John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

In verse 8 [Romans 4] we learn that this blessed man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works, this blessed man whose sins are all covered and his iniquities forgiven, is blessed even further. To the man who has trusted Christ for salvation, God will not even impute sin! One who depends upon Christ is already forgiven, and praise His dear name, every sin of the future will be charged to Christ's account and cannot be charged against one who has believed in Christ. - John R. Rice

The plain truth is that many, many Christians, before they become well established in the truth of the Gospel, have times of doubt about their salvation. I went through three unhappy years not knowing for sure I was saved. Then I found one day John 3:36 which says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." "Then I have it!" I said, and I have never doubted a moment since that time, for I had trusted in Christ. - John R. Rice

The Lord is far more anxious to save sinners than sinners are to get saved. Every single penny of debt that God could demand of a sinner has already been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. Oh, the grace of God that "saves to the uttermost"! That is, it does all the saving, does it on people who are not fit to be saved, does it on people who ought to go to Hell. God, in grace, loves people who are unlovable, and by His wonderful grace saves everybody who will let Him save them! - John R. Rice

People talk foolishly of "easy believism." Oh, how the old carnal heart likes to make some way for man to earn his salvation, either to earn it by good deeds or to earn it by weeping, or to earn it by great time of emotion, or it may be they would like to earn it by the feeling of assurance. But one who trusts in Christ is saved whether he is sure of it or not. He CAN be sure, if he knows how full is the salvation offered and believes what God said about it. - John R. Rice

Salvation is one thing and assurance of salvation is another thing. Everybody can have both and ought to have. But one who trusts in Christ then and there has everlasting life; then, when he sees what wonderful things God has promised, he can have perfect assurance, too. But salvation comes when one trusts in Christ for forgiveness and the assurance comes when he understands the promises of God about eternal life. - John R. Rice 

Does someone say, "Oh, but if he doesn't live right, he doesn't deserve it"? That is true; he doesn't. Nobody ever got saved by deserving it. You didn't deserve it when you got it; you don't deserve it today; you never have. The only salvation the Bible talks about is salvation by grace for poor, wicked sinners who do not deserve it. - John R. Rice

To delay accepting Christ means one chooses to remain wicked. Don't fool yourself. You say, "I don't have to choose now." Oh, yes, everybody has to choose. You see, if you are not saved, you are lost. If you are not born twice, you are just born once. If you are not already forgiven, you are already condemned. Jesus said in John 3:18, "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." Oh, yes. Already saved or lost. Already on God's side or on the Devil's. - John R. Rice

POEM OF THE WEEK

HE IS COMING BACK!

by Henry Hodges, Lawtey, FL

The judgment seat, keep it in sight.

Be a good soldier in the fight.

Hold His banner ever so high,

For we shall see Him by and by.

Much to be done, much to be said.

In His Word, we are fed.

The judgment seat, keep it in sight.

Go neither to the left, go neither to the right.

He's in a far country, But is coming back,

His soon return, a Biblical fact!

KINDS OF CRITICISM

                                        MATTHEW 7:1-6                                                               Pastor Rick Jackson

I would love to take credit for this message but I came across it in my files rather anonymously. It had none of my usual references as to who preached it (besides myself twice in the past) and yet I have the feeling it is not totally original with me. But then what really is original? Moody once said, "If a borrowed thought is better than an original one---use it!" I have heard so many preachers in the past that I know much of this information is from at least two to three different sources and so I put it out here with all the honesty of a borrower of knowledge with the hopes it may bless someone else as much as it has me.

There are three different kinds of criticism in this passage and at least one of them is totally justifiable and useful.

I. DELIBERATE CRITICISM [v. 1-2]

1. it Is Forbidden [v. 1]

This is a matter of trying to find something wrong in an area of the unseen. It is negative in every way and it is forbidden by the Lord Jesus. Judging motives violates this direct command of the Lord Jesus. We must be careful not to be guilty of this sin.

2. It Is Faulty - It purports to be able to judge motives which only God can do.

1 Samuel 16:7b ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

This is like when some prideful pompous self-righteous Pharisee says, "Oh, you said a bad word, you must not be saved." Or some such nonsense. They would have had a field day when Peter cursed and swore and denied he know the Lord.

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...

3. It Is Foolish [v. 2]

It will turn the eye of God upon you and your sin. This sin often goes unconfessed because the pride of the individual doesn't see it as sin, though it is a stench in the nostrils of a thrice Holy God. [Pr. 24:17-18]

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease  him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Dr. Lee Roberson used to say, "Critics are a dime a dozen. Any fool can criticize!" (and often does)

II. DELUDED CRITICISM [v. 3-5]

1. Removes Nothing [v. 3]

While he might want to help his brother remove a speck he's more liable to hurt his brother with the beam sticking out of his own eye. The only thing he seems to be able to remove is his own personal responsibility for the way he's living. That beams obscures his vision anyway. Note Jesus says "Why?" Why do you not look in the mirror of God's Word and look at yourself.

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.

2. Relies On Negativity [v. 4]

With his vision obscured the person given to deluded criticism overlooks the obvious and relies on negativity. They want to tell you what you have wrong in your life but don't see the glaring problems in their own life which ends up ruining their testimony in many cases.

3. Reveals Nature [v. 5]

Some people are "speck hunters" instead of humble servants of Christ. At my first church, we had several boys that were attending church faithfully for the first time in their lives. For some reason their mother, who claimed to be a Christian, started criticizing our church, and trying to get the boys to go to another church. The youngest boy was adamant that he wanted to come to our church, where he had been saved, where he had been baptized, where he was being taught the Word of God. She coyly turned him against us by emphasizing the church building wasn't a pretty red color like this other church. Eventually they all quit church.

"They sing too Loud" or "They don't sing loud enough"

"His sermons are too long" or "His sermons are too short"

"He preaches too many expository messages" or "He preaches too many topical messages"

"The people are too friendly" or "The people aren't friendly enough"

What is all this doing? It is revealing their nature. If you send a buzzard out flying over a beautiful landscape of blue lakes, flowering trees, green meadows, winding paths, etc. what will he tell you he saw? A dead deer with maggots! Why? Because his answer reveals his nature... he's a buzzard!

Don't look for specks. it reveals you have bigger problems yourself!

But there is a third kind of criticism in this passage and it isn't spoken against by the Lord. It is:

III. DISCRIMINATING CRITICISM [v. 6]

Today if you try to stand against sin and say something is wrong someone is almost sure to quote verse 1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged". We've already seen that verse 1 doesn't mean that. In verse 6 you must make 4 different judgements in order to follow the Lord's command. You must judge (1) what is holy, (2) who is a dog, (3) what is a pearl, and (4) who is a swine! In other words, you must make some discriminating judgements!

Example - 2 Cor. 6: 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

We have a clear command not to yoke up with an unbeliever so we have to make some judgement about what constitutes an unbeliever. What are the fundamentals of the faith, the cardinal doctrines of Christianity, the essential truths that you cannot deny and still have true Bible Christianity? The doctrines that if a person denies he is considered an unbeliever?

Think of it this way. Your vehicle has many things that aren't essential to it though they may be nice to have. The spare tire is not a fundamental. The sound system is not an essential. The air conditioning/heating system is not a fundamental and the same thing could be said about a few other things as well. Nice but not fundamentals. But the motor, the motor is a fundamental. The battery and the gas tank are fundamentals. It will not run without them. they are necessary.

In Christianity, there are certain doctrines which are fundamental. They are necessary. If a person denies them they are not a Christian no matter what they say, they are an unbeliever.

(1) the virgin birth of Christ is a fundamental. If He was born like us He has a sin nature and cannot be the Saviour. (Is. 7:14, Ps. 51:5)

(2) the substitionary death of Christ is a fundamental (II Cor. 5:21)

(3) the bodily resurrection of Christ is a fundamental (Rm. 10:9. I Cor. 15)

(4) the verbal inspiration of the Bible is a fundamental (II Tm. 3:16-17)

These are some of the fundamentals. You cannot deny these and still be considered a Bible Christian. Let me give you three principles.

1. Be Cautious [1 Jn. 4:1]

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The unbeliever may call himself a modernist or a liberal but remember, he is not ignorant of the truth, he denies the truth! He knows what it says but it rejects it as valid.

2. Be Charitable [1 Cor. 13:4-6]

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Jude 20-22 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Now I am an independent, fundamental, premillennial Baptist but I know others will be Heaven. I expect to see the Presbyterian Evangelist Billy Sunday, the Methodists John & Charles Wesley, and others there!

Dr. Roberson used to say, "I love Presbyterians. I'd like to baptize every one of them!"

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity."

You may disagree on some things but our first loyalty must be to Jesus not a church or a denomination.

3. Be Christlike [Hebrews 7:26]

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

THAT’S MY KING – AS A CHILD

MATTHEW 2 [written before 70 AD – Mt. 24:1-2]

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FOLKS INVOLVED [v. 1-6]

1. Those Seeking the King [v. 1-2, Num. 24:17, Dan. 9]

2. Those Opposing the King [v. 3]

3. Those Ignoring the King [v. 4-6, Micah 5:2, Mt. 12:30]

II. THE FEELINGS INVOLVED [v. 7-12]

1. Feeling Deceptive [v. 7-8, Jn. 8:40-44]

2. Feeling Delighted [v. 9-11, Ps. 37:4]

3. Feeling Delivered [v. 12]

III. THE FORCES INVOLVED [v. 13-23]

1. Warned by an Angel [v. 13-15, Hos. 11:1, Lk. 24:27]

2. “Mocked” by the Wise [v. 16-18, Jer. 31:15]

3. Led by God [v. 19-23, Jude 1:14]

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!

JOHN 14:16-27                                                                   Pastor Rick Jackson

3 things before we get to the main part of the message

1. THERE IS ONLY ONE 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 ONE GOD IS IN THREE 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 teacher or preacher for not following their little narrow view when the truth is right there in the Scriptures. Let me give you some 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.

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).

That brings us to the EMPHASIS of this message, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!

If the Holy Spirit is God (and He is) then it goes without saying that He is a person, not a thing. You can grieve the Holy Spirit because He is a person. A "force" or "thing" cannot be grieved.

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES

1. He is Eternal [Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?]

2. He is Omnipresent [Ps. 139:7-10]

3. He is Omnipotent [Lk. 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.]

4. He is Omniscient [Jn. 14:26, 16:13; I Cor. 2:10-11 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.]

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES DIVINE WORK

1. He was active in Creation [Gn. 1:2]

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Job 33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

2. He was active in Christ's Resurrection [Rm. 8:11]

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

3. He Gave the Word of God [2 Sam. 23:2-3]

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD & MENTIONED AS AN EQUAL WITH THE FATHER & THE SON

Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

1. In the Great Commission [Mt. 28:19]

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

2. In the Benediction [2 Cor. 13:14]

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

3. In the Declaration of Unity [Eph. 4:3-6]

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What are the differences between Judaism and Christianity?

From the highly recommended: Answers in Genesis <www.answersingenesis.org>

 

What Judaism has become is in stark contrast to what the Old Testament teaches.  (View in Browser)

Judaism and Christianity Although Judaism shares the same foundational history in the Old Testament with Christians—going back to God creating in six days and resting on the seventh—there is a stark contrast between what Judaism has become in comparison to what the Old Testament teaches. What are the differences between Judaism and Christianity?   Read Now →   Get Equipped World Religions Conference in Florence, Kentucky Learn More & Register 〉

Giraffes: Towering Testimonies to God's Design The giraffe strolls on stilt-like legs, and its neck parades high in the sky. But the giraffe is no comic freak of nature. It displays divine design. Study: Babies Drawn to Faces Before They're Born A new study has shown that it's not just newborns that prefer faces. Unborn babies in the third trimester of pregnancy show this same affinity for faces. Celebrating a Year of the Ark Encounter's Economic Success With the one-year anniversary of the Ark Encounter opening, many media outlets have reported on the economic impact this attraction has had on the area. Goats Love Music Too! Learn more about our recent musical enrichment opportunity in the petting zoo at the Creation Museum and see it in action!

Media Answers to Difficult Issues Demolishing Strongholds

Events

Answers In Genesis · 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. · Petersburg, KY 41080 · USA

Please visit our help area.

Copyright (C) 2017 Answers In Genesis All rights reserved.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Ps. 51:5). David did not mean that it was a sin for his mother to be married, and be a normal wife and conceive and bear children. He meant that since his mother was human and his father was human, that taint was on him from conception. His nature is evil and not good. He is saying that the awful sins of adultery and murder, which exploded in his life, grew from an inherent taint that every man has from birth. - John R. Rice

So Eliphaz in Job 15:14 says, "What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?" And Job 25:4 says, "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?" The Scripture says, "They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies" (Ps. 58:3).
That does not speak primarily of deliberate sin.
That speaks of the inborn sinful nature. - John R. Rice

Christians are now born of God. They are now "partakers of the divine nature" (II Pet. 1:4). We are even told about this new nature that is born of God, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him" (I John 3:6). It is the old man, the old nature that commits sin and is of the Devil. And we are told again in I John 5:18, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." We are even told in I John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Remember, however, that it is only the new nature that is born of God and so the Christian has both the old and new natures. - John R. Rice

Every Christian ought to do two or three things with the Scriptures. First, he ought to read them carefully every day to find what is the plan of God and the will of God, what is right and what is wrong. Second, he ought to meditate therein so that the Holy Spirit can use them to speak to his heart. And third, he ought to be most careful to listen to what the Bible says. Remember that Proverbs 28:9 says, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." - John R. Rice

My brother, Dr. Bill Rice, and I were discussing this problem of what any sin, when consented to and unrebuked in the heart of a Christian will do. And he said, "If you leave one little gate open, every cow in the pasture may get out." And he meant that a man who consents to a little "white lie," as you might call it, will go deeper in lying. And one who is intemperate in his speech may grow to cursing. One who allows hate and malice may become a murderer. There is no safe course for one who consents to some sin and lets it go unrebuked, unconfessed, unrepented in this life. - John R. Rice 

A holy and good God who has done His best to save people has a right to be angry with holy indignation against those who reject His mercy, who hate His Son, who scorn His entreaties and go on in their sins. Hell is not only the inevitable but the righteous and proper end for the unrepentant Christ-rejector. - John R. Rice

There are only two plans of salvation really. Analyze every religion in the world, true and false, and you will find the salvation offered is under one of these two plans. People are either saved by their own good works, the good things they do, or they are saved by faith in the good things that Christ has done for us. One must depend either on human goodness, works and ceremonies, or trust in God to give freely what the sinner cannot earn. Those are the only two plans of salvation that have ever been invented. They are Cain's way and Abel's way. They are illustrated in Luke eighteen by the Pharisee's boast of his good works and the publicans cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Which plan are you trying to use to get to Heaven? - John R. Rice

MAKE THE RIGHT APPROACH

REASONS TO BELIEVE – NUMBER 2                                                                         

Pastor Rick Jackson

Our approach to things can change depending on our circumstances. When I read the Gainesville Sun I approach it with some skepticism. When I read a book by John R. Rice there is a lot more trust in what I am reading. I remain fully aware that he is human but I also know where he stood on matters of faith. When I read the Bible I know that the author is none other than God Himself and I need not judge the Book, the Book judges me!

Approach the Bible with reverence for its Author, respect for its message, and realization for its intent.

I. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REVERENCE FOR ITS AUTHOR--- GOD!

"A light view of God produces a light view of sin." If you reverence His Person you will reverence:

1. HIS KNOWLEDGE - Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

As a Sunday school teacher once said, "Does He know? Sure He does! Ignorant and God don't go together!"

2. HIS CHARACTER - Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Someone said, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" My friend, God said it and that settles it whether I believe it or not!

3. HIS ABILITY - Is. 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

II. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH RESPECT FOR ITS MESSAGE

1. THE BIBLE IS HEAVENLY REVEALED (2 Peter 1:21)

2. THE BIBLE IS HISTORICALLY CORRECT (Mt. 19:3-6) The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

3. THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE (1 Timothy 6:20)

"But the Bible's not a science textbook!" Good, then it doesn't have to be revised every few years. The Gainesville Sun isn't a science textbook either but it's generally accurate when it gives the times for sunrise and sunset. The Bible is more scientifically accurate than any document ever written or printed.

We believe that all true discoveries, whether "in heavens above, in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth, will harmonize with that which is written in the Word of God; and if they do not thus harmonize, they are perfectly contemptible in the judgment of every true lover of Scripture. This gives great rest to the heart in a day like the present, so productive of learned speculations and high-sounding theories, which alas! in too many instances, savor of rationalism and positive infidelity. It is most needful to have the heart thoroughly established as to the fullness, the authority, the completeness, the majesty, the plenary inspiration of the Sacred Volume. This will be found to be the only effectual safeguard against the rationalism of Germany and the superstition of Rome. ...May the Lord, in His great grace, abundantly increase in our midst... accurate acquaintance with, and profound subjection to, the Word..." - CHM

III. APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH REALIZATION FOR IT'S INTENT

Someone foolishly said "The book of Genesis... is not very much concerned with how things happened. But it is very concerned with who made them happen."

Balderdash and poppycock! That's just nonsensical gibber-jabber! The Bible clearly tells us Who created, how He created and how long He took to do it!

When you realize the intent of the Bible, recognizing its truth and reverencing its Author it does several things:

1. IT ALLOWS THE WORLD TO MAKE SENSE (Ps. 73:1-3, 17, 24-28)

2. IT ALLOWS THE WORD TO MAKE SALVATION KNOWN (Acts 4:12)

3. IT ALLOWS THE WILL TO BE SURRENDERED

Like Peter at the Sea, Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Quotes of the Week

It is always too soon to quit. - V. Raymond Edman

God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without trial. - Charles Spurgeon

Whereas the house of God today is no longer material but spiritual, the material is still a very real symbol of the spiritual. When the Church of God in any place in any locality is careless about the material place of worship and its work, it is a sign and evidence that its life is at a low ebb. - G. Campbell Morgan

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Sir Winston Churchill

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks. - Phillips Brooks

Pray for great things, expect great things, work for great things, but above all, pray. - R.A. Torrey

THAT’S MY KING - AT BIRTH

MATTHEW 1 [written before 70 AD – Mt. 23:33-39]

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE OFFICIAL GENEALOGY OF MY KING [v. 1-17]

1. The Prominence of Women [v. 1-6, 16]

2. The Accuracy of Inspiration [v. 7-16, Jer. 22:28-30, Luke 3:23ff.]

3. The Legal Right of Royalty [v. 16-17]

II. THE BIRTH ACCOUNT OF MY KING [v. 18-23]

1. The Plain Statement of the New Testament [v. 18]

2. The Plain Statement of the Angel [v. 19-22]

3. The Plain Statement of the Old Testament [v. 23, Is. 7:14]

III. THE FOSTER “FATHER” OF MY KING [v. 24-25]

1. A Faithful Man [v. 24, Rm. 10:17, 1 Corinthians 4:2]

2. A Family Man [v. 25a, 13:55, Luke 1:36 “cousin” is a different word]

3. An Obedient Man [v. 25b, 1 Peter 1:14]

RESIGN OR RE-SIGN

1 KINGS 19:1-4                                                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WHAT CAUSES US TO WANT TO GIVE UP?

1. The World [Tm. 4:9-10] 

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

2. The Flesh [1 K. 19]

3. The Devil [Lk. 22:31-32, Jn. 21:3] 

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.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

II. WHY CAN'T WE GIVE UP?

1. The Cause is Too Great! [1 Sm. 17:24,29; 2 Sm. 12:14, Ps. 51:10-14] 

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

2. The Cost is Too Great! [Rm. 14:7, 10-13]

3. The Christ is Too Great! [Rm. 14:8-9, 11]

III. WHAT CAN WE DO IF WE HAVE GIVEN UP?

1. Get Forgiveness. [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.

2. Get Focused! [Heb. 12:1-3]

3. Get Familiar! [Ps. 119:9-16]