LADIES of HEBREWS 11

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SARA’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

1. Sara had Faith in God’s Word [v. 11a, Rm. 10:17] why do we repeat this so much? Because- “Faith cometh by…”

2. Sara had Faith in God’s Work [v. 11b, Luke 1:37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.

3. Sara had Faith in God [v. 11c, Mark 11:22] And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

II. RAHAB’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF DESTRUCTION

1. Rahab had a Sincere Faith [v. 30-31, Joshua 2:9-11]

And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

2. Rahab had a Saving Faith [v. 31a, Joshua 2:12-21, 6:22-25]

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

-But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

3. Rahab had a Serving Faith [v. 31b, 1 Thessalonians 1:3]

-Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

III. FAITH IN THE FACE OF DEATH

1. A Slave’s Faith [v. 23]

2. A Widow’s Faith [v. 35, I Kings 17]

3. A Great Woman’s Faith [v. 35, 2nd Kings 4:8-37]

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

MATTHEW 28:19-20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES

1. He is Omnipresent [Ps. 139:7-10]

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

2. He is Omnipotent [Lk. 1:35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

3. He is Omniscient [Jn. 14:26, 16:13, 1 Co. 2:10-11]

- But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

- Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

-But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

4. He is Eternal [Heb. 9:14]

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

II. HE PARTICIPATES IN DIVINE WORK

1. Creation [Gn. 1:1-2, Job 33:4]

-IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

-The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. - Elihu

2. Giving Life [Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.]

3. Gave Scripture [2 Sam. 23:1-3, Acts 1:16, 2 Tm. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20]

-Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

- Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

-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.

4. Salvation [Jn. 3:5]

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

III. HE IS CALLED GOD DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IN THE SCRIPTURES

1. By Peter [Acts 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:2]

- But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

-Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

2. By Paul [2 Cor. 13:14; Eph, 4:4-6]

-The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

- There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

3. By Christ [Mt. 28:19, Mk. 12:36]

- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

- For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

GOD’S WARNING TO ALL NATIONS!

2 KINGS 17

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE REMOVAL [v. 1-6]

1. The Last Royal of the Northern Kingdom [v. 1-2]

2. The Last Rebellion of the Northern Kingdom [v. 3-4]

3. The Last Report of the Northern Kingdom [v. 5-6]

 

II. THE REASON [v. 7-23]

1. Sins Against the Lord [v. 7-12]

2. Stubbornness Against the Lord [v. 13-18]

3. Spreading Against the Lord [v. 19-23]

 

III. THE RESULT [v. 24-41]

1. No Focus [v. 24-28, Philippians 3:13]

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

2. No Fidelity [v. 29-33, “Semper Fi”, 1 Corinthians 4:2]

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

3. No Following [v. 34-41, Luke 9:23, John 10:27, 12:26; 1 Peter 2:21]

- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

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

-If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

-For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

MRS. JOB

JOB 1:1-2, 2:7-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HER INCLINATION PROBED

1. Sorrow in which She Blamed Job Wrongly [1:18-22, Exodus 4:26]

So he let him go: then she (Zipporah) said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

2. Spiritual Apathy in which She Blamed God Foolishly [2:9-10]

3. Selfishness in which She Didn’t Want to Care for Job in His Illness [2:7-10] she said nothing until Job got sick

 

II. HER ENDING POSSIBILITIES

1. She was Replaced [42:13-15]

2. She was Recycled [1:2, 42:13-15]

3. She was Repentant [42:7-10]

 

III. HER INTERESTED PARTIES

1. Satan had Use for Her [1:12, 2:9-10, Luke 4:8, Mt. 16:23]

--Why did Satan leave her? Same reason the Soviets sent Madalyn Murray O'Hair back to America. She would help their cause.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

-But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

--Are you a spiritual help or hindrance to those around you?

2. Job had Love for Her [2:10, Ps. 14:1, 74:18] He didn’t call her a foolish woman but said she was speaking like one

-The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

-Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

3. God had Lessons for Her [2:10b]

JESUS IS GOD

JOHN 20:24-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Let us not be shy or coy about this matter. Let all doubt and disputation flee from our minds, our mouths, our meaning. Jesus is God. He is as much God as God the Father and God the Spirit. Let no namby-pamby, mealy-mouthed cowardice keep us from this great and important Truth – the deity of Jesus Christ! The great  missionary C.T. Studd but it this way, “If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great of me to make for Him!” And He is God!

 

I. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF HIS WORD

 

1. He Spoke with Authority [Mk. 1:22, 27; John 6:63, 7:46]

- And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

-And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

- It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

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

 

2. He Indirectly Claimed to be God [Jn. 11:39-45]

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

 

3. He Directly Claimed to be God [Jn. 8:51-59]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

II. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF HIS ACTIONS

 

1. He Forgave Sins [Lk. 5:20-25]

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

 

2. He Accepted Worship [Matthew 2:11, 4:8-10, 8:2, 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, 28:9, 17]

- And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

- Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

3. He Rose from the Dead [Ecclesiastes 8:8, John 10:18, Rm. 1:4]

-There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death

- 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.

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

 

III. WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

 

1. Demons Recognized His Divinity [Luke 8:27-28]

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

 

2. Certain Men Recognized His Divinity [Ps. 110:1, Luke 23:42, Jn. 1:1-4, 14-17; Acts 9:1-6]

- A Psalm of David. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

- And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

- IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men

- And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

3. God the Father & God the Holy Spirit Proclaim His Deity [Heb. 1]

GOOD CHANCES & BAD CHOICES

2 KINGS 16

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE WALK OF KING AHAZ [v. 1-4]

1. He Didn’t Walk Like King David [v. 1-2]

2. He Walked Like the Kings of Israel [v. 3a]

3. He Walked Like the Heathen [v. 3-4]

 

II. THE WAR OF KING AHAZ [v. 5-9]

1. The Invasion of Syria & Israel [v. 5-6] v. 6 first usage of “Jews” [note-this reference is not of the tribe of Judah]

2. The Rejection of God [Hos. 1:6-7, Is. 7:1-14ff]

-And she [Hosea’s wife] conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away [beginning in 2 K. 17]. But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

- AND it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field; And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

3. The Subjection to Assyria [v. 7-9]

 

III. THE WORSHIP OF KING AHAZ [v. 10-20]

1. Started by the Sinful King [v. 10-18]

2. Supported by the Sissy priest [v, 10-11, 15-16, the priest Azariah stood against King Uzziah in 2 Chr. 26:16-20]

3. Stopped by the Sitting Judge [v. 19-20, Heb. 9:27]

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

PRISCILLA – A PARTNER [Ladies of the Bible]

2 Timothy 4:19  Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.           

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SHE WAS A PARTNER IN HER MARRIAGE [Acts 18:1-4]

1. They Opened Their Home [v. 1-3a, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2]

-Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

-Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby [m] some have entertained angels unawares.

2. They Opened Their Work [v. 3b]

3. They Opened Their Hearts [v. 4, 16:14]

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened,

 

II. SHE WAS A PARTNER IN MINISTRY [Acts 18:18-28]

1. They Moved with Paul to Ephesus [v. 18-19]

2. They Ministered in Ephesus [v. 24-26a]

3. They Discipled Believers [v. 26b-28]

 

III. SHE WAS A PARTNER INTERNATIONALLY [Rom. 16:3-5, 2 Tm. 4:19]

1. They Moved through Doors God Opened [Rm. 16:3]

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

2. They Made Headway through Deadly Opposition [Rm. 16:4-5]

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

3. They Maintained through Dedicated Obedience [2 Tm. 4:10, 19]

-For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

-Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

MY LORD, MY GOD, MY SAVIOUR

 

JOHN 20:24-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TROUBLED SAINT

1. Thomas Delinquent [v. 19-24]

2. Thomas Doubtful [v. 25]

3. Thomas Declaring [v. 28]

 

II. THE TREMENDOUS SAVIOUR

1. Jesus Invited Thomas’ Assessment

[v. 24-27]

2. Jesus Accepted Thomas’ Assessment

[v. 28-29a]

3. Jesus Exalted Faith’s Assessment

[v. 29b, 31, 24-25]

 

III. THE TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE

v. 25 “the Lord”, v. 26 “Jesus”, v. 28 “my Lord and my God”, v. 31 “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”

1. Bottom Line – in these verses these terms are synonymous, all referring to the same Person [Acts 2:36]

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

2. Fine Line – each title/name has a different emphasis

3. Lifeline – Believe for Life [v. 31]

-spiritual life [Eph. 2:1] AND you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

-abundant life [John 10:10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

-eternal, everlasting life [John 3:16, 36] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Sometimes young people, well-raised, with godly mothers and fathers who take to heart and put restrictions on young people, say, "Oh, but they don't trust me."

Well, if you have any sense you wouldn't trust yourself. Your native instincts and natural inborn nature and the old Devil taking advantage of you make it so you ought to be on your watch. - John R. Rice [Adultery & Sex Perversion, pg. 10-11]

Thank God. he can save you and make you set apart for Heaven, that is, sanctified. He can justify you. He can make it so you are counted just and clean. You can have peace of mind and know you are forgiven. You can have all that if you will turn from your sins and trust Jesus Christ. You need Him. He wants to help you. And He is ready to do it today. John R. Rice [Adultery & Sex Perversion, pg.23]

Some preachers preach always on the love of God and on trusting in Jesus Christ and those are wonderful themes. But the Bible that says, "God is love," also says "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29), and that "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Psa. 7:11). There is as much in the Bible about Hell as about Heaven; and if we do not preach Hell, sinners will see no reason to seek Heaven. If we do not preach about sin and bring conviction of mind and heart and conscience about sin, men will not repent of sin and cannot trust in Christ as a Saviour from sin. Great revivals from Heaven are always accompanied or proceeded by deep conviction for sin. - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg. 5]

Man simply cannot save himself, cannot be justified by his deeds. Every man, woman, and child is so incurably wicked by nature that he or she cannot be saved except by the mercy of God and through the merit of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the righteous One. - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg. 9]

You wonder whether you may have committed the unpardonable sin. No, you have not. First, the unpardonable sin is the sin of a lost person, one who has never accepted Christ, one who has never been saved. One whose sins are forgiven cannot commit the unforgiveable sin. Second, the fact that you are burdened and concerned and want God's blessing is proof that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. One who had committed the unpardonable sin would have no conviction, no burden, and would not want God and salvation. The unpardonable sin is a sin of rejecting Christ, after great enlightenment. Anyone who is trouble about it and trying to be right with God has not committed the unpardonable sin. ― John R. Rice, Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions

Christ is the sinner's substitute. Christ died, not as an example, not as a martyr, and not as a good man, a victim of circumstances. No, He, the Son of God, the Son of Man, purchased salvation for sinners by His death on the cross. - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg.18]

All of us are sinners; we are all in the same boat. But, thank God, Jesus Christ will save the whole boatload if we let Him! If sin is universal, salvation is offered just as freely and universally. - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg.19]

JOTHAM, JESUS AND YOU

2 KINGS 15:32-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. START RIGHT [v. 32-34]

1. We Can’t Always Choose Our Situation [v. 32-33, Esther 4:14]

... who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

2. We Cannot Choose Our Parents [v. 32-33, Ezek. 18:20]

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

3. We Can Choose to Live for the Lord [v. 34, Joshua 24:15, I Kings 18:21]

-And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

-And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

 

II. WATCH THE LITTLE THINGS [v. 34-35, 2 Chr. 27:2]

 

1. Seek to Please the Lord [v. 34a, Galatians 1:10]

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

2. Seek to Follow a Godly Example [v. 34b, 1 Cor. 11:1]

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

3. Seek to Follow Christ [v. 35a, Philippians 3:12, almost 20 times in the Gospels Jesus said “Follow Me”]

-Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

 

III. USE EARLIER SUCCESS TO SERVE THE LORD [v. 35-38]

 

1. Make Much of the Lord’s House [v. 35b, 1 Timothy 3:15, Acts 11:26]

-But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

-And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

2. Make Much of the Lord’s Business [v. 36a, Luke 19:13]

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Occupy - pragmateuomai, to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade:--occupy

3. Make Much of the Lord’s Record-keeping [36b-38,  1 Corinthians 4:1-5]

LET a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

HERODIAS – First Lady of Evil

Mark 6:14-29

Pastor Rick Jackson

There are some wicked women in the Bible. Not really “ladies” mind you but definitely female. Tonight we look at one of those. This is the kind of woman that ought scare you good. She’s evil and she’ll drag you down. Many proverbs have been written about this kind of woman but this one is in the New Testament.

 

I. WHAT SHE HATED -could have helped her

1. She Hated God’s Word [v. 14-19a, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 15:10]

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

-Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

2. She Hated God’s Man [v. 19b-20, Ps. 97:10, 101:3] have you noticed- when we hate sin- sinners hate us?

- Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

-I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

3. She Hated God’s Way [v. 20-22, Matthew 3:3]

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

II. WHAT SHE “HALLOWED” – what was important to her only hurt her

1. The Flesh [v. 21-23]

2. The Devil [v. 24-25, 27-29]

3. The World [v. 26]

Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

III. WHAT SHE HAD… BUT WASTED -will haunt her for eternity

1. Opportunities to be Eternally Saved [v. 20]

2. Opportunities to be Extremely Spiritual [v. 20, Mt. 23:13]

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

3. Opportunities to Invest Seriously [v. 22-24, Mt. 13:23]

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

LORD, DOST THOU NOT CARE?

LUKE 10:38-40                                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. JESUS DOES NOT CARE [Mt. 22:15-22]

1. To Bend the Truth [v. 15-16a]

2. What Popular Opinion “Says” [v. 16b]

3. What Position Someone Holds [v. 17-22]

 

II. JESUS DOES CARE [Mark 4:35-41]

1. Jesus Cares Enough to Direct Us [v. 35]

2. Jesus Cares Enough to Deliver Us [v. 36-39]

3. Jesus Cares Enough to Disciple Us [v. 40-41]

 

III. JESUS CARES TO HELP US [Luke 10:38-42]

1. Clearly Perceive [v. 38-42a]

2. Wisely Prioritize [v. 42b]

3. Humbly Pray [1 Peter 5:6-11]

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS AND THE RAPTURE

    There are those, good Bible-believing folk though they may be, who relegate the Old Testament saints to NOT be caught up in the Rapture, to not be resurrected until after the tribulation. But there are also many good Bible-believing folk who believe Old Testament saints, saved the same way [the only way] as New Testament saints will be included in the Rapture. John R. Rice being a prime example of this group. I have never seen any reason to doubt their inclusion though I have read and heard many who deny it, so I find myself in good company. As I was reading a book [The Second Coming of Christ] with various authors I learned the great prayer warrior, George Mueller is also a member of this esteemed group. 

     "The first resurrection is when the changed and risen saints will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, to be forever with Him. At this time only those who, as believers in the Messiah under the old covenant dispensation, or as disciples of the Lord Jesus under that of the new covenant, and have fallen asleep in Him will be raised."

     

FOLLOW THE FOLLOWER

ROMANS 1:1-7                         

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Undisputed fact: the Apostle Paul was one of the greatest Christians that has ever lived. In 1 Cor. 11:1 he says, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” How can we follow Paul and thereby follow Christ? Three areas are shown to us in Romans 1. We can follow Paul:

 

I. IN HIS ACTIONS TOWARD GOD [v. 8-9]

 

1. Like Paul, Let Us say, “I thank” [v. 8, 1 Th. 5:18]

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

2. Like Paul, Let Us say, “I serve” [v. 9, 1 Th 1:9]

 … how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

3. Like Paul, Let Us say, “I pray” [v. 9, 1 Th 5:17]

Pray without ceasing.

 

II. IN HIS DESIRE TOWARD BELIEVERS [v. 10-13]

 

1. Paul’s desire was to be A help & a blessing [v. 10-11, Phil 4:3]

And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

2. Paul’s desire was to be A Comfort [v. 12, 2 Corinthians 1:4]

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

3. Paul’s desire was to be A bearer of fruit [v. 13, Philippians 4:17]

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

 

III. IN HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LOST [v. 14-16]

 

1. Paul said, “I am debtor” [v. 14] I owe

2. Paul said, “I am ready” [v. 15, 1 Peter 3:15] I also

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:

3. Paul said, “I am not ashamed” [v. 16, 2 Timothy 1:12] I know  

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for 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.