HIS TRUTH

PSALM 96/ZECHARIAH 12, 13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HIS TRUTH IN THE STRAIGHTNESS OF THE MESSIAH [Zech 12:10-13:1]

1. The Source of Truth [12:10]

2. The Sorrow of Truth [12:11-14]

3. The Salvation in Truth [13:1, Jn. 14:6]

 

II. HIS TRUTH IN THE STRICTNESS OF THE MILLENNIUM [Zechariah 13:2-5]

1. The Intolerance of Truth [v. 2]

2 + 2 = 4 is intolerant of every other number in the universe

2. The Intimacy of Truth [v. 3, Dt. 13]

3. The Intimidation of Truth [v. 4-5, 8:3]

 

III. HIS TRUTH IN THE SEVERITY OF THE TRIBULATION [Zechariah 13:6-9]

1. The Price Paid that was Rejected [v. 6-7, Mt. 26:31]

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

2. The Price Paid for Truth Rejected [v. 8, Rm. 10:3]

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

3. The Refining of the Redeemed [v. 9]

THE END OF THE TRIBULATION

REVELATION 1:19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON PLANNED [Rev. 16:12, 17:8-17, Zech. 12:1-3]

 

1. Angelic & Demonic Preparation [Rev. 16:12-16]

2. Religious & Political Preparation [Rev. 17]

3. The Divine Plan [Zech. 12:1-3]

The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

 

II. THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON FOUGHT [Rev. 19:11-19, Zech. 12:4-6]

 

1. The Gathering of God’s Armies of Saints [Rev. 19:11-16, Jude 14-15]

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all. . . .

2. The Gathering of God’s Clean-up Crew [Rev. 19:17-18]

3. The Gathering of God’s Earthly Army [Zech. 12:4-9]

In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

 

III. THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON WON [Rev. 19:19-20:6]

1. The Defeat of the Antichrist, the False Prophet and their Armies [Rev. 19:19-20]

2. The Defeat of the Dragon (the Devil) [Rev. 20:1-3]

3. The Kingdom of Christ Commenced [Rev. 20:4-6]

LOOKING FOR SIGNS?

LUKE 22:31-34, 54-62

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. STOP - LISTEN TO JESUS

1. STOP - Jesus Knows Us Better than we know ourselves  [v. 31-34, Jer. 17:9, Psalm 103:14]

-The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

- For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

2. STOP - Jesus Loves Us Better than we love ourselves [Deuteronomy 6:24]

And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

3. STOP - Jesus prays for Us More than We Pray for Ourselves [v. 32, 45-46]

 

II. YIELD - LOOK TO JESUS

1. YIELD - Jesus has Plans for Us [v. 32a, 1 Jn. 1:3-9] fellowship with Him

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. YIELD - Jesus has a Purpose for Us [v. 32b, 2 Peter 3:18] being a blessing to others

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3. YIELD - Jesus has Protection for Us [v. 40, 46, 1 Cor. 10:13] fervency in prayer

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

 

III. PROCEED WITH CAUTION - LEAN ON JESUS

1. The Way Back is NOT a Begging Road [Lk. 15:18-20]

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

2. The Way Back is NOT a Bargaining Road [Lk. 15:18-20]

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

3. The Way Back is a Better Road [Proverbs 13:15, 14:12]

- … the way of transgressors is hard.]

-There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

JOB’S NEEDS

JOB 1                                                                    

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

It seems that everyone had different thoughts about what Job needed- but it’s not just Job. It’s you and me as well. Everybody thinks they know what we need. Let’s see some Biblical examples.

 

I. WHAT THE DEVIL THOUGHT

1. The Devil thought Job Needed to Lose All Earthly Possessions [1:8-22]

2. The Devil thought Job Needed to Lose His Health [2:3-8]

3. The Devil thought Job Needed Human Reasoning [2:9-11, 4:1-25:6]

 

But the Devil was wrong [1 Peter 5:8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

II. WHAT JOB THOUGHT

1. Job thought He Needed an Opportunity to Explain things to God [13:3, 23:1-4]

2. Job thought He Needed Explanations and Reasons [23:5, 10:2, 31:35]

3. Job thought He Needed to Justify Himself [Job 32:2]

 

BUT Job was wrong [Proverbs 16:25] There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.]

Tom Malone said, “We need to obey God rather than man- even when we are the man.”

 

III. WHAT JOB LEARNED

1. Job Learned God is Omnipotent [42:1-2a]

2. Job Learned God is Omniscient [42:2b-3]

3. Job Learned God is Trustworthy [42:5-6]

 

-Job didn’t need salvation- he had that [19:25-27]

-Job didn’t need explanations

-Job needed faith! [Rm. 10:17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

PICK A SIDE

MATTHEW 12:22-30

Pastor Rick Jackson

This is not some inconsequential choice. This is not picking who to root for in a football game and you really don’t care who wins. This is “put on your big boy pants” and choose a side. This is your eternal soul. Or if that is settled, this is a matter of loss or gain at the judgment seat of Christ. This is holy decisions that affect not only your eternity but the eternity of others as well.

 

This is Moses standing in the gate of the camp saying, “Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me.” {Ex. 32:26]

This is Joshua challenging Israel to serve God as he declares, “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.” {Joshua 24:15]

This is Elijah facing 450 false prophets and putting the question to Israel, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”  [1 Kings 18:21].

This is Jesus in our text explaining you can’t be for Him and for the Devil, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

It is not hyperbole to say it again my friends, PICK. A. SIDE.

 

I. PICK A SIDE KNOWING THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES:

1. It’s Christ & Salvation or None Other [Acts 4:12]

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

2. It’s Light or Darkness [Col. 1:12-14]

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

3. It’s Heaven and Hell in the Balance [Rm. 6:23]

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

II. PICK A SIDE KNOWING THERE ARE EXPECTATIONS:

 

1. The Expectation to Serve Christ [Rm. 6:22]

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

2. The Expectation to Show Forth Christ [1 Peter 2:9]

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

3. The Expectation to Share Christ [Mt. 28:18-20]

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.

 

III. PICK A SIDE KNOWING THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE:

There are no other alternatives because to not choose, to not pick a side, is in fact, picking a side. If you choose to not put out a fire you are in effect choosing to let the fire burn.

1. You must Pick a Side – Life or Death [Deuteronomy 30:19, Jer. 21:8]

-I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

-And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.

2. You must Pick a Side – God or Satan [Mt. 4:8-10]

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. You must Pick a Side – Good or Evil [Proverbs 14:22, Amos 5:14-15, Rm. 12:9, 21; 3 Jn. 11]

-Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

-Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

-Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

- Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

-Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

- Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good

THE TRIBULATION TIME

REV. 1:1-3, 19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIBULATION

 

1. The Rise of the Saints [Rev. 4:1, 6:15-17, 1 Th. 4:13-18, 5:9]

-But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

2. The Rise of the Two Witnesses [Rev. 11:1-6] 

Elijah? Moses? Enoch? John the Baptist?

3. The Rise of the Beast, the Antichrist [Rev. 13]

 

II. THE MIDDLE OF THE TRIBULATION

 

1. The Tragedy in the Streets [Rev. 11:7-13]

2. The Tragedy in the Temple [Dan. 12:11, Matthew 24:15-22]

- And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

- When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened

3. The Tragedy in the Hearts [Rev. 13:17-18, 14:9-11]

 

III. THE END OF THE TRIBULATION

 

1. The Battle of Armageddon Planned [Rev. 16:12, 17:8-17, Zech. 12:1-3]

The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

2. The Battle of Armageddon Fought [Rev. 19:11-19, Zech. 12:4-6]

In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

3. The Battle of Armageddon Won [Rev. 19:20-20:3, Zech. 12:7-9]

The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.