THE INFIRMITY OF THE FLESH

GALATIANS 4:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE ADMISSION OF THE TRUTH

1. Simon Peter’s Confession [Luke 5:8]

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

2. Solomon’s Confession [1 Kings 3:7]

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

3. Jesus’ Declaration [Luke 17:10]

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say , We are unprofitable servants : we have done that which was our duty to do.

 

II. A LITTLE SOUL-SEARCHING [Ps. 139:23-24]

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

1. Acknowledge My Fallibility & His Salvation [Ps. 103:1-4]

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

2. Accept My Sinfulness & His Mercy [Ps. 103:8-11]

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

3. Admit My Limitations and His Compassion [Ps. 103:12-15]

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we [are] dust. [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

 

III. A FINAL RESPONSE [Philippians 3]

1. Focus Not on the Failure [v. 13a]

2. Forget the Forgiven & Forsaken [v. 13b] it’s been dealt with

3. Forge Forth for Christ [v. 13c-17]

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE

JOHN 9:38-41

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN [9:1-12]

1. The Light of the World [9:1-5]

2. The Sight of the World [9:6-7]

3. The Plight of the World [9:8-12] plight refers to the situation, usually bad, someone is in

 

II. THE “HEARING” OF THE PHARISEES [9:13-34] a judicial situation

1. The Failure of Men [9:13-17]

2. The Fear of Man [9:18-23, Mt. 10:27-28]

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

3. The Foolishness of Men [9:24-34, 1 Cor. 1:18-25] cp. v. 2 w/v. 34 ignorance/arrogance

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

III. THE HEARING OF THE SHEEP [9:35-10:21]

1. Sometimes Blind Men See [9:11, 17, 25-33, 35-38]

2. Sometimes Seeing Men Are Blind [9:39-41]

3. Saved People are the Only Ones that can Really See and Hear [10:1-21; 2 Cor. 4:3-6]

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.

UP, UP, AND AWAY

ACTS 1:2, 9-11

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Many false doctrines abound concerning Christ’s return. Several cults say Jesus has already returned albeit secretly. Some say we are in the 1000-year reign of Christ right now! David Koresh claimed to be the 2nd coming of Christ. He died. Sun Myung Moon allowed his followers to say he was the second coming of Christ. He died in 2012But what saith the Scripture?

 

I. THE PERSON [Acts 1:11]

1. The Jesus of the Passion [1:1-3a, 17:2-3]

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

2. The Jesus of the Proofs [1:3, Lk. 24:30-45]

3. The Jesus of the Power [1:4-8, Mt. 28:18]

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 

II. THE POWER [Acts 1:11]

1. He’s Coming to Change the Saved [1 John 3:2]

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2. He’s Coming to Conquer Satan & co. [1 John 3:8, Rev. 19-20]

-He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

3. He’s Coming to Control Earth & Its Kingdoms [Rev. 19:13-15]

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

III. THE PLAN [Acts 1:9-13]

1. He’s Coming Personally [Rev. 1:7]

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

2. He’s Coming Visibly [Rev. 1:7]

3. He’s Coming Locally [Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:11-12]

-And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY IT DOES NOT MAKE IT SO!

PSALM 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

The old song says "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen..." David certainly had trouble. Granted many of them were self-inflicted through wrong decisions, wrong actions, wrong handling of situations... BUT--- how many of us can say we have never done the same? Show of hands? I thought not.

It got so bad for David even his own son was seeking to dethrone him and kill him. When his son rebelled many joined in on the rebellion. How many folks are just waiting for something bad to happen to us so they can jump on the bandwagon? People were even saying God had deserted David [v. 2] and David knew they were saying that!

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING DOESN'T MAKE IT SO! When I was at Flagler College back in the 1970s we read a book in history class written in the 1930s that said the Scopes trial of 1925 and its aftermath had killed Bible-believing Christianity. The professor asked the class if that statement was true? Most of them agreed that it was (after all it was written in a book). How he knew I'm not sure but the professor, a Bible-believing Christian himself, knowing he had a young Fundamentalist in the room said, "Mr. Jackson, do you agree with the author's assessment?"

"No sir!"

"Why not?"

"Sir, the largest church in Tennessee [where the Scopes trial took place] is the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tn. with over 10,000 members. The largest church in Florida...Indiana...Virginia...Alaska... The Churches that thrive the most, large or small, are the ones that still teach and preach the Bible!" [Thank God for John R. Rice and The Sword of the Lord where I had gleaned that information over those formative years]

"That would be correct. History is sometimes seen best from a distance class."

We all learned something that day. I learned my professor knew me better than I thought. The class learned that historians are NOT always right, nor are they the unbiased lot they would have us believe and the professor learned he could call on that skinny [at the time] kid and get a somewhat intelligible response.

David continued to trust God no matter what the people said. [v. 4] Brother Lester Roloff used to sing, "...There's something mighty sweet about the Lord, It really doesn't matter, what the people say, there's something mighty sweet."

David continued to pray. He knew the Lord heard him and so do you know what he did? He slept soundly! [v. 5] Worry is such a time waster and sleep stealer. Someone has said, "I absolutely refuse to worry!" As long as the reason for that statement is trusting God I concur. Take your burden to the Lord and LEAVE it there. Don't take it back with you.

Who cares who or how many oppose you [v. 6] when God is taking up your cause [v. 7-8]? Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

FULL OF TROUBLE

 

FULL OF TROUBLE

JOB 14:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FROM SELF

1. Sometimes because of our Selfishness [Pr. 11:23-26]

The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

2. Sometimes because of our Seeking [Pr. 11:27-31, Mt. 6:33]

- He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

3. Sometimes Self-inflicted [Pr. 23:29-35, Gal. 6:7-8]

- Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup , when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

II. FROM SATAN [includes his servants] 1 Pet. 4:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

1. His Design – Sin [1 Pet. 5:8, 1 Th. 3:5, Eden, the wilderness]

-Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

-For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

2. His Desire – Sift [Lk. 22:31-32]

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

3. His Destruction – Sure [Mt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10]

- Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

- And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

III. FROM THE SAVIOUR

1. For Refinement [Job 23:10-12, Rm. 8:28-29]

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2. For Rebuke [Neh. 9:27]

Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

3. For Reusing [2 Cor. 1:3-7]

-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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

Joshua 1:6-9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IN THE HOUR OF UNCERTAINTY [Is. 41:10]

1. Look to the Lord’s Record [v. 1-4]

2. Look to the Lord’s Reality [v. 5-9]

3. Look to the Lord’s Reminder [v. 10-29]

 

II. IN THE HOUR OF DISSATISFACTION [Hebrews 13:5]

1. Let Your Light Shine [v. 1-4]

2. Let Your Lifestyle Showcase Your Faith [v. 5-14]

3. Let Your Lips Give the Sacrifice of Praise [v.15, 18]

 

III. IN THE HOUR OF INADEQUACY [Mt. 28:20]

1. The Commission Overrides Feelings [v. 18-19]

2. The Command should be Obeyed Faithfully [v. 20]

3. The Comfort (of His presence) Operates by Faith [v. 20]

HE GAVE HIMSELF

GALATIANS 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. “FOR OUR SINS” [v. 4]

1. The Great Deed [v. 4, Jn. 15:13]

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

2. The Great Deliverer [v. 4, 1 Pt. 3:18]

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

3. The Great Debt [v. 4, Heb. 2:9, 1 Jn. 2:2]

-But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

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

 

II. “THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD” [v. 4]

1. From the Fate of this World [v. 4, 1 Cor. 11:32, 2 Th. 1:7-9]

-But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

-And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

2. From the “father” of this World [v. 4, Jn. 8:44, Mt. 25:41, 2 Cor. 4:4-6]

-Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

-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.

3. From the Fashion of this World [v. 4, 1 Cor. 7:31, Rm. 12:2]

-the fashion of this world passeth away.

-be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind

 

III. “ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD AND OUR FATHER”

1. It is Not God’s Will that Any should Perish but many Will [v. 4, Mt. 18:14, 2 Pt. 3:9, Acts 17:30]

- Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

-The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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

2. It Was God’s Will that Christ Die in Our Place [v. 4, Is. 53:4-6]

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

3. It was God’s Will that Christ Be Satisfied with the Fruit of His Labors [v. 4, Is. 53:10-12]

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

THREE TRUTHS FROM ONE TRUTH

Hosea 11:9

Pastor Rick Jackson

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

 

1. THERE IS ONLY 1 GOD

Dt. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him

Dt. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Is. 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Is. 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Mk. 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

 

2. THIS 1 GOD IS IN 3 PERSONS

The word "one" in these verses speaks of a compound unity (more than one in the one). Sometimes people come to the Scriptures with preconceived ideas, and they try to bend the Scriptures (or "wrest" them as Peter says) to fit their ideas. We should always be open to the Scriptures and let them mold our thoughts and ideas. People sometimes get upset with the preacher for not following their little narrow view when the truth is right there in the Scriptures. Some Bible examples of the number one being a compound unity at times:

Gn. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Gn. 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Jn. 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

3. GOD IS ESSENTIALLY ONE AND ALSO IS THREE

God often uses plural pronouns or designations about Himself. We do as well – “One nation under God”

Gn. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Is. 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Jn. 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

Jn. 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is infinite and we are finite. He is not limited as we are.

He has given us the physical example of water (vapor, liquid, solid) to help illustrate the truth of 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

GREAT THEMES IN JOHN’S EPISTLES

1, 2, & 3 JOHN

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

There are many great themes in John’s epistles, but we are going to center on three this service.

 

I. 1 JOHN PRESENTS THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST’S PURPOSE

1. Christ Manifested God’s Love Through Salvation [1:2, 4:9]

2. Christ Manifested Salvation by Removing Sin [1 John 3:5]

3. Christ Manifested His Purpose by Defeating Satan [1 John 3:8]

 

II. 2 JOHN PRESENTS THE GREAT THEME OF CHRIST’S DEITY

1. Christ became Fully Man [v.  7]

2. Christ is Fully God [v. 9, Jn. 1:1-3, 14]

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

-And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

3. Christ’s Deity Is NOT an Optional Doctrine [v. 9-11]

III. 3 JOHN PRESENTS THE GREAT THEME OF CHRIST’S TRUTH

1. Truth Produces Joy [v. 2-4, 1 Jn. 1:4]

2. Truth Should be Supported [v. 5-8]

3. Truth Produces Good Reports [v. 12, Heb. 11:1-2, Rm. 10:17]

- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

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

NO MAN KNOWS

1 COR. 2

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. NO MAN NATURALLY KNOWS WHAT WE ARE [v. 14]

1. We are Naturally Lost Sinners [Matthew 10:6, 18:11, Lk. 19:10, 2 Cor. 4:3]

-But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

-For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

-Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

-But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2. We are Naturally Already Condemned [Mt. 12:37, Jn. 3:18, 2 Pt. 2:6]

-For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

- He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

- And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

3. We are Naturally Hopeless, Helpless & Without Strength [Eph. 2:12, Rm. 5:6]

-That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

- For when we were yet without strength

 

II. NO MAN NATURALLY KNOWS WHAT WE FACE [v. 11]

1. We Face a Holy God [1 Sm. 2:2, Is. 5:6, 1 Jn. 1:5]

-There is none holy as the LORD:

-But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

-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.

2. We Face an Unchanging God [Mal. 3:6, 2 Tm. 2:13, Heb. 13:8, Jm. 1:17]

-For I am the LORD, I change not

-If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

- Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

-the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

3. We Face a Loving God [1 Co. 2:9, Rm. 5:8, 1 Jn. 4:8]

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

-He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 

III. NO MAN NATURALLY KNOWS WHAT WE NEED [v. 7-14]

1. We Need a Mediator [1 Tm. 2:5]

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

2. We Need a Propitiation [Rm. 3:25, 1 Jn. 2:2, 4:10]

-Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

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

-Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

3. We Need an Advocate [1 Jn. 2:1]

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

4. We Need Jesus [Mt. 1:21, Acts 4:12]

- And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

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

THREE GREAT ACTIONS

1 JOHN 4:9-14                                                                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 Three greatest actions. Maybe the three greatest actions. What can they be? Would they be acts of terrorism and/or war--- like Pearl Harbor or 9-11? Great doesn’t always mean good. Would they be war stoppers like Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Would they be moments that transcend war like the first man in space or man walking on the moon? Would they be an act of desperation like when a parent lifts a car off a child through a rush of adrenalin? Though all these may be powerful actions once again the Lord God Almighty would have to take center stage. The three greatest actions? Let us pray and then search the Scriptures together.

 

 I. THE FIRST OF THESE THREE GREAT ACTIONS IS WHEN GOD THE FATHER SENT JESUS

1. Great Manifestation [1 Jn. 4:9, Jn. 3:16]

-In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him

-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son

2. Great Motivation [1 Jn. 4:10, Rm. 5:8]

-Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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

3. Great Mission [1 Jn. 4:14, 2:2]

-And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

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

 

 II. THE SECOND OF THESE THREE GREAT ACTIONS IS WHEN GOD THE SON CAME TO EARTH

Someone has wisely pointed out that God walking on earth is a greater event than man walking on the moon.

1. The Great Humanity Involved [Phil. 2:2-7, John 15:13]

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

2. The Great Humility Involved [Phil. 2:8, Is. 53:2-4]

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

-For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

3. The Great Horror involved [Phil. 2:8, 2 Cor. 5:21, Mark 15:34, Ps. 22:1]

-… even the death of the cross.

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

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

- My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

 

III. THE THIRD OF THESE THREE GREATEST ACTIONS IS GOD THE SPIRIT’S WORK ON EARTH

1. It is a Christ Work [Jn. 1:29-34, 2:11]

2. It is a Convicting Work [Jn. 16:7-11]

3. It is a Continuing Work [Jn. 7:39, 20:19-22, Gal. 5:22-25]

-But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

- Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

- 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 SAME CHRIST

 

THE SAME CHRIST

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

It should come as no surprise that Christ the King of the Jews of Matthew’s Gospel, and Christ the perfect Servant of Mark’s Gospel, Christ the Son of Man of Luke’s Gospel and Christ the Son of God of John’s Gospel are all the same Christ. One and the Same. Did you know that some scholars of the Old Testament once thought there were to be two different Christs? Well, let’s look at that.

 

I. THE COMING CHRIST [Micah 5]

1. A Suffering Saviour [v. 1, Is. 50:6, 53:3-4]

- Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

- I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

- He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

2. An Eternal Christ [v. 2, Pr. 30:4]

-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

-Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

3. A Sovereign Christ [v. 2, Ps. 110:1-2]

- The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

 

II. THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST

1. The Virgin Born Christ [Gn. 3:15, Jer. 31:22, Is. 7:14]

- And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

- How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

- Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

2. The Vicariously Dying Christ [Is. 53:5-6]

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

3. The Victorious Resurrected Christ [Acts 2:22 -28]

-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. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

 

III. THE CONQUERING CHRIST

1. The Exalted Christ [Acts 2:29-33]

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

2. The Smiting Christ [Rev. 19:11-16]

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

3. The Reigning Christ [Revelation 11:15]

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

AMERICAN DECLARATIONS

Psalm 146                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

We recognized the 250th birthday of the United States of America yesterday. Let us take the time to consider some American Declarations in the light of Scripture.

 

I. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

1. Declares We believe in Creation [Ex. 20:11, Mt. 19:4]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator..."

- For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

- And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

2. Declares We believe in Individual Rights [Mosaic Law, John 1:10-12]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men..."

- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 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:

3. Declares We believe in Individual Responsibility [Mt. 12:36, Rm. 14:12, 1 Pt. 4:3-6]

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

- But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

-For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

 

II. DECLARATIONS OF IGNORANCE

1. "We don't have to believe the Bible" [2 Tm. 3:16, Jn. 12:48]

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

- 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. "We don't have to believe in God" [Ps. 14:1, Rm. 1:21-22]

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

- Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

3. "We don't have to believe in Jesus" [Jn. 3:36]

- 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.

 

III. A DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE  - "NO KING BUT JESUS"

In the days of the early church many Christians died because they would not recognize Caesar as a god. They replied in effect, "We have no King but Jesus". In the 1700s when faced with the tyranny of an English crown many of the colonists took up the cry "NO KING BUT JESUS" before, during, and after the Revolutionary War! What did it mean to them and what should it mean to us?

1. We do believe in God [Mk. 11:22, Gn. 1:1, Heb. 11:6]

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

- In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

- 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.

2. We believe in the Divine King not the divine right of kings [Ps. 47:7, 74:12, 1 Tm. 1:17]

-For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

-For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

-Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. We do believe the Bible that Jesus is the coming King [2 Tm. 4:1, Rev. 19:15-16]

- I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom

-And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

HE WALKED WITH GOD

GENESIS 5:18-24

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE STRANGE CASE OF ENOCH [Gn. 5:18-24]

1. His Reason Could Be Our Reason [v. 18-22a, Eph. 6:4]

- And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2. His Responsibility Should Be Our Responsibility [v. 22b-23, Eph. 2:10, 4:1, 17, 5:15]

- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

-I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called

-This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind

- See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

3. His Rapture Would Be Like Our Rapture [v. 24, 1 Th. 4:16-17]

- 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.

 

II. THE STRATEGIC CHOICE [Amos 3:3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

1. To Walk Together There Must Be a Starting Place - Calvary [Gal. 6:14]

- But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

2. To Walk Together There Must Be an Agreed Path - Holiness [Psalm 16:11, 119:105, Pr. 4:14]

- Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore

-Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

- Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

3. To Walk Together There Must Be a Final Place [1 Th. 4:17]

- 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.

 

III. THE STRAIGHTFORWARD COMPANIONSHIP [1 John 1:5-7]

1. The Lack of Variableness [v. 5, Jm. 1:17]

-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.

- 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.

2. The Lie of Variableness [v. 6]

-If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

3. The Loss of Variableness [v. 7] the choice is ours

-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.

NO EXCUSES

ROMANS 1:19-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO NATIONAL DESOLATION [2 CHR. 30]

1. Not with an Invitation to Return [v. 1-6]

2. Not with a Reminder to Repent [v. 7-8]

3. Not with an opportunity to Respond [v. 9-22]

II. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO RELIGIOUS APOSTASY [ACTS 7]

1. Not with their Foolish Works [v. 37-41]

2. Not with their False Worship [v. 42-43]

3. Not when they Forsake Witness [v. 44]

III. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHEN GOD HAS TO GIVE THEM UP TO UNNATURAL IMMORALITY [Rm. 1]

1. Not when Truth is Rejected [v. 18-22]

2. Not when Truth is Exchanged [v. 23-25]

3. Not when Truth is Ignored [v. 26-32]

JOSHUA FIT THE BATTLE

JOSHUA 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT MADE JOSHUA FIT?

1. He was a Man of Fear [1:6-7, 9] – know your limitations

2. He was a Man of Faith [1:8, Rm. 10:17] – know God’s Law

faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

3. He was a Man of Focus [1:9-18, Jn. 2:25] – know mankind’s leaning

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

 

II. WHAT DID JOSHUA KNOW?

1. He knew the Fight was the Lord’s [2:24-3:5, 1 Sm. 17:47]

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

2. He knew the Fear of the Lord [4:19-24, Pr. 9:10]

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

3. He knew the Family was the Lord’s [24:14-15]

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 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.

 

III. WHAT DID JOSHUA UNDERSTAND? [Ps. 119:104]

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

1. He Understood Authority [5:13-15, Mt. 8:8-10]

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.

2. He Understood Responsibility [6:16-17, 22-25, Heb. 11:30-31]

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

3. He Understood Accountability [7:7-12, 19-20]

THREE CHRISTIAN FATHERS BUT ONLY ONE CHRISTIAN HOME

Gn. 18:17-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT LOT, A GOOD BUSINESSMAN, A BAD FATHER, TAUGHT HIS FAMILY

1. Put Business Before Holiness [Gn. 13:10-13, 19:7, 9, 16]

2. Put Relationships with People Before their Relationship with God [Gn. 19:6-9, 14-16]

3. The End Justifies the Means [Gn. 19:17-36]

 

II. DAVID- GOOD KING, A BAD FATHER

1. David got Angry but did Nothing about His Son’s Wicked Sin [2 Sam. 13:21, 39]

2. David Ignored the Problem instead of Discussing It with His Son [2 Sam. 14:24, 32-33]

3. David did not “Displease” His Children with Discipline [1 Kings 1:6]

And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?

 

III. ABRAHAM- FRIEND OF GOD, GOOD FATHER

1. Abraham Commanded His Children

[Gn. 18:17-19]

2. Abraham taught His Family God is to be Trusted [Heb. 11:17-19]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

3. Abraham taught His Family God is to be Obeyed [Heb. 11:20]

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

THE LORD’S BENEFITS

PSALM 68:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Only 3 times in the beloved King James Version will you find the word “benefits”- but those three times are noteworthy, and all in the Psalms.

68:19-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

103:2- Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

116:12-What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

 

I. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE ACTIONABLE [Ps. 116]

1. Be Saved [v. 13]

2. Be Serving [v. 14-16]

3. Be Thankful [v. 17-19]

 

II. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE MEMORABLE [Ps. 103]

1. Salvation [v. 1-12]

2. Sympathy [v. 13-14]

3. Security [v. 15-22]

 

III. THE LORD’S BENEFITS ARE AMPLE [Ps. 68]

1. The Saved Have Access [v. 19-20]

2. They Access Victory Over God’s Enemies [v. 20-23, 1 Pt. 5:8-9ff, Gal. 5:16-17, Rev. 19:11-21]

- 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.

- 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

3. They Access Strength from the Lord [v. 24, 26, 28, 32-35]

LESSONS FROM THE ANCIENT ART OF FOOT WASHING

JOHN 13:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. UNIVERSAL LESSONS

1. Christ is Lord and Master [v.1-5, 12-13]

2. It’s Not about “Foot Washing” or a Foot Washing Ordinance [v. 6-7]

-the timing is off [John Wrote in 90 AD, no mention in the synoptic gospels]

-the template is off, no “as oft as ye do this”, no “go ye,” no further mention by other books [v. 7]

-the template isn’t followed [v. 4, 5, 12] only the 12, no women

-the Tempter v. 2, 18, Gn. 3:14-15]

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

3. The Scripture Will Be Fulfilled [v. 18-19]

 

II. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE LOST

1. If Jesus Doesn’t Wash You- You Cannot Be Saved [v. 8]

2. Jesus Knows Who is Playing, Lying, and Lost [v. 10-11, 18]

3. Receive Christ to Receive God [v. 19-20]

 

III. SPECIFIC LESSONS FOR THE SAVED

1. A Person Doesn’t Get Saved More than Once [v. 6-10, Heb. 10:14-23]

2. A Simple Cleansing from Our Daily Walk is Often Needed [v. 10, 1 Jn. 1:9]

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

3. Obey Christ for the Joyful Life [v. 14-17, 1 Jn. 1:3-4]

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.

AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND

 EPH. 6:13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. STAND FOR GOD [Ex. 32:26]

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

1. Stand Against the Devil, His Methods & His Minions [Eph. 6:11-12] wiles (methodeia)

2. Stand in the Armor of God [Eph. 6:13]

3. Stand with the Truth of God [Eph. 6:14-19]

 

II. STAND FOR THE GOSPEL [1 Cor. 2:4-5, Rm. 1:16]

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1. Stand for the Vicarious Death of Christ [1 Cor. 2:1-5]

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

2. Stand for the Victorious Resurrection of Christ

[1 Cor. 15:1-5ff.]

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:]

3. Stand for the Vital Grace of God [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.

 

III. STAND FOR THE FAITH [1 Co. 16:13, Jude 3]

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

- Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1. Stand in grace, by grace, and for grace [Rm. 5:1-2]

- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- [1 Pt. 5:12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly , exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand

2. Stand in faith, by faith, and for faith

[Rm. 10:17, 11:20, 2 Cor. 1:24]

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

- Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith

-for by faith ye stand.

3. Stand in the Word, by the Word, and for the Word [2 Th. 2:14-15, 1 Tm. 5:17, Heb. 4:12]

-Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore , brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

-Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

-For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

THE DEVIL’S MALEVOLENT METHODS

GENESIS 3:1-13

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SATAN MINIMIZES [Gn. 3:1-4]

1. The Importance of the Word of God [v. 1] if he can get you to do this…

2. The Loving Provision of God [v. 2-4, 2:8-9]

3. The Horrible Penalty for Sin [v. 4, Rm. 6:23, Eph. 2:1, Jm. 1:15]

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

- And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

- sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

II. SATAN MAXIMIZES [Gn. 3:1-6]

1. Negatives Over Positives [v. 1-5] all he wanted to talk about was what they couldn’t do

2. Self over the Saviour [v. 5]

3. Desires over Duties [v. 6, 2:15-18, Jm. 1:15] restrictions over responsibilities

- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

III. SATAN DENIES [Gn. 3:1-7]

1. The Truth of the Word [v. 4, Jn. 8:44, 14:6, 17:17]

interesting how the father of lies wants you to not believe the Truth

- 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.

- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth

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

2. The Goodness of God [v. 5, Rm. 2:4]

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

3. The Divine Order [v. 1, 6-7, 1 Tm. 2:12-14, Titus 1:5-6, 2:3-5]

DRAWING FROM GOD’S WELLS [3]

ISAIAH 12:1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 I. THE WELL OF “ROOM”

1. The Things of Earth Cannot Satisfy Spiritual Thirst [Gn. 26:12-15]

2. Things of Earth Strive Against Spiritual Things [Gn. 26:16-21, Gal. 5:16-26]

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. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

3. The Well of God’s Place [Gn. 26:22, Jn. 14:1-6]

 

II. THE WELL OF GOD’S OATH

1. The Well of God’s Person [Gn. 26:23-24]

2. The Well of God’s Peace [Gn. 26:24]

3. The Well of God’s Promise [Gn. 26:25]

 

III. THE WELL OF SACRIFICE

1. The Well of the House of Bread [1 Chr. 11:16-17]

2. The Well of the House of Blood [1 Chr. 11:16-19]

3. The Well of the Heavenly Bread [John 6:31-51]