GET A HOLD OF THIS!

Gn. 15:1, Rm. 10:17

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FAITH IS BETTER THAN FEAR [v. 1] "Fear not"

Oftentimes in the Bible the words "fear not" are found. Most of those times it is God or His representative talking. Most of those times it is predicated on God's presence, God's power, or God's promises.

1. God’s Presence

Gn. 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee

Dt. 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Chr. 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Heb. 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2. God’s Power

Is. 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Mt. 10:28 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. God’s Promises

Gn. 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Josh. 8:1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Is. 41: 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Lk. 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

II. GOD IS BEFORE US [Gn. 15:1] "I am thy shield"

1. This Should Produce Joy

Dt.  33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!

Ps. 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

2. This Should Produce Faith

2 Sm. 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Ps. 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Pr. 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

3. This Should Produce Assurance

2 Sm. 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Ps. 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Ps. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Eph. 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

III. GOD IS BEST FOR US! [Gn. 15:1] "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

1. Paul Got a Hold of This

2 Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Eph. 1:18-20 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

2. Peter Got a Hold of This

1 Pt. 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

2 Pt. 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

3. Jude Got a Hold of This

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

DO YOU HAVE A HOLD ON THIS?

GOD WILL SEE TO IT

GENESIS 22:1-18

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The term "JEHOVAHJIREH" only appears once in the Scriptures right here in our text. In the strictest sense it is the name of a place not a title for God, but Abraham's intent is to name a place bearing testimony of who God is and what He will do. Jehovah, or more properly, Yahweh is the eternal, self-existent One without beginning or end. "Jireh" is a form of the verb "to see" and is usually translated "see" or "appear" in the Old Testament. How it became synonymous with "God will provide" should be made clear during this message.

 

I. NOTE WHAT GOD WAS NOT DOING!

1. God was NOT approving human sacrifice- He knew what He was going to do! [Is. 46:10]

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:

"It was not Isaac's life that God wanted; it was Abraham's heart, and He got it!" Lehman Strauss

2. God was NOT tempting Abraham to do evil [Gn. 22:1, Jm. 1:13]

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

If someone offered me an Outlaw Ribeye 30 min. before I needed to preach I might say, “Oh, don’t tempt me.” Nothing sinful about it.

3. God was not trying to prove Abraham's faith to Himself [Rm. 4:1-3, Jm. 2:21-24]

- He was testing (proving) Him before men. Did Abraham love Yahweh as much as the heathen loved their false gods? (remember Job and Satan, the test was good for Job, proved something to Satan and us)

-What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

- Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

"God never puts us to the test until: we are ready for it and He has made preparation for our victory." -L.S.

 

II. NOTE THE SUCCESS OF ABRAHAM

Abraham was not a success because he was some super-perfect Christian. Abraham didn't fully understand but:

1. He Fully 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.

2. He Fully Submitted [Jm. 2:23, Is. 41:8, Jn. 15:14]

-And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

-But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

-Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

3. He Fully Worshipped [Gn. 22:5- 1st use of "worship" in the English Bible, in the Hebrew the same word is used in 18:2, 19:1]

"When the heart is right in God's sight, no sacrifice is too great to offer Him, and this is the only kind of worship He accepts." -L.S.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

III. NOTE THE PROVISION OF GOD

The word "provision" comes from two words [pro=before, vision=to see] and thus means to see beforehand. God sees all things beforehand (an attribute we call foreknowledge) and then He prepares and provides beforehand (ex. the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world). So, Abraham was saying "the Lord will see to it", i.e., "the Lord will provide!"

 

1. God Provided Abraham a Glimpse of Jesus. [Gn. 22:8, 14 (future tense), Jn. 8:56]

-Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

2. God Provided Us Examples of Behavior [1 Cor. 10:11, 2 Pet. 2:6]

-Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

-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. God Provided All with the Means for Pleasing Him [Heb. 11:6, 39-40]

-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.

-And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

THE TIME IS SHORT

Psalm 89:47, 1 Corinthians 7:29

-Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

-But this I say, brethren, the time is short

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. TIME IS SHORT FOR SALVATION

1. Delay is Foolish [Lk. 12:15-20a]

2. Delay Can Be Disastrous [Lk. 12:20b-31]

3. Delay is Devilish [Lk. 8:11-12, 2 Cor. 4:3-4]

-Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

- 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.

II. TIME IS SHORT FOR SUFFERING

1. Be Stablished - the Lord is Coming [Jm. 5:8]

2. Be Settled – the Judge is Coming [Jm. 5:9]

3. Be Enduring –Suffering’s End is Coming [Jm. 5:10-11]

 

III. TIME IS SHORT FOR SERVICE

1. Be Patient - this is the Time for Labor [James 5:7]

2. Be Prayerful – this is the Time for Faith [Jm. 5:12-18]

3. Be Practical – this is the Time for Submission

 [Jm. 4:4-17]

HAVE CONFIDENCE

1 JOHN 2:28

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE CONFIDENCE OF A RELATIONSHIP

1. Be Confident You Are God’s Child

[2:28-3:2, 4:13-15, 5:11-13]

2. Be Confident He is Coming Again [2:28, 3:2]

3. Be Confident You Are Right with Him [2:28, 1:6-9]

 

II. THE CONFIDENCE OF CHRIST’S RETURN

1. We Don’t Know the Time [2:28, Mt. 24:36, 25:13]

-But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

2. We Know the Event [2:28, 1 Th. 4:16-17]

-He shall appear

-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.

3. We Know the Person [2:28, Acts 1:11]

- Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

III. THE CONFIDENCE OF REACTION

1. We Can Have Confidence [2:28, 3:21, 4:17, 5:14]

2. We Can Be Ashamed [2:28]

3. We Can Please Him [2:28, 2 Tm. 2:4, Heb. 11:6]

STIRRED, NOT SHAKEN

2 THESS. 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2 PETER 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BE MINDFUL [2 PETER 3:1-7]

1. Be Mindful of the Word [v. 1-2; 1:3-4, 12, 19-21]

2. Be Mindful of the Wicked [v. 3-5a; 2:1-3]

3. Be Mindful of the World [v. 5b-7; 2:18-22]

 

II. BE INFORMED [2 PETER 3:8-10]

1. Time Means Little to God [v. 8, Ps.90:4]

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

2. Truth Means Much to God [v. 9a, Isaiah 46:10]

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:

3. Temporal Things Mean Little to God [v. 9b-10]

 

III. BE FOCUSED [2 PETER 3:11-18]

1. On Living Right [v. 11; 1:4-7]

2. On Looking Right [v. 12-14]

3. On Learning Right [v. 15-18; 1:8-9]

BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD

1 COR. 15:20

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Over 50 years ago I heard a Josh McDowell say, “The resurrection is the most wicked, vicious hoax ever foisted upon the minds of men OR it is the most fantastic fact in human history”. There is no other option. Hoax or history. Fake or fantastic.

 

I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE THE EVENT

1. Reported by Matthew - 27:60 Solid Rock Tomb, 27:60 Stone “Door”, 27:62-65 Roman Guard, 27:66 Roman Seal

2. Reported by Mark - 15:42-45 Jesus was Definitely Dead

3. Reported by John - 19:38-40 Jewish burial Customs, 20:19 Disciples were Frightened

 

II. THE FACTS AFTER THE EVENT

1. The Tomb was Empty [Lk. 24:1-3]

2. The Stone was Moved

-Lk. 24:2 apokulio, to roll away

-Mt. 28:2 “rolled back the stone from” apokulio- lithos; a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near),

-Mk. 16:3-4 apokulio ek; a primary preposition denoting origin, from, out (of place)

-Jn. 20:1 airo; a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away;

3. The Guard was AWOL [Mt. 28:4]

4. The Grave clothes were Folded [Jn. 20:3-9]

5. The Lord was Appearing [Acts 1:1-3, 1 Cor. 15:1-8]

 

III. THE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE EVENT

1. The Disciples Stole the Body [Mt. 28:11-15] not so- they fled while he was alive

2. The Unbelieving Jews Stole the Body - no reason to do so, they never produced a body nor did they deny it was missing

3. The Women went to the wrong Tomb - inconceivable that the disciples, the woman, the unbelievers, the Roman guard, the owner of the tomb, etc. would do so

4. The Swoon Theory - medically speaking-no! - the change in the disciples-unheard of unless He arose

5. The Resurrection [Jn. 20:24-31] - the only, true option

Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID!

MATTHEW 28:6                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE IS NOT HERE

1. Jesus is Not on the Cross- that would imply He is dying [Heb. 9:25-28]

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

2. Jesus is Not in the Tomb- that would imply He is dead [Rm. 6:9-10]

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

3. Jesus is Not in Hiding- that would imply He is afraid [Mk 14:61b-62, Rev. 1:7]

-Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

-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.

 

II. HE IS RISEN

1. This Declares He Has Conquered Death [1 Cor. 15:20-26]

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

2. This Declares He Has Paid for Sin [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. This Declares He is God Almighty [Rm. 1:3-4]

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

III. AS HE SAID

1. He is Omniscient [John 2:19-22]

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

2. He is Omnipotent [John 10:17-18]

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

3. He is My Lord and My God [John 20:28]

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

THE LORD’S SUPPER IN LIGHT OF 2 TM. 3:16

 

THE LORD’S SUPPER IN LIGHT OF 2 TM. 3:16

1 COR. 2:9-16

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Some falsely accuse us, Fundamental Baptists, of worshipping the Bible- a charge which is untrue. We follow the Bible because it is the Word of the Living God. We worship God and so we follow His Word. Anyone who claims to follow God but does not follow His Word is only fooling himself.

The idea of “Good Friday” is a carry-over from the RCC and is not Biblical. In fact, it is decidedly unbiblical.

The Bible teaches God has revealed truths to us which should be compared to other truths – not to contradict them- but to complement and explain them [1 Cor. 2:9-16]. In 2 Tm. 3:16-17 we find four things the Scripture does for us:

 

(1) Doctrine- tells us what TO believe

(2) Reproof- tells us what NOT to do

 (3) Correction- tells us what NOT to believe and

(4) Instruction in righteousness tells us what TO do.

In 1 Cor. 11 we see these four things the Scripture does for us applied to the Lord’s Supper.

 

I. THE APPLICATION OF CORRECTION [1 Cor. 11:17-19]

In this church there were some false beliefs that Paul had to deal with. Heresies that needed to be corrected by the Word of God.

 

II. THE APPLICATION OF REPROOF [1 Cor. 11:20-22]

Often when our beliefs are wrong it can cause our actions to be wrong as well. Paul says they were coming together, even as we are admonished to do, but for the wrong reasons and in a wrong way. Paul reproves them.

 

III. THE APPLICATION OF DOCTRINE [1 Cor. 11:23-26]

Here the Apostle reminds them why they were coming together. The emphasis is on Christ, His Blood, His Body, His Coming Again- our blessed Hope!

 

IV. THE APPLICATION OF INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS [1 Cor. 11:27-34]

After he reminds them what to believe, Paul reminds them of what to do- how to approach the Lord’s table.

THE KING IS COMING

ZECHARIAH 9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE POWER OF THE KING [v. 1-8]

1. The Fate of the Heathen [v. 1-4] Alexander’s Conquests

2. The Fate of the Philistines [v. 5-7]

3. The Fate of Jerusalem [v. 8]

 

II. THE PRESENTATION OF THE KING [v. 9]

1. The King of the Jews [v. 9a]

Mt. 21:1-11, Mk. 11:1-11, Lk. 19:28-44, Jn. 12:12-19

2. The King of Salvation [v. 9b, Ps. 74:12]

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

3. The King of Peace [v. 9c, Is. 9:7, Heb. 7:1-3]

- Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

- For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

 

III. THE PERFECTION OF THE KING [v. 10-17]

1. His Covenant [v. 10-12]

2. His Conquests [v. 13-15]

3. His Crops [v. 17, Amos 9:13-15]

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

WHO IS THIS?

MATTHEW 21:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT WAS THE WORD ON THE STREETS?

1. Jesus said He is “The Lord” [21:3]

2. The Spirit said He is “Thy King” [21:4-5, Zech. 9:9]

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

3. Some of the Multitudes said He is “The Son of David,” i.e., Christ the Messiah [21:9, 22:41-43]

4. Some of the Multitudes said He is “Jesus the prophet of Nazareth [21:11, 2:23]

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

 

II. WHAT WAS THE WORD IN THE TEMPLE?

1. The Spirit’s Word and Jesus’s Affirmation is that He is God [21:12-13]

2. The Blind & the Lame recognized Him as an approachable Healer [21:14]

3. The Children said He is “The Son of David,” i.e., Christ the Messiah [21:15-16]

 

III. WHAT IS THE WORD IN YOUR HEART AND MOUTH?

1. Jesus asked, Who Do Men Say That I am?

[Mt. 8:13-14]

2. Jesus asked, Who Do You Say That I am?

[Mt. 8:15-16]

3. The Spirit says Your Answer Determines Your Destiny [Rm. 10:9-13]

I CONFESS [Part 1]

ACTS 24:1-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE FALSE CHARGE and GOD’S COUNTER CHARGES

Some falsely accuse us, Fundamental Baptists, of worshipping the Bible- a charge which is untrue. We follow the Bible because it is the Word of the Living God. We worship God and so we follow His Word. Anyone who claims to follow God but does not follow His Word is only fooling himself. [1 Jn. 1: 5-7] 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.

1. The Charge to Read [Is. 34: 16]

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

2. The Charge to Study [2 Timothy 2:15]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The idea of “Good Friday”, along with infant baptism, a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper calling it a sacrament and the Mass, and a host of other things are carry-overs from the RCC and are not Biblical. They are decidedly unbiblical. Other cults have their own false doctrines.

3. The Charge to Serve [James 1:21-25, Rm. 12:1-2]

-Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the en-grafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man be-holding his natural face in a glass: For he be-holdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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

 

II. THE TRUE CHARGES

1. Read Publicly [1 Th. 5:27, 1 Tm. 1:3-4]

-I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

-As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2. Hold and Observe [1 Tm. 1:18-19, 6:17-21]

-This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

-Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

3. Preach and Endure [2 Tm. 4:1-4

-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; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

WELL, THAT’S JUST GREAT

2 Kings 22:13 Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

1 Chronicles 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEART THE WORLD’S GREATEST PROBLEM-SIN! Sin which corrupts, sin which condemns, sin which conquers. The Bible says the heart contains:

1. Wickedness and Violence [Ps. 58:1-2]

Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

2. Wickedness and Deceit [Ps. 58:3, Jer. 17:9]

-The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

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

3. Wickedness and Unbelief [Heb. 3:12, Mk. 16:14

- Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

- Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Sin is not to be taken lightly. Sin is against a thrice holy God. BUT…

II. YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS THE WORLD’S GREATEST BOOK!

1. The Bible has God as its Author [2 Tm. 3:16]

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

2. The Bible has Salvation as its End [Jn. 20:31]

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.

3. The Bible has Truth as its Matter [Jn. 17:17]

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Bible is for ALL people, in ALL places, for ALL time!

III. IF YOU TRUST CHRIST YOU HAVE IN YOUR SOULS THE GREATNESS OF SALVATION! [Hebrews 2:3]

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

1. I am a Great Sinner BUT I have a Great Saviour!

[1 Tm. 1:15, Titus 2:13, Heb. 4:14, 13:20]

- Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

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

-Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

-Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

2. I Owed a Great Debt, Jesus Paid a Great Price

[Ez. 18:4, 1 Pt. 1:18-19]

-the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

-Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3. I Have a Great Knowledge, I Owe a Great Debt!

[Rm. 1:14-16]

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

WHENCE COMETH MY HELP

PSALM 121:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE HILLS OF HELP

1. Mt. Sinai – where I learned my sin [Neh. 9:13, Rm. 3:12]

-Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments

-Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. Mt. Calvary-where I met my Saviour [Lk. 23:33, 1 Cor. 2:2]

-And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

-For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

“Years I spent in vanity and pride…”

3. Mt. Olivet – where my Saviour will return to reign

[Acts 1:9-12, Zech. 14:4]

 

- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up , behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

 

-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.

 

II. THE HUMILITY OF HELP

1. The Right Decision – “I Will” [Lk. 15:18, Jn. 5:40, 7:17]  

-I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee

-And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

-If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.]

 

2. The Right Direction – “Lift up mine eyes” [Heb. 12:2]

-Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.]

 

3. The Right Desire – “From whence cometh my help”

[v. 2, Hebrews 4:16]

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

 

III. THE HINDRANCE OF HELP

1. Not Calling-even when it is available [Jeremiah 33:3]

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

2. Not Looking to Him-even though He has invited you [Is. 1:18, Mt. 11:28-30]

-Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

3. Not Considering-even when He has your best interests at Heart [Jeremiah 29:11]

-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.]

TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT

[Part 2 of TO BE OR NOT TO BE]

2 PETER 3:10-18                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. “SEEING THEN” YOUR MOTIVATION [v. 10-11, Ps. 2]

1. The Day of the Lord WILL Come [v. 10]

2. “Things” WILL be Dissolved [v. 10-11]

3. What “Ought You to Be”? [v. 11]

 

II. “LOOKING FOR” [v. 12-14]

1. A Person [v. 12, 10, 14]

2. A Promise [v. 13]

3. A Place [v. 13] compare with I.2. above

4. A Peace [v. 14]

 

III. “BEWARE” [v. 15-18]

1. Live for Christ [v. 14]

2. Live in the Book [v. 15-16]

3. Live & Grow [v. 17-18]

YOU SEE YOUR CALLING?

1 CORINTHIANS 1:25-29

Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST [1:6]

1. The Preaching of the Person of CHRIST [1:1-10, 30-31]

2. The Preaching of The Work of Christ [1:13-24, 2:1-2]

3. The Preaching of the Word of God [2:3-10]

 

II. BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION [3:10]

1. Do Not DEVALUE Your Life [3:10-15]

2. Do Not DEFILE the Temple of God [3:16-17]

3. Do Not DECEIVE Yourself with the World [3:18-23] The world is the problem, the Word is the solution.

 

III. THE REQUIREMENT OF STEWARDS

1. Be faithful [4:1-2]

2. Be forewarned [4:3-7] Things aren't always as YOU think they are!

3. Be followers! [4:14-16, 11:1, Eph. 5:1, Mt. 4:19, Jn. 10:27, 12:26, Heb. 6:12]

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

-Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

-And he (JESUS) saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

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

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

- That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

 

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

2 PETER 3

Rick Jackson

 

I. BE STIRRED [v. 1-4]

1. The Old Testament [v. 1-2b]

2. The New Testament [v. 2c]

3. The Second Coming of Christ [v. 3-4a]

 

II. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE [v. 3-9]

1. Scoffers Have Agendas (v. 3-4, Phil. 3:17-21]

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

2. Scoffers Are Arrogant [v. 5-7]

3. Scoffers Have a Faulty Timetable [v. 8-9] TT/MWF

 

III. BE ON THE LOOKOUT [v. 10-18]

1. “See then” Your Motivation [v. 10-11, Ps. 2]

2. “Look for” [v. 12-14]

-a Person [v. 12, 10, 14]

-a promise [v. 13]

-a place [v. 13]

-a peace [v. 14]

3. “Beware" [v. 15-18]

HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER

1 Peter 3:7                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HINDRANCES TO ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Wrong Heart [Ps. 66:18, Eze. 14: 3]

-If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

-Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

2. Wrong Actions [Is. 59:1-2, 1 Pt. 3:7]

-Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

-Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

3. Wrong Motives [Jm. 4:3] 

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

 

II. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGES IN ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Be a Child of God [Heb. 11:4-6] -By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 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. Be an Obedient Child of God [Jm. 5:16, 1 Pt. 3:12, 1 Jn. 3: 22, Jn. 15:7]

-The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

-For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

-And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

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

3. Keep Short Accounts with God [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.

 

III. HELPS IN ANSWERED PRAYER

1. Pray in Faith [Mk. 9:23, Rm. 10:17, Jm. 1:5-7]

-Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

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

-If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

2. Pray According to the Will of God [1 Jn. 5:14-15, Jn. 14:13, 16:23-24]

-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.

-And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

-And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you , Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

3. Pray Repetitively Sincerely and Sensitively [Mt. 7:7-8, 2 Cor. 12:7-9]

-Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

-And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

GALATIANS 6:7, A VERSE TO BE AWARE OF

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DECEPTION

 

1. We Can Deceive Ourselves

[Jer. 17:9, 1 Jn. 1:8, Jm. 1:2]

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

- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

2. Others Can Deceive Us

[Mk. 13:6, 1 Jn.3:7, 2 Tm. 3:13]

- Mk. 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

-1 Jn.3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

-2 Tm. 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

3. The Devil Can Deceive Us [Rev. 12:9, 20:10]

-And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

-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.

II. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRIDE OF DECEPTION

1. Pride Says YOU Can Mock God- but you can’t

[Gal. 6:7, Pr. 16:18]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

2. Pride Says YOU Can Sin & Get by With It – but you cannot [Num. 32:23]

Be sure your sin will find you out.

3. Pride Says You Know Best & God Can’t Use You

[Ex. 3:10-14] false humility

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well.

 

III. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRICE OF DECEPTION

1. Corruption [v. 8] decay, i.e. ruin: --corruption

2. No Souls for Our Labor [v. 8]

3. Giving Up Too Soon [v. 9]

THE BRANCH, THE ROOT AND THE INCARNATION

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BRANCH AND THE ROOT

1. Christ, the Branch of Jesse [Isaiah 11:1, Mt. 22:41-46]

-Note-Jesse was David’s Father

-And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

-While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

2. Christ, the Root of Jesse & David

[Is. 11:10, Rm. 15:8-12, Rev. 5:5, 22:16]

-And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

-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.

-And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

-I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

3. Christ, the Branch of David [Jer. 33:15]

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

 

II. “THE BRANCH” IN ZECHARIAH 6

1. Pictured [v. 9-11]

2. Priest and King [v. 12-13, Heb. 5:5-6, 7:1]

-So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

-For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

3. Prophesied [v. 14-15]

 

III. “THE BRANCH” IN THE GOSPELS

1. Matthew Presents Christ as King [Mt. 2:1-2, Jer. 23:5]

- Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

-Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

2. Mark Presents Christ as the Servant of God [Zech. 3:8]

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

3. Luke Presents Christ as Man [Zech. 6:12]

-Jesus refers to Himself as “the Son of Man” 25+ times in Luke

- And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

4. John Presents Christ as God [Is. 4:2, John 1:14, 17:24]

- In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

- 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.

-Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.