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]

WHEN SHOULD WE GO TO JESUS?

Mark 9:14-27

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IN THE HOUR OUR FAITH IS WEAK [Mk. 9:17-27]

1. In Faith He Sought Jesus [v. 17a]

2. In Faith He Told Jesus [v. 17b-18] “Tell it to Jesus”

3. In Faith He Listened to Jesus [v. 19-27]

 

II. IN THE HOUR AFTER OUR GREATEST FAILURE [Jn. 21:1-4]

1. Jesus Offers Forgiveness [Mk. 16:7]

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

2. Jesus Offers Fellowship [Jn. 21:4-17]

3. Jessus Offers a Future [Jn. 21:3, 15-17, Luke 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.

 

III. IN THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH [1 Cor. 10:12, Phil. 3]

-Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Reality [Phil. 3:12]

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

2. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Response [Phil. 3:13-14]

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3. In this Hour We must Recognize Our Role Model [Phil. 3: 20-21]

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.

TEN THINGS JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT HELL IN LUKE 16:19-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THIS “STORY” IS TRUE, IT IS NOT A PARABLE [v. 19-21]

“The story you are about to hear is true” – it has all the earmarks of a true account

II. DEATH IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS [v. 22, Rm. 5:12]

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

III. THERE IS NO “SOUL-SLEEP” [v. 22-23, 2 Cor. 5:6, 8]

-Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

-We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

IV. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF COMFORT [v. 22, Is. 25:8, Rev. 7:17, 21:4]

-He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

-For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

-And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek* with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

*same Gk. Word translated “bosom”

V. HELL IS A PLACE OF TORMENTS [v. 23-25, 28]

VI. WE WILL KNOW PEOPLE IN THE AFTERLIFE [v. 23-24]

VII. WE WILL HAVE SENSES IN THE AFTERLIFE [v. 23-24]

You are a soul, you have a body]

VIII. EARTH IS THE CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN FOR THE LOST,

THE CLOSEST THING TO HELL FOR THE SAVED [v. 25]

IX. THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL ARE “FIXED” [v. 26]

X. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN [Lk. 15:1-2, 19:10, Jn. 14:6]

DRAWING FROM GOD’S WELLS [2]

ISAIAH 12:1-3

Pastor Rick Jackson

Last week we looked at the WELL OF SALVATION

 

I. THE WELL OF JOY

1. Joy Accompanies Salvation [Is. 12:3]

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

2. Joy Accompanies Fellowship [1 Jn. 1:3-10]

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

3. Joy Accompanies Obedience [Jn. 13:17]

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

II. THE WELL OF GOD’S PRESENCE

1. We Can Face Unpleasantness if We Know God is Watching Us. [Gn. 16:7-14, 2 Chr. 16:9]

-And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi [“Well of the Living One Who sees me”]

-For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

2. We Can Face the Task if We Know God is With Us [Mt. 28:20]

- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

3. We Can Face Life With Contentment if We Know God Will Not Forsake Us [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.

 

III. THE WELL OF ANSWERED PRAYER

1. We Ought to Pray [Lk. 18:1, Gn. 24:10-14]

- And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2. We Ought to Worship the God Who Answers our Prayers [Gn. 24:19, 26-27, John 4:20-23]

-Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh , when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 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.

3. We Ought to Serve the God Who Answers Our Prayers [Gn. 24:54-59, Acts 5:29]

-Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.