GROW UP

1 JOHN 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BIRTH PAINS [v. 1-10]

1. Birthrights [v. 1-3]

2. Breakdowns [v. 4-6, Rm. 8:7]

3. Battlegrounds [v. 7-10]

 

II. BROTHERLY PROBLEMS [v. 10-17]

1. The Hatred of the World [v. 10-13]

2. The Knowledge of the Believer [v. 14-15]

3. The Love of God [v. 16-17]

 

III. BIBLE PRACTICALITIES [v. 17-24]

1. Compassion Produces Confidence [v. 17-21]

2. Confidence Produces Obedience [v. 21-22]

3. Obedience Produces Assurance [v. 23-24]

WHY DID JOHN WRITE?

1 JOHN 2 

  Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Of all the men that God used to write the Scriptures [about 40 in all] none give us the reason for writing as often as John the Beloved.

John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

1 JOHN 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

And, as we shall see, many more times in this little epistle.

 

I. JOHN WRITES- THAT YOU SIN NOT

1. We Have an Advocate [v. 1] parakletos;  an intercessor, consoler:--advocate, comforter.

2. We Have an Assurance [v. 2-4] hilasmos;  atonement, i.e. (concretely) an expiator:--propitiation.

3. We Have an Assignment [v. 5-6]

 

II. JOHN WRITES- TO REMIND YOU

1. Of Your Responsibility [v. 7-11]

2. Of Your Redemption [v. 12-14]

3. Of Your Reality [v. 15-19]

 

III. JOHN WRITES- TO WARN YOU

1. About Deniers [v. 20-23]

2. About Seducers [v. 24-26] Solomon warned of physically [Pr. 7, 9]

3. To Abide [v. 27-29]

THE SCHOOL OF PROPHECY

MATTHEW 24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THREE KINDS OF PROPHECY

1. Preceptive Prophecy- the proclaiming of the precepts of God- also known as "forth telling"

[Neh. 9:14, Ps. 119:4, Jer. 35:14-19]

- And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

- Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

- The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me. I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me. Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.

 - The man that preaches the precepts of God is a prophet in this broad sense even today.

2. Predictive Prophecy- the kind we generally think of when we hear the word “prophecy”-  also known as "foretelling" 2 types=

-Fulfilled prophecy-that which has already come to fruition [Is. 7:14, Mic. 5:2] It is a great testimony to the divine authorship of the Bible [Is. 46:9-10]

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

-Unfulfilled Prophecy- that which awaits fulfillment [2 Pet. 3:1-13]

3. Presumptuous Prophecy- not given by divine enablement but claimed to have been - also known as "false telling" [Deuteronomy 18:18-22]

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

 

II. THREE PRINCIPLES CONCERNING MT. 24

There are 3 king discourses given by Jesus in Mt. (1) The Principles of the Kingdom [Mt. 5-7], (2) The Parables of the Kingdom [Mt. 13], and (3) The Prophecies of the King [Mt. 24]. When we look at Mt. 24 we need to remember 3 things.

1. We are not looking for signs- We are looking for the Saviour [Titus 2:13]

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

2. The Rapture is Imminent- it could happen any moment [1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Th. 4:13-18]

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

3. The signs in Mt. 24 are Tribulation signs for Tribulation saints. They only hint to us.

We may see trends leading to the end but the signs are not for us now.

 

III. FOUR SIGNS OF THE END [24:1-3]

1. The Misleading Sign [v. 4-5, 11, 24] –unusual deceptions associated with religions and the name of Christ

-Since 1950 more than a score [Jim Jones, David Koresh, Sun Myung Moon, some politicians called Savior]

2. The Military Sign [v. 6-7] –in just the first 30 years after WW2 there were over 150 wars with over 25 million slain.

-There will be no peace until THE Prince of Peace comes [1 Th. 5:3]

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape.

3. The Moral Sign [v. 12]

4. The Missionary Sign [v. 14] There is only one true Gospel [Gal. 1:6-12] but there are many designations-

THE Gospel of God, the Gospel of Christ, “my Gospel” –Paul, the everlasting Gospel, the Gospel of the kingdom-all the same Gospel but the emphasis will be “the King is coming, get ready, trust Him now [Ps. 2:10-12]

- Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

 

IMPOSSIBLE AND POSSIBLE

Matthew 19:23-26

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: SALVATION

1. It is IMPOSSIBLE for any Man to Save Himself [Mt. 19:23-26]

i.e., apart from God man cannot be saved

2. It is IMPOSSIBLE for anything Tainted by Sin to Pay for Sin [Heb. 10:1-11, Rm. 8:21-22]

- For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said , Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

-Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

i.e., apart from Christ man cannot be saved

3. It is IMPOSSIBLE for any to be Saved after going too Far [Heb. 6:4-6, Gn. 6:3]

- For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

- And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:

i.e., apart from the Holy Spirit man cannot be saved

 

II. THINGS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE

1. It is Humanly Impossible Defeat Demonic Powers Without God’s Power [1 John 4:4, Mt. 12:28, 17:21]

-greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

- But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

- this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting

2. It is Humanly Impossible that Offences NOT Come [Lk. 17:1, 1 Cor. 11:19]

- Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

- For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

3. It is Humanly Impossible to Please God Without Faith [Heb. 11:6, Rm. 10:17]

- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

III. THINGS DIVINELY IMPOSSIBLE

1. It is Impossible that Death could hold Christ [Acts 2:22-24, Rm. 6:23]

-Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

2. It is Impossible that God could Fail [Lk. 1:34-37]

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 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. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

3. It is Impossible that God could Lie [Heb. 6:18, Jn 14:6=Christ, 16:13=the Spirit, 17:17=the Father]

- That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

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

- Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

- Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Esther 4:13-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

What makes certain Bible individuals stand out in our minds? What makes us look at them in a new way? For instance, had the War Between the States not happened it is unlikely that you would have ever heard of Thomas Jonathan Jackson, perhaps better known to you as Stonewall Jackson.  Esther too had a historical situation that caused her to stand out.

 

I. ESTHER’S EARLY LIFE

1. She had been Orphaned [2:7]

2. She had been Adopted [2:5-7]

3. She had been Instructed [2:10]

 

II. ESTHER’S INNER LIFE

1. She was a Pleasant Person [2:8-9, Daniel 6:3]

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

2. She was a Pliable [teachable] Person [2:15, 2 Timothy 2:2]

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3. She was a Positive Person [2:16-18, 21-23]

 

III. ESTHER’S SPIRITUAL LIFE

1. She was a Woman of Compassion [4:1-5, 1 Peter 3:8, Jude  22]

-Finally , be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

- And of some have compassion, making a difference:

2. She was a Woman of Courage [4:8-15, Acts 21:13]

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.

3. She was a Woman of Conviction [4:16-17, 1 Peter 5:8-11]

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

THAT WHICH SHALL BE DONE

ACTS 20:17-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Though technology changes we basically face the same kind of life that the Apostle Paul faced over 1900 years ago. Which would be the same kind of life that Solomon faced over 1400 years before that when he rightly observed in Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Therefore, we can glean from the life of Paul the way we should live our own lives under the sun.                                                                                                

 

Note, first of all:

I. PAUL’S LIFESTYLE [v. 17-21]

1. Live a Life of Christian Consistency [v. 17-18, 31]

2. Live a Life of Hard-working Humility [v. 19, 32-35]

3. Live a Life that is Biblically Based [v. 20-21, 26-28]

 

II. PAUL’S LIMITATIONS [v. 22-23a]

1. Ignorance of the Immediate Future [v.22]

2. Certainty of Coming Trials [v. 23, 25, 29-30, 2 Timothy 3:12]

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

3. Dying to Self [v. 24a, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Gal. 2:20]

-I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

III. PAUL’S LONGING [v. 24]

1. Finish My Course [v. 24, 13:25]

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

2. Fix My Joy [v.24, Philippians 1:25]

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

3. Fulfill My Ministry [v. 24, 2 Cor. 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:5, 7]

-THEREFORE seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

-But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

THE FOUNDATION FOR BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

1 JOHN 1, esp. v. 3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A FOUNDATION BASED ON A RELATIONSHIP [v.1-4]

1. It Is a Seen Relationship [v. 1-3, Heb. 11:27]

By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

2. It Is a Shared Relationship [v. 2-3, 3:14-16]

3. It Is a Satisfying Relationship [v. 4, 2 Jn. 12]

 

II. A FOUNDATION BASED ON RIGHTEOUSNESS [v. 5-7]

1. The Righteousness of Light [v. 5]

2. The Righteousness of Truth [v. 6-7a]

3. The Righteousness of the Blood [v. 7, Rev. 1:4-6]

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

III. A FOUNDATION BASED ON REALITY [v. 8-10]

1. The Reality of a Sin Nature [v. 8]

2. The Reality of Sins Forgiven [v. 9]

3. The Reality of Sins Committed [v. 10]

LOOK TO JESUS

HEBREWS 12:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. LOOK TO JESUS FOR SALVATION

1. Not Looking to Religion [Mt. 7:21-23]

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

2. Not Looking to Heritage [Lk. 3:8, Rm. 1:16]

- Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

- 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.

3. Not Looking to Works [Rm. 4:6, Titus 3:4-7]

- Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works

- 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.

 

II. LOOK TO JESUS FOR SECURITY

1. Be Committed [Ps. 37:5, Pr. 16:3, 1 Peter 4:19]

- Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

- Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

-Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

2. Be Confident [Phil. 1:6]

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

3. Be Conformed [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.

 

III. LOOK TO JESUS FOR STABILITY

1. Stand on His Word [Mt. 7:24-25]

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

2. Believe on Him [Acts 16:31, Proverbs 3:5]

- And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

3. Exalt Him [Ps. 18:1-3, 34:3]

- I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

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

THEREFORE

ROMANS 5:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PAST

1. A Settled Transaction [v. 1a, 6-10]

2. A Singular Triumph [v. 1, 6, 8-11, John 19:30, 1 Corinthians 15:57]

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

-But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. A  Spiritual Transformation [v. 1, 10-11, 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.

II. PEACE FOR THE PRESENT

1. Peace with God [v. 1, 9-10, 8:7]

2. Peace of God [v. 1, Phil. 4:7, Col. 3:15

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

- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

3. Peace from God [v. 1, 1:7, 2 Jn. 1:3]

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

 

III. GLORY FOR THE FUTURE

1. A Glory Wrought in God [4:20, 5:2, 16:27]

2. A Glory Worthy of God [11:36, 15:7, 16:27]

3. A Glory Without End [6:4, 8:18, 9:23, 16:27]

SUITABLE PRAISE

Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Prov. 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

You might have thought all praise is good but such is not the case. Comely praise is what God desires. Praise from a right person. Praise that is given rightly is comely. Comely is a word we don’t use often. It means suitable, or beautiful: Is your praise suitable? Is your praise beautiful?

 

I. PRAISE THAT FORSAKES GOD IS NOT COMELY –  It is neither suitable nor lovely.

Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

1. It is Ungiven Praise [Matthew 21:15-16]

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

2. It is Hypocritical Praise [Jn. 9:24-41]

3. It is Dishonoring Praise [1 Corinthians 11:17-22]

 

II. PRAISE THAT IS FOR GOD IS COMELY

1. Comely Praise For His Wonderful Salvation [Rm. 15:5-13]

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 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. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

2. Comely Praise For His Wonderful Working [Philippians 1:9-11, 1 Peter 4:11]

- And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

-If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

3. From Thankful Hearts [Hebrews 13:15]

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

III. PRAISE THAT IS FROM GOD IS ALWAYS COMELY

1. Better than the Praise of Men [Jn. 12:42-48]

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He, that believeth on me, believeth, not on me, but, on him that sent me.  And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

2. Based on Faith in God and His Word [Rm. 2:28-29, Mt. 8:8-13]

-For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly ; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly ; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

- The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

3. Believer’s Receive for Heart Service [1 Corinthians 4:3-5]

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.

 

A SISTER FOR ALL SEASONS

EXODUS 2:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. YOUNGSTERS CAN SERVE THE LORD [Exodus 2]

1. The Careful Observer [v. 1-4]

2. The Caring Inquirer [v. 5-7]

3. The Conscientious Worker [v. 8-10]

 

II. ADULTS CAN SERVE THE LORD [Exodus 15]

1. A Servant of God [v. 20]

2. An Example for Women [v. 20, Micah 6:4]

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

3. A Praiser of the Lord [v. 21]

 

III. EVEN BELIEVERS CAN SIN [Num. 12]

1. Bothered by Bigotry [v. 1]

2. Instigator of Iniquity [v. 1-8]

3. Chastened by the Lord [v. 9-16, 20:1]

Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

FREE INDEED

Pastor Rick Jackson

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

I. “FREEDOM” – ISN’T FREE

1. Freedom is a Result of Truth [Jn. 8:32-36]

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou , Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you , Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2. Freedom is a Result of Sacrifice [Rm. 5:15-19]

3. Freedom is a Result of Right Choices [Rm. 3:22-24, Jn. 1:11-12]

- He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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. “INDEPENDENCE” – IS NOT INDEPENDENT

1. To be Independent of Man One Must Be Dependent on God [Rm. 3:3-4]

2. To be Independent of Sin One Must Be Dependent on Righteousness

[Rm. 6:13-23]

3. To be Independent of Works One Must Be Dependent on Grace [Rm. 11:6]

 

 III. “LIBERTY” –  IS NOT LICENSE

1. Liberty is Given so we can Stand [Gal. 5:1]

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2. Liberty is Given so we can Serve [Gal. 5:13-14, 1 Pet. 2:16]

- For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

-As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

3. Liberty is Given so we can Submit [Gal. 5:16-25]

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

THE CHALLENGE FOR THE CHRISTIAN AMERICAN

ROMANS 10:1, 11:1, 12:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

Tomorrow marks the 248^th Birthday of the United States of America. We have much to be thankful for, much to be excited about, much to be concerned about, much to question and much to do as Americans. This is true of every American but wait… we are not just Americans, those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord have a higher calling, a greater responsibility, a sacred task. As Christian Americans, what should we do?

 

I. STAND IN THE LORD [Phil. 4:1]

Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

 

1. Stand on His Foundation [1 Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 7:24-25]

-For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

2. Stand in His Faith [1 Corinthians 2:5, 16:13,  2 Corinthians 1:24]

-That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

- Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

-Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

3. Stand in His Force [1 Cor. 2:5]

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

While you are standing, be sure to...

 

II. STICK TO THE PLAN [ACTS 5:20, MT. 28:18-20]

- Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

- And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

1. Give the Gospel to the lost [2 Cor. 4:1-6]

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2. Give milk to the immature [1 Pt. 2:2, Heb. 5:12-13)

- As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby

- And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3. Give meat to the mature [Heb. 5:12-14]

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

III. STAY ON COURSE

 

1. Make it a Matter of Focus! [Acts 20:24, Eph. 2:2]

- But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

- 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:

2. Make it a Matter of Prayer [2 Th. 3:1]

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

3. Make it a Matter to Finish [Acts 13:25, 2 Tm. 4:7]

- And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

- I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

FIVE “SECRETS” OF PRAYER

Luke 11:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PRAYER is EXPECTED (even COMMANDED) [11:1-2a,  1 Th. 5:17,  Phil. 4:6, Eph. 6:18, 1 Tm. 2:1]

– Pray without ceasing. 

-Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

– Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

-I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

 

II. PRAYER is PART of a RELATIONSHIP [11:2, Jeremiah 29:11-13,  Psalm 65:2]

-For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

-O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

 

III. PRAYER is ASKING [11:2-13]

 

IV. BELIEVING PRAYER is GOD PLEASING [11:9-10, 1 Jn. 5:14-15, Jn. 15:7, Mt. 21:22,   Heb. 11:6]

-And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him

– If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

-And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” 

-But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

V. EFFECTIVE PRAYER is ONGOING [Luke 18:1-8,  Psalm 81:10, Jer. 33:3]

My wife once wrote “I prayed for my mother’s salvation in earnest after I became saved.  It seemed to me to be an impossible task.  My mother was adamant that religion was a private matter.  I cannot tell you how many times when Rick and I would talk with her about the Lord that she would hang up on us if she was on the phone or when she was in our home, she would go to the bedroom and slam the door shut.  Conversation over.  Yet, the matter was of great importance.  I would often pray at such times and ask God, ‘WHY?’  But he is a gracious God.  And a patient God.  And so after ten years of prayers and concern for her soul, the Lord allowed Rick to have the opportunity to confront her about her need of a Saviour.  And joy of all joys, she accepted Christ as her Saviour!! Within another year, she was lost to us with cancer.  God hears and God answers prayer!”

 

Psalm 81:10 -- I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Jeremiah 33:3 -- Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.