GIVE MORE EARNEST HEED

HEBREWS 2:1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Those 4 words ought resonate with us. We tend to give less heed. “I got it , can’t lose it – so why think about it?” How about because there are consequences if we neglect it? How about because of where we got it? How about because the Bible, God’s Holy Word, says so?!? How about because God says it is a GREAT salvation?

 

I. SALVATION FROM WHAT?

1. Salvation from Sin [Luke 1:77]

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

2. Salvation from Death [Rm. 6:16-23, Rev. 20:14] in all its forms

- Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

3. Salvation from Wrath [John 3:36, 1 Th. 5:9, Revelation 6:16]

- 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.

-For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

- And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

 

 II. SALVATION IS FOUND WHERE?

1. In a Book [2 Tm. 3:15]

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

2. In a Person [Lk. 2:25-30, Jn. 14:6]

-And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

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

3. In a Name [Acts 4:10-12]

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

III. SALVATION IS WHAT?

1. Universally Offered [Acts 17:30, 1 Jn. 2:2, Jn. 3:16, Titus 2:11]

- And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

-And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

2. Personally Accepted [Jn. 1:12, 3:36, Rm. 10:9-13]

- 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:

- 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.

-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

3. Divinely Guaranteed [1 Pet. 1:5, John 6:37-40, 17:11]

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

-All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing,  but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

-And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

 

VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD

2 KINGS 24-25

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. - Deuteronomy 32:35

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. - Romans 12:19

 

I. THE KING WITH A PENKNIFE [24:1-6, Jer. 36:1, 20-26]

- AND it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying…

- And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king. So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king. Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them.

 

II. THE KING WRITTEN CHILDLESS [24:6-16, 25:27-30, Jer. 22:28-30, Matthew 1:1, 11, 16]

- Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

- THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

- And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

- And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. [How accurate is the Word of God – Jesus is NOT of the seed of Joseph and thus not of the seed of Jeconiah]

 

III. THE KING OF LIES [24:17-20, 25:1-7, Jer. 21, Ezek. 12:1-13]

Zedekiah had sworn in God’s name to be faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. He lied to man but more importantly he lied to God. God has no pleasure in fools. [Eccl. 5:4]

 

 IV. THE MEN WHO WOULD BE KING [25:8-27]

 

Remember-

God is God

Sin must be paid for

Jesus will either be your Saviour or your Judge

MARY’S HITS & MISSES

LUKE 1:46-55

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BIG MISSES - MARY’S APOCRYPHAL STATUS

Don’t confuse apocryphal with apocalyptic.

Apocalyptic refers to the end times because of the event we call the apocalypse, the end of the world as we know it.

Definition of apocryphal (adj) not true: probably not true, but widely believed to be true. For example, the Apocrypha is not part of the Holy Writ, not inspired, not inerrant.

 

1. Mary was NOT born of “immaculate conception” , i.e., without original sin [Ps. 51:5, Lk. 1:46-47, Rm. 5:12]

- Behold, I was shapen in iniquity,; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

- And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

- Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

 

2. Mary is NOT the “Mother of God” [Micah 5:2, Mk. 3:33-35]

- But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting .

-And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

 

3. Mary is NOT a Mediatrix nor even a co-Mediatrix [1 Tm. 2:5-6]

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 

II. MARY’S “ADVANTAGES” SCRIPTURALLY [Lk. 11:27-28]

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

 1. She was Saved by Grace [Lk. 1:46-47, Titus 3:4-7]

- And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

- But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

2. She was Submissive to God [Lk. 1:38, Mt. 12:50]

- And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

- For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

3. She was Saturated with Scripture [Rm. 3:1-2, 2 Tm. 2:15ff]

- What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

-Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Lk. 1:46-47 comp. with 1 Sam. 2, Ps. 34:3, 35:9, 138:6 etc.]

- O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

- And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

- Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

 

III. MARY’S “ADVICE” STANDS

 

1. Believe the Word of God [Lk. 1:26-38]

2. Be Obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ [John 2:5]

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

3. Be Faithful in Church Attendance [Acts 1:13-14, 1 Corinthians 4:2]

-And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

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

BE YE ALSO READY

MATTHEW 12:35-44

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. ARE YOU BASICALLY READY?

1. Are you Ready to Hear? [Ecc. 5:1]

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

2. Are you Ready to Help? [1 Tm. 6:18, Titus 3:1]

-That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate

-Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work

3. Are you Ready for His Return? [Mt. 24:42-44]

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

 

II. ARE YOU REALLY READY?

1. Are you Ready to give an Answer? [2 Tm. 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:2]

-For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

-Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

2. Are you Ready to give the Gospel? [Rm. 1:15-16, 1 Pet. 3:15]

- So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

-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. Are you Ready to give your Life? [Acts 21:13, 2 Tm. 4:6]

- Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

-For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

 

III. CHRIST IS READY- ARE YOU READY FOR CHRIST?

1. Christ is Ready to Answer prayer- are you ready to give praise? [Is. 38:20]

The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.

2. Christ is Ready to Judge- are you ready to be judged? [1 Pet. 4:5]

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

3. Christ is Ready to Forgive- are you ready to be forgiven? [Neh. 9:17, Ps. 86:5, 1 Jn. 1:9]

- And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

- For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE…

2 KINGS 23

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 Last week we saw Josiah’s personal revival. One of the evidences of personal revival is a desire to share that blessedness with others. Josiah has the evidence.

 

I. THE INGREDIENTS OF CORPORATE REVIVAL [v. 1-3]

1. Congregating with the People [v. 1-2a, Heb. 10:24-25] “If my people…”

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. Concentration on the Word [v. 2b, James 1:18-22]

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: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

3. Commitment to the Lord [v. 3, Rm. 12:1-2]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

II. THE PRACTICE OF REVIVAL [v. 4-23]

1. An Abandonment of Spiritual Deviation [v. 4-16, 19-20, 24]

2. An Acknowledgement of Spiritual Messages [v. 17-18, 1 K. 13:31-32]

And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones: For the saying which he cried by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

3. An Acceptance of Spiritual Worship [v. 21-23]

 

III. THE LIMITATIONS OF REVIVAL [v. 24-37]

1. God Honors His Man [v. 24-25, Ezekiel 14:14, 20]

-Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.

-Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

2. God Holds to His Word [v. 26-30, 22:19-20] it does no good to sow wild oats and then pray for crop failure

3. God Hates Iniquity [v. 31-37]

HE REFUSED

Genesis 39:1-8a                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

During the Reagan years there was an anti-drug slogan that said simply, "Just Say No!" 

J. Vernon McGee once preached a sermon entitled "The Power of Negative Thinking." 

The message this evening is in a similar vein- taking our title from our text, "BUT HE REFUSED." How much trouble and sorrow could be avoided in the world, in the nation and in our own lives if we simply refused the evil. 

The Bible teaches that even a child should learn to refuse the evil and choose the good. What have you refused Lately? Have you refused the world, the flesh, and the Devil and chosen the good Lord? Let us look at some examples of God’s people refusing the evil:

 

I. JOSEPH REFUSED TO BE IMMORAL [Gn. 39:8-13]

 

II. ISRAEL [JACOB] REFUSED TO GO AGAINST THE CLEAR LEADING OF GOD [Gn. 48:13-20]

 

III. NABOTH REFUSED TO MAR HIS INHERITANCE [1 Kings 21:1-5, 15]

 

IV. ELISHA REFUSED  TO CONFUSE A NEW CONVERT FOR MATERIAL GAIN [2 Kings 5:14-19, 1 Cor. 8]

 

V. MOSES REFUSED TO BE COMPROMISE HIS FAITH [Heb. 11:24-27]

 

THE FATHER, MY FATHER

THE FATHER, MY FATHER                                                            

JOHN 14:6-9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Everyone has several fathers- most of which you cannot choose. The most important Father you can have must be a choice that you make. Now of the fathers you cannot choose let us quickly dispense the discussion of them. Adam is the father of us all even as Eve is the mother of all living [Lk. 3:38, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Rm. 5:12-14]. Of course from our immediate biological father all the way back to Adam we have a multitude of “fathers”.

Because we are sinners, before we trust Christ, we have a spiritual father- who like our biological fathers is one we don’t choose. Jesus said to a religious, but lost crowd in 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, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

It is at this point that you can make a choice- you can choose to have God be your spiritual Father and the Devil will become your enemy. If you do not make this choice- then you are at enmity with God- which is about the most foolish thing we could do [Jn. 1:12, Romans 8:7].

#1 The Only Way to make “The Father” your Father is to trust Christ! [v. 6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

#2 If you know Christ as Saviour then you can call “The Father,” “my Father” [v. 7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

#3 Get in the Bible so you don’t think foolishly like Philip did here [v. 8-9] Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

I. HOW SHALL WE DESCRIBE THE FATHER?

1. He is the Father of Mercies & Comfort [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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.

2. He is the Father of Glory [Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14, 17-18; 3:13-14, 16, 21]

3. He is the Father of Spirits [Hebrews 12:9]

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

4. He is the Father of Lights [James 1:17]

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

II. WHAT PERFECT GIFTS HAS THE FATHER GIVEN? [James 1:17]

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1. The Word of God is Perfect [James 1:25]

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

2. The Lord Jesus Christ is Perfect [John 16:27-28]

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

3. The Holy Spirit is Perfect [John 15:26]

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

 

III. WHAT CAN WE GIVE THE FATHER? [Ps. 116:12]

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

 

1. We can Give Him Worship [John 4:23]

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.

2. We can Give Him Honour [John 5:23]

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

3. We can Give Him Glory & Thanks [Romans 15:6, Ps. 29:2, Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 1:12, 3:17]

- That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

- Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

- Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

LET IT BEGIN WITH ME

2 KINGS 22

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE NEED FOR REVIVAL [v. 1-2]

1. Did Right in the Sight of the Lord but still needed Revival [v. 1-2]

2. Walked in the Way of David His Father but still needed Revival [v. 2b]

3. Turned Not Aside to the Right-hand or the Left but still needed Revival [v. 2c]

UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev. 2:1-5

 

II. THE NEED FOR REAL LOVE [v. 3-13]

1. Love for the House of God [v. 3-7]

2. Love for the Word of God [v. 8-12]

3. Love for the Will of God [v. 12-13]

 

III. THE NEED FOR GOD’S BLESSING [v. 14-20]

1. God’s Holiness is seen in His Judgment [v. 14-17]

2. God’s Grace & Mercy are seen in His Answering Prayer [v. 18-19, Hebrews 4:16]

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

3. God’s Mercy & Grace are also seen in His House

[v. 20, Ps. 23:6, John 14:1-2]

- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

- LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

GOD’S GUIDANCE

PSALM 32:8    

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PERSONS OF  GOD’S GUIDANCE

1. The Blessed Lord [Lk. 1:67, 76-79]

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying . . . Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

2. The Blessed Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:13, 2 Peter 1:21]

- 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 shew you things to come.

- 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.

3. The Blessed Believers [Acts 8:26-35ff] multitude

 

II. THE PATTERN OF GOD’S GUIDANCE

1. With Tenderness [Ps. 23:2, Is. 40:11, 49:10] if you let Him

- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

- He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

- They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

- They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

2. With Truth [Psalm 25:5, 43:3]

- Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

- O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

3. With Trustworthiness [Pr. 3:5-7]

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 

III. THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S GUIDANCE – Our good & His Glory

1. For His Name’s Sake [Ps. 31:3]

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

2. For Our Salvation [Isaiah 42:16-18]

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods. Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

3. For Our Profit [Is. 48:17]

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

JOHN 3:1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHO WAS NICODEMUS? [v. 1-7]

1. He was a Man [v. 1, Genesis 1:27]

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

2. He was a Religious, Moral Man [v. 1]

3. He was a Confused, Ignorant Man [v. 2-4]

Four times in Exodus [7:11, 22, 8:7, 18] it says something similar to “now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments”. The Anti-Christ and the False prophet will do miracles in the Tribulation.

4. He Was a Lost Man [v. 3-7]

 

II. HOW DID NICODEMUS COME TO JESUS? [v. 2-3]

1. He Came by Night Under Conviction [v. 2-3, 6:44, Rev. 22:17]

-No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

- And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.

2. He Came Sincerely, in Humility [v. 2-3] He was a Pharisee, ruler of the Jews [v. 1] and a Master of Israel [v. 11] yet came to an itinerant teacher of less than 3 years

3. He Came Seeking the Answer to an Important Question [v. 2-3]

-Like the Philippian Jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” [Acts 16:30]

-Like the Greeks, “Sir, we would see Jesus” [Jn. 12:20-21]

 

III. HOW DID NICODEMUS LEAVE JESUS?

1. He Left Knowing the Importance of the New Birth [v. 3-8]

2. He Left knowing the Incarnation of the Saviour [v. 9-14]

3. He Left Knowing the Invitation to be Saved [v. 15-21]

4. He Left Knowing the Saviour Intimately [John 7: 43-53, 19: 38]

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

KING-SIZE MISTAKES

2 KINGS 20-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HEZEKIAH’S KING-SIZE MISTAKE- OUTLIVING HIS USEFULNESS [20:1-21]

1. His Prayer & the Permissive Will of God [v. 1-11, Psalm 106:15]

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

2. His Pride & the Prophetic Word of God [v. 12-18, 2 Chr. 32:24-25]

In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

3. His Pronouncement & the Perfect Way of God [v. 19-21, Psalm 18:30]

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

II. MANASSEH’S KING-SIZE MISTAKE- OUTDOING HEATHEN NATIONS [21:1-18]

1. Ignoring God’s Word [v. 1-9]

2. Ignoring God’s Servants [v. 10-15, Hebrews 13:17]

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

3. Ignoring God’s Image [v. 16-18, Genesis 9:6]

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

 

III. AMON’S KING-SIZE MISTAKE- OUTSMARTING HIMSELF [21:19-26]

1. Following Evil [v. 19-21]

2. Forsaking God [v. 22]

3. Failing to See the Danger [v. 23-26]

THE SECRET OF THE SURPRISED WITCH

1 SAMUEL 28:7-25

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE UNLAWFUL [v. 7-12]

1. She was a Known Secret [v. 7]

2. She was a Cautious Lawbreaker [v. 8-10]

3. She was a Calculated Fake [v. 11-12]

 

II. THE UNFAMILIAR [v. 13-19]

1. The “Man” was Unfamiliar [v. 13-14] –not her “familiar” v. 7-9

2. The Method was Unfamiliar [v. 15-17] 2 Peter 2:16, John 11:49-51

-But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

- And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

3. The Message was Unfamiliar [v. 18-19]

III. THE UNEXPECTED [v. 20-25]

1. She had Pity of Heart [v. 20-21]

2. She had Presence of Mind [v. 22-23]

3. She had Provision of Body [v. 24-25]

 

Unanswered questions- did she get paid? Did she quit her sinful business? Did she get saved?

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

The answer to these questions are not given to us. It’s okay to be curious and one day we will undoubtedly know the truth in these matters but knowing them now would not help us to live for the Lord so we are not burdened with them.

IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM

PSALM 115

Pastor Rick Jackson                                       

 

I. THE GLORY IS GOD’S [v. 1-8]

1. Not Ours [v. 1a]

2. For His Mercy [v. 1b, Romans 15:9]

And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

3. For His Reality [v. 1c-8]

 

II. THE HELP IS GOD’S [v. 9-14]

1.  For Israel [v. 9, 12a, Romans 11:1-5]

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

2. For Aaron [v. 10, 12b, 118:3]

Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3.  For Them that Fear Him [v. 11, 13-14]

 

III. THE PRAISE IS GOD’S [v. 15-18]

1. Praise Him for Creation [v. 15-16]

2. Praise Him in this Life [v. 17]

3. Praise Him Forever [v. 18]