Says She is Saved by Faith [v. 49-50, Eph. 2:8-9]

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

 

III. WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN BY DEMONSTRATION [v. 36-50]

1. She Demonstrated Her Repentance [v. 36-38, 2 Cor. 7:10]

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2. She Demonstrated Her Love [v. 39-47, 1 Cor. 13:1-7]

THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

3. She Demonstrated Her Faith [v. 44-50, James 2:18-26]

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 No one can honestly say that in the Bible there is a wall set up against sinners who are penitent, who long for mercy and forgiveness, who want to know the true God and to serve Him! No, the way is open for sinners who want forgiveness and salvation. If they do not have the light, it will be given as they follow on. - John R. Rice [Great Men of the Bible, page 227]

There is a horrible moral guilt in anyone who will not admit the deity of Jesus Christ, because every sinner could KNOW about the deity of Christ if he honestly wanted to know, if he honestly followed what light he had. Jesus said in John 7:17, to certain doubters, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Again He said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I have no patience for the man who says, "I do not believe in the electric light," and will not try the switch to see for himself. And so any man who does not search the Scriptures, who does not honestly seek the Lord Jesus for himself, who does not put the matter of salvation to a test, is a dishonest sinner, condemned because he does not want to know the truth and does not follow on to know it. - John R. Rice [Revival Appeals, pg. 105-106]

God's wonderful plan of salvation would never have been planned by men. All the false religions of the world put the emphasis on man's goodness or man's works or human ceremonies, or human institutions or merits, instead of on the unmerited grace of God for Hell-deserving sinners. - John R. Rice [Great Truths for Soul Winners, pg. 155]

It is not enough to know the Bible; the Pharisees knew it but didn't follow it. - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 84]

Every Christian should set out to live for God and grow in grace and knowledge of God, and then set out to have the power of God and witness to souls day by day. Why don't you set a quota for yourself and make plans to win many, many souls to God and so have a great rejoicing when you meet Jesus? - John R. Rice [Wonderful Bible Truth, pg. 31]

You say, "Well, I am going to try to quit this and quit that." I hope you do. Anybody ought to set out to do right. But, oh, you have to have Jesus fix things inside. You need God to forgive your sins, change your heart and make you right inside. And God wants to do that. There is no cure for a bad tongue except to cure a bad heart. There is no cure for profane language until you cure the profanity of the heart inside. - John R. Rice [Ten Commandments Part One, pg. 17]

I am glad that God's Spirit eagerly makes a way for people to find the way and be saved if they seek that Truth with all their hearts. But there is no shortcut in it. No one bypasses the Gospel. All the good intentions of Cornelius would do no good if he did not hear the Gospel. An angel from Heaven could not tell him. Some other Christian must bring him the word. So an angel from Heaven told Cornelius to send to Joppa to the house of Simon the tanner to inquire for Simon Peter, "who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." Ah, God will not save Cornelius without the Gospel. - John R. Rice [Great Men of the Bible, page 229]

THE GREAT NEED FOR EVERY HOUR

2 KINGS 11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The great need for every hour is revival. We need revival. World-wide revival. National revival. Area-wide revival. Local revival. City-wide revival. Church revival. Family revival. Personal revival. Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Revival. Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Revival. This is the great need for every hour. Revival.

 

I. SATAN’S WOMAN

1. The Devil’s Disciple [v. 1, John 8:44]

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning

2. The Lord’s People [v. 2]

3. The Hidden Hope [v. 3, Psalms 119:114]

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

 

 II. GOD’S MAN

1. The Explanation [v. 4-8]

2. The Coronation [v. 9-12]

3. The Execution [v. 13-16]

 

III. MANKIND’S HOPE

1. The Covenant [v. 17]

2. The Commitment [v. 18]

3. The Calm [v. 19-21, Proverbs 28:15,  29:2; Ephesians 6:12]

-As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

-When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

-For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A WOMAN WITH ISSUES

MARK 5:21-34

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HER PROBLEMS [v. 25-26]

1. Bad Issues [v. 25]

2. Bad Ideas [v. 26]

3. Bad Increases [v. 26]

 

II. HER PERCEPTION [v. 24-28]

1. Jesus is Working [v. 24-27]

2. Jesus is Willing [v. 27-28]

3. Jesus is Worthy [v. 27-28, 33]

 

III. HIS PRONOUNCEMENTS [v. 30-34]             

Any time the focus is off us and on Jesus is a good time.

1. Jesus Knows Himself [v. 30-31, Luke 8:44-46]

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

2. Jesus Knows Her  [v. 32-33, Jn. 2:25]

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

3. Jesus Knows His Own [v. 34, Jn. 10:14, 27]

- I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

THE LOVE GOD BESTOWED

1 JOHN 3:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Love is often used as an intangible term, one that escapes concise definition. While it is true that love is better exercised than explained, better demonstrated than defined, better shown than spoken of- it is easily explained to one willing to listen. The statement in verse 1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” is just that- a statement. It is not a question here, it’s not in question here- here it is an explanation. “What manner of love?” can be asked as a question but here we find the answer, not the question, the clear answer from the Word of God.

 

I. THIS LOVE IS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP [v. 1]

1. The Relationship Began With Love [3:1, 4:9-10, Rm. 5:8]

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. The Relationship is Bestowed by God [3:1, 4:19, 5:11]

3. The Relationship is Birth by Reception [3:1, Jn. 1:12]

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:

 

 

 

II. THIS LOVE IS A PRESENT REALITY [v. 2]

This is not “pie in the sky by and by” this is a present reality in the nasty now and now! Someone says, “I don’t think you can know.” No, they just don’t think. Someone else says, “Well you can’t know for sure until you die.” On the contrary- you can know, and you can know that you know.

1. This Reality Begins with a Transformation [3:14, 2 Cor. 5:17]

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. This Reality was Bought with a Substitution [3:5, 3:16, 4:9-10, 2 Cor. 5:21]

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

3.  This Reality Brings Another Transformation [3:2]

Think of the Lord’s Resurrection body that He has right now

–not locked in or out by walls

-not limited to earthly laws like gravity                               

-not lost to earth’s pleasures [friendships, eating, joy in service]

 

III. THIS LOVE INCLUDES A PRESENT RESPONSIBILITY [v. 3-10]

1. To Put into Practice what We are by Position [3:3] be pure because we are saved-not to be saved

2. To Abide in Him Not Abide in Sin [3:4-6, 1:5-7]

3. To Feed the New Nature Not the Old Nature [3:7-10] to be Christlike not devilish